Physical description: Similar in body shape to D. microlepis except this species is slightly more elongated. The body color is gray white and the head may have an amber iridescence. The body is marked with seven black stripes. The first of these runs from the mouth to the eye where it forks with one part running to the back and the other toward the throat. The base of the caudal fin is marked with two black spots. The fins are transparent except for the pelvic fin which is white and black. Size/Length: To 18" (60 cm) in nature, although rarely larger than 12" (30 cm) in captivity. Similar species: Datnioides microlepis Habitat: In brackish water river estuaries in Asia and Australia; Borneo, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, the Ganges of India, Thailand, and Sumatra. S: bottom Aquarium: A 32" (91 cm) or 30 gallon (114 L) tank is sufficient for fish up to 7" (18 cm) in length. Larger fish require a tank measuring at least 40" (101 cm) with a volume exceeding 45 gallons (170 L). Follow suggestions for D. microlepis. Water chemistry: pH 6.5-7.3 (6.9), 6-15 dH (8), 72-82°F (22-28°C). A 1-1.5% addition of salt is suggested. Add 7.5-11 TSP of salt per 10 gallons (10-15 g/10 L). Social behavior: As for D. microlepis. Suggested companions: Scats, Archers, Monos, Puffers, Arius. FOOD: Live; fish, earthworms, Tubifex, insects, crustaceans; meat, beef heart; occasionally pellets Sexual differences: Unknown Breeding techniques: Unknown Breeding potential: 10. Breeding has yet to be accomplished in captivity. Remarks: Despite its wider distribution, this species is less common than Datnioides microlepis in the hobby . Difficulty of care: 7. This hardy and aggressive species requires live foods and brackish water conditions. It reaches a large size and demands a large tank. 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. |
