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Macropodus concolor, Ahl, 1937

Origin:South China, Vietnam, introduced in Japan 300 years ago.

Etymology: Concolor= With color ?

Synonyms: Macropodus opercularis, Macropodus opercularis concolor, Macropodus opercularis var spechti

First European import:Germany, 1935.

Description: See drawing, ventral fins are bright red, which the drawing doesn't show.

Care: Larger tanks, 80 cm minimum, dark soil, and higher temperatures are required. The fish need places to swim, but also places to hide. The fish are furthermore not very particular about waterquality, and don't mind stronger currents. Since they are not aggressiv, they do well in normal community tanks, providing the tankmates are not too robust, or too small. They do require a bit higher temperatures, and a cover on the tank.

Temperature:24-28

Feeding: Omnivorous, will eat all given food.

Size: Males up to 12 cm, females smaller, up to 9 cm.

pH: 6.5-7.5

Breeding:Easy, although wildcaught fish can be seasonal. It's best to wait until the male starts to build a nest in the community tank(usually after a large waterchange at the beginning of winter(Northern Europe), and after that to transfer the couple to a 60/80cm breeding tank. Sometimes soft water is required.

Sexual dimorphism: Males grow larger, and have more elongated tips on dorsal and anal fin.

Prices:Rarely seen in shops.

Additional: In older books this fish has been described as a "black form" of M. opercularis. This error has been copied by many recent books, even in Baensch and Riehl, 1985(Aquarien Atlas I). Update: The current official name is now Macropodus spechti.

Picture references: All pictures: E. Naus. Drawing: Unknown artist/ichtyologist(Ahl???)

References: Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book) J. Schmidt, Der Makropde, 2000.

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