Aquarium fish Belonesox

If you want to incorporate a distinctive and colorful

Aspect Details
Common Name Belonesox
Scientific Name Belonesox belizanus
Family Belonidae
Appearance Long, slender body with a pointed snout; often silver with greenish or bluish highlights.
Size Up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length
Origin Central and South America
Habitat Freshwater rivers and streams with abundant vegetation
Behavior Aggressive and territorial; prefers to be in groups
Diet Primarily small fish and insects
Water Conditions Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C); pH: 6.5-7.5; Soft to moderately hard water
Tank Setup Requires a large tank with plenty of swimming space; provide hiding spots and plants
Compatibility Not recommended with small or peaceful fish
Breeding Spawns in water with a strong current; relatively rare in captivity

Appearance of the fish

Belonesox prefers the warm surface waters of lakes, ponds, and rivers that flow slowly, especially when there is a lot of vegetation. He frequently lives near the coast and can tolerate low dissolved oxygen levels.

Distinguishing features Long, toothy jaws that give the fish a menacing appearance. Elongated body shape reminiscent of a pike, slightly flattened on the sides. Long head, large eyes. Dorsal fin is located closer to the tail.
Color The predominant color is light beige, it darkens on top. There are numerous rows of small black spots on the side. Moreover, the spots are located from the snout to the middle of the body (here are the largest and darkest). A large black spot is present in the center or slightly above the center of the caudal peduncle. Juveniles have a dark lateral stripe, which apparently helps camouflage when they float motionless on the surface.
Size Male up to 12 cm long, female up to 20 cm.
Age Reproductive maturity is usually reached within 6-12 months.

Keeping conditions

They require a large amount of space because of their size. The aquarium needs to hold at least 170 liters.

Add sea salt to the water at a rate of 10 grams per 10 liters to make the conditions comfortable. Preventing abrupt changes in the degree of hardness (dH) is crucial for the pet’s overall health.

Because of the way they eat, these fish have a high requirement for extremely clean water. To keep it clean, use a siphon to remove food residue from the soil and replenish 20% of the water every week. A heater, filter, and aeration system are essential.

The belonesox require a small current. In addition to adding aesthetic appeal to the aquarium, plants, castles, and other decorations will help to establish the ideal habitat for belonesox. This works well with large, smooth stones, castles, and driftwood of all kinds. The following species should be your main considerations when selecting plants:

  • echinodorus;
  • anubias;
  • hygrophilus;
  • cryptocoryne.

Vallisneria grows well when algae take root in the soil.

In order to help fish adjust to a new environment, do the following:

  1. Turn off the lights in the tank and dim the lights in the room.
  2. Lower the bag with the fish in it for 15 minutes to allow it to acclimate to the temperature.
  3. Cut it and roll it up, creating an air pocket to make the bag float.
  4. Add ½ cup of water from your tank to the bag.
  5. Repeat every 4-5 minutes until the bag is full.
  6. Using a net, slowly pick it up and transfer it to the tank.

They don’t need any particular water parameters and are highly adaptive. It is crucial to maintain the cleanliness of their tank, which can necessitate weekly water changes of up to 30%. Make sure to purchase a tank cover. When they’re anxious, bored, or waiting for food, they have a reputation for jumping enthusiastically.

Fish Diseases

Belonesox are prone to common fish illnesses, particularly in old, low-quality, and overly oxygenated water. When they are stressed, as they might be from not having enough shelter, they are frequently more prone to illness.

A prevalent issue is ichthyophthirius. This might be the result of the aquarium’s temperature rising for an extended period of time. In this instance, copper treatment is required for the fish (remove the water filter). Metronidazole can be used to treat intestinal conditions.

Whitewash are vulnerable to bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, as well as skin flu and other parasitic infections (protozoa, worms, etc.), just like most other fish. Watch the video for more in-depth details.

The Belarusians have a three-year lifespan when given proper care and a balanced diet.

Behavior and compatibility with other types

This species does not get along with others and is very aggressive. Since young individuals may display prominent intraspecific aggression, they are primarily housed singly. They choose to live next to larger fish that are too big to fit in their mouths.

Only if the aquarium is large enough should additional inhabitants be added. It should be noted that females are particularly violent and will devour a male in the event of hunger. For this reason, it’s best to keep them in an aquarium apart from males.

Feeding

Creating a diet plan is the most challenging aspect of care. Predators like belonesox can be fed small fish like gambusia and formosa. Naturally occurring foods like earthworms and river shrimp would be the best substitute. Including large insect larvae in the diet is acceptable. Fish meat can be fastened to a cotton thread or thrown in small pieces into the water. When a baby gets older, you can teach it to accept frozen live bait by feeding it daphnia. Depending on the age, feed once or twice a day.

Make sure the live bait is quarantined for a week prior to feeding.

  • diet type: carnivore;
  • tablet / pellet: sometimes;
  • live food (fish, shrimp, worms): most of the diet;
  • meat food: the majority of the diet;
  • feeding frequency: daily.

Sex differences

The male, being larger, will have a darker shade of olive green, and a spot along its back will be surrounded by shiny scales. The dorsal fin is bare.

The dorsal fin of the smaller female has a black and white pattern, and her belly can range in color from light red to orange. She also has a more metallic sheen.

Pike cichlids, or belonesox, are eye-catching aquarium fish that are prized for their vivid colors and sleek, predatory appearance. These fish, which are native to Central and South America, are well-known for their unusual hunting habits and can provide a lively dynamic to a well-kept aquarium. Knowing their particular requirements—such as tank capacity, water quality, and compatible tank mates—is essential to creating an environment that will support their longevity and good health.

Belonesox belizanus (Knеr, 1860).

BELONESOKS. VIVIPAROUS AQUARIUM PIKE

BELONESOKS Belonesox belizanus female in a whelping box

Aquarium fish Belonesox

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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