Best kept as a group in a well-furnished aquarium. Females carry their eggs on their anal fin and deposit them on plants
Overview
Synonyms
Aplocheilus javanicus
Distribution
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Maximum Size
4.5cm (1.8")
Temperature
18-26°C
Water Parameters
Hard, alkaline water is preferred. pH: 7.5-8.0, dH: 12-25 degrees. Sometimes enters brackish waters.
Compatibility
Community
Lighting
No special requirements
Sexual Dimorphism
Males are larger and with a more pronounced and "˜ragged-edged"™ anal fin.
Feeding
Flake, granules and frozen foods
Description
Care
Javanese Rice Fish are a great choice for the peaceful community aquarium. In the wild, this species inhabits ponds, ditches and canals that are overgrown with aquatic vegetation. For this reason, the tank should be mature and heavily planted. Javanese Rice Fish feed in large groups near the surface on insect larvae and tiny crustaceans. It is therefore appropriate to keep this species in groups of at least 6 fish, and preferably more. Javanese Rice Fish are peaceful by nature and should only be kept with other fish of a similar temperament, and which also enjoy the same aquarium conditions.
Feeding
Prefers small frozen foods such as daphnia, baby brineshrimp and mosquito larvae. After a time, some aquarists find that their fish will also take flakes/crisp foods.
Breeding
Easy to breed. Eggs actually hang outside the female's vent area in a cluster, attached to the genital pore by filaments. These eggs are fertilised by the males, after which the female will swim past fine-leaved plants or spawning mops and will "brush them off". The parents can either be removed from this aquarium, or the egg-laden plants/mops moved across to a growing-on tank. The eggs take a couple of weeks to hatch, after which time the fry should be offered infusoria and microworms.
Where can I buy these aquarium fish or invertebrates?
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
