Pygmy Halfbeak

[xWendyx]

Hullo

We were browsing through the aquarium on Saturday and I saw a few fish for sale. They were labeled 'golden half nose'. It's a fairly reliable LFS (not perfect, but they have been VERY helpful in the past), so I asked the assistant if they could be added to a lightly stocked 18.5 gallon tropical tank. The tank itself is mature, the ph is 7 (I use Seachem buffers to keep the ph constant) and the current fish are all healthy. The tank is not planted (plants are NOT my friend), but there is a log and a barrel, both of which are normally 'reserved' by four Kuhli loaches.

I asked how many half-nosed fish I would require for them to be 'happy'. 'Two' was the answer.

Two is unfortunately not the answer. One has chased the other behind the filter. The one behind the filter is getting food at feeding times, but is not being allowed to get much 'fishercise'.

I googled the fish, and now believe the fish I have is a pgymy half-beak, or Dermogenys pusillus. One site - and I can't find it now, unfortunately - suggested that two males is not an ideal combination.

Basically, I'm seeking some advice. Should I take bossy boots back and ask for another pgymy? Should I just keep the one pygmy? Do I even have the right fish description?

Thank-you for your help,
Wendy

 

[dwarfgourami]

Not going from personal experience but my book says:
insect-eating surface fish
3 in; male has colourful fins
25 gal tank minimum
24-28C
keep as a group, in smaller tanks one male with several females
must be fed insect food (black mosquito larvae)
males prone to fight

Not sure if this is helpful.

 

[xWendyx]

Not going from personal experience but my book says:
insect-eating surface fish
3 in; male has colourful fins
25 gal tank minimum
24-28C
keep as a group, in smaller tanks one male with several females
must be fed insect food (black mosquito larvae)
males prone to fight

Not sure if this is helpful.

I'm going to guess I have two males! Thank-you for the information. I will see if a) We can get some girls and B) We can locate their correct food before deciding whether we should keep or return them.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Haven't got the time now (school run+ one sick child), but I know there is somebody on this forum who keeps them; if you trawl through old posts you should be able to find it, then you can PM them. Have your tried bloodworm for food?
If I were you (but mind, no experience), I would return one male, then either keep the lone male or get him a harem.