ANABLEPIDAE FAMILY
The Anablepidae or Four-eyed fish family is made up of three species that inhabit brackishwater river estuaries Central and South America.The fish of this genus have two characteristic eyes which are splitinto two parts; one for viewing above the surface and the other for seeing below the surface.
Four-eyes
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Anableps anableps
SYN
:
Anablepsanonymus, A. gronovii, A. lineatus, A. surinamensis, A. tetrophthalmus, Cobitis anableps
PD
: The body is long and cylindrical, while the head is flat with protruding eyes. Theback is flat and the dorsal fin is small and set far back on the back. The thick pectoral fins are paddle-shaped. Theback is olive to gray and the flanks are gray-yellow to white with a violet to white iridescence under some lights. Theeye is separated into two separate parts by a narrow bridge of tissue.
SIZE
: To 12" (30 cm)
SS
:
A.dowi, A. microlepis
HAB
: Brackish water tidal river estuaries in Central and South America; on the AtlanticCoast from Southern Mexico to Columbia
S: top
TANK
: A tank measuring 48" (122 cm) with a capacity of 50-70 gallons (190-266 L) issufficient. The tank must only have a depth of 8-12" (20-30 cm) and should have a large surface area. Thetank should have a beach, or some partly emerged stones or wood, as this species likes to leave the water. Havea tight-fitting cover.Use a good filtration system for this species produces a lot of waste.
WATER
: pH 7-8.5 (7.5), 8-25 dH (14), 75-81°F (24-27°C). The water should have a 2.5-3% additionof salt. This can be accomplished by adding 19-23 TSP. of salt/10 gallons (25-30 g/10 L)
SB
: A large, schooling fish that is best kept in groups of 6-10 fish. This species, due to its different tankset-up, is limited to a specific community tank.Small fish may be consumed.
SC
: Archerfish, Mudskippers, Scats,
Arius
, Monos
FOOD
: Live; fish, earthworms,
Tubifex
, flying insects, insect larvae,crustaceans; pellets; flakes.Foods are taken off the surface and rarely off the bottom.
SEX: Males have a gonopodium.
B
:In a large tank with favorable conditions, breeding is likely. Fish are mature at about 8 months, whenthe fish measure 6-8" (15-20 cm).After a gestation period of eight weeks, the 2-2.8" (5-7 cm) fryare born. These rarely number more than 15, and stillborns are likely. The fry should be removed and placedin a tank of their own with a water level of 4-6" (10-15 cm). Start feeding with
Artemia
, insect larvae, and
Drosophila
. Theyoung grow quickly.
BP
: 6.A fairly easily bred fish, under favorable conditions. The main trouble arises with the generalmaintenance of this species.
R
: The upper parts of the eye which are usually emerged above the water, allow the Four-eyesto spot predators lurking above the water.Four-eyes are strong jumpers. The gonopodium of males is twisted eitherto the right or left as is the genital opening of the female.Thus right-sided males can only mate with left-sidedfemales, and vice versa.
DC
: 6.A large species with special tank requirements. This species requires a diet that includeslive foods. Frequent partial water changes are a must for this messy species that produces copious amounts ofwaste.
Shark-repelling fishing gear in the works
(4/23/2008) Fishing gear that produces an electric field in sea water could help prevent sharks from becoming accidental bycatch, say scientists at NOAA.
Feds flood the Grand Canyon to save endangered fish
(3/5/2008) Federal government officials unleashed a flood of water from Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona to help restore the Grand Canyon's ecosystem which has suffered as a result of changes caused by the dam.
The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me.
