Bishop

The bishop is a small Brachyrhaphis species endemic to Panama, known in the hobby by that name. Males are 3–4 cm, females around 5 cm. A row of dark spots runs along the sides of the olive-gold body; males have orange-tinted fins and a black-edged dorsal fin. In the wild it lives in clear, fast-flowing streams, so it struggles in still, lukewarm water. Despite its small size it is predatory and tough-natured.

• 60 liters and a 60 cm tank length for a small group.
• 24–26°C, pH 7–8, soft to moderately hard water; oxygen levels must be high.
• Gentle to moderate flow, with visual barriers made of stones, roots and clumps of plants.
• A tight lid; 25–30% water change weekly.

Mainly carnivorous. Frozen and live mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, daphnia and small bloodworms; it also gets used to quality granules.

It can be aggressive toward males of its own species and toward fry; it tends to nip the fins of other fish. It is best kept with fast, short-finned species of its own size or in a species tank.

Good companions: fast, current-loving peaceful species, danios, small short-finned barbs, corydoras.

Avoid: guppies, bettas and long-finned species, slow and shy small fish, baby shrimp.