Adontosternarchus clarkae
Adontosternarchus clarkae is widespread in nature in the Orinoco and Amazon region of South America.
Adontosternarchus clarkae has a knife-shaped translucent body. The body coloration is heterogeneous and consists of brown and white speckles. The fish has no dorsal fin. The anal fin is very long, starts just below the gills and contains 240 rays. The anal opening is under the eyes of the fish. The tail is thin and easily injured, so care should be taken when fishing. At the end of the tail plumage is an organ that generates electrical discharges used by the fish for orientation in space and contact with other fish. Females are much smaller than males. The maximum size is 18-20 cm.
Since Adontosternarchus clarkae fish are peaceful towards each other and other, even smaller fish, they are suitable for keeping in a shared aquarium. Due to the fact that Adontosternarchus clarkae communicate with each other using electrical impulses, the best option would still be to keep them in a species aquarium of 300 liters, a small group of 4-6 individuals. In a group they drive each other without causing any harm. In nature, they gather in a flock dominated by a hierarchical male, but in the aquarium this behavior is usually not observed. Fish are nocturnal.
Water parameters: temperature 25-30° C, hardness dH 4-12°, pH 6,0-7,0. Pisces are very sensitive to water quality, so you must use a high-performance filtration system with built-in UV sterilizer. They are also susceptible to higher concentrations of salts and medications in the water. Aeration and a weekly change of at least 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh water is necessary.
In nature, fish feed mainly on the larvae of aquatic invertebrates - moths. In aquarium conditions the fish are fed frozen bloodworms and Tubifex. It is possible to accustom fish to the flake food. The visual function is supported by the electric organ and the tactile tail, which grows back when damaged. The fish should be fed at night.
Reproduction
Adontosternarchus clarkae reaches their sexual maturity at the age of 2-2.5 years.
In nature, the stimulus for the beginning of spawning is an increase in water levels during tropical showers and a decrease in pH.
The female lays 100-250 eggs, about 2 mm in diameter. The eggs are transparent, slightly yellowish and sticky to the touch. Hatched fry from the first days of their lives begin to eat artemia, despite the fact that they have a yolk sac.
