Fish of the Month - Sphaerichthys vaillanti

A cousin of the Chocolate Gourami but even more stunning.

     

The Sphaerichthys vaillanti is just beautiful with very striking colours and beauty.

Origin: Indonesia, Kalimantan(Borneo), Sebroang. The parameters of the place were pH 5.3,  29.5 degrees Celsius. The water is clear and slightly amber.

First import: France, 1995, by Olivier Perrin so it has not been on the market that long and is also difficult to find sometimes.

Care: Spaerichthys vaillanti should be kept in larger tanks, 80 cm minimum, and is best not kept in pairs, but rather in small groups or with other coinhabitants that originate from peat swamps like Paroshromenus sp. Water conditions pH around 5.5 and very soft water are required, temperature in the higher region. Tanned water with a low visibility and not too much light, driftwood and maybe some plants that can stand this type of environment(Javafern, Javamoss, Anubias nana, some floating plants). Sphaerichthys vaillanti pairs will establish a large territory in a tank, although no actual fighting will occur. The fish will usually inhabit the middle and lower regions of a tank, and are in general peaceful and quiet inhabitants.

Temperature:25-28 degrees

Size: 8.0 cm

pH: 5.0-6.5

Food:  They are picky eaters and love nothing more than live food such as artemia and red mosquito larvae

Breeding: Mouthbreeder, the male is the mouthbreeder, while the female defends the territory against possible intruders. To get Sphaerichthys vaillanti to breed the water should be extremely soft and acidic, pH at 5 and dGH below 2. After a breeding period of 10-15 days around 20, sometimes more, fry are released by the male. If breeding is performed in a species tank it's best to remove the female after breeding, since she will start to harass the male if no intruders are present.   The fish have to be in top condition as the male will not eat while carrying the young.

Sexual dimorphism: The female has vertical red and green stripes, while the male is grey/brown, with a wine red hint. The colours of the female become very intense while breeding

Price:  It will vary but be prepared to get your wallet open a pair usually set you back 30 Euros

                   

These are definitely not beginner fish - Use dimmed light, peat filtration and mix the water with RO water, the proportion depending on the parameters of your tap water. They need floating plants and woods to feel secure. Very susceptible to disease, especially parasites and will not tolerate anything but perfect water conditions.