Borneo Redline Tribal Halfbeak (Hemirhamphodon tengah)
| Borneo Redline Tribal Halfbeak Hemirhamphodon tengah | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Borneo Redline Tribal Halfbeak |
| Name Lat. | Hemirhamphodon tengah |
| Family | Viviparous Halfbeaks |
| Family lat. | Zenarchopteridae |
| Order | Needle Fishes |
| Order lat. | Beloniformes |
| Origin | Borneo |
| Habitat | Forest streams |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 5.8-7.0 |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Experts only |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-4 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5 cm |
| Temperature | 23-28 °C |
| Hardness | 1-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2" |
| Temperature | 73-82 °F |
| Hardness | 18-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 20 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the neon striped half-bill pike is southern Borneo. They live mainly in shady jungle streams with partly dense, weedy underwater vegetation, where they stay on the water surface to search for food.
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 covered with some foliage (sea almond tree, beech), slightly shaded light (floating plants) and very soft, slightly acidic water with a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable in the water, 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 approach food (mosquitoes, etc.) from the water surface. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed at least once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia or mosquito larvae (live or frozen). Aphids, fruit flies and fruit flies are also readily eaten. No food is taken from the bottom
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are peaceful fish that are best kept in pairs. Males form small territories and are somewhat quarrelsome within the species. Multiple pairs should only be kept together in a larger and richly structured aquarium. They can be kept very well in a community tank with other small, peaceful and calm, but not surface-oriented fish. Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The slightly larger males have longer pelvic fins and a longer bill than the more rounded appearing females, which have a flat anal fin.
Reproduction and breeding
Unlike the other species of their genus, they are egg-laying fish. The transparent eggs, about 2 mm in size, have adhesive filaments and are laid singly, usually on fine-feathered plants. The spawning process can take several days
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (infusoria, Artemia nauplii). Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, as the fry are easy prey.
Important
A gapless cover is necessary, because the jumpy animals can jump well.
The foliage (sea almond tree, beech, oak, etc.) enriches the water with humic substances and naturally lowers the pH.
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 contaminant level 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: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (1997): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF