FAAS Publication Awards Form

Author Alexander A. Priest

Society (NO Abbreviations) Greater City Aquarium Society

10 Best Spawning Article Age Category More than 1000 words (Junior Only)

Date of Publication March 2013

Title of Publication (NO Abbreviations) Modern Aquarium

Title of Article The Most Ornate Afrtican

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013-002-gcca.pdf Microctenopoma ansorgii - the Ornate Article and photo by ALEXANDER A PRIEST

nabantoids are in the suborder Ctenopoma are basically egg scatterers. Their eggs . They possess a labyrinth generally float to the surface, and usually remain A(or, “maze-like”) organ consisting of together under surface debris. Although this multiple folded compartments of thin boney plates floating mass of eggs can resemble a “nest,” it was in the head. Those boney plates, called lamellae, neither intentionally constructed nor will it are covered with thin membranes that allow subsequently be tended or defended. oxygen in the air to pass directly into the fish’s The subject of this article, Microctenopoma blood stream, giving these fish the ability to ansorgii, is probably the most recognizable and survive in stagnant, oxygen-poor water that would “colorful” (if black and orange means that to you) not be able to sustain fish having to rely on gills of the Ctenopoma and Microctenopoma group. In alone to filter oxygen dissolved in the water. (The fact, its generally accepted common names are word “anabantoid” comes from a Greek word “Ornate Ctenopoma” (going back to when this meaning to “travel up,” referring to these fish species was in the genus Ctenopoma) and “Ornate going up to the water’s surface to gulp air.) Bushfish” (they can survive for extended periods The most in mud and wet leaf commonly kept Scientific Name: Microctenopoma ansorgii litter, so live anabantoids in the Common Names: Ornate Ctenopoma, specimens can home aquarium are Ornate Bushfish, Orange Ctenopoma sometimes be found all endemic to Asia temperature: 70-82°F (21-28°C) “in the bush” on (betta and gourami pH Range: 6.0-8.0 (acidic: 6.5 to 6.7 optimal) land near water). species). African Hardness: 5-20°DH (soft) Another anabantoids are not Size: Up to 2.5 inches (6.4cm) Sl common name often as popular or well temperament: Males can be aggressive to each associated with known among other; smaller fish may be eaten Microctenopoma aquarium hobbyists Native habitat: Congo River basin ansorgii is “Orange for several reasons, aquascaping: Heavily planted tank and/or tank Ctenopoma,” so including the fact with multiple caves and roots, tight lid, named for the that African dim lighting vertical orange anabantoids are Nutrition: Carnivorous, requiring live food (often more reddish) generally less (or moving frozen or gel) stripes on a dark colorful, not easy to brown body that are acclimatize, and distinctive of this tend to be shy and species. The rays on reclusive. They also require live food, and are the dorsal and anal fins come to sharp points, difficult to nearly impossible to breed in captivity. resembling a saw or “comb.” (The word There are currently three recognized genera Ctenopoma comes from two Greek words: kteis, or of African anabantoids: Ctenopoma, ktenos, meaning comb and poma, meaning Microctenopoma, and Sandelia. A review of the “cover.”) The species name ansorgii (sometimes popular Internet website Fishbase.org shows at found in older literature as ansorgei) comes from least 40 currently recognized species of the zoologist William John Ansorge (1850-1913), Ctenopoma and 12 species of Microctenopoma.1 who first discovered them. (The genus Microctenopoma is relatively new. It Microctenopoma ansorgii are native to the was first described in 1995 by the ichthyologist Congo River basin in parts of both the Republic of Steven M. Norris, who placed some species from Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo. A the genus Ctenopoma into a new genus, feral population may also exist on the island of Microctenopoma.)2 Madagascar.3 Microctenopoma are defined by several bone This is not a large fish, usually attaining a differences from Ctenopoma, not because the fish maximum adult standard length (nose to start of are smaller in size. In addition, Microctenopoma caudal, or tail fin) of about 2.5 inches (6.4 exhibit noticeable sexual dimorphism, and centimeters) and a total length (tip of nose to end behavioral characteristics that include bubble-nest of caudal) of about 3 inches (7.6 cm). Males are building and defense. Species in the genus somewhat larger, with larger dorsal and anal fins

26 Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S. (NY) MarchMarch 2013 2013 Modern Aquarium - Greater City A.S17 (NY) having white on the distal edge. One pair can be a long while (unless they were sick or very old to kept in a 5.5 gallon (or 20 liter) tank. Two pair can start with). Frequent but small water changes are be housed in a tank twice that size, but it must be much better than large changes, unless you are heavily planted and have numerous caves, roots, able to match nearly perfectly the chemistry of the and other hiding places, providing limited “line of water removed. (Even changes for the better sight,” as males can become very territorial and should be gradual, except in an emergency such as will fight if they can see each other. This is not a a total tank breakdown.) schooling or very active fish. Mostly, they stay out Microctenopoma ansorgii are bubblenesters. of sight of each The male builds a other (and, nest of bubbles unfortunately, also under a floating out of sight of the leaf or other aquarist), each in floating material. his or her own cave For this reason, or tangle of roots filtration should or driftwood. The provide minimal tank sizes I surface water provided above are movement. Sponge absolute filters are my first minimums—larger choice, and they is better, and also provide a free recommended. source of infusoria Members of for newly hatched the Ctenopoma and fry. Microctenopoma Microctenopoma ansorgii Spawning genera are occurs under the “ambush predators,” meaning that they will wait in nest, with the male wrapping himself around the hiding for their food, seize it, then return to their female to expel eggs. The eggs (reported to be as hiding places (“ambushing” the food). They are many as 600 in a single spawning, but in my primarily carnivores. I feed mine live blackworms experience closer to 100) hatch in around 24 hours. and live brine shrimp (the latter I pre-treat with The fry should not be fed until they are liquid freshwater fish vitamins, because adult brine free-swimming, usually within two to three days. shrimp are relatively low in nutrition). I have They can then be fed very small foods such as found that they just ignore dry flake or pellet green water, paramecia, infusoria, or artificial foods, but they will eat frozen or gel food as long plankton rotifer (APR). It is advisable to remove as it is moving (meaning, I stir up the water when the parents after hatching. After about one week, I feed anything that doesn’t move by itself). slightly larger sized food can be given to the fry, Even though they are native to Africa, their such as brine shrimp nauplii and microworms. care and maintenance is very similar to that These are pretty fish, when you can see them, required for Asian anabantoids. They prefer soft, especially a male in full display. Unfortunately, slightly acidic water. Their tank should have most of the time they are in hiding and even when subdued lighting. Because they are powerful (and they dart out to grab some food, they rarely look as sudden) jumpers, the tank should be tightly good as some of those photos in the books or covered. magazines. This is also not a beginner’s fish, nor Once established in an aquarium, is it one to get with the intention of having it Microctenopoma ansorgii are surprisingly hardy spawn. (They will spawn in the home aquarium, for a small fish. The problem is that they do not but this is fairly rare.) acclimatize well at the beginning. But, if you Nonetheless, they are interesting and every provide the proper water parameters and tank now and then, if you keep them in ideal conditions, conditions, whatever fish you still have after their you will be rewarded with a sight that makes it first three weeks in your tank will probably live for very clear why they are called “ornate.”

1 http://www.fishbase.org 2 Norris, Steven M.: Microctenopoma uelense and M. nigricans, a new genus and two new species of anabantid from Africa (p. 357) 3 http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/microctenopoma-ansorgii/

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