Anableps anableps
| Common Names: | Anableps Four-Eyed Fish Largescale Foureyes |
| Synonyms: | Anableps gronovii Anableps lineatus Anableps surinamensis Anableps tetrophthalmus Cobitis anableps |
| Family: | Anablepidae |
| Category: | Livebearers |
| Distribution: | America - South; America - South |
| Main Ecosystem: | Estuary; These fish generally live in mangrove, lagoon, or nearby freshwater habitats. |
| Temperament: | Schooling; Schooling |
| Diet: | Carnivore; Live foods are prefered, but will accept some prepared type floating foods. |
| Care: | It is best to keep these fish in an aquarium that is not filled up all the way so that you can see them, at least, partially, from above. They do not require a deep tank as they spend the majority of their time at the surface. Also, by filling the aquarium only partially allows some distance between the eyes of these fish and the bright lights of the aquarium. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 16cm (6.3") Female: 30cm (11.8") |
| Water Region: | Surface; This fish usually swims at the surface with the top portions of its eyes above water. |
| Activity: | Diurnal; Diurnal |
| Gender: | Males have a gonopodium. |
| Breeding: | These fish are livebearers, and thus practice internal fertilization. The gestation period of these fish is about 8 weeks, depending on the temperature of the water. 10-15 fry are born, that measure 5-7cm. Fry should be moved to their own tank, as the parents have been known to eat them. The fry grow quickly, maturing at 15-20cm and around 8 months. While most livebearers can only copulate to one side or the other (defined as per their species), the Four Eyed Fish are one of the few |
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| Comments: | This fish actually only has two eyes, but each eye is divided for seeing above and underwater. As an insectivore, it benefits from being able to see its prey above water (in fact, it'll jump for them, so keep the tank covered!). Also, it benefits from being able to see predators possibly coming from below. |
| Main Colours: | Green, White, Yellow |
| Markings: | Striped Horizontal |
| Mouth: | Upturned |
| Tail: | Convex |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | Shinigami |
| Contributors: | zachf92 |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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