This fish needs a well-maintained aquarium and access to bogwood to thrive. Provide high oxygen levels, meaty foods and plenty of hiding places
Overview
Synonyms
Harttia microps
Distribution
Brazil and Peru.
Maximum Size
16cm
Temperature
24-28°C
Water Parameters
pH: 6.5-7.2, dH: up to 12 degrees.
Compatibility
Specialist community
Lighting
No special requirements
Sexual Dimorphism
The sexes are distinguished by the width of a naked trapezoidal area in the genital region that is framed by 4 bony plates. This area is longer and narrower in males, and broader in females.
Feeding
Algae wafers, catfish pellets, granules, flake and frozen foods
Description
Care
The Antenna Plec is a rheophilic species known from the upper Amazon River basin. This is a medium sized bottom-dweller with a long, tapered, almost delicate body shape and a beautiful lyre tail. Provide a spacious aquarium with plenty of shady hiding places amongst tangles of bogwood, rocky caves, and robust planting. Filtration should be efficient with areas of brisk water movement and a high level of oxygenation. Small frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum (these fish are extremely sensitive to nitrogenous waste). The Antenna Plec is generally peaceful, but it will show minor territorial aggression towards its own kind if not given enough space. In most instances though, they can be maintained in small groups as long as there is adequate room and enough hiding places to go round. Tankmates could include any medium sized peaceful shoaling fish that occupy the mid to upper levels of the water column and which also enjoy the fast-flowing conditions. Acclimatise very carefully. May also be seen on sale as Long-tailed Sturisoma.
Feeding
Can be challenging to get feeding. Offer a variety of different foodstuffs containing a good proportion of vegetable matter. Nori is a particular favourite, and cucumber, courgette, lettuce, squash etc should all be enthusiastically consumed. Supplement this with sinking algae wafers and catfish tablets/pellets, and the odd treat of meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm and chopped prawns.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
Where can I buy these aquarium fish?
If you like this species and would like to find out more, we have an enormous range of aquarium fish and invertebrates available to buy in all of our stores across the UK (including freshwater tropical and marine fish).
However, please note that this species may not be available in your chosen store, even if the store specialises in this particular species. This is due to seasonality and stock availability from store-to-store. Please check with your local store about availability of specific species to purchase before making a journey.
For delivery before Christmas, orders must be placed on or before 3pm on Wednesday 20th December. We cannot guarantee delivery of these orders pre-Christmas as we are reliant on our couriers, but will use our best endeavours to get orders placed on this date out to you before Christmas. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
Please note: online orders placed after 3pm on Friday 22nd December will not be dispatched until the New Year. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
