(Micro)Ctenopoma ansorgei

[Mez]

Hi guys.
Today, as well as picking up my male B. rubra, i got a pair of Ctenopoma ansorgei.
The fish are very small, perhaps just 1 inche, so sexing is hard. Both have good colours so are possibly both male...if this is the case i can exchange for female later on...or perhaps i will buy a few more, but they are quite expensive (for such a small size)at £18 a pair.
I will take some photos tomorrow. Anyone care to share tips?
Thanks
James

[CK Yeo]

James, we do not get to see them much here in Singapore. Love to see some pics of your pair.

ck

[mickthefish]

hi James, from my experience with themthey are a shy retiring species.
in a smallish well planted tank with a few caves they should settle down well.
to see if you have a male or if they are both males rig a mirror up on one of the side panes, you'll know if you have a male as it will flare and change colour at it's own reflection.

mick
ps, hows the snow around your area.? it's falling hard here.

[Mez]

Mick, its big mate!
Im sk14 8nw, really thick here, the dog loves it! Aparantly in London all the buses stopped this morning!
I got these from BAS. If they are both male, i may be able to exchange one for another.
Nice to see you posting here mick.
They are in an 16x12x12 at the moment as they are VERY small. Photos to come later.

[ranmasatome]

Darn..another fish species i've been looking for for years.... do post the pics Mez..

[Matt Ford]

I bred them in a very dimly-lit tank with some floating plants in Mez and even then they were still quite shy. I'm sure it's not essential but I used a substrate of peat fibre and it really seemed to help them settle. Soft acidic water is essential though. You should be able to sex them by pattern too as the males have very strong striping and white edges to the dorsal and anal fins. If you do have two males they'll likely start fighting before long. I had two pairs in the tank and the males always had ragged fins. Good luck it's a beautiful species!

[Mez]

Well these fish are proving to be more elusive than i first thought! So elusive i havent been able to get a photo yet, however i have witnessed white edging on both fish.

[sunnyek]

post some pictures! keen to see it