Ctenopoma acutirostre...? 3/30/09
Hi Crew,
<Hello,>
As always thank you in advance for your very valuable input. I have recently acquired 4 new little friends (see attached photo). It looks like a spotted climbing perch to me? i.e. Ctenopoma acutirostre or Spotted Ctenopoma.  Am I correct?
<Yes, though it's just a baby. As it matures, the background will darken to a sort of wood brown. While less striking perhaps, they're still very pretty.>
My research has lead me to believe the following. Please will you check that I am correct. They need to eat bloodworms, shrimp and other meaty bits.
<Pretty much. Mine lived for 12 years (until I gave them away) on essentially frozen bloodworms and the odd bit of prawn. Doubtless earthworms and other small animals will be taken.>
Possibly little crickets?
<Possibly; Ctenopoma acutirostre is -- despite its reputation as a predator -- essentially an African version of the South American Angelfish. It has narrow jaws ideally suited to catching soft prey rather than crushing things with shells. Baby fish are certainly on the menu, just as with Angels, but it's mostly insect larvae: bloodworms, mosquito larvae, etc.>
Although they are only about 2-3cm I have read that they will get to about 15cm, but possibly larger if the conditions are right. They are currently feasting well on bloodworms.
<15 cm is typical I suspect; mine were that size after 12 years, and I don't think I've seen any specimens larger than that. Supposedly 20 cm in the wild.>
I have their water at Am=0, Ni=0 Ph= 7.3, Na=10-20, Temp = 27. The tank is 6 foot (180cmx 45cm x 45cm) with lots of plants and hiding places. Tank mates are 8 x 5cm angels, 6 x 3 cm clown loaches, 12 x 2cm cardinals and 2 leopard Pleco's. The tank is covered and has several air stones. I have read up about their bevaviour in terms of posing as a leaf, floating with the tail curled like a leaf. If I am correct they are fairly peaceful and shy, but remain piscivores?
<Again, they're just like Angels. Basically peaceful, though the Cardinals may be viewed as food eventually. They are bolder in big tanks than small. They are nocturnal rather than shy (look at those big eyes!) so floating plants and big tall Amazon swords will give them the shade they prefer. All in all, treat much like Angels, except for the fact they don't (usually) eat flake/pellets.>
Thank you again for a great site with comprehensive and accurate info!
Gail.
<Happy to help, Neale. PS. You should perhaps make yourself aware of the native Climbing Perches of South Africa, Sandelia spp.; these are sadly rare fish (seen them once in an aquarium shop in the UK) but fascinating animals in their way.>