Bathybates minor

Bathybates minor

Bathybates minor was first described by George Albert Boulenger in 1906. This fish belongs to the family Cichlidae, a family that consists of many genera and species. The name Bathybates is derived from the Greek ‘bathys’ meaning ‘deep’ and ‘baino’ meaning ‘to go’, referring to the deep water habitat of these fish. The species name ‘minor’ means ‘small’ in Latin, referring to the relatively small size of this species within the genus.

Description

Bathybates minor has an elongated, fusiform body with a pointed head and a retractable mouth. The body’s basic color is silvery, with a brown to yellowish hue on the back. Males have four horizontal black stripes that are especially visible during the breeding season. The fins are transparent, and the dorsal fin has many hard rays that end in a point. The females of this species can reach a maximum length of about 20 centimeters.

Differences between males and females:
Males show four horizontal black stripes during the breeding season, while females and juveniles have a uniform silver color without black markings. Females are often much larger than males, with males not growing larger than 12 centimeters.

Behavior and Temperament:
Bathybates minor is a peaceful fish that lives in schools. They are not aggressive and can live well with other large, robust Tanganyika cichlids. These fish are nocturnal and only become active when it gets dark. They are pelagic (open water dwellers) and usually swim in the middle waters of the aquarium.

Biotope

Natural distribution:
Bathybates minor is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. They are found in the open waters of the lake, usually at depths between 120 and 200 meters.

Natural habitat:
Lake Tanganyika has a rocky bottom with little underwater vegetation. The edges of the lake are often bare without much vegetation. Bathybates minor lives in a tropical climate without seasonal flooding or droughts.

Natural enemies:
Bathybates minor is a predatory fish that feeds on smaller fish such as clupeids. No specific natural enemies are mentioned in the available sources.

Diet

Diet in the wild:
In the wild, Bathybates minor feeds mainly on clupeids such as Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon.

Diet in the aquarium:
In the aquarium, Bathybates minor can be fed with small fish, frozen food and dry food. It is important to provide a varied diet to ensure their health.

Do Not Feed:
Avoid feeding Bathybates minor with crustaceans and shrimps as they do not do well with these.

The Aquarium

Aquarium size:
For keeping Bathybates minor an aquarium of at least 200 centimeters in length is recommended, especially if you want to keep multiple individuals.

Decoration:
The aquarium should be set up with plenty of open swimming space and some hiding places. Use a sand or gravel substrate and avoid too many plants, as these fish prefer open water.

Water parameters:
The ideal water parameters for Bathybates minor are a temperature between 22°C and 26°C, a pH of 8.5 to 9.0, and a hardness of 10 to 18 °dGH.

Compatibility:
Bathybates minor can coexist with other large, robust Tanganyika cichlids such as Tropheus duboisi, but avoid small fish that could be seen as prey.

Breeding Bathybates minor

There is little documented information on the breeding of Bathybates minor in aquariums. They are known to be maternal mouthbrooders, with the females incubating the eggs in their mouths. During spawning, the males become more intensely colored, with black stripes clearly visible.

Specific details about breeding conditions, such as the size of the breeding tank, water quality, lighting and filter type, are not available in the sources.

Particularities

Bathybates minor is a nocturnal fish that mainly hunts at night. They are highly adaptable to different depths in Lake Tanganyika but are usually found no deeper than 70 meters. This species is also known for its ability to mingle with schools of clupeids, which helps them in hunting.

Conclusion

Bathybates minor is a fascinating and relatively peaceful cichlid suitable for advanced aquarists. They require a large aquarium with plenty of open swimming space and specific water parameters to thrive. Their nocturnal behavior and unique hunting techniques make them an interesting addition to a Tanganyikan aquarium. Although there is little documented information about their breeding in aquariums, their maternal mouthbrooding behavior offers an intriguing aspect for enthusiasts interested in breeding cichlids.

Video

Author

John de Lange

Copyright images

Ben Lee – Amiidae.com