(© Mark Owen - 1995)

Leopard Fish
(Phalloceros caudimaculatus)

One thing you might want to investigate is your reference to Gambusia affinis holbrooki. This is not the leopard fish that we have in NZ (which is, in fact, Phalloceros caudimaculatus). There are various ways of telling them apart, one is to look closely at the gonopodium, another method is based on their relative behaviour. Gambusia is an unpleasant little fish with no redeeming qualities while Phalloceros is much more peaceful and makes a good tank inhabitant.

The fish kept in the hobby in New Zealand will live outdoors all year in a frost-free climate without any difficulty. Baensch mentions Phalloceros stating that it is a peaceful community fish. He says that the new-born fry often drop to the bottom of the tank and take and hour or more to come to life. It also seems that this fish; although a livebearer and so, almost by definition 'easy' to breed; actually breeds most readily when in a large group rather than when kept in single pairs. The need for some competition between males seems to be the reason for this. The parents will not eat the young in a large well-planted tank if fed live food.