Giant Rivulus

Anablepsoides hartii, also known under the name Rivulus, is a large killifish with a slender, elongated, cylindrical body. It lives in streams near the coast, spring waters and small ponds; on rainy nights it can crawl over wet ground to move between pools. Because it lives in the same streams as guppies in Trinidad, it has also featured in the famous field studies of guppy evolution. Males have rows of red spots, while females are plainer.

• At least 80 liters for one male and two females; a large surface area.
• Floating plants, roots and plants reaching the surface; leaves it can rest on.
• 22–25°C, moderately hard water close to neutral; gentle flow.
• The lid must cover every gap; it escapes even through hose and cable holes.

Carnivorous. It is fed mosquito larvae, bloodworms, brine shrimp, fruit flies and small worms; it also takes floating granules.

It spends most of its day near the surface, resting on leaves or plants. Males are rough with each other. It hunts fish and shrimp that fit in its mouth.

Good companions: calm fish of its own size: large tetras, gouramis, corydoras, plecos.

Avoid: small fish and fry, dwarf shrimp, other rivulus species.