Page 93 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CHARACOIDS 91

Brycinus longipinnis
Long-Finned African Tetra

ORIGINS Western Africa, present in the Niger delta,
Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
SIZE 5 in (13 cm).
DIET Prepared foods and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social.
A prominent black stripe along the lower part of
the caudal peduncle helps to identify this characoid.
The remainder of its body has a silvery-green hue,
which is most apparent in low-level lighting.
This nervous yet active fish should be
housed in small groups, with spacious
surroundings to provide plenty of
swimming space and floating plants on
the surface to provide some cover. Only a
mature male—the upper fish of the pair
pictured here—has extended dorsal fin rays.
Good water quality serves to improve the males’
coloration. Avoid nitrate accumulation by
carrying out partial water changes every two
weeks or so. Long-Finned African Tetras require
a separate spawning tank, with vegetation among
which they can scatter their eggs (an artificial
spawning mop may be used instead of plants).
Hatching can take as long as six days.

Chalceus erythrurus Anostomus anostomus
HANGING AROUND
Watermelon Fish Striped Headstander
Penguin fish have such a strong shoaling
instinct that they even rest together as a ORIGINS Northern South America, present in the ORIGINS Northern South America, from Colombia down
group, hanging at an angle in the water with Amazon basin and extending north to the Guianas. the Amazon to Manaus; also found in the Orinoco.
all the fish facing the same direction, as SIZE 10 in (25 cm). SIZE 7 in (18 cm).
illustrated by the group of Hockey Sticks DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods, live foods, and vegetable matter.
below. In this position, the mass of stripes WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft
makes the shoal resemble underwater (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and slightly acidic (pH 6.5).
vegetation when viewed from a distance, TEMPERAMENT An active predator. TEMPERAMENT Can be aggressive.
camouflaging the fish in reedy stretches of
water where many shoots grow up toward the The attractive patterning of these headstanders
surface. The name “penguin fish” alludes to the (so-called because they often rest with the head
way in which penguins move on land, with pointing downward) consists of alternating
their bodies leaning slightly forward. stripes of black and yellow. Striped Headstanders
need powerful filtration and good lighting to
encourage algal growth, which makes up part
of their natural diet. Retreats in the form of
rocks and bogwood are also important. Aggression
levels will be lower if these fish are kept in shoals.
The slim, silvery body and reddish-pink caudal fin
are characteristic features of the Watermelon Fish.
In some populations, the other fins are Prominent, red-
yellowish. This is one of the larger and more marked dorsal fin
predatory characoid species, so any tankmates
should be chosen carefully. It may be necessary to
wean this fish off live foods; thawed items are
likely to prove more palatable than freeze-dried
alternatives. Nothing is known about the breeding Sexes look identical
habits of Watermelon Fish.

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