Ornate Ctenopoma have SUPERPOWERS! Right Fish For You?

[@SimplyBetta]

I've kept these! The display colors on these guys are soooooo beautiful

[@DansFish]

Yep! Nothing quite like them our there for beauty and uniqueness.

[@smorc65]

These are the hidden gem of anabantoids--the only microctenopoma that compares is the fasciolatum, which gets blue spangles instead of stripes. I had one that was full grown and outgoing several years ago that died unexpectedly, and currently have two smaller individuals that are still shy (in a crowded community tank). They've transitioned onto micro pellets, but prefer to catch them midwater once they start sinking down into the plants. I think they used to be more popular before the 1990s, but fell off as more and more fish became captive bred. They deserve to be wildly popular as they rival any of the wild bettas and popular gouramis for appearance and behavior.

[@DansFish]

M. fasciolatum is one I've never seen in the flesh...hope to one of these days!

[@kendracrippen]

Loving this little series!

[@Finkeldinken]

These have been on my bucket list since the first time I saw a picture of one many years ago! Some fine day!

[@zachbillings4151]

I love these types of videos please keep them coming

[@markfranklin8831]

Really beautiful and cool fish. Thanks for sharing. 👍✌️💗💯🔥

[@peytonhenny4814]

Been looking to add this fish for a while, this was the incentive to drop the dime. Thanks looking forward to playing with these.

[@pelhamsaquatics]

1st and you wont believe this i was just researching this very fish!!!!😮

[@miagardiner7025]

I have learned so much by watching your channel. You have introduced many new species of fish to me and I want to keep them all. Thank you.

[@DansFish]

You are welcome. We are here to "feed the need" for cool fish :)

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

As of your last video on Rummynose tetra, I said you had tempted me to get some for my 6 ft planted tank. I now have a shoal of 12 !!!

[@ndbyers23]

This is a great video! Now I need to find the others in this series!! How many would be a good group? How big are they?

[@DansFish]

I think a dozen would be a ton of fun. I'm not at the fish warehouse now, but if I remember correctly, they are from about 1.5"-2", give it take a bit

[@dancurran8977]

These are awesome fish! This is the first time that I had heard of them.

[@adamworley196]

Really awesome video about a really awesome fish. Thank you!

[@terra2468]

great explanation, i really enjoy your videos

[@laurabustos6560]

I just did a super fast click thinking from the thumbnail this was a samurai gourami vid. These guys are definitely some pretty sassy beauties though!! 🙏✌️

[@alfredogama9791]

Super fish. Sounds like a good fish to get. Thanks for the lesson

[@jay-remedy-plz]

Well said! Great little fish.

[@rodolfod2223]

hey whats up dan would you recommend housing a school of around 6 in a 20 long, i have lots of rock, driftwood and plants

[@DansFish]

I think that a 20 long as described should work well.

[@jaime8318]

What would you recommend for how many to keep so that they are comfortable?

[@haydendebarros1254]

What is the other ctenopoma species in the tanks with them? They have a pointer face and shorter deeper bodies, you can see one in the top left corner at 2:28 minutes into the video. They look super cool too!!

[@DansFish]

Good catch! We think it's M. fasciolatum.

[@haydendebarros1254]

@@DansFish very cool thx you

[@absolutelyunepic3072]

These are such an underrated fish. I got a couple from Dan last Christmas and fell in love with them and recently i saw some show up in the lfs and i snatched them without a second thought. They are dazzlingly beautiful fish. I like to call them the African betta because thats basically what they are. I have three right now, so here are a couple things of note from my experience with them. They, most specifically the dominant males are definitely territorial fish. Dan probably doesn't see that because he keeps them open tanks and heavy numbers, which overwrites the territorial instinct. Still they are far less aggressive than a betta and mostly territorial with their own kind. My big male in all his pretty colors will chase away the other microctenopoma and even young red hump geophagus i have growing out in the tank who both have a chunk bit out of their tailfin. However everyone seems to be healthy and fine, which I owe to the tank being well planted, something I think is very important for microctenopoma. They are definitely shy, not of you, but of other fish. Lots of plants or other structures are important for these fish to feel secure and not need to hide all the time. They are easy to train onto most foods. Mine will eat just about anything now. Only downside to this fish is the rarity of it. They, depending on the fish store, arent too expensive, so if you see them, get them! You won't regret it. Also, Dan, can you get in other species of microctenopoma? I'm hooked on them. Another thing, they seem to be the closest thing to a snakehead save for Betta macrostoma

[@DansFish]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences keeping these fish with us...much appreciated! I do want to bring more Microctenopoma species in, but there is not much demand for them and they are not often available. I do have my eye on M. fasciolatum. I've ordered it a few times, but so far, it has always been shorted on my orders.

[@berenicehickey9755]

I had a single one here in Singapore. He was very shy,now I know why!

[@MikeOmeg]

Really like the new format. Keep it up!

[@BigStevesGlassBoxes]

Dan always has good info! With the best intentions! Your goal was achieved- now i gotta have em! Lol

[@nismo717]

I have one in my tank and it is beautiful but I never see them. My tank is heavily planted though. Seen him once since I got him LOL Maybe I should order some more!

[@danrichard9247]

Very informative Great video

[@Anubis30224]

I've kept these, and I have to vouch for them being hard to get to eat flakes, I only had one manage to transition and to vouch for their hardiness: then I forgot about him in a 40 gallon pond only to find him last week. He's now in a 20 long so I can keep an eye on him

[@reneowens2768]

I have never seen these fish. Now I must have a tankful!

[@mingbritson]

fascinating fish -- I may have to add to my next order, once my local water sept finishes their upgrade filter system (35-45+ days) ugh.... :)

[@BenlshTracker]

Been eyeing these and the microctenopoma fasciatus! Do you have experience with those too?

[@BenlshTracker]

Fasciolatum*

[@DansFish]

I've ordered M. fasciolatum a few times, but I have yet to see one.

[@jaime8318]

What is the minimum number you would recommend in a ....let's say100 gallon community tank? What tank mates would you suggest? Can they be in a tank with apistos?

[@4wtsage]

How would a breeding pair cost

[@DansFish]

Prices are at dansfish.com

[@kingofme4185]

Can you tell me how big your growout/holding tanks are? Also thank you for these videos, they help me choose my inhabitants for my next aquarium.

[@ShortyMay]

They are in a 40 gallon in the video.

[@aTurney03]

Alright Dan. I'll get some. Ctenopoma species are my kinda bucket list, the big ones. However, its a basically 40 gallon with cherry barb and a panda gara and some kuhli loaches. Compatible? Thinking of 2 or just 1?

[@DansFish]

Hmmmm. I'd say compatible IF the kuhli loaches are big enough to avoid being slurped up like worms by the ctenopoma

[@aTurney03]

@DansFish I did buy a pair, gorgeous. One has eaten both pellets and flakes I've dropped in, the other just stares at me until the panda garra chases it away for not eating. Since ate some live baby brine.

[@elvinsworld11]

Lovely

[@BlakeAdamsCO]

@dansfish, do you think you'll ever get into selling Fancy Goldfish?

[@DansFish]

I would like to, but my current setup is not quite right for goldfish. One day, yes.

[@tikaalik]

The have a 3rd superpower, which they share with bettas. They can survive over 24 hours out of water as long as they are damp. Learned this accidentally!

[@BryceMazloum]

clints reptiles fish edition lets gooooo

[@DansFish]

Yep! Clint is amazing and inspired me to do this.

[@onlywei]

I wonder if Dan is ever going to give a fish less than 5/5 for appearance.

[@Bwizzle89]

Cool

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Dang im scared now 😂

[@RyansFakeName]

I liked the video but the format is obviously inspired by another KZbinr. I think it would be cool if you tweaked the format a bit while delivering the same information. Keep up the good work!

[@DansFish]

Clint is the inspiration for this format. I'm not afraid to give him credit for inspiring me. He's amazing!

[@BenjaminT1981]

How to identify their gender?

[@Seven7ails]

❤

[@BrodysBettas]

How dare you say they are the prettiest of the labyrinth organ fish.. ......lemme get my wallet.

[@saltygreek3870]

@ DAN Hey buddy I'm about to order 2 or 3 of those ornate ctenopoma, any chance you can try to get me one pair or two females one make, plz try to get me a pair🙏🏻my first name Georgios last name starts off the same, you initials are GG, your shipping to southern Cali L.A area plz plz plz try to give me a pair, appreciate it my friend

[@DansFish]

We try our best to give out mixed sexes, but they're hard at this size.

[@ndbyers23]

This is a great video! Now I need to find the others in this series!! How many would be a good group? How big are they?

[@DansFish]

I think a dozen or so would be enough to help them be bold. They max out at about 2.5" in size.