Etheostoma spectabile – Orangethroat Darter
Etheostoma spectabile is a cold-water fish best kept in a special aquarium for cold-water fish. The aquarium should be set up with a sandy bottom and rocks. Furthermore, moderate side and background vegetation. A weak current and good ventilation are appreciated. Males are very aggressive towards conspecifics during the breeding season.
This species was described as early as 1854 by Agassiz. There is only one synonym: Poecilichthys spectabilis.
Diet
Small live food must be given in the form of daphnia and insect larvae.
Breeding Etheostoma spectabile
Breeding Etheostoma spectabile in the aquarium is not easy. The male establishes a territory around a burrow. Up to 1,000 eggs are deposited in that burrow. Since they are egg robbers, the parents must be removed after deposition. The young can be raised on Artemia nauplii.
Video
Author
Jan Bukkems – Aquavisie
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