Edit Xenentodon cancila
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Name
Scientific name
Xenentodon cancila
Described by
Authority Hamilton, Year 1822, Bracketed
Family
Belonidae
Common names
Freshwater Needlefish
Photograph credits
All 17 credited
Summary
The freshwater needlefish, Xenentodon cancila, is a belonid from Pakistan east through India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Tha…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
350mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–30°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
2–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States, Hawaii, Ayeyarwady, Bago, Bhadra, Brahmaputra, Byanda, Chao Phraya, East Rapti, Ganges, Hooghly, Karnaphuli, Koshi, Meenachil, Mekong, Myittha, Narayani, Netravati, Salween, Teesta, Tunga, Tungabhadra
Writing
Etymology
Xenentodon: from the Greek ξένος (xénos), meaning 'strange', and ὀδών (odṓn), meaning 'tooth', in reference to the lower pharyngeal plate. cancila: appears to …
Distribution
This species is currently considered to have a huge natural distribution extending eastwards from Pakistan throughout much of India and into Bangladesh, Nepal,…
Habitat
Tends to inhabit slow-moving to still sections of streams and rivers and marshy lowland habitats such as swamps and oxbows, although at certain times of year i…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with surface dimensions of 180 ∗ 60 cm or more is recommended. Water depth is less important but should not be less than 30 cm.
Maintenance
This species is a near-exclusive inhabitant of the upper water column and appreciates surface cover in the form of floating or overhanging vegetation. Other dé…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
An obligate predator feeding mostly on smaller fishes and insects in nature, and can be tricky to wean onto dead alternatives in captivity. Smaller specimens c…
Behaviour and compatibility
Surprisingly peaceful with anything too large to swallow and can be maintained in a community provided tankmates are chosen with care since it is also a poor c…
Sexual dimorphism
Males tend to possess black edges on the dorsal and anal fins which are absent in females. In nuptial males a pronounced dorsal 'hump' is visible immediately p…
Reproduction
Wild fish spawn between the months of May and September each year (Bano et al., 2012)[2] and captive reproduction is also possible though rarely achieved. Warm…
Notes
X. cancila is often seen referred to as 'freshwater garfish', and although it does superficially resemble the true gars of the family Lepisosteidae, it is actu…
References
References
9 on this profile