spotted climbing perch(ctenopoma acutirostre)

[oscar freak]

i see there are some species on the BL is this one part and parcel to?

[azurekoi]

Nope Athol... no Ctenopomas are BL - the one they refer to is the Asian species,Anabas testudineus... Dont actualy know why they call these african family "Climbing Perches" as they do not exit the water voluntarily to my knowledge at all...

[Big G]

Actually, there are three Ctenapoma's that are on the BL....

Ctenopoma Argentoventer (Silver-Bellied Climbing Perch)
Ctenopoma Multispinis (Many-Spined Climbing Perch)
Ctenopoma Petherici (Blunt-Headed Ctenopoma)

I am just checking that there is not another synonym for the one you described, as sometimes they are listed on the BL under an older name. I think this one is ok though? I'll let you know if I find otherwise?

Regards
G!

[azurekoi]

lol - sorry... too much cofee... My quick check failed me....lol

[oscar freak]

thanx G,been doing some reading up on them and google is giving contradicting info,some sites say their slow growing 15cm would be considered large in a home aquarium after a few years and that anything over the size of a large female guppy would be ignored another site says they are able to eat fish a 3rd of their size.water parametres seem similar to most south american species

[Big G]

I would say that once fully grown, they could easily eat things larger than guppy sizes! I would even be concerned for some of the medium sized tetras like Emperor tetra or Serpae sized fish. The old rule applies... If it fits in the mouth, even if only just, it will be eaten!

Cheers
G!

[oscar freak]

and the growth rate G?the consensus was max 20cm,15cm in the home aquarium.suppose to be teratorial especially against their own kind and swimming habits similar to leaf fish.

[SalmonAfrica]

These things can eat fish quite a bit bigger than guppy size when fully grown! Be careful with tankmates! :blink1:

Besides that, they can, at first, be shy, so be sure to give them a nice dark hiding spot to retreat to if they feel the need to. They can grow pretty fast if fed well, but don't over feed them - a few large meals a week as opposed to feeding every day is best.

If you get this fish I want to see some pics, as I haven't seen any locally for quite some time! :)

[SalmonAfrica]

Oh, and I believe that some of the species on that list are 'local' (ie: from the Southern Africa region).

[Go-Big]

Just my 2c. I have 2 in my community tank. The one grew from 3cm to about 12cm in 4 months while the other one only dubbled. the bigger one once ate 9 small tiger barb in one night. A stunning stalker but im must get rid of him because if he gets even bigger(15-20cm) i can only image what it would be able to eat.

[Go-Big]

If you get this fish I want to see some pics, as I haven't seen any locally for quite some time!

I shall post you pics asap.

[SalmonAfrica]

Thanks, that'd be a treat :)

[oscar freak]

will go past the pet shop hopefully they still there

[Reedfish]

I have one of these.
Although predatory (nothing in my tank small enough for it to eat), it is actually quite placid. My Angels sometimes bully it at feeding time. It also loves the minced raw fish I chuck into the tank for the Reeds. Nabs it before it hits the bottom.
I have found it to be slow growing. Had mine for about 6 months and it has added a cm or two at most.

[oscar freak]

do you have any pics

[Reedfish]

Photo taken with my phone, so not that great quality unfortunately.
This is shortly after I first got it, so it is a little bigger now.

9597

[oscar freak]

yup that looks like him,beautiful fish

[Mzungu]

The are very aggressive fish. Not that in the constant terrorissing sense, but the fact that once they are settled, they try and mess up everything that comes close, or might be seen as food. Mine stayed quite happily with some congos and a ropefish though, but did not tolerate each other too well(once they got bigger)
I have also seen them targeting a specific fish, leaving others at peace. Also,
I would definitely say they are medium to fast growers, with an appetite to match(ate neons at less than 5cm). Very interesting fish, with great personalities, if one can accomodate their 'tendencies'

[oscar freak]

went past the pet shop that had them they still do about 6 of them,in a poor state though all were infected with ick or would have taken 1,i asked them to try and get the poor fish better but i dont have high hopes,note to self get a quarantine tank.took a pic will upload it asap

[Reedfish]

went past the pet shop that had them they still do about 6 of them,in a poor state though all were infected with ick or would have taken 1,i asked them to try and get the poor fish better but i dont have high hopes,note to self get a quarantine tank.took a pic will upload it asap

Not worth getting a sick fish and infecting your whole tank.
A QT is definately a good idea.

[oscar freak]

10094excuse my photo skillz i think you can make them out

[KennyG]

i got a small one today :P

[oscar freak]

lekka,what kind of setup do you have?

[KennyG]

well hes really tiny ryt now so its just him with 2 corys and a banjo cat , im moving him to a bigger tank when he starts growing
he also has guppies with him right now but lucky hes smaller than the for now but im hopin he will do some baby guppy control for me tonight or when hes up to it

[KennyG]

28155

[oscar freak]

Apparently they can eat fish half their size or something,so becareul.arent they brackish as well?

[KennyG]

from what ive read they live in slow moving rivers in the congo?
thats what im holding fingers for im rather scared of what he could do in a nyt x_X

[KennyG]

its so interesting watching him hunt baby guppies!

[Xandoz]

I bought one 2 days ago as well. According to alot of sites, these guys are really adaptable so can be kept in FW or BW. Mine also mooches around the tank looking at everything. They're really curious! KennyG, I imagine your and mine are from the same shipment, though we're in different part of SA. Mine will be moved to his own tank with a polypterus and african butterfly fish when he's bigger.

[KennyG]

im so attacthed to the little guy :D i just need to juggle my tanks when he starts growing so he has enough space for himself and suitable companions

[Xandoz]

Me too. I've seen them in UK fish mags, but only actually researched more once I brought mine home. But, I have quite a tank collection at the moment, so there'll be space for him once he grows. I love how he politely swims up to something and investigates it but stays out of the way. They have a very intelligent look to them, don't they?

[Reedfish]

As far as I am aware, they prefer fresh water.

If you feed them well, they grow very quickly.
Mine gets pellets, flake, minced fish, minced prawn.

Amazing watch it opened its mouth and then suck the food in.

[KennyG]

i just fed some brine shrimp , i enjoy the way he circles the brine shrimp carefully annaylyzing with his large round eyes and then in a second swallows it whole
i really enjoy the whole having a predatory fish that isnt huge etc :D

[KennyG]

im renaming my tank the coloseum cause ryt now its him prwoling around and the baby guppies survivng XD

i moved my ottos out , was way to much effort to get hold of them to risk them getting eaten now

[oscar freak]

enjoy the whole having a predatory fish that isnt huge
im waiting for my south american leaf fish

[KennyG]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wORJ7oJp6g

[Xandoz]

Wow! Check that mouth!

My perch is the only fish in the tank that my kribs don't chase from their territory, but it's cos he "makes like a leaf" and just sort of floats by. The kribs ignore him for most past.

[Neels]

I'm planning on getting a bushfish (climbing perch) soon. Will have him in a 180liter tank with a group of upside down catfish. Do anybody have any experience with this combination?

[Xandoz]

No experience, but one of the site I read said perches do well with Synos. Basically they need large non-boisterous tankmates. The perches can be a bit territorial but mostly only argue with eachother. With other species, they are peaceful, provided their tankmates are large enough to not get eaten.

[KennyG]

it seems after 1 night away my tank is largely guppyless for babies haha XD

[KennyG]

Hey guys i took my guppies out so he hasnt got baby guppies to eat now. I was just wondering what i should feed my little guy now, hes about 3cm now

[Xandoz]

Mine eats Omega One Super Color Flakes and Tetra tabimin. I haven't had any issues with him on this diet. I'm collecting my new brackish fish tomorrow and will get some bloodworm for them,so will chuck some worms in the community tank too. I'm sure the perch will love that as a treat.

[KennyG]

gave him brine shrimp today he does love those . but i guess he will get used to flake food

[Xandoz]

Mine ate well from the get-go. He sort of hunts the flake. As it floats down, he eyeballs it, then lunges and sucks it in.

[SalmonAfrica]

I recommend a more "wholesome" food source for these fish guys, far from flake. In nature these guys often consume larger prey, and engulf it all at once, leaving them very much satiated. Try some market prawn or pieces of fish (defrosted and cut to appropriate size, of course).

[Xandoz]

I'm going to start buying shrimp or similar for the puffer too, so assuming I can get little pieces, the perch can have some too. That said though, after feeding time, my perch's tummy is always significantly rounder. He eats really well!

[Reedfish]

Mine gets flake, pellets as well as minced fish, blood worms, brine shrimp.

Appologies for the murky water, this was at feeding time.

28654

[SalmonAfrica]

Very nice Reedfish. Both the fish and the picture. Maybe try and get a video of him at feeding time? It would be nice to watch.

[Reedfish]

SalmonAfrica,
Thanks :cool: