Ctenopoma acutirostre is essentially an African version of an angelfish. It eats the same sorts of things: insect larvae and very small fish. It also behaves in the same sort of way, mostly hiding among plants, and tending to be mildly territorial but not especially aggressive. Like angelfish, it's a good companion for medium sized fish that are peaceful and not nippy.
Neons will be eaten, but characins a step up in size, such as bleeding heart tetras, will be fine. Congo tetras are the classic companions, if you're going for an African look, but there's nothing to stop you going with Australian rainbowfish or non-nippy barbs if you wanted to.
They tolerate warm water well, so if you wanted to keep ram cichlids (which need 28-30 degrees C, as well as very soft/acidic water to survive any length of time) then
Ctenopoma acutirostre would be an option. That said, I'd recommend more moderate conditions. Ram cichlids are a total waste of time in most cases, but Bolivian rams or an oddball krib like Pelvicachromis taeniatus would work great in a community setting. The main thing is to provide floating hiding places at the top for the
Ctenopoma acutirostre (Indian fern would be ideal) and rocky caves at the bottom for the cichlids.
Cheers, Neale
i was wondering if any one has experience with this fish. How are they with smaller fish as i hear they can be territorial and might eat other fish such as neons. I am trying to figure out how they would do with smaller fish such as rams or kribs.
