The mouthbrooding freshwater cardinalfish (Glossamia) are particularly rich in species on New Guinea. Of the total of 11-12 currently accepted species, 10-11 occur on New Guinea, 9-10 even only exist there. Only one species is known exclusively from Australia and another occurs on New Guinea and in Australia, namely G. aprion (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/25-perchlike-fishes/glossamia-aprion-2/)
Probably the largest species is Glossamia wichmanni. While most other Glossamia species only exceed the 10 cm mark in very exceptional cases, significantly larger specimens of G. wichmanni have been reported. The documented record is 18 cm (without caudal fin). The coloration of G. wichmanni is clearly more spectacular than that of G. aprion. At times, both sexes can show a deep black diagonal stripe pattern with a yellow base coloration. However, they do not always do this. Since aquaristic literature on Glossamia species is practically non-existent (apart from a few very general observations), it is currently not possible to clearly assign the coloration to any moods. Incidentally, there are several Glossamia species on New Guinea with a very similar color pattern to G. wichmanni, whose distribution area is in the north of the island. Kuiter & Kozawa (Cardinalfishes of the World, 2019), report it from the area between the Bewani Mountains (Papua New Guinea) and the Tawarin River (Irian Jaya).
Not much can yet be said about the aquarium biology of G. wichmanni. Only this much is certain: it is a pure freshwater fish, a male mouthbrooder and feeds predatorily on relatively large chunks. Slender fish up to almost 2/3 the length of the Glossamia are regarded as food, and you should be aware of this. The animals are peaceful with each other – at least in our fishhouse. Our import of this beautiful and interesting species will hopefully help to close the large gaps in knowledge about this fish.
For our customers: the animals have code 417034 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
