LA
Distochodus mix best with "rougher" fishes like cichlids.
Appeal: Both their color and shape catch your eye.
Their long, tubular shape deviates from the typical “ torpedo-fish shape.”
Think in terms of the better known leporinus and anostomus species.
All this with great colors thrown in – light yellow/orange body with
six dark bars and bright-orange fins. Distochodus look great.
Common Name: In the U.K.
literature we’ve seen distochodus referred to as the clown tetra.
We’ve never seen that name in our neck of the woods – probably
because in Des Moines they’re not common enough to earn a common name.
LA
Pic
Cute little guy at four inches.
LA
Cuter at two inches but not as colorful.
Size: Distochodus grow
to about 15 inches in captivity (30 in the wild).
The largest one on record weighed 20 pounds.
You won’t see this guy in an aquarium.
They ate him.
Foods: Not a problem.
Like their South American cousins, the leporinus and
anostomus, Distochodus eat plants.
Happily, Distochodus eagerly eat whatever flakes and pellets you offer
them. They also devour live and
frozen foods. Worms, shrimp, plankton, and krill will fill the
bill -- and bring out their colors.
Housing: Commercially
available at two to four inches, you can house your young distochodus in a
20-gallon tank. Realize that you
will need a 55 or bigger to keep this critter happy.
LA
Keep your distochodus well covered or ...
Keep Covered: Like all
torpedo-shaped fish and most headstanders, distochodus will bail on you. Some fish jump when startled.
These guys jump when they’re happy.
LA
Even small distochodus look regal.
Tank Mates: Amazingly,
you can mix distochodus with African cichlids.
In fact, they make good mixers with all large cichlids.
You’d think their small mouth would make them easily intimidated by
larger fish. Their speed and spunk
enable them to stand up to very scrappy fish.
Temperature: Their
Central African origin means distochodus need 75o or better.
They keep their best colors when kept warm.
LA
Feel free to mix distochodus with African or South American cichlids.
Temperament: Scrappy.
Distochodus stand up to other fishes.
They’re also smart enough to get out of the way of larger bullies.
They zip into hiding places when necessary. They’re not stupid.
Décor and Plants: The
only live plants they allow to survive? Java
lance fern. And they eat that if
they get hungry. So use plastic
plants -- or cheap plants like anacharis. Rocks and wood also work well.
Your typical African cichlid setup meets their needs.
Small distochodus appreciate the extra hiding places.
Water: Distochodus live
well and prosper in acid South American cichlid aquaria and alkaline African
cichlid tanks. In other words,
they’re flexible. You won’t need
a chemistry set to keep yours happy.
LA
Pic
Young Distochodus affinnis. The adults grow plainer.
LA
Distochodus lussosso looks nearly like a twin. Longer snout.
Not as orange.
LA
Another lussosso with not as dark bars.
Breeding: Won’t
happen.
Only Disadvantage: Distochodus
would be perfect except for their cost. You
won’t find them in very many tanks. If
you want an economy version, check out the leporinus, abramites, and
anostomus.
LA
His South American cousin, the leporinus, also mixes well with cichlids and
costs less.
LA
Pic
Four-inch ones are cuter but still mean.
LA
Still, distochodus are prettier.
LA
Peel your eyes. You may find one. This distochodus is about a half-foot long.
Last Word: Distochodus
make a great “extra” to add to your African cichlid aquaria if you can
afford one. LA.
© 2003,
© 2004,
© 2006
LA Productions
3600
Sixth Avenue
Corner
of Sixth & Euclid Avenues
Des
Moines, IA 50313
515
283-0300
Home
Fish
Other
Stuff
LA
LA
LA