Green Darter tetra -Ammocryptocharax elegans

[Gerald CapeTown]

I am interested in getting some of these fish, but finding any information on them is not easy, has anyone on the site kept them.
Darter's are not complicated in general but this particular spieces?
I'd be greatful for any advice.

[racoll]

I was lucky enough to see these beautiful fishes in the wild. Here's a vid. Be sure to watch in HD.

[Gerald CapeTown]

Of course, I have watched your video, one of the very few pieces of information I could find on them. You haven't by any chance kept them?

[racoll]

Sadly never kept them, or even seen them for sale in an aquarium store. I think a tank planted with Vallisneria, a bit of current, and a diet of frozen foods would see them well. Would make a nice mix with

Acestridium dichromum

, I think.

Where I caught them (Rio Paratucu) the water was 27.9C and very soft.

For more info, here is the species description. There's also a really nice paper about this fish's biology, but I don't have access to this journal: Zuanon et al. (2006). A chamaeleon characin: the plant-clinging and colour-changing Ammocryptocharax elegans (Characidiinae: Crenuchidae)

[dw1305]

Duplicate post.

[Gerald CapeTown]

Hmmm, seems I have to resort to Planetdarter!

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I think a tank planted with Vallisneria, a bit of current, and a diet of frozen foods would see them well. Would make a nice mix with

Acestridium dichromum

, I think. Where I caught them (Rio Paratucu) the water was 27.9C and very soft.

That would be a great tank.

I think you may need an alternative to Vallisneria spp., as I've never had much success with them in very soft water.

The plant in the video looks like an Eleocharis sp., and I know that there are quite a few species native to northern S. America. Ivan Mikolji photographed a nice red leaved one: <http://www.aquatic-experts.com/Eleocharis_sp_red.html>.

Alternatively one of the Echinodorus spp. with a more lanceolate leaf might do, Echinodorus "quadricostatus" (http://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetai ... 68%29/4511)?

I know Tom Black was looking for Ammocryptocharax in the UK, but I don't think he found them. They have been on Aquarium Glaser's list (http://www.aquarium-glaser.de/en/ammocr ... _1590.html), so there may be people in Europe keeping them.

cheers Darrel

[racoll]

I think you may need an alternative to Vallisneria spp., as I've never had much success with them in very soft water.

You're absolutely right Darrel, this plant does a lot better in hard water. Forgot about that.

Assuming the fishes are healthy when they arrive, I don't think that they'd be too tricky to keep. The problem is finding them for sale.

[Gerald CapeTown]

Thank you guys, that is kind of what I was thinking.