Freshwater
Balston's pygmy perch
Nannatherina balstoni
Percichthyidae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 9 cm
- Body shape
- Elongated
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 28 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
More about the species
Description
Is the rarest of all the endemic freshwater fishes of southwestern Australia. Inhabits coastal streams, lakes, ponds and swamps, where the water is dark and acidic (pH as low as 3.0) and has a large seasonal fluctuation in temperature (11-30°C). Favors shallow water and is commonly found in association with tall sedge thickets. Larva feeds mainly on cladocerans, copepods and dipteran larvae, while juveniles and adults ingest mostly terrestrial fauna. Breeds in the middle of winter in response to flooding. Female lays between 500-1600 eggs each. The majority of adult perishes shortly after spawning at the end of their first year. Both male and female attain sexual maturity at the end of their first year of life when they have attained an average TL of 6.0 and 6.3 cm respectively. Co-occurs with Edelia vittata over part of its range, but is generally more scarce. Aquarium conditions: pH=7.2, H=8, 24°C water temperature, rock and plant cover, carnivore, peaceful community fish, egg layer.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Nannatherina balsoni
In other languages
- Balston's perchlet, King river perchlet
Articles
All articles
Fish that get along4 min read
Temperament, fin nippers, fish that eat other fish, and fish that need the same water. And what the Harmony mark in the app means.
How to set up an aquarium from Australia and New Guinea4 min read
The home of rainbowfish: water, substrate, plants and light for rainbowfish, blue-eyes and peacock gudgeons, with a long aquarium and open water in the middle.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.