Common names/s: Spotted Climbing Perch, Leopard Ctenopoma and Bushfish.

Scientific name: Ctenopoma acutirostre.

Family: Anabantidae.

Origin: Africa, Congo Basin.

Maximum size: 8", 20cm.

Care: They like a well planted tank with soft, slighty acidic water which should be warm; anything less than 24C (75F) is too cold. Their method of feeding is to drift close to the prey and then lunge at it, so if you are keeping them with other fishes it is important to make sure they are getting a chance to feed. If they can't get any food try feeding at both ends of the aquarium at the same time so that the more voracious don't know which way to turn and the Ctenopoma get a chance to feed. Take care when handling these fish, they have serrated edges to their gill covers and when intimidated may flare. If this takes place when the fishes are sparring with each other there are no problems, the trouble starts if you are trying to catch them, as the serrations easily entangle in the net. If this happens, do not try to pull the fish from the net; put the net and fish in the tank and the fish will usually release itself.

Feeding: A carnivore that may require live aswell as frozen foods but can be trained to take commercail foods and frozen foods.

Breeding: Ctenopoma are a bubble-nest builder. Very soft and acidic water is required and an increase in water temperature may trigger spawning. THe parents show little brood care.

Coments: A very nice and attractive fish. There are other species available in the hobby including; Ctenopoma ansorgii, Ctenopoma fasciolatum, Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus and Ctenopoma kingsleyae.

Juvinile

My pair while in a mating dance.