Aquarium Setup

• Tank Size: 10+ gallons for a pair or trio

• Substrate: Dark preferred to enhance color

• Plants: Floating plants, Java moss, spawning mops

• Cover: Tight-fitting lid—excellent jumpers

• Lighting: Subdued; mimic shaded conditions

• Filtration: Gentle flow, peat filtration ideal

 Water Parameters

Parameter	Ideal Range
Temperature	72–78°F (22–26°C)
pH	5.5–7.0
Hardness	18–179 ppm
Flow	Low to moderate

 Diet

• Type: Micropredator

• Best Foods:

  • Live: daphnia, brine shrimp, grindal worms

  • Frozen: bloodworms, mosquito larvae

  • Dry: high-protein flakes, micro pellets

• Tip: Rotate foods for vibrant color and breeding success

Breeding

• Method: Top-spawning egg layers

• Setup: Spawning mops or fine-leaved plants

• Egg Care: Remove eggs to hatch separately

• Hatch Time: ~2 weeks

• Fry Food: Infusoria, vinegar eels, baby brine shrimp

• Note: Males display courtship dances; females lay ~20–30 eggs

 Color Forms

• Chocolate: Brown body with red spots

• Gold: Bright orange with lyre-shaped tail

• Spotless Orange: Clean orange variant

• Wild Strains: Often labeled with collection codes (e.g., SBWG 07-24)