[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Freshwater Fish – Anabantoids – Bushfish

Directory of Freshwater Fish

Anabantoids

Bushfish

Indian Chameleon Fish (Badis badis)

• ORIGINS: The Ganges region of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Also recorded from Pakistan and Bhutan.
• SIZE: 3 in (7.5 cm).
• DIET: Prepared foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Usually quite peaceful.

These fish are sometimes called Chameleon Fish due to their variable coloration, which is influenced by their surroundings. Males are slightly larger and more brightly colored than females. Variations in appearance between chameleon fish may be slight. The Indian species shown here has bluer tones than its Burmese relative (Badis ruber), which is more reddish. These fish need a densely planted tank with a sandy base. Include a flowerpot laid on its side to act as a spawning cave. The female will lay up to 100 eggs in the cave, and the male will watch over them until they hatch about three days later. Use brine shrimp as a rearing food for the free-swimming fry. Raising the water temperature slightly can trigger spawning behavior. Males become increasingly territorial at this stage, so breeding pairs are best given their own tank.

Climbing Perch (Anabas testudineus)

• ORIGINS: Asia, widely distributed from India to southern China and parts of Indonesia.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Prepared foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 61–82°F (16–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Occasionally aggressive.

Brownish in color, the Climbing Perch is a hardy species. If its habitat dries up, it can use its pectoral fins to drag itself short distances over land to find a new stretch of water. When on land, it relies on its labyrinth organs (see p.110) to meet its oxygen needs. Climbing Perch need to be housed in a covered tank to prevent them from climbing out. Their eggs may simply be left to float in the water, since the males often do not construct bubble nests.

Banded Bushfish (Microctenopoma fasciolatum)

• ORIGINS: Central Africa, in the Congo River, Zaire, from close to Mosembe down to Boma at the river’s mouth.
• SIZE: 3 1⁄2 in (9 cm).
• DIET: Prepared foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Aggressive.

Irregular dark bands run vertically across the body of this fish. The dorsal and anal fins are more pointed in males. The coloration is quite variable, with some individuals having blue in their fins. The banding is less obvious in juveniles, which tend to be grayer overall. The Banded Bushfish is a bubblenesting species, and up to 1,000 eggs may be produced at a single spawning. The fry are not usually harmed by their parents.

Leopard Ctenopoma (Ctenopoma acutirostre)

• ORIGINS Central Africa, occurring in central and lower parts of the Congo River in Zaire.
• SIZE 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET Prepared foods and live foods.
• WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT Relatively placid but predatory.

This ctenopoma has a leopardlike pattern of spots, with a much darker spot at the base of the caudal fin. Leopard Ctenopomas tend to be more active after dark. They are nervous by nature, but if their tank provides plenty of cover, the fish may eventually become tame. In the wild, they prey on small fish and other aquatic creatures. Males have small patches of defensive spines on their bodies.

Ornate Ctenopoma (Microctenopoma ansorgii)

• ORIGINS: Central Africa, in southern Cameroon and the Congo basin, including Stanley Pool in Zaire.
• SIZE: 3 in (7.5 cm).
• DIET: Prepared foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Relatively peaceful.

The Ornate Ctenopoma is one of the most colorful members of its group. Its contrasting patterning looks best when viewed under subdued lighting, when the six dark bands on the body will be clearly visible. The male, which is more brightly colored than the female, builds a relatively small bubble nest at the surface of the tank. Young Ornate Ctenopomas develop their striped pattern when they are about four weeks old.

Nandus (Nandus nandus)

• ORIGINS Asia, ranging from India eastward through Myanmar (Burma) to Thailand.
• SIZE 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET Live foods.
• WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard (100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT Predatory

These mottled fish are more active than leaf fish, their close relatives. They must not be mixed with small companions because of their predatory nature. However, they can be kept alongside either of the Asiatic chromide species (see p.146), which require similar water conditions, including the addition of some marine salt to create a slightly brackish environment. Unlike leaf fish, Nandus do not guard their brood.

Schomburgk’s Leaf Fish (Polycentrus schomburgkii)

• ORIGINS: Northern South America, found in Venezuela and Guyana, as well as on Trinidad.
• SIZE: 4 in (10 cm).
• DIET: Live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Predatory and shy.

Female Schomburgk’s Leaf Fish differ significantly in color from males, being a much lighter shade of brown. Males turn virtually black when in spawning condition. These leaf fish should be mixed only with similar-sized, nonaggressive species. They hide away for much of the day, typically becoming more active at dusk. Spawning occurs in a cave, where the female lays up to 600 eggs. The male guards the eggs until they hatch.

Barbeled Leaf Fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus)

• ORIGINS: Western South America, occurring in sluggish streams in the Amazonian region of Peru.
• SIZE: 4 in (10 cm).
• DIET: Live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Predatory

A narrow, yellowish body and markings similar to those of a dead leaf characterize this unusuallooking species. The aquarium must include dense vegetation, among which the fish can hide. Sexing is difficult, although females are often larger than males. Spawning occurs on rocks or leaves. The male guards the eggs, which number up to 300. Hatching occurs about four days later.

PREDATORY DRIFTE

Everything about the Barbeled Leaf Fish reflects its highly specialized predatory lifestyle. Not only does it look like a leaf, but it also mimics the movement of a drifting leaf under water. Its hunting technique is not to swiftly pursue its victims but to ambush them. Hanging at an angle in the water, it is carried along by the current until it comes within range of a smaller fish. It then seizes the unsuspecting prey with a lightning-fast snap of the jaws and gulps it down head first. Often the Leaf Fish does not need to bother making a lunge for its quarry, because at close range the rapid opening of its large jaws creates a pressure difference in the water that sucks the unfortunate individual into its mouth. The predatory instincts of the Barbeled Leaf Fish are so strong that the fish can prove problematic in aquarium surroundings, making it virtually impossible to persuade it to eat inert foodstuffs. Fortunately, this species will take live invertebrates in addition to fish.

[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – David Alderton (Photo by Max Gibbs)