Kenobisann
New member
Does Anyone has good information on care, keep, feeding, & adult size of this Bad Little Fish?
Black Brotula; Stygnobrotula latebricola
- Thread starter Kenobisann
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Kenobisann
New member
Check out my (3) pic Gallery
here's what I know
here's what I know
I used to wholesale them from FL so what the divers were say ing was that they lived fairly deep in sm. caves on the reef (60"+) and they were very timid, as most are in tanks. I would keep them alone or with totally unaggresive fish (firefish etc...).
here's what I know
I used to wholesale them from FL so what the divers were say ing was that they lived fairly deep in sm. caves on the reef (60"+) and they were very timid, as most are in tanks. I would keep them alone or with totally unaggresive fish (firefish etc...).
Kenobisann
New member
All I have right now is (2) Black Osc & (2) Green Chromis.
I was just wondering what the tank perameters should be, if different then I have currently.
- How Large do they get? -
I was just wondering what the tank perameters should be, if different then I have currently.
- How Large do they get? -
Kenobisann
New member
I cannot believe that no-one has one of these.
All the info from doing "google" searches and daisying off them, I found nothing for the hobiest, only for the Diver & Fisherman.
All the info from doing "google" searches and daisying off them, I found nothing for the hobiest, only for the Diver & Fisherman.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
This isn't a very common aquarium trade fish. Granted, it is available though. Check here for all the information that you need. As for how big they get, it is also listed in the link, but here you go. 7.5 cm (~3 inches) 
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summar...nusname=Stygnobrotula&speciesname=latebricola
As a side note, be considerate when buying these. Their re-population rate is very slow. 4.5-14 years to double its population! :eek1:
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summar...nusname=Stygnobrotula&speciesname=latebricola
As a side note, be considerate when buying these. Their re-population rate is very slow. 4.5-14 years to double its population! :eek1:
Kenobisann
New member
Yes, I feel that this fish is extreamly rare, no info on it anywhere.
That is why I'm asking questions all over the place. It needs precise care.
I don't want fail this fish.
That is why I'm asking questions all over the place. It needs precise care.
I don't want fail this fish.
There is a section on these fish in my upcoming book, "Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques" due out from TFH this month.
Jay Hemdal
P. S. - Do you have one now? If so, the book may not be out in time to help - so here is an excerpt from that section: (Copyright 2006 TFH Publications)
Misinformation about this species abounds in the hobbyist literature. Virtually every mention of them in books makes a comment about their hardy nature, cavernous mouth and preference for feeding on large invertebrates such as adult brine shrimp. In most cases, their secretive habits are also described at length. What then should a hobbyist think when they acquire one and it contradicts this information by refusing all food, spending all of its time swimming out in the open and then dying in a few weeks?
Success with this species starts with acquiring one that is very healthy, and therefore more likely to adapt to the confines of an aquarium. Never purchase a black widow that has torn fins, or one that is too emaciated. Due to their stringent feeding requirements, virtually all of these fish will be a bit thin from not having been fed properly since capture. They may be able to recover from a short fast, but they almost never survive if they have become severe emaciated. This is characterized by not only a sunken belly, but by loss of muscle tissue at the nape of the fish, behind the head. Once you have purchased a specimen that passes these visual criteria, acclimate it to a small aquarium by itself so that you can monitor its feeding activities, and keep it from being attacked by tankmates. The water quality should be optimal, the temperature can range from 74 to 80 degrees and surprisingly, lighting is not really an issue. You would think that an obligate cave dweller like the black widow would abhor bright light, but this is not the case with this species in captivity. A few pieces of PVC pipe cut into short lengths can serve as ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œcavesââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ for the fish, but you will likely not see them used too often. One author stated that this species is a ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œjumperââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â. This has not been reported by other people, but it is always prudent to keep any fish in a covered aquarium.
The critical issue with black widows in captivity is diet. As stated, the vast majority of these fish starve to death in captivity. Their large mouth seems to indicate that they feed on large invertebrates, but this is not the case. One author steadfastly maintained that this is true, despite never having seen a black widow feed, ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œÃƒÂ¢Ã¢"šÂ¬Ã‚¦food seems to be taken during the night.ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ This is just dreaming, a healthy black widow will feed during the day, just not on large food items! The key to getting a black widow to eat is to offer it live brine shrimp nauplii, or better yet, larval mysid shrimp. Do not expect to see the black widow chase and consume food in mid-water like most other fish do. This species has a possibly unique feeding strategy; it slides on its side along smooth surfaces and into crevices and snaps up any food items clinging there. It is likely that they do not use their sight at all in the feeding process. The black widowââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s high profile head means that they cannot see well directly in front of them, so they most likely just blindly snap their jaws whenever they ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œbumpââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ into some food. One black widowââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s favorite feeding technique was to swim along the crevice made by the junction of a piece of PVC pipe and the floor of the aquarium. Other times, these fish will slide along the sides of the aquarium. It is possible that the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œcleaning behaviorââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ noticed by others was simply the black widow using the side of a larger fish in the same manner. When the black widow is successful in capturing some food, it will keep moving forward. If it misses, youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll often see the fish shake its head and snap again, or back up a bit and snap, apparently trying for the food a second time. Evidently, the black widowââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s normal feeding technique can only be partially met in captivity. Even the individuals that do begin feeding most never seem to feed with much gusto, and do not grow well.
Jay Hemdal
P. S. - Do you have one now? If so, the book may not be out in time to help - so here is an excerpt from that section: (Copyright 2006 TFH Publications)
Misinformation about this species abounds in the hobbyist literature. Virtually every mention of them in books makes a comment about their hardy nature, cavernous mouth and preference for feeding on large invertebrates such as adult brine shrimp. In most cases, their secretive habits are also described at length. What then should a hobbyist think when they acquire one and it contradicts this information by refusing all food, spending all of its time swimming out in the open and then dying in a few weeks?
Success with this species starts with acquiring one that is very healthy, and therefore more likely to adapt to the confines of an aquarium. Never purchase a black widow that has torn fins, or one that is too emaciated. Due to their stringent feeding requirements, virtually all of these fish will be a bit thin from not having been fed properly since capture. They may be able to recover from a short fast, but they almost never survive if they have become severe emaciated. This is characterized by not only a sunken belly, but by loss of muscle tissue at the nape of the fish, behind the head. Once you have purchased a specimen that passes these visual criteria, acclimate it to a small aquarium by itself so that you can monitor its feeding activities, and keep it from being attacked by tankmates. The water quality should be optimal, the temperature can range from 74 to 80 degrees and surprisingly, lighting is not really an issue. You would think that an obligate cave dweller like the black widow would abhor bright light, but this is not the case with this species in captivity. A few pieces of PVC pipe cut into short lengths can serve as ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œcavesââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ for the fish, but you will likely not see them used too often. One author stated that this species is a ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œjumperââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â. This has not been reported by other people, but it is always prudent to keep any fish in a covered aquarium.
The critical issue with black widows in captivity is diet. As stated, the vast majority of these fish starve to death in captivity. Their large mouth seems to indicate that they feed on large invertebrates, but this is not the case. One author steadfastly maintained that this is true, despite never having seen a black widow feed, ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œÃƒÂ¢Ã¢"šÂ¬Ã‚¦food seems to be taken during the night.ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ This is just dreaming, a healthy black widow will feed during the day, just not on large food items! The key to getting a black widow to eat is to offer it live brine shrimp nauplii, or better yet, larval mysid shrimp. Do not expect to see the black widow chase and consume food in mid-water like most other fish do. This species has a possibly unique feeding strategy; it slides on its side along smooth surfaces and into crevices and snaps up any food items clinging there. It is likely that they do not use their sight at all in the feeding process. The black widowââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s high profile head means that they cannot see well directly in front of them, so they most likely just blindly snap their jaws whenever they ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œbumpââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ into some food. One black widowââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s favorite feeding technique was to swim along the crevice made by the junction of a piece of PVC pipe and the floor of the aquarium. Other times, these fish will slide along the sides of the aquarium. It is possible that the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œcleaning behaviorââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ noticed by others was simply the black widow using the side of a larger fish in the same manner. When the black widow is successful in capturing some food, it will keep moving forward. If it misses, youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll often see the fish shake its head and snap again, or back up a bit and snap, apparently trying for the food a second time. Evidently, the black widowââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s normal feeding technique can only be partially met in captivity. Even the individuals that do begin feeding most never seem to feed with much gusto, and do not grow well.
Kenobisann
New member
I had a pair of Black Clowns, my black male clown diedlast week?
I had a Thought why...
Well... Last night it proved why I said what happened,
I thought the female clown wanted to pair up with the Brotula
and it ****ed the male clown off, got stressed and died.
So last night, 4:05am, they were "playing" with each other.
The clown was dancing with the Widow like clowns dance with Annenomes!!
Crazy I tell you!
But no, I have not "seen" the Brotula eat once.
I've had 'it' (not knowing the sex) for 3 or 4 weeks now.
I feed Flake & Mysis during the lighting time to the Clowns.
And Mysis 2-3 hours after lights out for the Brotula. I was told it's a night feeder.
It's a wicked little fish! But it is a cave dweller, I only see it out swimming well into the night early morning.
- Lights on 11am off at 10pm.
I wake up at 4am, I see it every day out swimming with the clown.
- 120gal, 4' Reef Tank
- (now) 1 black Clown, 2 green Cromis (that's all)
- 260w PCs
I had a Thought why...
Well... Last night it proved why I said what happened,
I thought the female clown wanted to pair up with the Brotula
and it ****ed the male clown off, got stressed and died.
So last night, 4:05am, they were "playing" with each other.
The clown was dancing with the Widow like clowns dance with Annenomes!!
Crazy I tell you!
But no, I have not "seen" the Brotula eat once.
I've had 'it' (not knowing the sex) for 3 or 4 weeks now.
I feed Flake & Mysis during the lighting time to the Clowns.
And Mysis 2-3 hours after lights out for the Brotula. I was told it's a night feeder.
It's a wicked little fish! But it is a cave dweller, I only see it out swimming well into the night early morning.
- Lights on 11am off at 10pm.
I wake up at 4am, I see it every day out swimming with the clown.
- 120gal, 4' Reef Tank
- (now) 1 black Clown, 2 green Cromis (that's all)
- 260w PCs
Kenobisann,
I've kept the Yellow Philippine Brotula, and one friend currently has two of them in a peaceful 30 gallon refugium (DSB & Caulerpa). Based on our experience, I find it a bit odd that the black Atlantic coast version is difficult to feed/keep. I witnessed the one I kept 20-odd years ago eat small chunks of frozen clam the few times I actually saw it. I would also find the small pieces of clam left out for it just before lights out to be missing in the morning. The second one I kept I added to a 65G tank and never saw again. I quickly forgot about it. Two years later I found an odd skinless fish carcass floating in the tank. Took me a while to figure out it was the same shape and size of the Yellow Daffodil Brotula! (None of the fish I knew to be in the tank were missing.)
I'm not familiar with the references previously cited in this thread. The only reference I recollect was in Axelrod's marine loose leaf book. He said the Black Widow was believed to be a livebearer. (Hence my convincing my friend to buy the second Daffodil.)
Hope this helps,
Bob D.
I've kept the Yellow Philippine Brotula, and one friend currently has two of them in a peaceful 30 gallon refugium (DSB & Caulerpa). Based on our experience, I find it a bit odd that the black Atlantic coast version is difficult to feed/keep. I witnessed the one I kept 20-odd years ago eat small chunks of frozen clam the few times I actually saw it. I would also find the small pieces of clam left out for it just before lights out to be missing in the morning. The second one I kept I added to a 65G tank and never saw again. I quickly forgot about it. Two years later I found an odd skinless fish carcass floating in the tank. Took me a while to figure out it was the same shape and size of the Yellow Daffodil Brotula! (None of the fish I knew to be in the tank were missing.)
I'm not familiar with the references previously cited in this thread. The only reference I recollect was in Axelrod's marine loose leaf book. He said the Black Widow was believed to be a livebearer. (Hence my convincing my friend to buy the second Daffodil.)
Hope this helps,
Bob D.
I have a yellow brotula as well. Its been living in a 20 gal nano for the past 1.5 yrs. The fish remains facing outwards toward the front of the reef in 2 caves that are connected by a tunnel. I have never seen it leave the safety of this network.
I have also never seen it eat anything I feed that tank; frozen mysids, cube food, live brine, frozen brine, rotifers, cyclopeeze, live ghost shrimp. Nada. However it must be eating something, because its is considerably bigger than when i bought it, and its lived for quite a while. I assume its feeding at nite on reminant of food.
I have also never seen it eat anything I feed that tank; frozen mysids, cube food, live brine, frozen brine, rotifers, cyclopeeze, live ghost shrimp. Nada. However it must be eating something, because its is considerably bigger than when i bought it, and its lived for quite a while. I assume its feeding at nite on reminant of food.
Kenobisann
New member
Thanks all,
I'm going to try live brine agian also some clam, I'm sure I can find it around.
We'll see, the guy looks good so far, it's been a month so I assume he's finding something to eat.
I'm going to try live brine agian also some clam, I'm sure I can find it around.
We'll see, the guy looks good so far, it's been a month so I assume he's finding something to eat.
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