Xenentodon cancila at most get 12''.
I love mine.. they prefer Rosy Reds. I keep them in FreshWater and they couldn't be healthier. I'm not so certain about them being brackish fish.. I was going to move them to a brackish tank but I woudl rather trust my own experience, if it's not broke, don't fix it. If I was to ever set up a tank just for Needlefish I think I would keep it fresh. The Needlefish I have are one of the biggest successes I've ever had in an aquarium, I take real pride in these fish and if you saw them you would as well.. So I'd have to say freshwater..
Please don't keep one by itself. I've never seen a fish that prefers schooling more than these Needlefish. I have 3 and they are always within CM of each other. They even hunt together (which is a lot of fun to watch).
Something cool about them, this happens with most school predatory fish but I've not seen it happen too much in aquariums. All were the same size when I bought them. I initially had two and a few months later bought a third one out of impulse. Anyways, one of them started growing larger than the others, changed color (he's a bright, metalic greenish/blue), has a bright red stripe on a tall ridge on his back and is obviously the 'alpha' or whatever you would call it with fish. He is the first in line when I add feeders and the others back off. They never fish or pick at each other, it's something that just naturally happens. The others look like what you would see in the pictures, a grey fish with a black stripe.
They are suppose to like cover but mine sit at the bare side of the tank. The feeders school in the tall jungle vals and the needlefish school at the other end of the tank.
They are cool fish.. but please, I'm begging you, dont have less than 3 in a tank. It's like keeping Corys or Mollies alone, it's just wrong. I know you said you're getting 3 but I really want to stress this, they love the company of other Needlefish. Just keep them well fed, they will compete with each other for food (don't starve them to get them to eat prepared food, they'll just kill each other)
and Mudfrog is right, be careful. They break their .. snouts(?) and backs pretty often according to different sources on the internet. After having mine for a few months I'm not surrpised.. They are quick, powerful fish.. they will clear the top of your tank by 2' even as babies, so make sure it is nicely covered. Even if it is try not to spook them, full force at the cover on a tank would kill a fish like this.
Oh yeah, I hope you're prepared to feed the hell out of them. Mine are pigs, at 6'' they eat 3-4 Rosy Reds a night, each, (easily 40%+ of their bodyweight) and who knows how many Ghost Shrimp. Mine feed at night for the most part, not that this is important.. I just like talking about them
I need to get some pictures of my leader Needlefish, he's great.
I love mine.. they prefer Rosy Reds. I keep them in FreshWater and they couldn't be healthier. I'm not so certain about them being brackish fish.. I was going to move them to a brackish tank but I woudl rather trust my own experience, if it's not broke, don't fix it. If I was to ever set up a tank just for Needlefish I think I would keep it fresh. The Needlefish I have are one of the biggest successes I've ever had in an aquarium, I take real pride in these fish and if you saw them you would as well.. So I'd have to say freshwater..
Please don't keep one by itself. I've never seen a fish that prefers schooling more than these Needlefish. I have 3 and they are always within CM of each other. They even hunt together (which is a lot of fun to watch).
Something cool about them, this happens with most school predatory fish but I've not seen it happen too much in aquariums. All were the same size when I bought them. I initially had two and a few months later bought a third one out of impulse. Anyways, one of them started growing larger than the others, changed color (he's a bright, metalic greenish/blue), has a bright red stripe on a tall ridge on his back and is obviously the 'alpha' or whatever you would call it with fish. He is the first in line when I add feeders and the others back off. They never fish or pick at each other, it's something that just naturally happens. The others look like what you would see in the pictures, a grey fish with a black stripe.
They are suppose to like cover but mine sit at the bare side of the tank. The feeders school in the tall jungle vals and the needlefish school at the other end of the tank.
They are cool fish.. but please, I'm begging you, dont have less than 3 in a tank. It's like keeping Corys or Mollies alone, it's just wrong. I know you said you're getting 3 but I really want to stress this, they love the company of other Needlefish. Just keep them well fed, they will compete with each other for food (don't starve them to get them to eat prepared food, they'll just kill each other)
and Mudfrog is right, be careful. They break their .. snouts(?) and backs pretty often according to different sources on the internet. After having mine for a few months I'm not surrpised.. They are quick, powerful fish.. they will clear the top of your tank by 2' even as babies, so make sure it is nicely covered. Even if it is try not to spook them, full force at the cover on a tank would kill a fish like this.
Oh yeah, I hope you're prepared to feed the hell out of them. Mine are pigs, at 6'' they eat 3-4 Rosy Reds a night, each, (easily 40%+ of their bodyweight) and who knows how many Ghost Shrimp. Mine feed at night for the most part, not that this is important.. I just like talking about them
I need to get some pictures of my leader Needlefish, he's great.
