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Largescale four-eyed fish

Anableps anableps

FreshwaterBrackishFish

Largescale four-eyed fish (Anableps anableps)
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Care at a glance

Temperature
77–88°F
25–31°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
70 gal
265 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Top
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Livebearer
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Anablepidae
Origin
Brazil, Venezuela, The Guianas

Overview

The largescale four-eyed fish is a surface-living schooling fish for a wide, brackish tank. It is tricky to keep and best left to experienced keepers.

Did you know

Because the largescale four-eyed fish rides right at the waterline, its eyes can dry out. It dips its head under every so often to wet them.

Caring for the largescale four-eyed fish

Keep largescale four-eyed fish in a group of their own kind, in a tank of at least 70 gal (265 L). A wide, shallow tank matters far more than a deep one, so plan on a large footprint. They cruise the very top with their eyes poking above the waterline. Leave open surface space and fit a tight lid.

Give them brackish water, kept warm at 77 to 88°F (25 to 31°C) with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Feed floating and surface foods, such as live or frozen insects, bloodworms and mosquito larvae.

The largescale four-eyed fish is mostly peaceful and safe with community fish. It is a livebearer with an unusual one-sided mating arrangement.

Good to know

Anableps anableps is in the family Anablepidae. Its eyes are split horizontally into upper and lower halves, each with its own pupil. The upper half is tuned for air vision and the lower half for water. It can see above and below the surface at the same time. The species is widespread and listed as Least Concern.

In the wild

The largescale four-eyed fish lives at the surface of brackish and fresh waters in Brazil, Venezuela and the Guianas. It favors estuaries, mangroves and muddy coastal rivers.

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Tank mates

The largescale four-eyed fish is a mostly peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the top. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a largescale four-eyed fish need?

A largescale four-eyed fish needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a largescale four-eyed fish need?

A largescale four-eyed fish is comfortable at 77–88°F (25–31°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a largescale four-eyed fish eat?

A largescale four-eyed fish eats floating and surface foods, such as live or frozen insects, bloodworms and mosquito larvae.

How big does a largescale four-eyed fish get?

An adult largescale four-eyed fish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Does a largescale four-eyed fish need a group?

Yes. A largescale four-eyed fish is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a largescale four-eyed fish breed?

A largescale four-eyed fish is a livebearer, and it has an unusual one-sided mating arrangement.

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