needle fish

[sharksledge]

im kinda new to )V(onster fish keeping so i need help with needle fissh tell me all about them what i need there requirements and what i can keep with them

 

[sharksledge]

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[Dylan]

By needlefish, i assume you mean [FONT=Arial, Helvetica][FONT=arial,verdana,helvetica]Xenentodon cancila or "Silver Needlefish" as more commonly known.

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Synonyms: Esox cancila, Belone cancila, Mastemcembalus cancila
Physical description: An elongated, needle-shaped species with long, tooth jaws. The lower jaw is slightly longer than the upper. The back is light brown and the belly is silver-brown. A dark brown bands runs from the tip of the jaws to the caudal fin. The rear edge of the caudal fin is convex. The fins are colorless.
Size/Length: To 12" (30 cm)
Similar species: None
Habitat: Found in fresh and occasionally brackish water in Asia; India, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, and Malaysia.
S: top
Aquarium: A 48" (122 cm) or 55-90 gallon (209-342 L) tank is only adequate for fish to 8" (20 cm) in length. This species prefers a large, shallow tank that has a large surface area. Use a fine gravel substrate and plant the tank heavily. Use a tight-fitting cover and a partial cover of floating plants. Leave 4-6" (10-15 cm) from the surface to the cover. Use wood and rocks to give some shelter.
Water chemistry: pH 6.2-7.5 (7.0), 6-20 dH (9), 73-84°F (23-29°C). A 1% addition of salt can be used. Add 7.5 tsp. salt for every 10 gallons (10 g/10 L).
Social behavior: A timid shoaling fish that should be only combined with large fish of the lower strata. An active predator.
Suggested companions: Larger catfish of the Bagridae, Clariidae, and Loricariidae families, South American Cichlasomines, Gobies.
FOOD: Eats mostly live fish, crickets, frogs; will readily take most live food from the surface,
SEX:The male has a black edge on its dorsal and anal fins.
Breeding techniques: Has been bred in larger tank of over 70 gallons (265 L). The water used is generally acidic, from 6.4-6.7; hard, 12-15 dH; and has a temperature from 77-81°F (25-27°C). Spawning occurs at dawn and continues for several days. Each morning 5-15 colorless eggs are laid amongst plants. The eggs hang by threads and hatch in 10 days. The fry measure 0.5" (1.3 cm) in length and can be raised on Artemia nauplii and small fish fry.
Breeding potential: 9. Breeding is rare.
REMARKS: A nervous fish that when frightened, will jump against the cover and sides of the tank. This frequently results in injury or death.
Difficulty of care: 7. This large predator requires well maintained water and a diet including live foods.



All of this info courtesy of http://fish.mongabay.com/species/Xenentodon_cancila.html

 

[sharksledge]

thanks now im reaaally excited

 

[sharksledge]

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[dandaman352]

I have one which the LFS told me was a "gar" but I learned later on its a needlefish. Its not aggressive towards anything in my tank. They told me its a high ph fish but I've found they do fine in regular freshwater as well. As for diet, its only going to eat fish nothing else (if someone disagrees let me know i'd love to feed it other stuff). Mine will eat about 2-3 minnows and he's about 6 inches long. Don't put any fin nippers around him. You should be good from there! Have fun.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

they're pretty peaceful fish, not to be kept with anything that will be aggressive towards them, like cichlids

 

[HPIZZLE]

yah, i had one in a community tank.

 

[sharksledge]

thnx

 

[sharksledge]

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