Alan Sutton, Tansania
Info
Calloplesiops altivelis (Steindachner, 1903)
The family of miraculous perches (Plesiopidae) belongs to the group of perch relatives and comprises eleven genera with over 50 species. They are mainly active at dusk and hide in caves and crevices during the day.
The miracle perch grows to a size of approx. 15-20 cm. Initially, these animals are very shy, which is due to the fact that in their natural habitat they are found at greater depths and as cave dwellers. The animals actually only imitate this behavior in the aquarium. Many people will notice that the perch immediately disappears into its cave when frightened and comes out tail first. Like everything else in the fish kingdom, there is a reason for this. With this action, it imitates the shape of a moray eel (mimikri = with the “eye” near its tail fin). In this way, a harmless animal becomes a great danger, at least for other fish, and they give it a wide berth.
However, the miracle perch becomes more trusting in the course of its existence in our aquariums, and although you won't see it all the time, you will see it much more often over time than at the beginning.
$slow eater
Garnelen/kleine Fische im Aquarium?
Due to the natural hunting instinct, shrimp or even small fish are considered food and, if the size is suitable, are also hunted and eaten.
Even cleaner shrimp can fall victim to the hunter if the hunger is correspondingly large.
Additional information:
Adult males usually appear bulkier in the head and neck than females. The ventral fins of males are significantly longer.
Synonymised names
Barrosia barrosi Smith, 1952 · unaccepted
Callopresiops altivelis (Steindachner, 1903) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Plesiops altivelis Steindachner, 1903 · unaccepted
The family of miraculous perches (Plesiopidae) belongs to the group of perch relatives and comprises eleven genera with over 50 species. They are mainly active at dusk and hide in caves and crevices during the day.
The miracle perch grows to a size of approx. 15-20 cm. Initially, these animals are very shy, which is due to the fact that in their natural habitat they are found at greater depths and as cave dwellers. The animals actually only imitate this behavior in the aquarium. Many people will notice that the perch immediately disappears into its cave when frightened and comes out tail first. Like everything else in the fish kingdom, there is a reason for this. With this action, it imitates the shape of a moray eel (mimikri = with the “eye” near its tail fin). In this way, a harmless animal becomes a great danger, at least for other fish, and they give it a wide berth.
However, the miracle perch becomes more trusting in the course of its existence in our aquariums, and although you won't see it all the time, you will see it much more often over time than at the beginning.
$slow eater
Garnelen/kleine Fische im Aquarium?
Due to the natural hunting instinct, shrimp or even small fish are considered food and, if the size is suitable, are also hunted and eaten.
Even cleaner shrimp can fall victim to the hunter if the hunger is correspondingly large.
Additional information:
Adult males usually appear bulkier in the head and neck than females. The ventral fins of males are significantly longer.
Synonymised names
Barrosia barrosi Smith, 1952 · unaccepted
Callopresiops altivelis (Steindachner, 1903) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Plesiops altivelis Steindachner, 1903 · unaccepted
