03. Bony tongues - Aquarium Glaser GmbH

03. Bony tongues (24)

Chitala blanci

19. June 2023

The Asian clown knifefishes with a well-developed dorsal fin were formerly grouped in the genus Notopterus. Currently, the genus Notopterus contains two externally indistinguishable species, N. notopterus and N. synurus, while the high-backed species have been transferred to the genus Chitala.

From the genus Chitala we currently have the very attractive species Chitala blanci in stock. This knifefish, which can grow to about 120 cm in length and is a magnificent species for large aquariums, originates from the Mekong River drainage in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Chitala blanci prefers to live in strongly flowing sections of water and avoids still water and swamps.

Chitala species are predatory fishes that need to be fed with strong (frozen) food. Of course, small fish are also eaten. The sexes cannot be distinguished externally. Among themselves and towards fish that do not come into question as food, Chitala are peaceful. At breeding time, pairs are found spawning on rocks, roots, etc. and guarding the spawn.

All Chitala species have auxiliary respiration with which they can get air at the water surface. This allows them to still survive in very low oxygen water, making them sought after market fish in their native country, even though their flesh has many small bones. The meat is scraped around them, pressed through a sieve and made into meatballs.

For our customers: the animals have code 439005 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Scleropages jardinii

9. June 2023

The bony tongues (Osteoglossidae) are ancient fish nobility. They bear witness to the time when Africa, India, Australia, Antarctica and South America still formed a coherent continent called Gondwana. It was during this time that the bony tongues evolved. About 150 million years ago, Gondwana broke apart and today’s continents were formed. As if on rafts, the bony tongues drifted apart on the continental floes. Today they exist in South America (2 species Osteoglossum and 5 species Arapaima), in Africa (Heterotis niloticus) and with several species (the exact number is disputed) of the genus Scleropages in Asia and Australia.

The Australian species are colloquially called Saratoga and are traditionally divided into two species – Scleropages jardinii and S. leichardti. They are the least commonly imported of all the arowanas. They seem to retain their seasonal reproduction even in breeding facilities, and so we can generally offer them only a few weeks a year. Wild caught of these species are not in the trade. Now it is once again and we have S. jardinii on offer. The animals are currently 10-12 cm long. An interesting detail on the side: according to our supplier in Singapore he gets his animals from breeding farms in Australia.

Among themselves the young animals are a bit quarrelsome. There are no serious fights, but slightly damaged fins are the order of the day. The species grows to about 60 cm in length. They are predatory fish. Such rarities, which also grow very large, are acquired only by experienced aquarists, zoos and show aquariums with the appropriate aquarium equipment.

For our customers: the animals have code 454902 on our stock list. Please note that we supply only wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Xenomystus nigri

6. September 2021

Knifefishes are found in the Old World (Africa, Asia) and in the New World (South and Central America). However, the two groups are not closely related. Aquaristically, however, they are quite comparable. They inspire above all by their elegant swimming. The very special fin structure allows them to maneuver both forward and backward. At the same time, they are lightning fast. And knifefish are intelligent – at least by fish standards. They get to know the keeper and come to receive tidbits on whistle. Among themselves, they communicate with sounds and “electric speech,” which uses weak electrical impulses.

The smallest species of Old World knifefish is Xenomystus nigri, which usually grows to 12-15 cm, exceptionally to 20 cm. It is widely distributed in western Africa; the photographs show a juvenile specimen from the Congo and two adults from the Niger River in Nigeria, from where we usually obtain them. X. nigri can be very easily distinguished from all other Old World species by the fact that it lacks a dorsal fin, all other species have one.

Very small fish become eaten by African knifefish, they are peaceful to all larger fish. They are crepuscular animals, as can be easily seen from their large eyes. In the aquarium Xenomystus do not necessarily want caves, but dim shelters. The sexes are hardly distinguishable, males are a bit more high-backed. Xenomystus nigri are crevice spawners, “shooting” their eggs individually into depressions or small holes. The species does not seem to take broodcare.

Xenomystus nigri feeds in nature mainly on insects and worms. In the aquarium, it readily accepts all common frozen foods, but will also accept dry foods. Although the fish is not colorful, it is a wonderful contrast fish to other aquarium inhabitants, it is, as we say, the salt in the soup.

For our customers: the animals have code 192004 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Campylomormyrus tamandua BRED

24. February 2021

Elephant fishes or mormyrids are very interesting and also entertaining fish. They communicate among themselves with electrical signals and have – similar to birds – a relatively well developed cerebellum. Their bizzare body shape makes them additionally interesting. However, they have little to offer in terms of color, mostly coming along in shades of brown and black, broken up by dull white or light gray.

The most colorfully attractive mormyrid, additionally equipped with a “proboscis”, is Campylomormyrus tamandua, at least as a juvenile. The species is widespread in western Africa (drainages of the rivers Volta, Niger, Shari (including Lake Chad) and Congo) and can become stately 40 cm long, but even in the wild it is very rare to see animals larger than 15-20 cm. Very old animals darken and lose almost all markings.

Since a few years we can offer this fish as offspring from Indonesia. Campylomormyrus tamandua are not very compatible with each other, in a group there is constant chasing and fighting. In principle not much happens, because mormyrids do not have teeth, but in the long run the bickering can lead to losses. If you only have a medium sized aquarium, you can therefore only keep a single animal. Against other fish (no mormyrids) C. tamandua is peaceful.

The key to successful group keeping is as large a group as possible (at least 10, better 20 or more specimens), as large an aquarium as possible, plenty of hiding places, and abundant feeding. Bloodworm (frozen or live) are particularly suitable as food. Spawning takes place in crevices, the animals do not practice brood care. The sexes are indistinguishable in juveniles, sexually mature females are fuller and the anal fin shape of males and females is different. But it should be emphasized again: keeping them in pairs is not possible.

For our customers: the animals have code 110111 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

31. August 2020

One of the absolute classics among the large fish, which have been an indispensable part of the assortment of zoos, show aquariums and also private large aquariums for decades, is the silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, which is widespread in the Amazon region and the rivers Rupununi and Oyapock (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guyana and Peru). The species grows up to 90 cm long and is an important food fish in its native countries. Arowanas practice brood care, the species is a mouth-breeder in the male sex.

In trade are both imported animals from Peru and Colombia – mostly young fish up to about 10 cm long – but also offspring from Singapore and Indonesia. From these breeding centres often larger animals are imported, sometimes also breeding forms which do not exist in nature. Since arowanas are identified with dragons in Asian mythology and dragons bring luck, among other things, platinum-coloured (https://www.aquariumglaser.de/fischarchiv/osteoglossum-bicirrhosum-platinum/) or albino arowanas are sought-after and also expensive fish.

We now have a few albino youngsters from Indonesia on offer. The ivory body lacks any black markings, only the yellow spots on the scales immediately behind the head, which in the natural form frame the black shoulder spot, and the yellow vertical stripes on the anal fin are present. The eye is not red, as is common in mammalian albinos; fish have more types of colour pigment cells than mammals, so albinism in them is not necessarily coupled with red-eye.

Here we show 7-9 cm long specimens of the same size of an albino from Indonesia and a wild form from Colombia, the differences are obvious.

For our customers: Albino Arowans have code 273242, wild code 273202 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brienomyrus brachyistius

18. February 2019

We obtained from Nigeria a species of mormyrid which we haven´t seen for years: Brienomyrus brachyistius. This comparably small species (maximum length reported is 17.cm, usually the fish becomes 10-12 cm long) is a close relative to the species B. niger, which we were also able to import again (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/brienomyrus-niger_de_1152.html).

The intelligent and playful fish are very lively. One looks after them not for their coloration, but for their funny looking behaviour.

We have specimens which are more elongate and larger, these we think are males, and deeper bodied, smaller specimens, which we think are females. Nothing is known about the reproduction biology of the species. The fish feed happily on any type of usual fish food (living, frozen, dried) that fits the mouth.

For our customers: the fish have code 103502 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Gnathonemus petersii – Peters’ elephantnose fish

20. August 2018

Most often this bizarre mormyrid is kept as a single specimen. This is due to the fact that small groups of this fish most often don´t do well in a long time sight and they can perform mobbing against each other even to death. However, in the wild these up to 30 cm long, but rarely longer than 15 cm found animals form sometimes really large schools. In our facility they are kept in groups of about 50 animals in tanks of 200 x 60 x 60 cm. Here the elephant fish forms schools and shows a schooling behaviour as it is hardly seen in any other fish in the aquarium.

More information on Gnathonemus petersii is provided here: https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/the_possibly_rarest_fish_in_the_world_lives_in_aquarium_glaser_s_fishhouse_en/

For our customers: the fish have code 133502 (7-10 cm) and 133503 (10-12 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Mormyrus rume

25. May 2018

We obtain comparatively often this interesting mormyrid from Nigeria. Sadly systematics of Mormyrus are confusing. According to the latest scientific state of the art currently five species of Mormyrus occur in Nigeria, among them M. rume. The shape of the snout is the best feature to distinguish the species. Formerly the fish portayed here was named M. longiristris, but this is obviously another species from Mozambique.

Although there do exist reports of up to 100 cm long Mormyrus rume catches of specimens longer than 30 cm are extremely rare. The size of the species is quite well known, for M. rume is a common food fish in its natural range.

In 2002 Fawole published a paper on the natural history of M. rume in Lekki Lagoon in Nigeria. He collected during the study (december 1999 until november 2000) in monthly catches a total of 225 specimens which were studied for development of the gonads, the size, gut content etc. The largest specimen in his study was 23 cm long, the smallest 13 cm. He found sexually ripe females from 13.5 cm standard length on, the whole year through females with ripe gonads were found so the species obviously reproduces the whole year through. The gut content was a bit astonishing for all specimens contained inter alia plant material.

In the aquarium, mormyrids are usually fed with food for carnivorous fishes, especially bloodworms are a very good food for them.

Nobody will keep Mormyrus rume for its brillant colours. Nevertheless they are are very interesting animals. Like all mormyrids they have a „language“ basing on electric impulses and the brain of Mormyrus is – compared with the body mass – very big. The tank should be heavily furnished and as large as possible. These fish should be kept solitary or in larger groups. Two or three specimens usually are very quarrelsome against each other in a long time sight. Many people who watch Mormyrus rume are reminded on the most popular mammal of the seas, the dolphin. And in fact, if one looks at M. rume from face to face the similarity is astonishing!

For our customers: the animals have code 152005 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Literature:

Fawole, O. O. (2002): Morphometry and diet of Mormyrus rume in the Lekki lagoon, Nigeria. Revista de biología tropical, 50 (2): 689-694

Chitala blanci

28. June 2017

The Asian featherbacks, which have a well developed dorsal fin, have been placed in the genus Notopterus for a long time. Nowadays the genus Notopterus is seen monotypic (it contains only the single species N. notopterus) and the high-backed forms have been placed in another genus, namely Chitala.

Currently we have the very attractive species Chitala blanci in stock. This featherback, which can attain a maximum length of about 120 cm, originates from the basin of the Mekong river in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The fish are gorgeous inhabitants for large aquaria. Chitala blanci prefers waters with a strong current and avoids quiet water or swamps.

All species of Chitala are predatory fish that have to be fed with beefy (frozen) food. Of course small fish are also eaten. The sexes cannot be distinguished externally. Against conspecifics and other tankmates that cannot be eaten, featherbacks are very peaceful. During breeding season the fish form pairs and spawn on rocks, wood etc. The spawn is guarded by the parents.

Chitala species are able to breath atmospheric air when necessary. So they can survive even in oxygen-poor water for quite a long time. This makes the much sought for market fish in the countries where they occurs. However, the flesh is full of small bones, so the meat is usually chopped, pressed through a sieve and used for meatballs.

For our customers: the fish have code 439006 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pantodon buchholzi

12. July 2016

If there would be a Top Ten ranking on the most extraordinary species of freshwater fish of the world, this species would appear for sure: the African Butterfly fish, Pantodon buchholzi. We have this strange animal – it becomes about 10 cm long – always in stock. Our specimens originate from Nigeria.

Pantodon can really fly, he is a glider. There is a legend that says Pantodon was not discovered by an ichthyologist, but by a collector of butterflies. This collector caught Pantodon during a flight and thought initially the fish would be a moth. The Butterfly fish is a stricly surface-dwelling species. In the wild, it lives in quite shallow water of swamps. The ventral fins are modified to sensitiv organs that help the fish to orient. Pantodon can survive in almost oxygen free water due to a special organ that allows the fish to breath air that is swallowed from the water surface. Males can be easily recognized by the modified anal fin. Butterfly fishes often spawn in aquaria, but the offspring is difficult to rear, because the larvae feed exclusively from the water surface – like their parents do.

Butterfly fishes are peaceful agains other fish, but they tend to be a bit anxious. So it is recommended to keep them only with very calm and peaceful fish. Against conspecifics Butterfly fishes can be quarrelsome, but this behaviour is usual only evanescent.

For our customers: the Butterfly fish has code 155004 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

The possibly rarest fish in the world lives in Aquarium Glaser´s fishhouse

20. February 2015

The term “rare” is – as anybody knows – much a matter of subjectivity. As
far as small species of fish are concerned, “rare” can mean that they
are only rarely collected, or that they are hardly ever exported or
imported, respectively, or that they are hardly ever kept in aquaria.
“Rare” hardly ever means in that context “there do exist only a few
specimens in the world”. This would be nonsense in almost all cases, for
small fish are always part of a food chain and are placed here in the
very beginning. So even species that are seldom or never seen in the
trade do exist in large populations of millions and millions of
individuals in the natural habitat.*

Things are different in the animal we want to introduce to you today: a
golden-yellow, wild collected specimen of Gnathonemus petersii, the
elephant nose fish. The species itself is anything but rare. We can
offer it the whole year through and for moderate prizes. There are
almost anytime as many specimens available as needed. I many parts of
the enormous range the species inhabits it is a common food fish for the
poor, because it is abundant and cheap. But a fishermen in Nigeria can
catch every day hundreds of elephant nose fish and will most probably
never in his lifetime see a golden specimen. It is very likely that the
fish in our fishhouse is the only live specimen of golden elephant nose
fish on the planet that exists currently. And yes, we think that this
can be called “rare”….

This rarity lives happily in the aquarium like any other normal elephant
nose fish. It communicates with conspecifics in many ways, for elephant
nose fish are comparatively intelligent fishes. A part of the pictures
show our “goldie” – which is most probably a male – in company of a
normally coloured female. Both are about 12 cm long.

*For the purists among our readers: yes, of course, we know about the types
of killifish, loach, and cave fish that inhabit only a single spring or a
single hole in the ground. And of course we know that there can exist
only a few hundered specimens per population due to the extremely small
habitat. But these are really rare exceptions from the rule and do not
falsify the basic statement.

For our customers: the fish has code 133563 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Scleropages jardinii and S. leichardti

22. December 2014

The
Bony tongues (Osteoglossidae) are real old high aristocracy among the
recent fish species. They are witnesses of the ancient super continent
of Gondwana, which included the recent parts of Africa, India, South
America, Antarctica, and Australia. About 150 million years ago this
super continent began to break. The Bony tongues drifted away from each
other like people sitting on rafts. Today we find them spread all over
the world. Three species live in South America (two Osteoglossum and
Arapaima gigas), one in Afrika (Heterotis niloticus), and several
species of Scleropages in Asia and Australia.

The
Australian species, namely Scleropages jardinii and S. leichardti are
the rarest imported species of the named. Obviously they keep their
quite seasonal breeding time even in the great breeding facilities of
South East Asia, so we can offer them usually only a few weeks per year.
Now is the season for them!

Both
species attain a maximum length of more than 60 cm and are predatory
fish. Agains conspecifics they can be quarrelsome, although they show a
schooling behaviour as long as they are very small. Such large, rare,
and expensive fish should be kept by experienced keepers with an
adequate equipment only.

For
our customers: the animals have code 454900 (jardinii) and 454912
(leichardti) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply
the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Mormyrus rume

24. September 2014

We received a species of bred fish from Singapore which is usually only traded as wild collected ones: Mormyrus rume.

Currently the genus Mormyrus contains 24 species and subspecies. The determination is a very difficult task. Moreover, juveniles look totally different to adults. We obtained bred specimens of a species of Mormyrus from Singapore under the name of M. longiristris. A species M. longirostris does exist, but it originates from Mozambique and in that country work no ornamental fish collectors. It is much more likely the the fish belong to the species M. rume, which originates from Nigeria. We also get sometimes some wild collected M. rume from there.

However, both Mormyrus species are almost identical, not only externally, but also in respect of their aquarium maintance. The weakly electric fish are always involved in minor quarrels against conspecifics, what can be seen in harmless fin-damages. One should keep them solitary or in very large tanks in groups. Both species of Mormyrus can grow larger than 75 cm.

For our customers: the fish have code 151602 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Chitala blanci

5. August 2014

The
Asian featherbacks, which have a well developed dorsal fin, have been
placed in the genus Notopterus for a long time. Nowadays the genus
Notopterus is seen monotypic (it contains only the single species N.
notopterus) and the high-backed forms have been placed in another genus,
namely Chitala.

Currently
we have the very attractive species Chitala blanci in stock. This
featherback, which can attain a maximum length of about 120 cm,
originates from the basin of the Mekong river in Thailand, Laos, and
Cambodia. The fish are gorgeous inhabitants for large aquaria. Chitala
blanci prefers waters with a strong current and avoids quiet water or
swamps.

All
species of Chitala are predatory fish that have to be fed with beefy
(frozen) food. Of course small fish are also eaten. The sexes cannot be
distinguished externally. Against conspecifics and other tankmates that
cannot be eaten, featherbacks are very peaceful. During breeding season
the fish form pairs and spawn on rocks, wood etc. The spawn is guarded
by the parents.

Chitala
species are able to breath atmospheric air when necessary. So they can
survive even in oxygen-poor water for quite a long time. This makes the
much sought for market fish in the countries where they occurs. However,
the flesh is full of small bones, so the meat is usually chopped,
pressed through a sieve and used for meatballs.

For our customers: the fish have code 439006 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Campylomormyrus compressirostris

24. March 2014

Currently
only very occasionally importations from the DR Congo appear – mainly
due to the unsatisfying flight situation. So it is highly appreciated
that we finally were able to import some specimens of the bizarre genus
Campylomormyrus that bear the common name elephant fishes. Systematics
of Campylomormyrus are rather complicated; in all probability our fish
belong to the species C. compressirostris which has been regarded as a
synonym of C. rhynchophorus for a long time. The species attains a
maximum length of about 20 cm.

Against
conspecifics these elephant fishes are very quarrelsome. So one must
offer a lot of hiding place, if more than one specimen should be kept in
a tank. Frozen bloodworm are a proofed basic food for these fishes.

For our customers: the fish have code 109603 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Brienomyrus brachyistius

26. February 2014

This week we obtained from Nigeria a species of mormyrid which we haven´t seen for years: Brienomyrus brachyistius. This comparably small species (maximum length reported is 17.cm, usually the fish becomes 10-12 cm long) is a close relative to the species B. niger, which we were also able to import again (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/miscellaneous-en/Brienomyrus_niger_en/).

The intelligent and playful fish are very lively. One looks after them not for their coloration, but for their funny looking behaviour.

For our customers: the fish have code 103502 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum Platinum

18. February 2014

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum

14. November 2011

Code 273208

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm	30 - 35

Brienomyrus niger

3. December 2009

There are about 200 species of Mormyridae (Elephantfishes) in Africa. Some of them belong to the most important freshwater fish species of the continent, due to their abundance and good taste. In the aquarium hobby, on the other hand, mormyrids are only rarely seen. All mormyrids belong to the weakly electrical fishes and communicate on the basis of electric impulses. Many species cannot be distinguished from each other by external features, but only by their “language”.

One of the species that can be recognized quite easily is Brienomyrus niger, which we have imported once more from Nigeria. The species becomes about 15 cm long. It shows all the fascinating features that make mormyrids so unique in the world of fishes, like the mentioned “electrical language”, their strong play instinct and their – compared with other fishes – high grade of intelligence. Like parrots, mormyrids have a strong developed cerebellum.

Sadly these fish are quite quarrelsome when kept in aquaria. So the tank should contain lots of hiding places and must be spacyious. PVC-tubes are ideal for furnishing, for they can be used not only as hiding places, but are also a perfect protection against “electro-smog” from the neighbour. The fish are fed best with bloodworm (live and frozen) and Tubifex.

Brienomyrus niger are undemanding regarding water parameters. They belong to the few species of mormyrids that have an accessory respiration organ, eg they can also use also atmospheric air for breathing. The sexes are not easy to tell apart. The females have a deeper body than the males. Other external sexual differences are unknown for this species.

For our customers: the fish have code 103604 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nigeria
Verfügbare Größe in cm	7-9

Isichthys henryi

30. November 2007

(29.Nov.2007) Currently in stock: one of the rarest Mormyrids in the world: Isichthys henryi. Our supplier from
Guinea informed us that this item appear only 2-4weeks per year! So it only can be called luck to have nearly
one hundret pieces right now in stock! To keep the single is recommended, because they are agressive to others
of the same species. If you want to keep them together, you have to offer them a big, carefully structured tank
with many places to hide. They are very slow eaters; due this they should not be kept with other greedy fish.
If you follow these instructions, you will find in this fish one of the most interesting Mormyrids, which only
grows up to to 10cm.(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Guinea
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Gnathonemus longibarbis

6. July 2007

March 2007: From the environment of Lubumbashi, the second largest city the Congo comes Gnathonemus longibarbis to us. They were caught in close proximity to Bondaka and are probably for the first time in the trade. In nature they feed on water insects and their larvae, their final size probably lies at approx. 40cm. Since only very few of these rare pieces were imported, they should get into the hands of experienced Mormyrid fans.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Kongo, Congo River

Heterotis niloticus

6. July 2007

As next the relative of the largest truly freshwater fish Arapaima gigas Heterotis niloticus has a large attractiveness. With a maximum length of scarcely about one meter it is however more suitable for the aquarium maintenance than its South American relatives. In Africa they originally inhabit different waters types south the Sahara. A difference to all the other bonytongues lies in the way they nourish. It feeds mostly on plankton, being the only plankton-feeder of the Osteoglossidae. Since only few specimen were imported, prospective customers for these rarities should contact us soon.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Zentralafrika

Chitala ornata, Clown Featherback

6. July 2007

The Clown Featherback is well known to the hobby and has been imported as early as 1934 from South-East Asia. They are nocturnal fish and when they get older they become solitary. The fish tank should be decorated with dense patches of plants on the sides and back but should be kept with enough swimming space. A couple of hiding places made with stones and bogwood should not be omitted. These fish prefer shady areas and therefore floating plants should be added as well. The water should be soft (below 5 degrees German hardness) and sligthly acidious (pH 6.0-6.5). These fish are predatory. They take all kinds of live food (worms, insects and their larvae, molluscs and fish). Small cut meat preferably crab meat are taken as well. C.ornata Is the biggest representative of the family. It has been published that Individuals have been grown up to 1 meter in length. These animals are favoured as food fish in the countries they originate from.(Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Laos, Thailand Kamboscha, Mekong
Name	Tausenddollarfisch

Chitala ornata „Striped“

6. July 2007

This variation of the Clown Featherback has a very marked body pattern. The breeding of C.ornata In captivity has been succeeded on several occasions. The fish spawn on the hard substrate and the eggs are guarded by the male fish, who also fawns the eggs. In nature the care of the spawn is important for 2 reasons: 1. the eggs are oxygenated optimally 2. with the slow moving current particles on the eggs are flushed away. The fry hatches after approximately one week and the baby fish will be cared by the male for another couple of days.(Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Mekong