Albino Wrestling Halfbeak (Dermogenys pusilla 'Albino')
| Albino Wrestling Halfbeak Dermogenys pusilla 'Albino' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Albino Wrestling Halfbeak |
| Name Lat. | Dermogenys pusilla 'Albino' |
| Family | Viviparous Halfbeaks |
| Family lat. | Zenarchopteridae |
| Order | Needle Fishes |
| Order lat. | Beloniformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Streams, rivers, ponds |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Experts only |
| Reproduction | Livebearer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-4 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5-7 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 10-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 120 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2"-3" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 178-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 30 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Albino half-bills are a breeding form. The half-billed wild form is widely distributed from India to Myanmar and Thailand to Indonesia. They live on the water surface in slowly flowing or stagnant waters, floodplains and ponds with dense underwater vegetation and floating plant growth, but also in the brackish water of mangrove swamps.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a varied, partly dense edge planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate, shaded light (floating plants) and a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They prefer to eat food from the water surface. The food supply consists of small insects such as mosquitoes, aphids, fruit flies and fruit flies, plus cyclops, daphnia and mosquito larvae, which are also well accepted freeze-dried or frozen. After habituation, high-quality, protein-rich dry food (flakes, granules) is also accepted, but this should not be the main component of the diet.
Only as much should be fed as is eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively surface fish, which should be maintained in a group of 7-10 animals, with a clear predominance of females. Males are often incompatible with each other, but are peaceful towards other fish. They can be kept very well in a community tank with other peaceful and calm fish
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The smaller males have a red spot in the dorsal fin and an anal fin (andropodium) converted to a mating organ. The larger females appear more rounded.
Reproduction and breeding
Pike-headed hemipterans are live-bearing fish. Internal fertilization is provided by the andropodium of the male. After 3-6 weeks of gestation, 10-20 fry are born. They are already fully developed and independent at birth. The mother fish extremely preys on the young.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the young fish are easy prey.
Important
The tank should be well covered, as they are good jumpers.
The pike-headed halfbills exist in several color forms through breeding selection
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Ruinemans Aquarium B.V.
Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF