Saratoga fish - Scleropages leichardti

Scientific name: Scleropages leichardti

Common name: Saratoga fish

Family: Osteoglossidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 90 - 100 cm (35.43 - 39.37 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.4 - 7

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 3 - 14°N (53.57 - 250ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 24 - 28 °C (75.2 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Oceania

Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Top levels

Food and feeding

Saratoga fish are excellent predators, they will learn to accept live or frozen foods but many keepers still give them a diet of feeder fish. Try them with earth worms and beef heart as well.

Origin

Oceania; Saratoga fish is native to Australia.

Sexing

There are no visible differences between the sexes.

Breeding

The female is a mouth brooder and will keep the eggs in her mouth until they hatch. While she is holding, most of her time will be spent near the surface of the water and she will release the fry at intervals keeping a close watch on them.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Scleropages leichardti is 8-12 years.

Short description

Scleropages leichardti is a very high waste producer. Large water changes with excellent filtration are required to keep these fish. Unlike their Asian cousins, they tend to stay near the bottom of the tank but can certainly move fast when stalking prey.Also known as Spotted bonytongue.

Picture

Bought by aqua-fish.net.

updated on November 4th 2010 - thanks to Toga Lover’s comment