Anableps (four-eyed fish)

[Noto]

Has anyone here kept them? I have read what I can find online, plus an old TFH article, but I'd like to hear some firsthand reports as well.

All authors agree on their need for a large footprint tank with lots of open swimming area, and brackish water. Few have much to say on specific salinities; I am guessing the fish is euryhaline. There seems to be some disagreement on temperature; some say 86 F, others suggest 74-82 F.

This is the most informative article so far: http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Bridges_Anableps_Part4.html

Does this seem right?

Also, has anyone kept different species of Anableps together, or kept them with tankmates? Mudskippers seem like a natural match, and various sources also suggest monos, archers, and mollies, but none of these include firsthand accounts of keeping these fish together; they may just be guesses on the part of the authors.

 

[bichirsruletheworld]

I worked at a public aquarium that has anableps with monos, puffers, skippers archers and the occastional dat. It was brackish but im not positive on the salinity, water was kept around 79-82 degrees.

 

[kjfan1]

Interesting. I want some too.

 

[Noto]

Thanks!

I was considering a violet goby too, but it seems they aren't suited to such warm water. Hrmm.

What I'd really like to do with these guys is set up a Central American biotope mangrove paludarium in the neighborhood of 48" X 30". Stock would be four-eyes, wild-type sailfin mollies, brackish killies, plus whatever hermits and fiddlers would do well with them. Perhaps some sort of sleepers or gobies for the bottom too.

This is a long-term project (pipe-dream). Maybe someday.

 

[kjfan1]

I have a violet goby in 80 degrees and he is happy. He was abused by walmart, freshwater for far too long. He is stunted and will end his life at the 7 inches he is now. I got him at 6 inches about 8 months ago.

 

[brackishdude]

http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/FAQ/5a.html

http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/brackishfaq.html

I've kept them before, but never with a "resting shelf". Monks' advice has proven rock solid for me historically, though, so if I were to keep them again I'd be sure to include one.

 

[Noto]

Thanks! Monks' advice seems to correspond pretty closely with the Bridges' article.

 

[Noto]

I just realized Anableps are not found on the east coast of Central America. I had already compiled a big list of potential Caribbean tankmates too!

I really should learn to read more carefully.