Procatapus nototaenia
PROCATOPUS NOTOTAENIA (Boulenger 1904)
Originally published as: B.K.A. Information pamphlet No.12 July 1966
Habitat: A surface living species found in the Cameroons and the Calabar region, species of Procatopus found between East and Western Nigeria. Temperature range 70 to 85F. In the aquaria, swims mainly in the upper regions, in clear moving water. Spawning temperature 75F. on fine leaf plants or mops.
Description Male: Colouration rather translucent, body has a blue to greenish sheen and tinged purple. In reflected light, which has proved to be the best, a metallic greenish blue zone is seen in the shoulder region. There are three yellow to orange stripes along the body and fins. The eye has a mostly silvery iris, with the upper anterior portion black, with a small golden spot behind the black area.
Dorsal and the anal fins are reddish orange, with rows of dark spots, Dorsal fin set well back on the body. Body is strongly compressed, a pointed appendage or thorn behind and gill covers is very pronounced in this species.
Female: Colouration translucent, with a metallic bluish sheen, no gill cover thorn is present. Fins transparent but spotted, more rounded compared to her mate, as he has extensions on the upper lobe.
Size: Males two inches, as with most of the Procatopus, the female is considerably smaller. Will breed from one and a half inches onwards, females at 1″
Feeding: Food can consist of almost any type of live or dried food, taken from the surface, provided that they are of a size suitable for the fish. In the wild species will frequently snap at insects, they form shoals at a short distance below the surface, swimming with a fluttering movement, against the current. They are not as far as is known found in stagnant water.
Breeding: A species that is quite easy to breed, that soon comes into condition, water conditions (D.H. 50 to 120, pH 6.8 to 7.0) a little salt may be added. Small tanks may be used, two gallons, depth of water six inches. Nylon mops or corked nylon mops so as they float or a fine leafed plant can be used as the spawning medium, eggs can be collected as with Aphyosemion species or left to hatch within the spawning aquarium.
Sorensen states the eggs are shot into the medium during the spawning a fluttering of fins and are attached to floating water sprite.
The eggs are found in groups within one area, they are soft to the touch, so care must be taken when collecting. The incubation period is 14 to 21 days, eggs are clear. Resting fry are common with the Procatopus group.
Small foods are needed for the fry, but growth is slow as the fry tend to cling to the surface.
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