Synonyms: Colisa chuna, Trichogaster chuna, T. sota, Trichopodus chuna Physical description: A laterally compressed fish with long-oval shaped body. This species is similar in fin shape to C. lalia , although coloration of these two species is entirely different. Males and females are pale orange at most times. The fins match the body color. At spawning times, the male develops a dark orange color, and his head, throat, and front part of the anal fin become dark green to black. The rear parts of the anal and dorsal fins is also dark orange, as is the caudal fin. The ventral fins of the male may become black. Size/Length: To 1.7" (4.5 cm) Similar species: None Habitat: Northeastern India; Assam; Bangladesh S: middle, top Aquarium: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with a volume of 10 gallons (38 L) is suggested. Follow recommendations for C. lalia . Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), dH 4-15 (8), 72-82°F (22-28°C) Social behavior: A peaceful and timid species that can be combined with other peaceful species. Males become aggressive when defending their brood at spawning times. Suggested companions: Colisa , Trichopsis, Corydoras , Danios, Loaches, Loricarids. FOOD: Live; insect larvae, Tubifex, insects, crustaceans; flakes; occasionally algae; pellets; tablets Sexual differences: At spawning times, males become dark orange with a black head, throat, and belly. Females at that time are brownish orange. Breeding techniques: Follow suggestions for C. lalia. Breeding potential: 7. Breeding is moderately difficult. Remarks: Under unsatisfactory conditions, this fish may be colorless besides being susceptible to velvet disease. Difficulty of care: 5. This species requires frequent partial water changes, and tends to susceptible to disease. Recent articles about fish Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees (2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health. Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees (10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine. Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater (12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina. |
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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009 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. |
