Family: Aplocheilidae
Distribution: Shallow water, rivers and brooks found in Ghana and the Ivony Coast (Africa) are the region of origin of Epiplatys chaperi.
PH: 7.0 pH
Temperature: 23-27°C (73-81 °F)
Hardness: 8-12dGH
Description: The firemouth epiplatys reaches a maximum length of about 6cm in captivity, with the male generally larger than the females. They are a generally peaceful fish, active, although the male can become quite aggressive.
Whilst both sexes are generally olive-green, the male Epiplatys chaperi sports rusty brown fins and lips, whereas the poor female lacks colour differentiation. What she lacks in colour, however, she makes up with 4-5 thick vertical lines on her sides.
Epiplatys Chaperi are not seasonal fish.
Diet: Firemouth Epiplatys enjoy a varied diet consisting of flakes and pellets interchanged with livefoods such as worms and brine shrimp.
Breeding: Epiplatys chaperi are easy to breed in captivity, requiring only dechlorinated water, small containers, and spawning mops. The fry must be separate from the adults for the first few weeks or else they will become dinner. The water of the fry must be changed daily.
The first few attempts by Epiplatys chaperi to spawn will result in low egg counts per day, however as they grow up they will produce more.
Comments: Epiplatys chaperi are easy to maintain and therefore perfect for any experience level. The only things that aquarists will need to keep an eye on are regular water changes and keeping a tight lid on the tank as females will occasionally try to jump out to escape aggressive males.
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Recommended Compatible Species: Epiplatys chaperi are happy to live in pairs or trios, or even in small schools; although if you want a community tank, it is best to use species of a similar size that are not aggressive or territorial. They will live happily with Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platyand most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many other Killifish make great tank mates.
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