Dwarf shrub fish

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Dwarf shrub fish
Dwarf bushfish (Microctenopoma nanum)

Dwarf bushfish ( Microctenopoma nanum )

Systematics
Spinefish (Acanthopterygii)
Perch relatives (Percomorphaceae)
Order : Climbing fish species (Anabantiformes)
Subordination : Labyrinth fish (Anabantoidei)
Family : Climbing fish and bush fish (Anabantidae)
Genre : Dwarf shrub fish
Scientific name
Microctenopoma
Norris , 1995

The dwarf bush fish ( Microctenopoma ) are a genus of fish from the family of climbing fish and bush fish (Anabantidae). The genus occurs south of the Sahara from tropical West Africa to the Congo Basin , in the catchment area of Lake Chad , in Sudan , in the catchment area of Lake Edward and in the south in the Okavango , Zambezi and Kafue basins . The genus was re-established in 1995 for the species of the genus Ctenopoma that tend to breed and build foam nests .

features

Microctenopoma species are 3.6 to 8.5 cm long, they remain smaller and have a more elongated shape than the bush fish of the genus Ctenopoma . In addition, they show a pronounced sexual dimorphism , which is not found in Ctenopoma , and are often much more colorful than the Ctenopoma species. Other differences exist in the field of osteology . But the main difference is the brood care behavior. Ctenopoma species are free spawners and do not care about spawning. As with cichlids , the sideline of all bush fish is divided into a front section that runs close to the dorsal fin and a rear section that runs along the middle of the flank. There are two sensory pores between the eyes. The mouth is terminal, the teeth conical and unspecialized. The outer bones of the gill cover have sawn rear edges. The labyrinth organ is used to absorb atmospheric oxygen in oxygen-poor waters. The pelvic fins are long and reach the beginning of the anal fin or beyond.

Way of life

Microctenopoma species live mainly in smaller, heavily shaded and plant-rich waters, are carnivorous and eat anything they can overwhelm. During the breeding season they are territory-forming and show a complex courtship behavior. They lay the eggs in a foam nest that is reinforced with floating plants and parts of plants.

species

There are twelve species, ten of which were previously assigned to Ctenopoma and two more were newly established when the genus was first described .

literature

  • Melanie Stiassny, Guy Teugels & Carl D. Hopkins: The Fresh and Brackish Water Fishes of Lower Guinea, West-Central Africa. Volume 2. ISBN 9789074752213
  • Kenneth S. Norris (1995): Microctenopoma uelense and M. nigricans , a new genus and two new species of anabantid fishes from Africa. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 6 (4): pp. 357-376.

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