Leopard Bush Fish

[Fruitbat]

For those anabantoid enthusiasts among you, I present the Leopard Bush Fish, Ctenopoma acutirostre. This is an African anabantoid that will eventually reach between 6-8 inches (this one is about 2 inches long). Unlike their gourami and betta relatives, these fish have a BIG mouth and are serious carnivores. Notice the hungry look in the eyes!

Better pics to come later...I just got these today and they're a bit shy right now. (I picked up 3 of them.)

 

[kikuchiyo]

Neat-o. Do keep us informed, Fruitbat, looks like an interesting little bugger.

 

[Lotus]

That's a cool-looking fish.

What are you going to feed it? What about how it is with others of its kind and other fish? Just curious

 

[Fruitbat]

Fortunately the Ctenopoma species aren't all that difficult to feed. They'll take frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp and things like Hikari carnivore sticks, freeze-dried plankton, and shrimp pellets.

They can be a bit 'testy' with other Ctenopoma on occasion but they tend to set up territories and stay there. They are ambush hunters so they don't wander far from home base. With larger fish they have a tendency to be downright shy!

 

[kikuchiyo]

How picky is it about water parameters? As hardy as its Asian kin?

 

[Fruitbat]

They prefer soft, slightly acid water but, like their Asian bretheren, are not at all demanding of water parameters. I've even seen one foolhardy soul keep them in an aquarium set up for African Rift Lake cichlids with a pH of about 9 and hardness through the roof! Of course, the poor Ctenopoma didn't look at all happy and I let the fellow know the error of his ways.

 

[kikuchiyo]

It's cute in an "I'll eat your face off" kinda way I'd love to get one later in life

 

[ScubaSteve]

AWESOME FISH !!!!!!!!!!!!!

How much $$$ ?

Will you be eventually feeding them guppies when they get to 6 inches.....


One species of anabantoid that I'm really into is the Pikehead Gourami....