What am I?

[CACAdmin]

Rather than just post another 'new addition', I thought we could have a little fun here... a guessing game. I've just added a new fish. We'll see who guesses what my latest addition is. I'll give clues and you folks can guess. The first clue I'll give with be a combined clue to get things started.

Clue #1: Not a livebearer & pH of 6.0-6.5; a hardness of 2-4 dH.

[GaryofMontreal]

That's a wide possibility - any fish from the Americas south of Panama, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Western Africa, or southeast Asia.

[PintoHawk]

"not a livebearer" - there goes my chance of guessing what type it is. LOL

[CACAdmin]

That's a wide possibility - any fish from the Americas south of Panama, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Western Africa, or southeast Asia.
:laugh: That was the whole point of the first very vague info.:DevilGrin:
... and so some more info:

Actually, I haven't actually 'added' this in as this is not a community fish. It is a carnivore from South America. It will reach about 4 inches in size as an adult.

[Katalyst]

Is it in the hypancistrus family?

[CACAdmin]

hypancistrus family? :no: But I guess that means you want another hint.:rolleyes:
It will eat only live food.

[Katalyst]

hypancistrus family? :no: But I guess that means you want another hint.:rolleyes:
It will eat only live food.

Killie fish?

[CACAdmin]

Well before I head off to work I'll give you one more clue. It is brown but does have the ability to change it's color (or so I gather).

[GaryofMontreal]

A wolf tetra (Hoplias)? If so, watch your fingers or you won't be typing a response!

[CACAdmin]

No but it does have a rather large mouth for the size of the fish. :wideeyed:

This thread is probably as interesting to me (or even more so) than to others because I get a chance to broaden my knowledge of what types of fish there are when somebody guesses a species or family of fish.

Edit: Now that we've established what this fish is, I'll move it here to the appropriate section.

[GaryofMontreal]

Does it have whiskers, armour or a Brazilian accent?

I'm thinking either a catfish or a pike cichlid, although pikes don't need live food all the time.

Then again, if it's not South American, could it be a Luciocephalus pulcher?

If it's a killie, it doesn't need live food exclusively. Dang, a four inch softwater predator...

[Bcanoe]

Leaf Fish Monocirrhus polyacanthus?.

[CACAdmin]

Does it have whiskers, armour or a Brazilian accent?

:rofl: No wishers, no armor andI haven't had a conversation with it yet, so I don't know about the accent.

Leaf Fish Monocirrhus polyacanthus?.
Bingo! :Applaud: You figured it out. :yes:

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/leaf-fish.jpg

[Gramma]

Pretty cool! :yes: I would never have guessed. What tank do you have him in. I guess he will have to be kept separate from all the others? There goes one of your breeding tanks. :laugh:

[Melody]

Bcanoe is observant - he remembered you talking about it I bet! That is SO cheating!

Yes, she's mad because she's not as observant...lol... <SULK!> Congrat's on the purchase - a very interesting species.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks! And yes, I did mention it in the other thread... that's when I first saw them and was intrigued. Of course, then had to spend much time doing research before attempting to step into the 'dark side' of predators and their requirements, etc. The one thing fascinating is that they stalk and lay in wait for their prey but never chase them (at least not from what I've seen). Fascinating behavior to observe (but I realize it is not for everyone).

[CACAdmin]

...and Meldoy, just to reassure you. Your little platy females are not in any danger.

[Melody]

Platy's are not feeders, got it?! lol It is a natural way to cull when necessary though, if you can stomach it. I have nothing against using feeders, predators have to eat too, I just couldn't watch it.

Will they eat live feeder shrimp?

Nice guesswork BCanoe!

[CACAdmin]

Yes, culls are in the diet (it's ok, you don't have to watch, Melody) because , it is a natural way to cull. If you think about it, livebearers are doing the same thing with fry born in the community tank and so. (Only they often eat the ones we'd like to keep :rolleyes: ). The leaf fish require their own heavily planted tank so the culls are not instant dinner and swim around aparently relatively unaware of the danger.

Leaf fish also eat shrimp, red wigglers and gammarus shrimp (which I culture for my other fish anyways) and apparently aquatic insects (something I will explore). As with all my fish, I believe in a balanced diet so there will be a varied diet, not just fish.

[CACAdmin]

I now have two of these leaf fish (hopefully a pair but they are supposedly extremely hard to breed in captivity but I can always try). They are still in a q-tank but once they move up into something larger I will take more pics and share my experiences with these unusual creatures.

[Melody]

You know you've progressed as a breeder when you want to attempt to breed the 'unbreedable'. :yes: Remember that no documented cases doesn't necessarily mean it can't be done. Find out as much as you can about their wild habitat - that might give you some clues. I'll look for your article in the magazines. ::D:

[CACAdmin]

Breeding isn't impossible, it's just supposed to be difficult (that's the challenge:yes: ). And, as they are carnivores, they will eat the fry. I also gather the fry tend to grow at various rates and thus tend to eat each other.:eek:

[Melody]

And we thought parental predation was a problem.... :wideeyed: . Maybe you'll have to set things up like the Betta breeders do, with individual tanks. At least those can be put on shelves. You could line the entire apartment with wall bracket shelving :yes: .

[CACAdmin]

:rofl: I think a better idea is to check the lottery ticket I bought yesterday... I think I'd need a bigger place to go that route.

[Gramma]

:Think: :Worried: I think I should come out for a visit real soon - while & if there is still room for me :Dunno: BUT sleeping in the same room as predators :wideeyed: :eek: :Eek: :Worried: , I don't know about that. I may have to sleep like this.:eek:

[Melody]

I Googled and I don't see any mention of 'Grammas' on the list of foods they eat. :NoWay:

[CACAdmin]

It's ok, there'll always be room for you to visit. As for the predators, I think as long as you're not sharing their tank, you'll be fine.:laugh:

[Melody]

I could always fishsit while you have a guest so you can take a tank down. You'll even get some back when she leaves. :WhoMe:

[Gramma]

:Research: I double checked - no Grammas on food list - that is good!:thumbup: No fear of me sharing their tank space:NoWay: I would not fit. For once that is a good thing.:laugh:

[Gramma]

Melody, the only tank worth Jay taking down for you to fishsit would be the 70 gallon, don't you think? :rofl: Oops, I think I just lost my invitation to visit. Jay, I really am an :Angel:. I promise not to cause trouble.

[CACAdmin]

The 70g stays!... got that? And Melody, no conniving with her behind my back.:Worried: That simply will not be allowed. And as for the two of you being :Angel:. All I can say is: :rofl:

[Melody]

Melody, the only tank worth Jay taking down for you to fishsit would be the 70 gallon, don't you think? :rofl: Oops, I think I just lost my invitation to visit. Jay, I really am an :Angel:. I promise not to cause trouble.

:Think::secret: :ShakeHands: :Angel: :Angel:

[CACAdmin]

Oh sure, now the trouble starts.:rolleyes: :twitcy: