FishProfiles.com Message Forums

For those who like their fishes to be fairly big, Distichodus sexfasciatus is a Characoid that fits the bill nicely, although, as will be seen, it has certain features that make it a fish that should only be taken on by those aquarists with some experience in handling similar sized fishes with fewer, shall we say, quirks.

Although not a member of the Family Characidae, this fish belongs to a closely related Family, the Distichodontidae, and is a bona fide member of the Order Characiformes. Some taxonomic schemes place this fish in the Citharinidae alongside another chunky Characoid, Prochilodus insignis, and it shares some of that fish's behavioural features as will be seen, but for now, I'll adopt the placing cited above, aware of course that taxonomists visiting the Board will doubtless have a field day arguing over this!

Distichodus sexfasciatus is a handsome fish. And, it has a body colouration that will remind some of that other large aquarium occupant, the Clown Loach. A basic yellow body colour, this time adorned with stripes that in many specimens are a dark gunmetal-blue rather than black, and with red fins (except for the adipose, which is gunmetal-blue again). Size wise, this fish will attain 10 inches with little difficulty, and is consequently a fish for the large aquarium. A native of Africa, the species hails from the Congo basin, and requires a neutral or slightly acidic pH for optimum maintenance. Temperature range is usually cited as 22°C to 28°C, which fits with its native habitat.

Now, as well as being a large fish, Distichodus sexfasciatus possesses several traits that will make integrating it into a large community something of a challenge. The fish is aggressive, and should be kept with fishes able to look after themselves, such as riverine Haplochromis Cichlids, Leporinus and the like. Furthermore, it is an inveterate plant-eater, and so, it is unlikely to coexist with aquarium plants, although the experimentally inclined aquarist might like to try Java Ferns growing on any bogwood decorations in the aquarium, as these have a reputation of being inedible even by Silver Dollars and other notorious plant-eaters. Be prepared to lose the Java Ferns, though, if the fish is determined!

The other caveat to issue with this fish is that it is, like Prochilodus insignis and the Leporinus species which will make suitable companions, a truly rocket-propelled jumper. And, a 10-inch specimen will not only fly across the living room at a frightening rate if left uncovered, should it decide that an aerial excursion is warranted for some reason, but will land with a sizeable impact. Enough to shatter a glass coffee table if it hits one! Therefore, this fish not only needs to be kept covered at all times, but the aquarium top cover should be a heavy one - large specimens may even need the hood to be weighted down with bricks to curb their aerobatic tendencies, which gives an indication of just how powerful and accomplished a jumper it is.

So, you've decided to take on this fish. What sort of preparations should you make?

First of all, that 10 inch body size, coupled with a fair degree of swimming activity and the aforementioned jumping capability, means large quarters. It's not overdoing things to go for a 6ft aquarium from the start, and if the intention is to keep several, a 10ft aquarium is likely to be better, especially if the fish is to be housed with other large fishes such as Leporinus and Cichlids of a similar size.

Second, its appetite for aquarium plants rules those out from the start. Which makes it a reasonable choice of dither fish for similar sized Cichlids. It is tough, able to look after itself in such company, and not averse to giving as good as it gets if the other fish in the aquarium decide to engage in combat. Be prepared for this, and be prepared also to intervene if the fish starts to pick fights itself, which it is perfectly capable of doing, even with the likes of Oscars! So, furnish its aquarium in a manner appropriate for tough Cichlids - open water spaces broken up intermittently by large pieces of bogwood. Although it is not likely to excavate gravel in the manner of some big Cichlids, it is wise to consider some kind of engineering bracing to stabilise such furnishings even if no Cichlids are present, as it is a muscular fish, which can deliver a hefty impact upon collision with objects in the aquarium. Moreover, if more than one specimen is to be kept, be prepared to intervene, as it may decide to engage in some nasty internecine warfare. Treat it as if it's a bad-tempered vegetarian Cichlid, and you won't go far wrong.

Third, it has a large appetite. Feeding will present few problems, other than the ones that should be anticipated in advance from such a big fish - namely, a capacity to foul the water on an industrial scale. Power filtration is best considered as mandatory for an aquarium housing these. As to foodstuffs, this fish will eat more or less anything offered to it, and in quantity. Given its vegetarian propensities, celery tops, boiled peas, alfalfa pellets and the like should be obtained and fed on a fairly regular basis, although it will take scraped beef heart happily, and will also snack upon small fishes that are unwisely introduced into its aquarium. Don't let the small head in relation to its body size (it has a slightly Pantherfish aspect to it, for those familiar with this marine fish) fool you into thinking it can't swallow a surprisingly sizeable fish if temptation is put in its path.

While it has the disadvantages cited above, Distichodus sexfasciatus is, once seen, a pretty impressive show fish. It is not in the least afraid to display itself, and its colouration results in an unmistakable visual impact. Although it may look to the untrained eye to be a slow swimmer, more careful observation will reveal that it has a certain effortless quality to its swimming, as befits a fish whose athletic jumping prowess ranks alongside the Leporinus. Funnilly enough, many notorious jumpers look deceptively slow - fishes such as the Freshwater Butterfly Fish, Pantodon buchholzi, and the Blue Gularis killifish, Aphyosemion sjoestedti, seem to spend lots of time just hanging around, but can launch themselves like the Space Shuttle when they want to. This fish can pull off the same deception trick: cruising around the water in a manner that, in large specimens, exudes a stately air, lulling the unsuspecting into leaving the cover off, only to discover that when it wants to fly, it doesn't need wings.

While looking up some of the finer points of this fish, I alighted upon a relation, Distichodus lusosso, which is more peaceful, but grows to be bigger (16 inches!), and has a more elongate snout. The TFH back number that dealt with this fish mentioned some taxonomic information, namely that these fishes have a straight lateral line (other Characoids have a downward curve to the lateral line), and while most other Characoids have cycloid scales that bear no spines, Distichodus and the Citharinids have ctenoid scales with spines along the posterior edge. It also makes the comment that since Distichodus lusosso exhibits no visible sexual dimorphism, obtaining a pair for a breeding attempt would require pruchasing a shoal of six fish minimum to guarantee getting such a pair, and that housing these would require a colossal aquarium. While Distichodus sexfasciatus is smaller, much the same comment applies, with the added caveat that it is considerably more aggressive, and that this would add to the space needed to house several of these fishes.

Having said that, captive breeding is considered unlikely, except in the vast spaces of a public aquarium facility.

Again, I've alighted upon a fish that beginners should be very wary of for my latest piece. But, if you've gained experience with chunky, muscular fishes, and have a desire to add big oddball Characoids to your collection, Disitchodus sexfasciatus could find itself on your shopping list.



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002