{"product_id":"ornate-ctenopoma-microctenopoma-ansorgii","title":"Ornate Ctenopoma - Microctenopoma ansorgii","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eOrnate Ctenopoma – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMicroctenopoma ansorgii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrnate Ctenopoma\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a small, beautifully patterned African labyrinth fish with warm orange, red and dark barred markings. Correctly listed as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMicroctenopoma ansorgii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this species is much smaller and more delicate than the better-known Leopard Bushfish. It is peaceful but shy, best kept in a mature, well-planted aquarium with subdued lighting, floating cover and calm tank mates that will not bully or outcompete it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ornate Ctenopoma\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ornate Climbing Perch, Orange Ctenopoma, Pretty Ctenopoma, Rainbow Ctenopoma, Ornate Bushfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMicroctenopoma ansorgii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e African Labyrinth Fish \/ Anabantid\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMicroctenopoma ansorgii\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is native to tropical Africa, with records from the Chiloango River and central Congo basin. It is associated with slower, sheltered waters where dense marginal vegetation, tangled roots, wood and shaded cover provide security.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the aquarium, Ornate Ctenopoma should be kept in a mature, quiet setup with dense planting, floating plants, driftwood, shaded areas and gentle flow. It is not a fish for bright, bare or boisterous aquariums. A darker substrate and plant cover help the fish feel secure and show stronger colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrnate Ctenopoma have a compact, elongated body with attractive vertical barring and patterned fins. Settled fish can show orange, red, copper, brown and black markings, with breeding or displaying males often becoming more colourful. The dorsal and anal fins may show dark striping and warm orange-red highlights.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5–6 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with some aquarium males appearing slightly larger depending on condition. Males are typically more colourful and may show stronger fin patterning, while females are often rounder and more subdued.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is best suited to mature planted aquariums, African-style community setups and specialist labyrinth fish displays. It is peaceful, but it can be shy and should not be kept with aggressive, fast or highly competitive fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrnate Ctenopoma are not suitable for brand-new aquariums, bright bare tanks, aggressive cichlid communities, predator aquariums, fin-nipping setups or very active communities where slow, shy fish are pushed away from food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA practical minimum is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60 litres for a pair or small group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a tank length of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e recommended. Larger aquariums of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e75–90 litres or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are preferred for groups or mixed peaceful communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey can be kept singly, as a pair, or in a small group if the aquarium has plenty of cover and broken lines of sight. Provide multiple hiding places so weaker fish are not forced into open areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 24–28°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soft to moderately hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Keep water clean, stable and mature. Gentle filtration is preferred, as this species does not appreciate strong exposed current. As a labyrinth fish, it must have access to the surface to breathe air, so avoid completely blocking the surface with décor or plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrnate Ctenopoma are peaceful but shy community fish. Suitable tank mates include small peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, peaceful dwarf cichlids with care, small Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs and calm surface or midwater fish that will not harass them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, boisterous barbs, fin-nippers, very fast feeders and fish small enough to be swallowed. Although small and generally peaceful, they are still micro-predators and may eat tiny fry or very small shrimp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrnate Ctenopoma are small carnivores and insectivores. Offer quality fine carnivore granules, small soft pellets and high-protein prepared foods once accepted. Supplement regularly with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae, blackworm and small insect larvae.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome individuals can be shy at feeding time, especially after import. Feed near cover and make sure faster tank mates do not take all the food before the Ctenopoma can feed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a quiet, observant fish that often spends time among plants, roots and shaded areas. Once settled, it may become more visible, especially during feeding or when displaying. Males can show stronger colour and fin display when in good condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrnate Ctenopoma are labyrinth fish and may visit the surface to breathe. They are bubble-nest builders, with males involved in nest defence during spawning. A calm surface area with floating plants can encourage natural behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd Ornate Ctenopoma only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide dense plant cover, floating plants, subdued lighting and gentle filtration. A secure lid is recommended, as labyrinth fish may jump when startled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species can look dull or shy in shop tanks, but settled fish often show much richer orange and dark barring in a calm planted aquarium. It is best presented as a specialist peaceful fish for mature aquariums, not as a bold centrepiece for busy community setups.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOccasional \/ Specialist import or captive-bred when available\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, orange colour, red markings, body barring, fin pattern, sex, age and markings can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43720317730890,"sku":"AG-103582","price":7.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43720317763658,"sku":"AG-103583","price":9.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43720317796426,"sku":"AG-103584","price":12.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/OrnateCtenopoma-Microctenopomaansorgii_3.jpg?v=1781786071","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/ornate-ctenopoma-microctenopoma-ansorgii","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}