Zacco platypus

Native to China, Korea, and Japan, these fish are vibrantly colored, with males being more prominent than females. Generally, their backs are grayish-black with a greenish tint, their bellies are silvery-white, and their sides have 10-15 vertical black bands. Between these bands are numerous light red spots, and the scales on their sides have a metallic sheen. The dorsal fin is gray; the pectoral fins are grayish-white with many black spots; the pelvic fins are light red or white. The anal fin is pink or red with a green sheen. The caudal fin is gray, with a black rear edge.

When young, their coloration is duller, but they reach sexual maturity at 8-10 months. During this period, their body color may gradually transform from plain to dazzling. Generally, Zacco platypus develop their colors in spring and during their spawning season. Especially during the breeding season (e.g., April to June each year), the water quality for keeping Zacco platypus needs to maintain a high dissolved oxygen content, and a sufficiently large tank is required for them to swim. A wavemaker can stimulate their upstream swimming instinct, and maintaining the water temperature around 25°C is more conducive to their coloration development.

 

Adult size: 15cm

Temperature: 10 – 26°C

Food: Black ghost shrimp, bloodworms, brine shrimp, mealworms, small fish