Daisy's Ricefish

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep it in a group of six or more in a tank of about 35 liters, since it shoals and shows better behavior in numbers. It holds the middle and upper water and is peaceful, so it suits a quiet nano community. Keep it in the mid 20s C with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Feed small foods such as fine flake, micro-pellet, and little live or frozen items.

In the wild

Daisy's ricefish comes from Muna Island off Sulawesi, Indonesia, living in shallow, clear, slow-moving water. Unlike many Amazon fish, it sits at a neutral to slightly alkaline pH rather than soft and acidic. A small planted tank with calm flow and some open surface space fits it well. Stable, clean water matters more than chasing exotic parameters.

Good to know

This is a small ricefish in the family Adrianichthyidae, topping out around 3 cm. It was described fairly recently and named for Daisy Wowor, an Indonesian carcinologist. Males are more colorful with longer fins, and like other ricefish it carries its eggs and scatters them onto plants.

Did you know

Males flush with electric blue and red along the body and fins, but mostly when they are displaying to each other or to females. In a group you get an ongoing low-key show as the males posture for position.

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