Mylesinus paraschomburgkii
Mylesinus paraschomburgkii was described in 1989 by Jégu, Santos & Ferreira. The genus name Mylesinus is derived from the ancient Greek Myle or Mylos and means molar or millstone, a reference to the teeth of this genus.
Description
Mylesinus paraschomburgkii can reach a total length of about 40 centimeters. Adults are brown/gray with a greenish sheen. You can see a little red behind the gill cover and on the anal fin.
The difference between male and female is sometimes difficult to see. Viewed from the side, females are more round in shape, while male’s abdomens are more straight. The male’s dorsal fin gets more filaments as they get older. The male’s anal fin ends in two points, while the female only has a point at the bottom.
Biotope
This species originates from Brazil. They prefer the oxygen-rich water around rapids and waterfalls. They are found in the Amazon, Rio Trombetas, Rio Jari, Rio Uatumã, Rio Pitinga and Rio Jatupa.
Diet
The diet of young Mylesinus paraschomburgkii consists mainly of insect larvae found among plants of the Podostemaceae family. As fish grow older, their intestines change. These are getting longer. They start to eat more and more of the plants from the same family Podostemaceae. Adults eat almost exclusively plant material.
The Aquarium
Due to the maximum length of about 40 centimeters, it goes without saying that this species can only be kept in a large aquarium. It is also a schooling fish, so you should keep a group of at least five, but preferably more.
In my opinion, an aquarium of about 300 centimeters in length would be sufficient for a group of five. This species comes from areas where there are waterfalls and rapids. Make sure there is some current and oxygen-rich water.
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Jeff Rapps – Tangledupincichlids.com
Resources
Fishbase.org
Opefe.com
Field Guide to the Fishes of the Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas
