Halfbeaks

[SLC Flyfishing]

I picked up a few new ones the other day at the LFS! They are incredible, but I feel that I may have been fed a line at the LFS, they apparently get quite a bit larger than I will be able to accomodate. The siamensis species is the only one I could have because of it's smaller size. they're about an inch long now, how big could they get and how quickly?

I'll return them if needed! give me your advice. I have them in a 12 gallon cube!

SLC

 

[nmonks]

Halfbeaks grow fairly quickly, and they will go from an inch to twice than in about 4 months. That said, Dermogenys species aren't very large, and max out at about 2.5-3 inches. Females are quite a bit bigger than males.

I have two young specimens, each about 1.5 inches, in a 10 gallon tank and they're fine at the moment. Looking at the adults, I'd say you probably need about 18 inches at the very least in terms of tank length. Two feet would be better. If your fish are still small, you could leave them where they are for the time being, and move them only if there are problems. My feeling is that halfbeaks are happy in small tanks provided the water flow is strong: they mostly "tread water", and provided there are plants and such, they don't move much from a favoured corner.

Cheers,

Neale