Ctenopoma acutirostre

Occurs in the shallow, slow-moving water throughout the Congo bassin. Water there is warm and presumably tannin-stained. Its camouflage suggests it would normally stalk prey between roots, branches and leaf litter.

IUCN lists it as 'least concern'. It seems to be common throughout the Congo river system, which, still today, is largely uninhabited.

If you have information about or footage of this fish in the wild, please reach out to us.

Certainly one of the coolest fish you can keep in a modest aquarium. This is an African gourami-like embush predator with camouflage colours, sneaky ways and a large extendable mouth. They are known to be aggressive, but my Congo tetras they do not bother. I have two - perhaps a pair, but they are hard to sex - and they get along very well, normally sharing a toppled flowerpot for shelter. They eat artemia and chopped prawn, but also flakes if needed. Should be bubblenesters, but it has not occured in our fishroom yet. To be continued...