FW HALFBEAK

If you are on the lookout for a popular exotic species, the Halfbeak fish (also known as spipefish) is exactly what you want.

Halfbeaks are found both in fresh and salt water. The Dermogenys pusilla, however, usually resides in slow or stagnant freshwater reservoirs. This includes rivers, ponds, lakes and even flooded fields.

These long beak fish can also be found in semi-brackish conditions such as mangroves. As far as geographical distribution is concerned, they can be found in Eastern Asian countries such as Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, to name a few.

Size

While there is some variation, males, on average, are smaller than their female counterparts. The former usually measure somewhere around 5.5 centimeters while the latter can grow upto 7 centimeters long.

Jumping Fish (Take Cover)

Halfbeaks are known to jump about quite a lot (they are related to flying fishes, after all). You don’t want to return home to find it flopping about in the living room, do you? The solution for that is to add a sturdy cover to the aquarium.

Water Conditions

The Dermogenys pusilla is a freshwater fish and like all freshwater fishes, it is very sensitive to changes in its environment. The most important point is to ensure small but frequent changes of water so that the overall water quality does not change.

Here’s a breakdown of the water condition markers that you should maintain:

• pH: 6.5-8.0 (alkaline)
• Temperature: 24-28°C
• Hardness: 10-20°H

Diet

As they live near the water surface, most of their diet comes from organisms living in the area. The fruit fly (Drosophila) is an old favorite. Bloodworms, crustacean eggs and brine shrimp can also work just as well. However, dry foods can be more of an acquired taste and take a bit of getting used to. Some fish enthusiasts add a bit of algae to their Halfbeaks’ diet based on the fact that the fish are omnivores in their natural habitat.

Tank Mates

Halfbeak fishes are generally a peaceful bunch. They can coexist with other species of similar size, temperament and condition requirements. Birds of a feather flock together (and so do fish!). If you maintain freshwater conditions in your aquarium, bumblebees, mollies and glassfish can turn out to be the perfect choices.

Some other suitable choices include Tetras and Gouramis. Putting Halfbeaks in with a larger species often doesn’t work. They are outcompeted for food and can even die of starvation.