Etroplus suratensis – Pearlspot
Etroplus suratensis is one of only three cichlid species found in Asia, all belonging to the genus Etroplus. The name “Etroplus” is derived from the Greek words “etron,” meaning belly, and “hoplon,” meaning armor or weapon, which refers to the spiny fin rays in the anal fin. This species can grow to a maximum length of 25 cm, making it the largest member of the Etroplus genus and the least suitable for aquarium keeping. Etroplus suratensis is found in southern and southwestern India, as well as northern and northwestern Sri Lanka.
The body is significantly flattened from side to side and has an oval to egg-shaped appearance. Males and females are nearly identical in appearance, making it challenging to differentiate between the sexes. However, females are generally a bit duller in color and do not have the red edging on their fins that males possess.
The aquarium
Etroplus suratensis is a peaceful species that should preferably be kept in a large group. There are always small confrontations between them to confirm the hierarchy. These confrontations are never intense, but in a smaller aquarium they will eventually lead to the weakest specimen withering away. The best is a larger group of at least 6-8 specimens. Etroplus suratensis is peaceful towards other species. Because the animals are naturally shy, it is wise to keep the fish with schooling fish that serve as signal fish against danger. The fish will then quickly become calmer. The species is peaceful, even towards much smaller fish.
Etroplus suratensis primarily thrives in brackish water but can also be found in freshwater environments. While there are no specific requirements for the water system, it is recommended that the water be somewhat harder, more alkaline, and absolutely clean. To enhance resistance to parasites like Ich, it is advisable to add one to two teaspoons of salt for every ten liters of water. The ideal temperature range for these fish is between 23°C and 32°C, with their natural habitat typically being at the higher end of this scale.
The fish is best kept – in accordance with natural conditions – in a river or lake biotope with plenty of swimming space, some stones to mark out a kind of territory and a moderate current. Avoid soft plants, as these are eaten. Given the sensitivity to organic pollution, a regular water change is a must.
Diet
In the wild, Etroplus suratensis primarily feeds on Aufwuchs, which it scrapes from rocks. It readily consumes live or frozen foods, such as Artemia and mosquito larvae. However, it is essential that a significant portion of its diet consists of vegetables, such as Spirulina.
Breeding
To encourage breeding, the temperature is raised to between 25 and 28°C, which often prompts the fish to begin the reproductive process. The small external differences between the parent fish indicate that Etroplus suratensis is an open substrate breeder, where both parents are responsible for caring for the offspring. The chosen laying site, which can be a stone or a piece of wood, is meticulously cleaned by the parents before they deposit a clutch of approximately 200 to 300 eggs on it.
After the eggs have hatched, the young often hang from the parents for some time, where they can feed on a nutritious mucous membrane like the fry of the discus fish. After a few days, the young are housed in a small pit, from where the searches for food begin. You can then quickly switch to supplementing with brine shrimp. With a sufficient supply of small infusion feed, the young can also be raised separately from the parents.
When the fish get bigger, they can be fed with various types of live and frozen food, just like the parents. Soft green algae and dry food in flakes and tablets are also eaten in part. The parents, but especially the mother, continue to care intensively for the young brood for a very long time so that with a successful breeding many youngsters can often grow to full maturity. Before breeding, a few teaspoons of salt per ten litres of water have been dissolved to prevent fungal diseases in the fry.
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