Cynodonicthys tenius
CYNODONICHTHYS TENUIS
Originally published as: “Rivulus tenuis” B.K.A. Information Pamphlet No.98 February 1975
Biotope: The coastal lowlands of Veracruz southward to the Republic of Guatemala in Central America.
Description of male: Tan to brown dorsally and along the sides. The underside is yellow to pale orange and the rear half of the body has a blueish sheen. Caudal fin brown outlined top and bottom with a band of yellow to sky blue, dependent on lighting, and is sub – margined in deep purple. Anal pale green, dorsal green with a yellow tip. Ventrals are yellow to orange, pectorals clear, and the eye is amber with a gold iris.
Size of male: To 2.5 inches.
Description of female: The body is tan and lacks the blueish sheen of the male and the underside is cream coloured. Caudal fin tan and unmarked, anal amber to pale green, ventrals cream. Dorsal faint green with a few black dots along the base, pectorals clear. A conspicuous Rivulus spot’ at base of tail.
Size of female: To 2.5 inches.
Maintenance and breeding: Quite easy to keep and breed, as are most of the genus. Soft water with one teaspoonful of salt for each gallon and a pH between 6.2 and 7.4 is quite suitable. While this species will withstand cooler waters, temperatures in the mid to high seventies are preferred. Can be bred using floating mops or plants such as Riccia and collecting of eggs can be practised if one desires. However, giving a pair or trio a suitably sized tank, with a heavy cover of floating plants, they will produce results that are quite satisfactory. The adults seemingly ignore the fry and the young can be raised in the same tank with the parents. Eggs hatch in 12 to 21 days at temperatures in the mid-seventies. The fry are large and can manage micro worms and newly hatched brine shrimp immediately. A good dried food of the proper size should also be included in the diet. Grindal worms should be offered in four to five days and progressively larger foods thereafter. The young grow rapidly, are over an inch long in four to five weeks, and sexes can be determined at this time. They reach a length of about 2 inches and are sexually mature at five months of age, full size being attained in seven to eight months.
Summary: An attractive and interesting little species. Quite hardy under the proper conditions and not given to aggressiveness. Will eagerly accept dried as well as live foods and can be kept in company with other related species of the same size and temperament.
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