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Perches
/ Nandidae / Nandus
Nandus
Nandus nandus | Pictures
Synonyms: Bedula
hamiltonii, Coius nandus, Nandus marmoratus
Physical description: An oval-shaped fish with an arched back and lateral compression.
The first 12 rays of the long dorsal
fin are spiny, while the rest are not.
The caudal fin is fan-shaped and the mouth is deeply cleft.
The
body coloration change, although it is generally gray with irregular brown markings.
The eye has two brown stripes passing
through it: one running from the mouth to the origin of the dorsal fin, and the other running from the throat to
the eye.
The fins are grayish, also with brown markings.
Size/Length: To 8" (20 cm)
Similar species: Other Leaf fish
Habitat: Inhabits swamps, coastal lakes, and rivers in Southeast Asia; Burma (Myanmar), Thailand,
India
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A 36" (91 cm) or 35-45 gallon (132-170 L) tank is suggested.
The tank should be densely planted with
a cover of floating plants.
Use rocks, roots, and wood to create hiding places.
Water chemistry: pH 6.9-8 (7.4), 8-15 dH (12), 73-81°F (23-27°C).
A 0.5-1.0% addition of salt is recommended
to keep the fish in top condition.
Add 4-7.5 Tsp. salt for every 10 gallons (5-10 g/10 L).
Social behavior: A large, predatory fish that will feed on smaller companions at night.
The
Nandus is best kept in a species tank although can be combined with other large, robust species.
Suggested companions: Giant Gourami,
Mystus Cats, Knifefish, large barbs.
FOOD:
Live; fish, insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, worms
Sexual differences: Difficult to distinguish, males may be darker colored and have larger fins.
Breeding techniques: Use water with a pH from 6.8-7, a water hardness from 6-9 dH, and a temperature from
7-81°F (25-27°C).
As many as 300 tiny eggs are scattered.
These hatch after two days are ignored by the
parents.
The fry can be raised on Artemia
nauplii.
Breeding potential: 9.
Breeding is unusual and rarely accomplished.
Remarks: This species is nocturnal.
Difficulty of care: 7.
This predatory species requires a diet of 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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