Page 191 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

BRACKISH WATER SPECIES 189

Macrognathus aculeatus Periophthalmus barbarus
SANCTUARY IN THE SWAMP
Lesser Spiny Eel Mudskipper
Mangrove swamps occur in tidal areas, often
ORIGINS Southeast Asia, in brackish environments close ORIGINS East Africa, south to Madagascar, and east to close to estuaries, where salt-tolerant plants
to the shoreline. parts of southeast Asia and Australia. grow in the mud. The tangled mass of the
SIZE 14 in (35 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). plants’ submerged roots provides sanctuary
DIET Live foods of different types. DIET Live foods of all types. for the young of fish, such as the Tiger Scat
WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–86°F (25–30°C); alkaline (see bottom left), which slip easily between
(pH 7.6–8.0) with SG 1.002–1.007. (pH 7.6–8.0) with SG 1.002–1.007. the roots and out of reach of larger predators.
TEMPERAMENT Predatory and aggressive. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. Mudskippers in particular have adapted to
the mangroves, because they can survive
The distinguishing features of this species are the temporarily out of water on the exposed
alternate light and dark horizontal bands along mudflats at low tide, as visible below. When
the side of the body and the false eye-spots on the the tide comes in, the mudskippers’ brown,
dorsal fin. As with other spiny eels, there are a mottled coloration helps to camouflage
number of spines in front of the dorsal fin itself. them as they lie on the muddy bottom.
Nocturnal by nature, and eager burrowers into
the aquarium substrate, Lesser Spiny Eels do not
rank among the most conspicuous of aquarium
occupants. They will hunt for food on the floor
of the tank, so provide them with foods that sink
to the bottom. Spiny eels tend not to agree with An aquarium for these fish needs to be relatively
one another when kept in small groups. large and have a raised area like a beach at one end
to allow the fish to hop onto land, just as they
would at low tide in the wild. Tree roots and
plants, too, will be needed, and an external
power filter is essential to maintain the water
quality. Keeping the aquarium covered will help
to ensure that the air inside is warm and humid
when the mudskippers emerge from the water.

Scatophagus argus Brachygobius xanthozonus
Tiger Scat The spotted patterning that characterizes young Bumblebee Goby
Scats alters as they mature, with the background
ORIGINS Indo-Pacific region, from the coasts of India color becoming silvery rather than golden. Being ORIGINS Southeast Asia, in brackish waters close to
extending eastward to the Pacific islands. vegetarian, these fish will damage or destroy living the shoreline.
SIZE 12 in (30 cm). plants in their aquarium. Java Fern (Microsorum SIZE 2 in (5 cm).
DIET Largely vegetarian. pteropus) must not be incorporated, since it may be DIET Small live foods preferred.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline toxic to Scats if they eat it. Scats are active fish by WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 7.6–8.0) with SG 1.002–1.007. nature, and a group will require (pH 7.6–8.0) with SG 1.002–1.007.
TEMPERAMENT Social and nonaggressive. a large, spacious aquarium. TEMPERAMENT Territorial by nature.
The yellowish-orange and black banding on these
small gobies resembles that of a bumblebee. Males
tend to be more brightly colored and thinner
than females. Bumblebee Gobies spend their time
close to the bottom of the tank. Their eggs, which
are susceptible to fungus even in brackish water,
are hidden under a rock and guarded by the male
until they hatch about four days later. Provide
retreats to lessen displays of territorial aggression.

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