Page 95 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CHARACOIDS/PREDATORY SPECIES 93

Ctenolucius hujeta Acestrorhynchus altus Chalceus macrolepidotus
Gar Characin Torpedo Pike Characin Pink-Tailed Characin

ORIGINS South America, ranging from Panama ORIGINS South America, occurring in both the Amazon ORIGINS Northern South America, particularly the
southward to Colombia and Venezuela. basin and the more southerly Paraguay basin. Guianas and the Amazon basin.
SIZE 12 in (30 cm). SIZE 14 in (35 cm). SIZE 10 in (25 cm).
DIET Invertebrates and fish-based diets. DIET Larger invertebrates and prepared foods. DIET Thawed, fresh, and freeze-dried live foods.
WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); hard
(up to 200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (up to 200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Aggressive but nervous. TEMPERAMENT Predatory, best kept alone. TEMPERAMENT Aggressive and predatory.
This is a more colorful form of the Amazon
Cachorro (A. falcirostris), displaying attractive
reddish coloration on the caudal and anal fins.
There is also a large black spot at the base of
the caudal fin and others farther up the body
near the gills. When designing an aquarium
for these fish, be sure to incorporate sufficient Pinkish-red
retreats so that they will not injure themselves by Silvery body caudal fin
The upper jaw of these fish is slightly shorter than swimming into the glass. Floating plants will make
the lower jaw. They are predominantly silvery in them feel more secure. Pink-Tailed Characins have a slim body and a
color, but there are slight differences between the relatively large and deeply forked tail fin.
three recognized subspecies. A tank for Gar These fish need spacious surroundings but
Characins needs a clear area for swimming, with are quite adaptable as far as water conditions
a good water current created by the filter. A dense are concerned. The young may be persuaded
surface covering of aquatic plants is also needed. to eat flake food and subsequently encouraged
When mating, the male uses his anal fin to hold to take tablets. The species must never be mixed
the female’s abdomen. Anywhere from 1,000 to with smaller companions, which are likely to be
3,000 eggs may be laid during a single spawning, eaten. These characoids can be long-lived, with
and the fry hatch within a day. a life expectancy in aquariums of nearly 20 years.

Hoplias malabaricus Hepsetus odoe
Wolf Fish Kafue Pike Characoid require a very large aquarium. The predatory
habits of these fish mean that they are best housed
ORIGINS Occurs throughout much of Central America ORIGINS Widely distributed throughout much of tropical alone. The tank must afford plenty of cover, since
and northern parts of South America. Africa, although absent from the Nile basin. they are instinctively nervous and like to hide away
SIZE 20 in (50 cm). SIZE 28 in (70 cm). in vegetation or caves, which can be created with
DIET Live foods and fish-based foods. DIET Thawed and fresh meat-based foods. bogwood as well as rockwork. Take particular care
WATER Temperature 72–81°F (22–27°C); hard WATER Temperature 79–82°F (26–28°C); hard with a newly acquired individual that has not yet
(100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). settled in the aquarium, because it is likely to swim
TEMPERAMENT Aggressive and predatory. TEMPERAMENT A powerful predator. around wildly and could injure itself while you are
attending to its needs. The eggs, which the female
Although young Kafue Pike Characoids are guards, hatch in a bubble nest, suggesting
occasionally available, bear in mind when thinking an affinity with anabantoids (see pp. 104–115).
of buying one that it will grow fast and eventually Successful breeding in aquariums is highly unlikely.

Attractive patterning and a relatively tall, banded
dorsal fin are characteristic features of Wolf Fish.
Males are slimmer, while females have a slight
upward curvature to the lower surface of their
body when viewed in profile. One difficulty with
keeping Wolf Fish and similar predatory characoids
is persuading them to take an inert diet rather than
smaller fish, which are their natural prey. This is
more easily achieved by starting out with juveniles,
which are more adaptable in their feeding habits.

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