A Fang By Any Other Name

Stiphodon percnopterygionus is a member of the family Oxudercidae which includes gobies and mudskippers. Most of these fish come from euryhaline (fluctuating salt levels) environments and some can even breath atmospheric air or be able to survive and move out of water for long periods of time. Stiphodon percnopterygionus is a beautiful fish that can get to about an inch and a half in length; they have a blue face with a vertical black stripe running through the eye. The body is a blotchy mixture of metallic blue and black with some orange highlights and a prominent dorsal fin. Males in breeding condition will attain bright orange hues.

These fish are found in freshwater in the North Central Pacific. The Ryuku, Taiwan, Guam, Mariana and Palau islands all are home to these fish, living in their small, clear, rocky streams that usually have mats of algal growth. An aquarium of at least 20 gallons that replicates this stream situation (think long, narrow, and with reasonable amounts of flow and filtration) is probably the best display situation for these fish. Substrate can be slightly coarse and some rocks for perching on or for them to take breaks from the current behind might be appreciated.

In the wild these fish most likely feed on/in the algae mats that dominate their habitat. Small offerings of live or frozen invertebrates will likely be accepted with relish and will mimic their natural food. As most of these stream dwelling fish do, they also probably consume aufwuchs/periphyton (meaning the stuff that grows on underwater surfaces) such as bacteria and algae. There are specialized foods that can be purchased that mimic these diets to make sure their diet is nutritionally well rounded nutritionally.

Stiphodon percnopterygionus has a fascinating life cycle. The adults live and breed in freshwater where they lay eggs that stick to the underside of rocks or in caves. When the larvae hatch, they are very small and poorly developed. The current in their streams carries them out to the ocean where they will drift and grow as plankton for up to five months. This life cycle is what has enabled such a small fish to colonize islands throughout the Pacific that they never would have been able to reach by swimming. Unfortunately it will also make it very difficult for the home aquarist to raise the larvae to adulthood, but similar processes are being done with marine fish where this life history is common.

Called the Black Tipped Fangtooth Tiger Fish in China, and missing any common name in English, Stiphodon percnopterygionus, is a gorgeous, rare fish in North America. They bring stunning color, movement and social interaction to any small stream dedicated aquarium. Spawning and rearing of the offspring could be a great challenge for a dedicated, advanced aquarist. Contact your local fish store today and ask them to source some sustainably sourced Stiphodon percnopterygionus from Aquatropic today!