Leopard Bush Fish

Leopard Bush Fish Care Guide

Tank Setup

• Tank Size: Minimum 120 liters (30 gallons) for one adult; larger if keeping more.

• Substrate: Dark sand or fine gravel helps bring out their striking colors.

• Décor: Provide plenty of hiding spots with driftwood, rocks, and dense planting. Floating plants are highly recommended to diffuse light and mimic their natural shaded habitats.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 23–28°C (74–82°F)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: 5–20 dGH

• Filtration: Gentle flow preferred, as they come from slow-moving waters.

Diet

• Predatory by nature – feed them a varied diet of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, shrimp, small fish, and insects.

• They may accept high-quality carnivore pellets, but live/frozen food should remain the staple.

Tank Mates

• Semi-aggressive and predatory. Best housed with similarly sized or larger fish.

• Avoid small species (like neon tetras or guppies) as they may become prey.

• Good companions include larger cichlids, robust catfish, or similarly sized gourami-type fish.

Behavior

• Nocturnal ambush predators; they prefer dim lighting and often hide during the day.

• Slow-growing but can reach up to 20 cm (8 inches).

• Best kept as singles or in large enough aquariums with careful stocking.

Interesting Fact

The Leopard Bush Fish belongs to the Anabantidae family and has a special labyrinth organ, allowing it to breathe atmospheric air. This adaptation lets it survive in oxygen-poor waters where other fish would struggle.