RED BAY SNOOK

Scientific name: Petenia splendida

Common name: Red Bay Snook

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 45 - 50 cm (17.72 - 19.69 inch)

Recommended pH range for the species: 7 - 7.6

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 10 - 20°N (178.57 - 357.14ppm)

Recommended temperature: 25 - 30 °C (77 - 86°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: Central America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding
Red bay snook is definitely a predator and can swallow fish that are quite large. It will accept cichlid pellets and cichlid sticks, supplement the diet with meaty foods like chopped earth worms or feeder fish.

Origin
Central America; Red bay snook is found in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

Sexing
There are no visible differences between the sexes although it is believed that the males may grow slightly larger.

Breeding
Red bay snooks are substrate spawners so provide some flat rocks or slate to act as spawning sites. The eggs will be a pinkly colour when laid and they should hatch after 3-4 days. A week later the fry should be free swimming and can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan
The expected life span for Petenia splendida is 10 years.

Short description
Ensure that the water quality is kept high with plenty of filtration. Petenia splendida can become quite tame, accepting food from the keeper’s hand.