Notesthes robusta

Alternative names

 * ,, , Bullrout

Sexing

 * It's very difficult to visually sex this fish.

Tank compatibility

 * N. robusta should only be housed with fish that are too large to fit their mouths, as they are voracious predators that are capable of eating reasonably sized fish. Tankmates should also be nonaggressive. Several individuals can typically be kept in a tank without problems.

Diet

 * Carnivorous; will eat anything that fits in its mouth. Prefers live food such as worms, shrimp, and fish, but can be weaned onto other foods.

Feeding regime

 * Feed once a day.

Environment Specifics

 * Requires a mature tank with plenty of rock and bogwood hiding places.

Behaviour

 * Nocturnal and bottom-dwelling. The Bullrout is generally motionless, pretending to be a rock, until prey comes close, when it is engulfed. The Bullrout will then return to being a rock.

Identification

 * The Bullrout has a large head with seven spines on the operculum. It has a big mouth with a protruding lower jaw. The spinous dorsal fin is slightly concave posteriorly and the last soft dorsal ray is attached by a membrane to the caudal peduncle. The body is covered with small scales but the head is scaleless. It's colouration is variable from pale yellowish to dark brown, with blotches and marbling of dark brown, red-brown, grey or black. These markings sometimes form broad irregular bands. This fish has venomous dorsal, anal and pelvic spines. A sting from these fins is said to be excruciatingly painful.