Some pictures of 'oddball' anabantoids

[Fruitbat]

For those of you interested in the less 'ordinary' fare in the realm of anabantoids, here are a few of my 'oddballs'. I've posted a few of these pictures before but I thought I'd gather them together in one post for convenience.

Hope you enjoy,

-Joe

Anabas testudineus - the Climbing Perch (Asian)

Belontia hasselti - the Java Combtail (Asian)

Belontia signata - the Ceylon Combtail (Asian)

Ctenopoma acutirostre - the Leopard Bush Fish (African)

Ctenopoma kingsleyae - Eyespot Bush Fish (African)

Ctenopoma ocellatum - Bullseye Bush Fish (African)

Ctenopoma weeksii - Mottled Bush Fish (African)

Microctenopoma ansorgii - Ornate Bush Fish (African)

Microctenopoma fasciolatum - Banded Bush Fish (African)

 

[Ddraig Goch]

Very nice fish, I love this one.......Ctenopoma acutirostre - the Leopard Bush Fish (African)

 

[cometcattle]

Great pics! You have an INCREDIBLE collection!

Your Ornate Bush fish is my favorite. I've never seen anything like it.
How big is the one in your pic and what size do they max out at?

 

[Fruitbat]

The Ornate Bush Fish (Microctenopoma ansorgii) is one of the smallest of the Bush Fish. Maximum size on these little fellows is about 3 inches or so. That picture is of a male in his normal coloration. When he's feeling 'in the mood' and a female is around or if another male intrudes on his space then the colors become MUCH more vivid and the stripes extend all the way across his body. This fish is currently about 2 inches long.

Other relatively small Bush Fish (under 4 inches) include Microctenopoma fasciolatum, Microctenopoma congicum, Microctenopoma nanum, Microctenopoma damasi, and Ctenopoma muriei. Unfortunately, the Bush Fish in general are hard to find here in the United States and most of mine are from an importer who specializes in West African fish.

-Joe

 

[kevin007]

in my fish book, there is a fish called Ctenopoma ansorgii which looks like your ornate, which i beleeive is the same fish, why is your's called Microctenopoma, is there a difference?

 

[Fruitbat]

Great question kevin007,

The taxonomy of the African anabantoids has been the topic of some scientific scrutiny over the past decade. Relatively recently it was proposed (and generally accepted) that the genus Ctenopoma be split into two separate genera on the basis of a number of characteristics including breeding type. Thus, a number of fish formerly classified as Ctenopoma are now placed in the new genus Microctenopoma. Same fish....new name....to reflect the latest advances in scientific understanding.

-Joe

 

[kevin007]

Great question kevin007,

The taxonomy of the African anabantoids has been the topic of some scientific scrutiny over the past decade. Relatively recently it was proposed (and generally accepted) that the genus Ctenopoma be split into two separate genera on the basis of a number of characteristics including breeding type. Thus, a number of fish formerly classified as Ctenopoma are now placed in the new genus Microctenopoma. Same fish....new name....to reflect the latest advances in scientific understanding.

-Joe

[snapback]857679[/snapback]​

woah, that's cool, if i didnt ask i wouldn't have known thanks you learn something new everyday

 

[Elisabeth83]

Gorgeous fish Anabantoids are hands down one of my favorite fish groups

 

[jollysue]

 

[Mr Miagi]

Oh oh.....dont let Wolf see that Bush Fish or he might tear up! He gave his away and he was sadened! I think they look alot alike, i spose they wuld being the same species... )

ANYWAY! TERRIFIC pics dude! I would be interested to learn more about your setup. Whats the specs? Full tank shots?

 

[jollysue]

Just what I was thinking: Let's see your tank/s. Guessing to keep specialties you need well balanced ecos.

I liked the leopard, and the last ones that reminded me a little of my cockatoo.

 

[Fruitbat]

Actually...these fish are dispersed in various aquariums.

The Ctenopoma kingsleyae and Ctenopoma acutirostre share a 100 gallon tank with various types of bichirs (Polypterus) and Synodontis cats.

The Ctenopoma ocellatum, Ctenopoma weeksii, and Microctenopoma fasciolatum are young and are currently in a 20 gallon long aquarium with some small- to medium-sized bichirs and an African Brown Knife Fish (Xenomystus nigri). The tank is heavily planted with Water Sprite and has some hiding places available.

The Combtails and small Climbing Perch (Anabas) are in a 26 gallon bow-front tank with some loaches and a few other more common anabantoids. This tank is heavily planted with various Cryptocoryne species and Java Fern (Microsorium)

The Ornate Bush Fish are in their own heavily-planted 10 gallon aquarium because of their diminutive size.

Above is the 100 gallon tank right after completing the cycling process. It now has a lot more driftwood in it and a number of additional plants including some Aponogeton species.

The picture above is an end-on view of the 20 gallon long tank.

The aquarium above is the 10 gallon tank that now houses the Ornate Bush Fish. The Congo Tetra visible in the picture has been removed to a different aquarium.

The 26 bow-front above has changed a bit since this picture was taken. The Blue Gouramis and Tiger Barbs visible in the picture have been moved as has the large Aponogeton ulvaceus that dominates the center of the tank. The growth of the Cryptocoryne and Java Fern now carpets the tank and its decorations.

Hope this is what you were looking for.

-Joe

 

[jollysue]

That's all very nice, but we want the latest version. Well at least I do.

 

[Fruitbat]

The 20 long and the 10 gallon are virtually the same today as they were when those pictures were taken. I'll see what I can do about getting some recent shots of the 100 gallon and the 26 gallon.

-Joe

 

[jollysue]