Centepide Knife Fish

[Starfishpower]

my lfs has some of these, anybody know anything about them? everytime iv been up there they are just laying around on the grave or out at an angle on a plant leaf, kind reminds me of banjo cafish - not really ever known to move much during the day. if anyone know about these like water condition needs, tank size, feeding, and tank mates id really appreciate it.

 

[nmonks]

These are Steatogenys sp.

They are peaceful, gregarious but hierarchical fish that come from fast, clear water habitats and are unsurprisingly very intolerant of poor water conditions. Keep in groups of at least six specimens otherwise they become shy and prone to fighting. Singletons don't last long. Vary in size, but typically up to around 30 cm.

Soft, acidic water is preferred, but fast water flow (high filter turnover) and lots of oxygen are more important. The fact the ones in the LFS aren't moving likely has something to do with this: kept properly they are constantly buzzing about. Feed almost entirely on insect larvae.

Cheers, Neale

my lfs has some of these, anybody know anything about them? everytime iv been up there they are just laying around on the grave or out at an angle on a plant leaf, kind reminds me of banjo cafish - not really ever known to move much during the day. if anyone know about these like water condition needs, tank size, feeding, and tank mates id really appreciate it.

 

[Starfishpower]

thanks Neal. so thats a bad thing that they arent moving. thats terrible, lfs gets them and they dont take care of them. id like to buy some just to make sure they get a good home. ok so to follow up, and basically have all the necessary info i will need to make an educated purchase:

~ Whats a good size tank for a school of 7 or 8 as adults if kept as a species tank?

~ How peaceful are they? could they be kept with cory cats, a school of banjo cats, and a peacock eel? what about tetras?

~ By 'high water flow' do you just mean the turn over rate or should i actually get something like one of those current fans used in saltwater tanks to create a 'river tank', or something like that. or will a normal tank setup be appropriate? keep in mind that if it somehow works out that i get these i dont want to just do the minimum i want to really be responsible with them, better to prevent mistakes than to correct them.

~ Does the larvae need to be alive or can i buy frozen mosquito larvae from the lfs freezer?

~ What kind of substrate and tank decor is preferred?

~ Are they escape artists or would an open top tank do?

~ How long do they typically live if kept in decent conditions, keep i mind im not a pro at this right now but i am getting pretty good, so i wolnt claim i can keep them at perfection for years without slipping up but i definitely will not be irresponsible.

~ Is there any information on breeding i should be aware of, or do they not do that in the aquarium?

~ Does Steatogenys sp. have any special needs or odd characteristics that i should be aware of?