In addition to having a long lifespan, being exceptionally tough, and being simple to maintain, Leopard Bush fish exhibit some fascinating behaviors.
Since they often behave peacefully toward other creatures of comparable size, they are appropriate for a shared tank.
This species is suitable to add to your tank if you are a novice aquarist. Let’s dig into this article to learn some Leopard Bush fish tank mates.
Contents
Leopard Bush Fish Overview
Here are some essential details you should know about this species before introducing it to a community tank:
Origin
These creatures come from streams and rivers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic in central Africa.
Is a Leopard Bush fish a cichlid? Yes! This species also has other names such as spotted cichlid, spotted Ctenophora, or leopard Ctenophora.
Habitat
Waterways around a considerable portion of central Africa are home to these aquatic creatures.
They have evolved over millions of years to thrive in settings, from favorably oxygenated and swiftly moving rivers to ponds that may be considered stagnant.
Appearance
These creatures have leaf-like, rounded body that is flattened laterally. They have a broad, slightly extended snout.
Their chocolate body is wonderfully adorned with sporadic black markings that resemble leopard spots.
This species occasionally exhibits a color that is exceptionally black that the dots are scarcely discernible.
Behavior
These are predatory creatures. They will consume smaller species, so it’s better to select their tank mates carefully.
A mature Leopard Bush fish may consume other species up to about the length of an adult female guppy.
These creatures thrive in a population of fish that are comparable in size, but they struggle with venomous species like bigger African Cichlids.
Size
How big does Leopard Bush get? The size of juveniles available in pet retailers ranges from 1 1/4 to 2 1/4 inches.
This species has a maximum length of 8 inches in nature.
Specimens in captivity seldom grow to this size, but given appropriate environments, they may reach 6 inches.
Gender Difference
There are spines on the gill covers of this species as well, but male Leopard Bush fish often feature more than female ones.
The males’ scales additionally possess notched edges. They also appear to show a coarser texture at the end of the caudal peduncle than females.
Lifespan
If the food and environmental conditions are favorable, these creatures may live up to ten years.
Leopard Bush overview
Leopard Bush Fish Tank Mates
Make sure the species you select for your spotted Ctenopoma aquarium are those that require the same habitat and are of comparable size.
Otherwise, you may run across many compatibility problems.
Can Leopard Bush fish live together? Yes! As long as you keep the creatures of the same size, they will get on well with each other.
If you plan to add other species to a Leopard Bush tank, here are some of the ideal species to consider:
Angelfish
These creatures are relatively peaceful when living with other species. Besides, they require nearly the same conditions as Leopard Bush fish.
Barbs
Apart from sharing the same habitat, these creatures are also hardy and friendly. Thus, they are great tank mates for your pets.
Swordtails
This species has nearly the same size as Leopard Bush, and they don’t require much maintenance when living in a community tank.
Large Corydoras
A large Corydoras may be as big as your pets. This species may have a maximum length of 4 inches.
Large Tetras
These Tetras may reach a length of 2 1/2 inches or longer, and they like to be housed alongside six or more other species of the same size.
Leopard Bush Fish Care Guides
Below are considerations you must take into account when keeping this species in your tank:
Tank Setup
You need a 50-gallon tank if you want to raise a pair. Opting for a container with a more excellent lengthwise room is a preferable option.
The middle and bottom feeders won’t engage in territorial disputes if the bottom is a sizable region.
Depending on the particular needs of the aquarium plants you want to cultivate in your aquarium, the substrate will vary significantly.
You will have more options besides fine sand, though, unless you keep your pets with a digger.
Bring in a lot of living plants. They’ll serve as hiding places and hunting grounds for your pets.
Additionally, it would be nice to include caves, rock formations, or other ornaments that would enhance the visual appeal of these plants. Make sure your pets have enough space to swim around.
Bright illumination is unnecessary for this species. Although these creatures aren’t nocturnal, you may use floating plants to give them the dark light they love.
Water Parameters
This species is hardy. These fish’s labyrinth organ allows them to survive in situations with low oxygen levels for a while.
However, to avoid issues, you should always keep your water’s ideal conditions:
- Temperature: 73℉ – 82℉
- pH level: 5.5 – 7.5
- Harness: 6 KH – 20 KH
It is necessary to filter and aerate. A regular aquarium water filter must be essential to imitate water flow. Depending on your aquarium’s stock density, do weekly water changes of at least 20%.
Diet
This species feeds on small species and crustaceans in its natural habitat.
You’ll have to work extra hard to feed them because they are always hungry predators. The best food for these creatures includes:
- Bloodworms
- Small earthworms
- Chopped prawns
- Ghost shrimp
- Mysis and Brine shrimp
Breeding
In aquariums, these creatures deposit their eggs on the water’s surface. They like nesting amid floating plants to release their eggs.
Like other oviparous creatures, the pair will embrace during mating.
The eggs that have been fertilized will emerge and dwell in floating vegetation. After two days, the eggs will hatch.
The fry grows in the warmer, moist air. Therefore you must cover your aquarium with a tight lid.
A female may lay hundreds of eggs, so you must ensure your tank is big enough to hold the fry.
In A Nutshell
Finding some Leopard Bush fish tank mates is not challenging as long as you provide them with the same tank conditions.
Angelfish, Barbs, Swordtails, Large Corydoras, and Large Tetras are the ideal fellows for your pets.
If you have any other questions, please leave a comment below. Thanks for taking the time to follow this post!
Alex is a pet freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. He attended Colorado State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, which was where he first got some experience in animal nutrition. After graduating from University, Alex began sharing his knowledge as a freelance writer specializing in pets.
