Kuekenthal's halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali
Also known as Sarawak forest halfbeak, Three spot forest halfbeak
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 5.0–6.8
- Adult size
- 3.3 in (8.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Top
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Sarawak forest streams, Borneo
- Family
- Zenarchopteridae
Overview
A surface-dwelling halfbeak that needs floating cover and a tight lid, since it hunts at the film and startles upward. Keep one male with several females in a 75 liter tank with soft, tannin-stained water and dim light. Males are territorial with each other. Feed small floating and surface foods, live where possible, because it rarely takes anything from mid-water or the floor.
In the wild
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali lives in forest streams in Sarawak on Borneo, in soft, acidic, tannin-stained water shaded by canopy. Keep it at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 5.0 to 6.8, with floating plants, leaf litter and gentle flow.
Good to know
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali reaches about 8.5 centimeters, the largest of its genus. The lower jaw is extended into a long beak used to take prey from the surface film. Unusually for halfbeaks it is a livebearer, with females producing small numbers of large, well-developed young over an extended period.
Did you know
It hunts by silhouette against the forest canopy, a needle that reads the sky for meals.
Tank mates
Kuekenthal's halfbeak is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the top. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Bloodfin tetra
Aphyocharax anisitsiFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Brilliant rasbora
Rasbora einthoveniiFreshwater3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Eel kuhli loach
Pangio anguillarisFreshwater4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Agassiz's dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma agassiziiFreshwater3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)
Bethan's cory
Brochis bethanaeFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Bleeding heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigmaFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Kuekenthal's halfbeak need?
A Kuekenthal's halfbeak needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH do Kuekenthal's halfbeak need?
Kuekenthal's halfbeak are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.
How big do Kuekenthal's halfbeak get?
An adult Kuekenthal's halfbeak reaches about 3.3 in (8.5 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
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Related species
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathusFreshwater3.5 in (9 cm)34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Gold-spotted halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon chrysopunctatusFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Red line halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon phaiosomaFreshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Fire halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kapuasensisFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Borneo gold spot halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon tengahFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Rex halfbeak
Nomorhamphus rexFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)