teaspoon of salt to a gallon of water will make Enneacampus
more at ease. These pipefish are slow, deliberate hunters that
do not compete well with other fish, so a species tank is
highly recommended.
Live foods in the form of mosquito larvae, bloodworms,
daphnia, baby livebearers, and brine shrimp will be consumed.
They may reluctantly take frozen mysis shrimp and brine
shrimp after some time in captivity.
The aquarium can be planted with Vallisneria or Sagittaria, as the
elongated leaf blades on these plants will make a familiar habitat
for them. The freshwater pipefish has been bred in captivity, with
the male carrying the eggs in a brood pouch under the tail.
Indostomus paradoxus
Indostomus paradoxus has been called the armored stickleback, paradox fish, or jungle toothpick. It
may take a second or two for your eyes to focus
in on these tiny and strange-looking fish. Similar
to a few insects, a quick glimpse may not do
them justice. Upon closer inspection, it becomes
apparent that Indostomus paradoxus is a miniature marvel with ridges, spines,
and big, expressive eyes.
These 1¼-inch fish come from the slow and swampy backwaters of northern
Burma. The soft waters (with a pH of around 6. 5) at Indawgyi Lake are the perfect
habitat for I. paradoxus. Tiny fare such as cyclops, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and
daphnia can be offered. Dry foods will not be taken.
Armored sticklebacks have been bred in aquaria. They are cave spawners and
the male will guard the eggs. They will do best in a species tank filtered with a
sponge filter, and if provided with live foods, plants, and roots for refuge, these most
curious fish will entertain endlessly.
Microctenopoma ansorgii
This colorful little fish comes from tropical West Africa, and is commonly referred to
as the rainbow ctenopoma or rainbow bushfish.
Microctenopoma ansorgii can be kept in the same
manner as many of the Asian bettas. They prefer
aquariums that have soft, slightly acidic water with
many hiding places in the form of roots, plants,
and leaves. Floating plants and dark aquaria are
preferred. This is a peaceful labyrinth fish that
builds bubblenests at the water surface or on the
underside of leaves. Its maximum size is around
3½ inches.
Schismatogobius sp.
This tiger-marked, Stiphodon-like goby from Indonesia is another interesting species of goby that has been recently
imported. Little is known about this very small fish. The largest
individuals may reach 1½ inches in length.
Despite their huge jaws, these fish appear to be
sociable with both conspecifics and other tankmates.
They are never found anywhere but at the bottom
of the aquarium. Their mottled coloration provides
fantastic camouflage against calcareous sand,
rendering them almost invisible. When threatened,
these gobies will bury into the substrate using their
powerful pectoral fins and dig themselves in.
Schismatogobius sp. prefer more meaty fare in
captivity. Frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp are
eagerly consumed. These are very entertaining fish when placed in
an aquarium without threatening inhabitants. They probably have
not been bred in captivity. D
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