Leopard Ctenopoma (Ctenopoma acutirostre)
From The Aquarium Wiki
Leopard Ctenopoma
Ctenopoma acutirostre
189 Litres (50 US G.)
12.7-20.3cm (5-8 ")
Freshwater
6.5 - 8.5
22.8-27.8°C (73 -82 °F)
6-20 °d
1:1 M:F
5-8 years
Family
Anabantidae
Contents
Additional names
- African Spotted Gourami, Congo Leaf Fish, Leopard Bush Fish, Leopard Ctenopoma, Spotted Bush Fish, Spotted Climbing Perch, Spotted Ctenopoma
Additional scientific names
- Anabas acutirostris, Anabas ocellatus acutirostris, Ctenopoma acutirostris
Origin
- Africa: Congo basin.
Sexing
- The spines on the male Leopard Ctenopoma's gill covers are more pronounced.
Tank compatibility
- The Leopard Ctenopoma should be housed in a peaceful tropical community tank with larger peaceful fish since this fish will eat any tank mate small enough to fit into it's mouth. Some care should be given when housing an adult Leopard Ctenopoma with other adult Leopard Ctenopoma as it may display conspecific aggression.
Diet
- Will accept accept live, frozen, pellet food, or flakes. Feed with Ghost Shrimp, bloodworm, daphnia, krill, plankton, and artemia.
Feeding regime
- Feed once or twice a day.
Environment Specifics
- The Leopard Ctenopoma inhabits the top and middle levels of the aquarium and it prefers a densely planted tank with roots and caves for it to hide in and to establish it's own territory. The minimum tank size is 189 Litres (50 US G.). The water should have a ph range of 6.5 to 7.0, dh range of 5.0 to 12.0, and the temperature should be within 22.8-27.8°C (73-82°F) .
Behaviour
- The Leopard Ctenopoma is a predatory fish that is not overly aggressive towards other heterospecific fish of the same size or larger. It has evolved a body shape and colouration that mimics leaves that allows the Leopard Ctenopoma to hunt by stalking and ambush.
Identification
- A striking fish with a high but slender body and pointed head, the body colouration can range from yellow-brown to a dark brown in base colour with large dark brown spots across the whole body and into the fins. The fins are rather short and there are spines on the gill covers. The Leopard Ctenopoma can reach up to 20.3cm (8") but in the aquarium environment it usually remains much smaller. It is often confused with and for the South American Leaf Fish.
Pictures
External links
- Fishbase (Mirrors: Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination)