Leopard bush fish

Ctenopoma acutirostre

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 6.3 in (16 cm)
Minimum tank: 40 gal (150 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Very rare
Origin: Congo Basin
Family: Anabantidae

Overview

The leopard bush fish is a slow, stealthy predator that is peaceful toward anything too big to eat but will happily swallow small fish and shrimp. It drifts in the middle of the tank among wood and plants, often tilting and hovering as it stalks food. It can be kept singly or in a small group, and mixes with medium to large calm community fish. Feed meaty foods such as earthworm, prawn, mussel and larger frozen items, and be patient weaning it onto dry pellets. Despite its predatory habits it is an easy, hardy fish for a shady, well-decorated tank of around 150 liters or more.

In the wild

Ctenopoma acutirostre lives in the Congo River basin in central Africa, in warm, slow, shaded waters full of submerged wood and leaf litter. It relies on cover and dappled light to ambush prey. Recreate that with plenty of driftwood, tangled roots, robust plants and a dim tank with floating cover overhead. Keep the temperature between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius and the pH from 6.0 to 7.5, in soft to moderately hard water. A dark substrate and scattered leaves complete the look and help the fish show its bold leopard markings.

Good to know

The leopard bush fish belongs to the family Anabantidae, the same African and Asian group as the climbing perch, and grows to about 16 centimeters. Its cream body is covered in dark, leopard-like blotches, and young fish carry an eyespot near the tail. It scatters floating eggs and gives no parental care, and aquarium breeding is seldom recorded. As a labyrinth fish it breathes air, and its patient, hovering hunting style sets it apart from most community fish.

Did you know

The leopard bush fish is a master of disguise. It drifts at an angle and hangs almost motionless, looking like a dead, spotted leaf, until a small fish comes close enough to be inhaled in a single gulp.