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Bronze Featherback
Notopterus notopterus
📍 Southeast Asia
The Bronze Featherback is a nocturnal, knife-like fish native to Southeast Asia known for its undulating anal fin and peaceful demeanor. It grows to moderate size and requires spacious, well-planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots. This species is best suited for experienced aquarists due to its specific care requirements and sensitivity to water conditions.
Care Guide
Diet
Bronze Featherbacks are carnivorous and prefer live or frozen foods such as small fish, shrimp, bloodworms, and insect larvae. Feed 2-3 times weekly with appropriately-sized prey items. They are nocturnal hunters and may refuse food during daylight hours.
Behavior
This species is primarily nocturnal and remains hidden during the day, becoming active at dusk. It uses its elongated anal fin to navigate through dense vegetation and obstacles with remarkable agility. Bronze Featherbacks are generally peaceful but may consume very small fish and should not be housed with tiny species.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require very specific conditions including large tanks, precise water parameters, and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Professional breeding is limited, making captive-bred specimens uncommon.
Tank Mates
Similar peaceful temperament and nocturnal behavior; avoid very small individuals
Compatible nocturnal species with similar habitat requirements
Nocturnal bottom-dweller that shares similar water parameter preferences
Peaceful nocturnal species that occupies different tank zones
Nocturnal but may compete for food; ensure adequate feeding
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication; treat for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove decaying food, use antibacterial medication if severe
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading, fin damage
Perform 25-30% water changes daily, maintain pristine water conditions, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, weight loss, visible parasites on gills, labored breathing
Use anti-parasitic medication, perform water changes, quarantine affected fish, treat for 7-14 days as directed
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Carnivore - feeds on small fish, shrimp, and aquatic insects
- lifespan
- 10-15 years
- max size
- 30 cm (12 in)
- tank size
- 75 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)