Polycentrus schomburgkii

Polycentrus schomburgkii
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Polycentridae
Genus:	Polycentrus
Species:	P. schomburgkii
Binomial name
Polycentrus schomburgkii Müller & Troschel, 1849

Polycentrus schomburgkii, also known as the Guyana leaffish is a species of fish belonging to the Polycentridae family. It inhabits the often brackish waters, both clear and turbid, of the northeastern part of South America and Trinidad. It reaches a maximum length of 5.5 centimetres (2.2 in).^[1]

Description

The females are a deep brown, but the males are velvety-black with turquoise or silver spots and flecks. It uses its coloration to blend in with its surroundings.

In the aquarium

Polycentrus schomburgkii is rather small, so can be kept in a 38 litres (10 US gal) aquarium. It should be well-planted, with several hiding places, such as caves. This is a predatory species and employs an ambush-method when hunting prey. It floats motionless among plants until a smaller fish swims close enough for it to swallow.^[2] Because of its predator nature, its tank mates should be large enough to avoid being eaten. It will also eat live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and fish fry, but may eventually accept frozen foods, flakes, or pellets.^[3]

Spawning in the aquarium is very difficult. It takes place in a cave, and eggs are laid on a leaf. The male cares for the young and the female should be removed. They lay several hundred eggs, which hatch in about 3 or 4 days.^[4]

References