Ornamental Fish

ORNAMENTAL FISH Black Phantom (Megalamphodus megalopterus) CHARMING CHARACINS omprising of about 1500 species, Characins are the largest group of fish distributed throughout the subtropical and tropical areas of Africa and South America. They are the Cmost popular fish in the ornamental fish trade after live bearers. Their bright colours, pleasant temperament and schooling behaviour make them extremely popular. Most characins have an additional fin between the dorsal and caudal fin called adipose fin which is not supported by rays. They are best in community aquaria and go well with cichlids, catfish and other fishes of similar nature. Breeding of most characins is not easy and they deposit eggs on plants or scatter them around the tank. Read on to know more…… VOL 3 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2020 Aquaculture Spectrum 52 Red Eye Tetra (Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae) Characidae, the largest family of characid/ tetra fishes is divided into nine families. The subfamily Tetragonopterinae, has sixteen genera of which fishes belonging Megalamphodus, Moenkhausia and Nematobrycon have much significance in the trade. performed at least once a week. They are best kept with Megalamphodus megalopterus, known as Black gouramis, small cichlids and other peaceful bottom Phantom in the hobby, originates from Brazil. Black dwellers. They have a life span of 5 - 6 years. phantoms are attractive and peaceful, make a stunning contrast to their red hued cousins, the red phantom Red Eye Tetra (Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae), have tetra, M. sweglesi. They are hardy and make great a bright silver body accented by a black tail and red addition to most community tanks. Their flat oval body eyes. This peaceful and medium-sized tetra is suitable is silvery gray with a distinctive splash of black edged for most community aquariums and their hardiness and in white just behind the gills. The fins of the male are ease of care makes them an excellent fish for beginners. edged in black, while the fins of females have a reddish Though generally peaceful, some occasionally nip at hue which sometimes causes them to be confused with the fins of slow moving long finned fish. They tolerate a other species of tetras. They prefer well-planted aquaria range of water conditions but prefer dark substrate and with floating plants, subdued lighting and a dark plant cover along the sides and back of the aquarium. substrate. Water parameters are not critical and may be It is advisable to keep them in schools of six or more. soft to hard, and acidic to slightly alkaline. They should Like most tetras, Red eyes accepts all kinds of food; a be kept in schools, preferably of a half dozen or more. varied diet of flake, live or frozen foods will keep them They will accept most foods. in top condition. Females are larger and have a more rounded abdomen than males. A separate breeding Breeding Black Phantoms tank should be set up for breeding with slightly acidic, very soft water (4 dGH or below). The breeding pair will The breeding tank should be set up with abundant often lay eggs among the plants. Once spawning has floating plants and dim lighting. Setting up breeding occurred, the mating pair should be removed, as they tank without substrate is easier to keep clean while have a tendency to consume the eggs and hatching raising the fry. Males can be identified by their longer fry. Eggs hatch 2 – 3 days after they are laid and the fins and lack of red color. Females will have a definite fry can be fed as is done for the Black Phantom. Other red tint to the fins, and even the body, is fuller than species in this genera are M. collettii (Colletti tetra), the males. Prior to spawning, the mating pair should M. intermedia and M. pittieri (Diamond characin). be conditioned with small live food. Once placed Red eye tetras have a life span of about 3 – 5 years. in the breeding tank, feeding should be kept to a minimum. Spawning can be triggered by lowering the pH to 5.5 and dropping the hardness of the water to 4 dGH. Peat filtration is the best method to achieve Pointers the desired water parameters. Males will engage in an • A visual clue to a Characin is that they have an elaborate courtship display that ends with the female adipose fin and no barbels releasing up to 300 eggs. Once the eggs have been • Courtship behaviour include fin displays and laid, the breeding pair should be removed from the elaborate swimming patterns to attract mates tank. Fry should be fed every few hours with very small commercially prepared fry food or freshly hatched • A Characin to avoid is the Piranha, which is on brine shrimp. After ten days they may start feed on the other extreme of the Characin family finely crushed flake foods. Water changes should be VOL 3 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2020 Aquaculture Spectrum 53 Emperor tetra, Nematobrycon palmeri Nematobrycon palmeri, better known as the Emperor Equal numbers of males and females will eventually tetra, is regarded as the king of tetras. They originate yield one or more breeding pairs. As males become from the San Juan and Altrato Rivers of Colombia. With more aggressive when spawning, each breeding pair attractive ivory coloured belly, followed by a wide velvet preferably should have their own breeding tank. Water band from the snout to the caudal fin, narrowing at the temperature in the breeding tank may be kept at peduncle to form the center prong of the trident shaped 23 – 27oC, and pH at 7.0. The water should be very tail. The long anal fin has a yellow margin bordered soft. Spawning begins at dawn and around 50 – 100 by a thin black line. The dorsal fin has a sickle shape eggs are laid singly over a period of several hours. with a dark leading edge. They are mid water dwellers. The parents should be removed immediately after Unlike several other tetra species, sexes are separate in spawning. Eggs hatch in about 24 - 48 hours and the N. palmeri. The dorsal and caudal fins of the male is fry start to eat infusorians or freshly hatched brine longer and more pointed than the female. The female is shrimp. Water pH should not be allowed to become smaller, and plumper than the male. too acidic. Other species in the genus is Nematobrycon lacortei commonly known as Rainbow tetra. Emperor Emperor tetra prefer dense vegetation and subdued tetras are compatible with danios, rasboras, other lighting. Dark substrate, and a heavily planted tank will tetras, dwarf cichlids and most bottom dwellers. make them feel at home. They thrive even in moderately It is preferable to buy atleast a dozen of them as they hard water as long as it is changed frequently. They fare much better when in the company of its own. readily accept flakes, freeze dried and frozen foods. Life expectancy of these fish is about 6 years. Live feed is excellent when conditioning breeding pairs. Dr. V K Dey, has over three decades of experience in diverse sectors of Seafood Industry in Asia-Pacific region. He joined MPEDA in 1979 and has been working in various capacities till 2000. He worked with INFOFISH from 2000 - 2008 as Coordinator, Consultancy Services and is currently attached with Bay Harvest International as their Senior Consultant. While working with INFOFISH, he was involved in several studies related to seafood processing, product development and marketing in the Asia V K DEY Pacific region and beyond, including preparation of project report for 23/2566, VELLETHARA setting up of Aqua-technology Park for Ornamental fish. He has to his PALLURUTHY, credit several articles on Ornamental fish including a compilation of COCHIN - 682006 articles published as a book, “Living Jewels” by MPEDA. [email protected] VOL 3 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2020 Aquaculture Spectrum 54 .

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