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Niger Delta bushfish

Ctenopoma nebulosum

Also known as Nebulous ctenopoma, Dusky bushfish

FreshwaterFish

Niger Delta bushfish (Ctenopoma nebulosum)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer
Rarity
Rare
Family
Anabantidae
Origin
Niger Delta, Nigeria

Overview

The Niger Delta bushfish is a leaf-shaped African labyrinth fish, much like its better-known leopard relative. It suits a dim, shaded tank and a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The Niger Delta bushfish's scientific name is a weather report. Nebulosum comes from the Latin for cloudy or overcast. The name was given for the smoky, mottled markings that break up its outline against sunken leaves and shadow.

Caring for the Niger Delta bushfish

Give the Niger Delta bushfish a large, well-structured tank of at least 42 gal (160 L), shaded and dimly lit. Use dense cover of driftwood, dried leaves and shade plants over a dark bottom.

Keep the water warm, soft and slightly acidic, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2, with gentle flow. Feed it earthworm, prawn and meaty frozen foods.

The Niger Delta bushfish is an ambush predator that hangs among cover and drifts up on its prey. It is mostly peaceful toward fish it cannot eat but takes anything small enough to swallow. Keep it only with sturdy tank mates of a similar size, chosen with care. It does not need a group, but you can keep one or a few.

As a true Ctenopoma, it scatters floating eggs and gives no parental care. It has no established breeding record in aquariums.

Good to know

Ctenopoma nebulosum is an African labyrinth fish of the family Anabantidae. It was described in 1990 by Norris and Teugels. It is also sold as the nebulous ctenopoma or dusky bushfish.

In the wild

The Niger Delta bushfish is known only from the far southeast of Nigeria. It lives in the tannin-stained creeks and rivers of the Niger Delta and the lower Cross River. It shelters among roots and leaf litter in soft, shaded water.

Common questions

What size tank does a Niger Delta bushfish need?

A Niger Delta bushfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Niger Delta bushfish need?

A Niger Delta bushfish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

What does a Niger Delta bushfish eat?

A Niger Delta bushfish eats earthworm, prawn and meaty frozen foods. It is an ambush predator and takes any fish small enough to swallow.

How big does a Niger Delta bushfish get?

An adult Niger Delta bushfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

How does a Niger Delta bushfish breed?

A Niger Delta bushfish scatters floating eggs and gives them no parental care. It has no established breeding record in aquariums.

Related species