Lined dartfish - Ptereleotris grammica

[nekomi]

Does anyone have any information about this fish? They are available at Live Aquaria right now, and I have a couple of questions about them.

a) How bright is the color? Is there a lot of variation between individuals?

The first photo I saw of this fish that got me interested in it is posted here:

http://uri.sakura.ne.jp/~dd/w/wt168.htm

But Live Aquaria describes this fish as a dull gray, quite unlike the photo posted above. And the fish pictured on this page - http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?ID=4376 - also appear to be much less intense.

b) Drs. Foster and Smith lists them as maxing out at 5", yet says that they are suitable for a "30 gallon aquarium or larger"... that's the same tank size that they also give for much smaller fish such as Banggai cardinals, clownfish, etc. So what gives? Are they just a very inactive fish?

Any input and info would be great!!! Thanks!

 

[just dave]

Jumpers,somewhat timid,do not keep with aggressive fish.

 

[nekomi]

Hey, thanks for the info! Is that a picture of your fish? If so... I guess they really are as beautifully blue as the first image I posted.

Do you think that one would fare well in a 37g Oceanic (24" x 18" x21"), with covered top, running a 10g sump/refugium?

Thanks!

 

[just dave]

Yes and yes.

 

[nekomi]

Great, thanks for the info

How large is yours, and how long have you had him?

 

[Peter Schmiedel]

I have 4 in a 320 g with some tangs and mine are that shy that the NEVER come out. Only seconds for feeding. An I have them since 4 month now. So better be really sure that you have a very very quite tank.

And dont underestimate the size! They are quite big. Taking the jumping capacity into account I dont thing 37g is sufficient.

 

[Peter Schmiedel]

After changing tankmates mine finally come out in the opne during feeding, but still only during feeding.

They now also start fighting as you can easly see on the pictures: