Family: Characidae
Distribution: Triportheus guentheri is a benthopelagic freshwater species that is distributed in the Sao Francisco River basin, South America.
PH: 5.0 – 7.5
Temperature: 22°C – 30C (72 – 86F)
Hardness: 0 – 20
Description: Triportheus guentheri can reach a maximum length of 14 cm. It has often been confused with Triportheus brachipomus, but they differ in the number of anal-fin rays and lateral-line scales. This species appears to have a yellow-silver colouration; the dorsal portion of its head and its snout are a darker colour. It has a longitudinal stripe that broadens into a dark spot on the lateral surface of its caudal peduncle. Its body is darker above the stripe and its caudal fin has a dark pigmentation as an outline.
Diet: Triportheus guentheri will take most foods in an aquarium environment. It will probably accept live, frozen and dried foods. A diverse range of fruits, nuts, insects and seeds may prove to be your best bet.
Breeding: There is not a great deal of information available on this species’ breeding habits. It appears it is yet to be bred in aquaria. In the wild, this species has adhesive eggs and fractional spawning; it is said to spawn between the months of November and February when reservoirs are at their lowest levels.
Comments: Triportheus guentheri should be housed in a tank at least 120 litres in volume, perhaps larger. This species will probably require a high oxygen concentration in its tank, although it may be quite hardy considering it is used to fluctuating oxygen levels in the wild. Triportheus guentheri is rarely seen in the aquarium environment and there is hardly any information available on it, which means it is probably better suited to experienced hobbyists.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Triportheus guentheri should be housed with peaceful, similar-sized species that share the same water parameters.
Originally posted 2010-01-27 01:54:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
