Care
The bizarre Crazy Fish is a predatory species which must not be housed with small fish. Although they may acclimatise to freshwater, these fish should be offered brackish conditions long-term. The species has earned the common name 'Crazy Fish' from its habit of resting in very strange positions & its colour-changing ability, which often causes much alarm! It is not uncommon to see this species resting upside down, vertically with head down, or hanging around up in mid-water or near the water's surface, and those unaware of this typical behaviour may mistake the fish as having passed away, when in actual fact it is just resting and waiting for its next meal to float past. The aquarium should be furnished with plenty of roots and rocks, and a generous amount of robust plant species should be added to create additional shelter from the aquarium lighting, and which will help mimic the heavily vegetated natural habitats of Butis butis. Crazy Fish are best maintained in groups in species-only aquaria, or in a brackish community of fish larger than 3" or so. Tankmates must not be too boisterous or grow excessively large themselves. Ensure the tank is well covered, as these fish can jump. Also, because they are easily startled, try to locate the aquarium in a quiet position that does not receive a constant stream of passing foot traffic. A high standard of water quality must be maintained at all times for the continued wellbeing of these fish. May also be seen on sale as the Duck Billed Sleeper.Note that the fish in this photo is upside down - a more common sight than seeing them the right way up...
Feeding
Meaty frozen foods such as prawns, Mysis shrimp, chopped cockle and mussel meat etc. Warning: capable of taking fish that are small enough to fit in their capacious mouths - choose tankmates with care.
Breeding
Unknown in the home aquarium.
