Physical description: Similar to M. splendida australis except in size and coloration. The coloration of fins and the body are highly variable within this sub-species. The back is gray brown to silver blue, while the belly is yellow-gray. The flanks are generally bluish-silver with a violet iridescence. A faint, dark blue band runs from the eye to the caudal fin. Some fish may have several orange lateral stripes also marking the flanks. The base of the fins is light blue with an orange and black border. The caudal fin is marked with red spots. The gill cover is marked with an orange spot. Females have more subdued colors. Size/Length: To 6" (15 cm) Similar species: See M. splendida australis. Habitat: Australia; from Queensland to the Cape York Peninsula. Occurs in a wide range of habitats. S: middle Aquarium: A tank measuring 36" (91 cm) is sufficient. Follow recommendations under M. splendida australis. Water chemistry: pH 6.5-8 (7.0), 8-18 dH (12), 68-77°F (20-25°C) Social behavior: As for M. splendida australis Suggested companions: As for M. splendida australis FOOD: Live; insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, insects; flakes SEX: Males have pointed anal and dorsal fins, are higher backed with age, and are more colorful. Breeding techniques: As for M. splendida australis Breeding potential: 6. Breeding is not difficult. Remarks: Fish are sexually mature from 2.4" (6 cm). Difficulty of care: 5. This species requires frequent partial water changes to prosper. 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. |
