Page 117 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

ANABANTOIDS/BUSHFISH 115

Microctenopoma ansorgii Nandus nandus Polycentrus schomburgkii
Ornate Ctenopoma Nandus Schomburgk’s Leaf Fish

ORIGINS Central Africa, in southern Cameroon and the ORIGINS Asia, ranging from India eastward through ORIGINS Northern South America, found in Venezuela
Congo basin, including Stanley Pool in Zaire. Myanmar (Burma) to Thailand. and Guyana, as well as on Trinidad.
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 8 in (20 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm).
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Live foods. DIET Live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard
and acidic (pH 6.5). (100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5). (150–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Relatively peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Predatory. TEMPERAMENT Predatory and shy.
The Ornate Ctenopoma is one of the most colorful Female Schomburgk’s Leaf Fish differ significantly
members of its group. Its contrasting patterning in color from males, being a much lighter shade
looks best when viewed under subdued lighting, of brown. Males turn virtually black when in
when the six dark bands on the body will be spawning condition. These leaf fish should be
clearly visible. The male, which is more brightly mixed only with similar-sized, nonaggressive species.
colored than the female, builds a relatively small They hide away for much of the day, typically
bubble nest at the surface of the tank. Young becoming more active at dusk. Spawning occurs
Ornate Ctenopomas develop their striped in a cave, where the female lays up to 600 eggs.
pattern when they are about four weeks old. The male guards the eggs until they hatch.
Long, serrated dorsal fin These mottled fish are more active than leaf fish, Ragged edge
their close relatives. They must not be mixed with to dorsal fin
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,
Darker vertical bands on the body Nandus do not guard their brood.

Monocirrhus polyacanthus
PREDATORY DRIFTER
Barbeled Leaf Fish
Everything about the Barbeled Leaf Fish reflects head first. Often the Leaf Fish does not need to
ORIGINS Western South America, occurring in sluggish its highly specialized predatory lifestyle. Not only bother making a lunge for its quarry, because at
streams in the Amazonian region of Peru. does it look like a leaf, but it also mimics the close range the rapid opening of its large jaws
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). movement of a drifting leaf under water. Its creates a pressure difference in the water that
DIET Live foods. hunting technique is not to swiftly pursue its sucks the unfortunate individual into its mouth.
WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) victims but to ambush them. Hanging at an The predatory instincts of the Barbeled Leaf
and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). angle in the water, it is carried along by the Fish are so strong that the fish can prove
TEMPERAMENT Predatory. current until it comes within range of a problematic in aquarium surroundings, making
smaller fish. It then seizes the unsuspecting it virtually impossible to persuade it to eat inert
A narrow, yellowish body and markings similar prey with a lightning-fast snap of foodstuffs. Fortunately, this species will take
to those of a dead leaf characterize this unusual- the jaws and gulps it down live invertebrates in addition to fish.
looking 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.

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