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Day's Spike-tailed Paradise Fish (Pseudosphromenus dayi) Care Guide

Pseudosphromenus dayi is a small Indian paradise fish with a spike-shaped tail, a peaceful bubble-nester suited to quiet, well-planted aquaria.

Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated

Overview

Pseudosphromenus dayi, Day's spike-tailed paradise fish, is a small labyrinth fish of the family Osphronemidae with a distinctive spike-shaped tail. Males develop a crimson body and elaborate fin extensions in breeding condition.

Taxonomy

  • Family: Osphronemidae
  • Genus: Pseudosphromenus
  • Scientific name: Pseudosphromenus dayi
  • Common synonyms: Spike-tailed Gourami

Habitat

The species occurs in Kerala, India, in coastal drainages of the Western Ghats including the Chalakkudy, Muvattupuzha and Periyar rivers. It favours sluggish and still waters such as rice paddies, swamps and weedy ponds.

Tank requirements

  • Minimum tank volume: 40 L
  • Minimum base dimensions: 60 x 30 cm
  • Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
  • pH: 6.0-7.5
  • GH: 4-15 °dGH
  • Lifespan: 3-5 years

Dim lighting with driftwood, leaf litter and vegetation suits this fish, and an air-powered sponge filter provides adequate gentle filtration.

Diet

A carnivore, it takes small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, Artemia, white worms and grindal worms. Small insects such as crickets or fruit flies are also suitable.

Compatibility

Peaceful but timid, the species is not ideal for boisterous community tanks because of its small size. It mixes well with small cyprinids and loaches that share similar habitats, and pygmy corydoras or small rasboras make good companions.

Breeding

It is a secretive bubble-nester. Males build nests under overhangs or in cavities; eggs hatch in 24-48 hours and fry become free-swimming after a further 2-3 days.

Day's Spike-tailed Paradise Fish Breeding Guide

Overview

Pseudosphromenus dayi is a small labyrinth fish reaching about 60-65 mm maximum length according to Seriously Fish. It is a secretive bubble-nester: males prefer to build their nest under an overhang or inside a cavity, although surface vegetation, leaves or roots may be used if no cave is available.

Sexing

Seriously Fish notes that adult males develop extended dorsal, anal and caudal fins plus orange pigmentation around the lower head and throat, whereas females remain less colourful with shorter fins. Mature fish can also be sexed by shining a strong light behind them, since the ovaries are clearly visible in females.

Conditioning

The species is carnivorous and is conditioned on small live and frozen foods. A quiet, well-furnished tank with caves or broad-leaved plants encourages a male to set up a nest site.

Breeding Setup

Seriously Fish lists general conditions of 20-28 C, pH 6.0-7.5 and hardness 36-268 ppm. Provide overhangs, half-buried pots or similar cavities so the male can build a hidden bubble nest.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

According to Seriously Fish, eggs and milt are released in small batches during a series of embraces in which the male wraps his body around the female. Spawning takes place beneath the chosen nest site.

Egg & Fry Care

Post-spawning the female is normally ejected and the male is solely responsible for guarding and tending the eggs. Seriously Fish gives an incubation of about 24-48 hours, with the fry free-swimming a further 2-3 days later, after which they accept Artemia nauplii, microworm and similar foods.

Common Challenges

The female should be removed once the male takes over the brood to avoid conflict. Stable, gentle conditions and live first foods are key to raising the small fry.

Sources

  1. Seriously Fish
  2. Seriously Fish

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Pseudosphromenus dayi Care Guide | Aquairi