TankBud

Banded bushfish

Microctenopoma fasciolatum

Also known as Banded ctenopoma, Banded climbing perch, Ctenopoma fasciolatum

FreshwaterFish

Banded bushfish (Microctenopoma fasciolatum)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3.1 in
8 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Bubble nester · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Anabantidae
Origin
Congo River basin in central Africa, in slow, soft, densely vegetated waters.

Overview

The Banded bushfish is a slow, mostly peaceful African anabantid for a dim, heavily planted tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Banded bushfish has a labyrinth organ, which lets it handle the warm, low-oxygen water it lives in.

Caring for the banded bushfish

Keep the Banded bushfish in a planted tank of at least 24 gal (90 L) with dim lighting. Give it plenty of plants and wood for cover and to break up male territories.

Keep the water soft and on the acidic side, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed meaty live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and small earthworms, since it rarely takes dried food.

The Banded bushfish is mostly peaceful but a slow feeder, and fast tank mates outcompete it. Choose calm companions of a similar size.

Males become territorial when defending a spawning site. Unlike most of its African relatives, which scatter their eggs, the male builds a bubble nest among floating plants to raise the young. Breeding it takes moderate effort.

Good to know

The Banded bushfish, Microctenopoma fasciolatum, belongs to the family Anabantidae, the African climbing perches and bushfishes. Its barred flanks give it the banded name. It is also sold as the banded ctenopoma or banded climbing perch, and as Ctenopoma fasciolatum.

In the wild

The Banded bushfish lives in slow, shaded, densely planted stretches of the Congo basin, where the water is soft and slightly acidic. It is a slow, deliberate hunter of small prey among plants and cover.

Common questions

What size tank does a banded bushfish need?

A banded bushfish needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a banded bushfish need?

A banded bushfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a banded bushfish eat?

A Banded bushfish eats meaty live and frozen foods, such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and small earthworms. It rarely takes dried food.

How big does a banded bushfish get?

An adult banded bushfish reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

How does a banded bushfish breed?

Males build a bubble nest among floating plants and raise the young there, defending the spawning site. Breeding a Banded bushfish takes moderate effort.

Related species