Banded Leaf fish Any info please

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
G

Geordie John

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 21, 2006
48
0
0
North East England
Hi,
I've just bought a Pristolepis fasciata and ordered another 4 ,hopefully to set up by themselves. The Fish ate blood worm as soon as it was in the tank and at just under 3" is getting on well with my other fish (It has lots of hidding places but still appears very confident).
I can find little information about it other than it grows to 20cm + and will eat fish up to half its size. Please could anyone who has kept this fish or other Asian leaf fish give me any advice ,tips or general comments so I can keep this fish to its best.
Diet ,rate of growth ,behaviour, water conditions ,breeding ect.
Thanks,
G.John

100_0071a.JPG
 
these are probably from India, its a relatively rare import. I got them as pristolepis marginatus sp. red, they are found in lower ph water, pretty hardy otherwise, I've had a couple in the past for a few years, behaves in cichlid manners, they're omnivorous. Nice find,, a very rare fish in the hobby indeed!
 
Hi Matty,
It came from the local fish shop in Chilton . It was by its self (other fish no leaf fish) and I was informed it was probably a tiger Leaf fish which I hadnt heard of .They said they could probably get some more from where it came from so I ordered 4 but they have been unable to get them !
All the best,
G. John
 
The catopra (P. fasciata) is much less predatory than most leaffish, It gets about 8" long and as it gets bigger tends to feed more and more on algae (including hair algae) and aquarium plants, I had one that loved elodea. It will still eat small fish, worms, crickets, etc, as well as pellets but does need some greens to do really well. They are hardy fish and do well at near neutral ph. They tolerate low O2 levels and temps in the 70s-80s. Here is a pic of an adult from Jean-Francois Helias.

Prfas_u2.jpg
 
matty;517073; said:
Cheers John. What's it feeding on? I've got two African leaffish and they take dead foods no problem as long as it's floating right past them.
Click to expand...

Hi Matty,
It eats any small live food going straight for it as soon as it gets a smell. Loves frozen blood worm but not to fussy on shrimp.
All the best,
G. John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom