Acheilognathus tonkinensis

About This Species

Basic Description

The Tonkin Bitterling, also known as the Red-tailed Bitterling, is a lively freshwater fish from Asia. It is an active, schooling swimmer that primarily occupies the middle and bottom levels of the tank. For its well-being, it must be kept in groups. This fish is a known jumper, so a secure lid is highly recommended. As an omnivore, it is not a picky eater and will enjoy a varied diet to keep it healthy and colorful. Its care is considered moderately difficult, making it a rewarding choice for aquarists with some experience.

Detailed Description

An engaging species for the aquarist, the Tonkin Bitterling thrives in well-maintained tanks with low water flow that mimics its natural habitat. Its energetic nature and strong schooling behavior necessitate a spacious environment to prevent stress. While it tolerates a wide range of water hardness and pH, stability is key. Breeding presents a unique biological challenge, as this species famously requires the presence of live freshwater mussels to act as hosts for their eggs, a fascinating example of symbiotic reproduction. Due to its medium bioload resulting from an active metabolism, consistent tank maintenance and regular water changes are important to maintain pristine water quality.

Scientific Description

Acheilognathus tonkinensis is a cyprinid fish belonging to the class Actinopterygii, endemically found in Asian freshwater systems characterized by low flow. This species exhibits a medium metabolism rate and corresponding oxygen consumption, contributing a bioload factor of 2.0. Its environmental tolerance spans a wide pH spectrum and considerable variance in water hardness, though it prefers cooler, subtropical temperatures. Socially, it is categorized as a fast-swimming, small schooling fish that can be prone to jumping. Its specialized reproductive strategy, relying on bivalve hosts, underscores a complex ecological dependency required for successful spawning and is a key area of study.