Mekong Sole Fish

[Jammiedodger]

Hi guys, this is a repost from yesterday in tropical discussion as I was told I could find more information in 'oddballs'.

Hey guys,
I went out today with the intention of getting either a small group of Kuhli loaches (which I did ) or a pair of horse faces to help 'shuffle' my substrate and slow bacterial build up.
Upon searching 7 LFS's and locating the Kuhlis the store clerk recommended me the 'Mekong Sole Fish' in addition, which due to it's exotic nature and reassurances that if the fish did not thrive I would be refunded... I decided to buy one for £12.

I was informed that the fish would grow to around 4" in diameter at most, would tolerate my slightly hard, slightly alkaline water and would like to be fed on frozen bloodworm.
I believe that the fish is the Brachirus harmandi but will upload pictures tomorrow when tank lighting is on to confirm, I was told that it is the "worlds only true freshwater flatfish".
I was also surprised at the flatfish's nature, for an apparently carnivorous fish it was placid in the tank of rainbow's at my LFS and with my juvenile malawis at home, instore the clerk even demonstrated handfeeding the sole... it swam straight to her and ate the bloodworm from her hand.

I feel that although I have some good background information on the fish I would like to know more and would welcome any advice from current keepers, or a factsheet/caresheet if one can be found?

Cheers,
Jamie

 

[Jammiedodger]

1 Day progress report:

Sole has moved around (more at night than during daytime) form one side of the tank to the other.
All of the tankmates have ignored him, he's seemingly happy to bury himself and look around with his eyes protruding from the sand.
He ate frozen bloodworm after some prompting (I had to hold it by his mouth for a minute or so) and was quite active for a short while following.

 

[nmonks]

Brachirus harmandi isn't the only truly freshwater flatfish, but your retailer is correct to say that most of the specimens traded are brackish to marine species. It's fairly easy to identify: unlike any of the other species traded, it has dark blotches on the underside, rather than just being pale pink-white. Like other Brachirus, it's a nocturnal carnivore with a preference for insect larvae and other small, wormy foods. Your main problem with this species is getting it feeding adequately well; soles don't compete well with catfish and loaches, but should be fine with day-active midwater species.

Some further thoughts and comments on freshwater soles, here.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Jammiedodger]

Pictures, as promised.. not brilliant though as I took them on my phone.

Thankyou for the quick reply Neale, I had read that feeding could be a possible issue but it would appear the sole is fine provided he knows where the food is.

 

[Jammiedodger]

One further question on the matter, would it be possible to keep a pair or small group of sole provided this one settles in? I am aware of the difficulties that could arise with feeding but I'm happy to put the time in to keep something as unique as these creatures.

 

[nmonks]

They do seem to be tolerant of one another, so yes, you can keep more than one. But they're not schooling animals (imagine trying to hide the way they do, if you had to keep tabs on all the fish in your group!).

Cheers, Neale

 

[Corydoralover]

would theese be ok in netral conditions?

 

[Jammiedodger]

I couldn't say... mine is in PH 7.8 water. I'll post if I have any troubles with him in there

 

[Squidward]

Very nice.
I have always wanted one a fresh water sole.
But I have never bought one, on the basis that the lfs often sell the brackish species as fresh, and I don't want to get one without being 100% certain it is a fresh species.

 

[nmonks]

That's what makes Brachirus harmandi so nice; as far as I know, it's the only species with a blotchy underside.

Actually, once settled and feeding, none of the soles -- freshwater, brackish or marine -- is difficult to keep. I had a marine coldwater plaice at university that happily ate salmon pellets!

Cheers, Neale

Very nice.
I have always wanted one a fresh water sole.
But I have never bought one, on the basis that the lfs often sell the brackish species as fresh, and I don't want to get one without being 100% certain it is a fresh species.