Tail Spot Bushfish

Tailspot Bushfish is a fish that has a long span of life, about 8.7 years in captivity. It is known as Ctenopoma kingsleyae scientifically. This name is given to it after the explorer Mary Kingsley. It is commonly known as Tailspot Bushfish, Kingsley’s climbing perch and Tailspot Climbing perch. A vast natural range of this fish is found throughout a large area of north western Africa. There is a lot to know about this fish in the following piece of writing.

Diet

Tailspot Bushfish is a predator. A fleshy diet is required by it but do not feed it with live fish in its aquarium. It eats mussels, prawns, earthworms and similar foods without any fuss. Most of the specimens refuse to eat dried foods.

Breeding

There are few reports available about breeding of Tailspot Bushfish in an aquarium. Its tank should be large with ample floating plants. It generally spawns when it is dark in the typical anabantoid embrace. To spawn, male chases his female. Eggs float to the surface of water then come to the surface plants. At this time, it is wise to remove parents. Feed the fry with liquid fry food or infusoria and later give them newly hatched brine shrimp. Usually, it is said that this fish becomes sexually mature when it reaches to the age of 5 to 20 years.

Physical Description

Body of Tailspot Bushfish is silver-grey in color and it has a black spot at its caudal base. It grows up to 20 cms or 8 inches. This fish possesses the labyrinth organ. This organ is an accessory for breathing. It is a maze-like structure and allows the fish to inhale atmospheric air to a certain extent.

Tank Set Up

Tailspot Bushfish does well in an environment that is dimly lit. In order to provide ideal conditions; add a layer of floating plants and use subdued lighting. Hiding places are formed by pieces of bogwood, thick thickets of plants and rocky material. Leave some areas of the tank open for swimming as this is a lively fish. It is an excellent jumper, so don’t leave any gaps in the aquarium cover. It needs 25 degree C to 28 degree C or 77 degree F to 82 degree F temperature and water hardness should be 5 to 20 dH. It demands pH 6.0-8.0. If you want to keep this fish with other species then the tank should hold 303.75 liters of water.

Social Behavior

Tailspot Bushfish is considered to be among the most aggressive members of the genus. You can not keep Tailspot Bushfish with small fish or else you will lose the latter. You can keep this fish with other robust and similar sized species. An interesting setup will be created by Mormyrids, Synodontis catfish and perhaps some Polypterus. It can also be kept with similar sized peaceful cichlids, Loricariids, larger characins and cyprinids. Towards conspecifics this fish can be nasty. It is best kept as a single specimen or a pair.