From the catchment area of the Rio Negro these interesting, rarely traded characins reached us. Brittanichthys axelrodi is a true black water fish, which should be kept at pH 4.5 – 6 and low hardness.
Filtering via peat can be very helpful here. In addition to improving the chemical parameters, the bactericidal effect of peat also reduces the bacterial pressure in the aquarium. These small treasures grow to a maximum size of 4 cm.
During the acclimatisation period, small live food such as Artemia nauplii or sieved pond food should be fed, frozen food is also accepted, a change to dry food can also be tried.
There are indications of internal fertilization: during scientific research sperm have been found in females. The males can be recognized by the strange glandular scales in the caudal fin, whose meaning is unknown.
Peter and Martin Hoffmann published a detailed breeding report in the German magazine DATZ (Issue 3/2010, page 18)
For our customers: the animals have code 211903 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
