The Needlefishes (Belonidae) are a relative small family and are represented by a small number (about 35) of species only, but these are very successful and can be found in marine and freshwater habitats of temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Some of them are so common that they form the basis of a commercial fishery for human consumption.
The Genus Xenentodon is restricted to tropical Asia. The fish are found exclusively in freshwater. They are unbelievable elegant predators that live near the water surface. In their natural habitat they are found always in schools. Currently only two species are accepted, namely Xenentodon cancila and X. canciloides. The beautiful fish we were able to import now from Thailand are closer to X. canciloides than to X. cancila, but may represent a still undescribed species as well.
Xenentodon can reach a total length up to 30 cm and thus should not be kept in too small tanks. Aquarists who want to keep these fish also have to guarantee the supply of the needlefish with small, life foodfish. If these preferences are assured, keeping needlefish is unproblematical. They even breed readily in captivity. The eggs have entangling tendrils and are placed in fine waterplants etc. The fish do not take care for their brood in any way. Males can be recognized when they reach sexual maturity (at a length of 15-20 cm): from that size on they have a red hump directly behind the head.
For our customers: The fish have code 476103 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Xenentodon: ancient Greek, means “with disconcerting teeth”; this applies to the lower pharyngeal plate. cancila: after an indigenous name for the fish in Bengal. canciloides: means “similiar to cancila”.
Suggestion of a common name: Inkstripe Needlefish
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Thailand |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 10-15 |
