Freshwater garfish (Xenentodon cancila)

Scientific name: Xenentodon cancila Hamilton, 1822

Freshwater garfish (Xenentodon cancila)

The Freshwater garfish (Xenentodon cancila) is a freshwater fish of the family Belonidae that grows to about 40 cm (16 in). It is moderate to keep and aggressive, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 150 L (40 US gal), water at 23–29°C (73–84°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.5. Native range: Asia, Sri Lanka and India eastward to the Mekong.

Freshwater garfish care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Aggressive
Community tank
Good
Adult size
40 cm (16 in)
Minimum tank
150 L (40 US gal)
Temperature
23–29°C (73–84°F)
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
6–20 dGH (107–357 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-18; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18. Body very elongate and slightly compressed. Dorsal fin inserted usually anterior to a vertical through the origin of the anal fin. Green-silvery dorsally, grading to whitish below. A silvery band with a dark margin run along the side; a series of four or five blotches (absent in young specimens) on sides between the pectoral and anal fins. Dorsal and anal fins with dark edges.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Xenentodon cancila
Family
Belonidae (Needlefishes)
Order
Beloniformes (Needle fishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
40.0
Common length
30.0
Depth range
0–2 m (0–7 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 20 - ? pelagic-neritic; amphidromous; depth range 0 - 2 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Sri Lanka and India eastward to the Mekong.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: potential
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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