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Labyrinth Fish
/ Anabantidae / Ornate Ctenopoma
Ornate Ctenopoma
Ctenopoma ansorgii | Pictures
Synonyms: Anabas
ansorgii
Physical description: This moderately compressed, elongated species has a pointed head, and a rounded caudal
fin. The
boy ranges from gray-silver to orange-silver.
The body marked with about seven brown, transverse bands.
These
bands run through the large anal and dorsal fins, which are orange in color.
The caudal fin is dark brown.
The
head is marked with irregular brown bands.
Size/Length: To 3.2" (8 cm)
Similar species: Other
Ctenopoma species
Habitat: West Africa; in shallow shore areas around Stanley Pool, Zaire
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 32" (80 cm) with a capacity of 30 gallons (114 L) is sufficient.
Arrange
the tank as recommended for A.
testudineus.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 3-18 dH (8), 77-82°F (25-28°C)
Social behavior: Males are belligerent towards one another, although otherwise a peaceful species that
can be combined with peaceful fish.
Small fish may be preyed upon.
Suggested companions: Congo Tetra, some
Synodontis, Kribensis, other West African cichlids,
Spiny Eels, Mormyrids.
FOOD: Live; small fish,
Tubifex, insects, insect larvae, small amphibians,
crustaceans, chopped earthworms; lettuce; spinach; tablets; pellets; flakes; chopped meat; oatmeal; peas
SEX: Males have slightly longer anal and dorsal fins, which are white in color.
Breeding techniques: Spawning has been reported in water with a pH from 6.2-6.5, a water hardness from 2-5
dH, and a water temperature from 81-82°F (27-28°C).
A bubble nest is constructed, where the eggs
are deposited.
The fry can be raised on micro foods.
Breeding potential: 8.
Breeding is fairly unusual.
Remarks: The color of this species varies.
Difficulty of care: 5.
This species requires a diet including live foods.
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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