Leopard Bush Gourami

Name: Leopard Bush Gourami
SKU: 15783
Availability: InStock

₹180

The Leopard Ctenopoma ( $Ct e n o p o ma a c u t i ros t re$ ), or Leopard Bush Fish, is a unique freshwater fish from the Congo Basin. It is a carnivorous labyrinth fish that uses its spotted, leaf-like camouflage to ambush prey. Though generally peaceful toward larger fish, it is a predator that will eat any tank mate small enough to fit in its surprisingly large mouth.

Categories: Cichlids, Fish Specific

Description

fish description – Leopard Ctenopoma Care Guide ( $Ct e n o p o ma a c u t i ros t re$ )

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Ct e n o p o ma a c u t i ros t re$
Common Name	Leopard Bush Gourami, Leopard Bush Fish, Spotted Ctenopoma
Origin	Congo River Basin (Africa)
Adult Size	6–8 inches (15–20 cm)
Temperament	Solitary, Ambush Predator, Semi-aggressive
Lifespan	5–10 years
Care Level	Moderate

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

Short Description: This fish has a high, compressed body and a pointed snout, often holding a “nose-down” posture to mimic a fallen leaf. Its body is covered in large dark brown or black spots over a yellow-brown to tan base, providing excellent camouflage.
Coloration: Base color ranges from tan to dark brown, completely covered in a bold leopard-like pattern of dark spots extending onto the fins. Coloration allows it to blend into heavily vegetated, low-light areas.
Fins: Fins are short and rounded. Like other anabantids, it is a Labyrinth fish, meaning it can gulp air from the water surface. Mature males may develop short spines on the gill covers, making juveniles very difficult to sex.
Behavior: Highly secretive and solitary. They spend long periods lurking motionless in the vegetation or behind décor, waiting to ambush prey with sudden speed. They are jumpers, so a tight lid is mandatory.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons (189 liters) is the minimum for a single adult due to its size and waste production. A tank length of 4 feet or more is ideal.
Schooling: Best kept singly or in a large group of 5 or more individuals in a very large aquarium (200+ gallons) to prevent conspecific aggression. Groups smaller than 5 are rarely successful.
Temperature: Tropical range: $7 3^{\circ}$ – $8 2^{\circ} F (2 3^{\circ}$ – $2 8^{\circ} C)$ .
pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral water: 6.0 to 7.5. They are generally hardy but require clean water with efficient filtration. Ensure a warm air gap remains above the water surface for gulping air.
Aquascape: Requires a densely planted tank with plenty of floating plants to provide the low light and cover essential for their ambush hunting style. Use abundant driftwood, rocks, and caves to establish hiding territories.

Diet and Feeding

The Leopard Ctenopoma is a carnivorous ambush predator that thrives on meaty foods.

Staple Diet: Should consist primarily of high-quality frozen and live meaty foods. Examples include Bloodworms, Mysis Shrimp, Krill, Daphnia, and chopped earthworms or prawns.
Supplementation: Will often learn to accept sinking pellets or flakes, but these should not be relied upon. The diet must be size-dependent, meaning smaller fish need smaller foods.
Schedule: Feed once or twice a day. Avoid over-relying on live feeder fish, as this can increase aggression.

Compatibility

Caution: Will eat any fish that fits in its mouth, which is deceptively large and capacious. This includes most small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf shrimp. Be cautious with netting, as they can get their barbed gills caught in the mesh.
Good Tank Mates: Peaceful to semi-aggressive fish that are too large to be swallowed (e.g., larger peaceful Gouramis, Synodontis catfish, larger Plecostomus species, Bala Sharks, Silver Dollars, and Ropefish). Avoid aggressive cichlids that may out-compete them for food.