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Perches
/ Nandidae / Schomburgk's Leaf Fish
Schomburgk's Leaf Fish
Polycentrus schomburgki | Pictures
Synonyms: Polycentrus
tricolor
Physical description: A stocky, high-backed fish with lateral compression.
The body is oval-shaped and the caudal
fin is fan-shaped.
The anal and dorsal fins have long bases with short, spiny rays.
The coloration is variable depending
on mood, conditions, and surroundings.
Generally the body is dark brown with random dark and light markings.
Three
lines runs from the eye.
The fins are brownish.
Size/Length: To 4" (10 cm)
Similar species: Other Leaf fish
Habitat: Inhabits shore areas slow-moving or still water having heavy vegetation in South America;
Trinidad, Guyana, and Venezuela
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with the capacity of 10 gallons (39 L) is sufficient.
A tank
arranged in dark colors with a cover of floating plants is particularly important to this species.
Follow
other recommendations under M.
polyacanthus.
Water chemistry: pH 6.3-7.2 (7.0), 8-20 dH (10), 72-79°F (22-26°C)
FOOD: Live; small fish, mosquito larvae, earthworms, aquatic insects, crustaceans,
Tubifex
Social behavior: This solitary species is peaceful towards equal and larger sized species.
This
species is predatory towards smaller companions.
This Leaf fish is nocturnal.
Suggested companions: Armored Catfish,
Leporinus, Anostomus, Angelfish, Doradids, Loricarids,
Loaches.
Sexual differences: The females are rounder during spawning season and generally lighter in color.
Breeding techniques: Use water with the following valueS: a pH of 6.0-7.0, a water hardness of 18-20 dH,
and a temperature of 82-86°F (28-30°C). They spawn in a rocky cave, and the eggs are attached to the underside
of large-leafed leaves.
About 600 eggs are laid.
After spawning, the male drives off the female, and she should be removed.
The
father watches and cares for the eggs.
The fry hatch in three days and are free-swimming after 7 or 8 days.
The
fry are voracious eaters and will consume their body weight in food daily.
Breeding potential: 8.
Breeding is difficult.
Remarks: This species is less aggressive than
M. polyacanthus.
Difficulty of care: 6.
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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