Freshwater Needlefish

The freshwater needlefish is a freshwater relative of the marine needlefish. With its silvery-green, pencil-thin body and long jaws full of needle-like teeth, it hangs just below the surface and catches approaching small fish with a sudden strike. It reaches 25–30 cm in the aquarium. It is very skittish; at a sudden movement or change in light it can break its jaw by crashing into the glass or leap out of the water.

• At least 300 liters for a single individual or a small group; a long tank (150 cm or more).
• A tight-fitting lid is essential; keep the surface open, with floating plants along the edges.
• Place the tank in a quiet room; avoid switching the lights on and off suddenly.
• It tolerates a little salt but does not require it.

Carnivorous. At first it mostly wants live food; over time it can be weaned onto frozen silversides, shrimp, krill and floating insects. It takes food at the surface.

It hunts any fish that fits in its mouth; it is territorial toward species that share the surface. If kept with its own kind, each one needs enough surface area.

Good companions: calm species that live in the middle and bottom layers and are too big to fit in its mouth: large gouramis, large barbs, plecos, bichirs.

Avoid: small fish, surface-dwelling species, fast and boisterous tankmates.