Page 187 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

OTHER ASIAN SPECIES 185

Stigmatogobius sadanundio Tateurndina ocellicauda Xenentodon cancila
Knight Goby Eye-Spot Sleeper Silver Needlefish

ORIGINS Mainland Southeast Asia and Indonesian ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring in New Guinea, ORIGINS Asia, ranging from India and Sri Lanka east to
islands, including Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. where it is restricted to eastern Papua. Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Malaysia.
SIZE 3 ⁄2 in (8.5 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 12 in (30 cm).
1
DIET Live foods and algae. DIET Small live foods preferred. DIET Live foods, typically fish.
WATER Temperature 68–79°F (20–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 68–79°F (20–26°C); soft WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); hard
(100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). (150–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Quite territorial. TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Predatory.
These striking gobies display red markings on
Variable black
marking Divided dorsal fin a blue background and yellowish underparts.
Females are more rotund than males and have
more pronounced yellow banding along the
edges of the dorsal and anal fins. A pair seeks Jaws lined with teeth
out a spawning site, and the male guards the
eggs until they hatch. Fry can be reared on
brine shrimp once they are free-swimming.
Male
These slender fish have a dark stripe along each
The pale-silver body of the male Knight Goby side of the body. Although they are difficult to sex,
is dotted with black spots that become more males generally have a dark edge on their dorsal
numerous toward the rear. The female has similar and anal fins. Silver Needlefish need to be kept in
markings but is more yellow and has smaller fins. a group under relatively subdued lighting. The tank
Knight Gobies may benefit from being kept in should include plants and plentiful open spaces for
slightly brackish water conditions. They require an swimming. It must also be covered, to prevent the
aquarium with plenty of cavelike retreats in which fish from jumping out. Silver Needlefish naturally
the fish can spawn. The male will guard the eggs, prey on small fish, but in aquariums it may be
which are laid on the underside of the cave roof. possible to wean them onto larger invertebrates.

Toxotes jaculatrix
SHARP-SHOOTING FISH
Archer Fish
The hunting ability of the Archer Fish is
ORIGINS A wide distribution, from the Middle East remarkable. Rather than seeking food in
through southern parts of Asia to Australia. the water, it patrols just below the surface,
SIZE 10 in (25 cm). searching with its sharp eyes for invertebrates
DIET Live foods. on overhanging vegetation. Using its powerful
WATER Temperature 77–86°F (25–30°C); hard jaws, the Archer Fish sucks water into its
(100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). mouth and carefully targets its intended
TEMPERAMENT Smaller individuals may be bullied. quarry from below the water line. Then it
raises its mouth up slightly, just breaking
Very short through the surface, and fires a powerful
upper jaw jet of water at the unsuspecting victim. If its
aim is true, the creature is caught off guard
and knocked into the water below, where
the Archer Fish snaps it up. The water jet
is a formidable hunting weapon, being
effective over distances up to 5 ft (1.5 m).
Young Archer Fish begin to fire water jets
at quite an early age, but it takes practice
to perfect their shooting skills. The biggest
The predatory Archer Fish has a silvery body and problem to overcome is refraction, which
a yellowish tinge to the caudal fin. The sides of the causes an object to appear to be in a
body display black blotches, as do the fins. This different position when seen from below
reasonably social fish needs a deep, covered tank, the water line. The Archer Fish deals with this
and it may benefit from the addition of some by careful positioning. It shoots from almost
marine salt to the water. Archer Fish have yet directly under its quarry and adopts an
to be bred successfully in aquariums. This may be upright posture in the water, thereby reducing
linked to the fact that the adults are believed to refraction to a minimum and significantly
head out to sea to spawn on reefs. increasing its chances of hitting the target.

US_184-185_Other_Asian_Sp.indd 185 29/08/18 4:10 PM