Description
Southern Pygmy Perch are a small native fish, usually found in small streams or swamps of South-eastern Australia. The Southern Pygmy Perch is an excellent fish smaller cold water aquariums or for mosquito control in ponds in cool climates (eg heavily shaded ponds, locations south of dividing range). Becomes very colourful during breeding season (late winter and spring). Not commonly available in the aquarium trade.
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Features of Southern Pygmy Perch:
- Olive brown body with transparent fins (non-breeding)
- Males develop bright red and black fins (breeding)
- Suitable for ponds - Tadpole friendly
- Suitable for cold water nano tanks
- Grows up to 5-6cm
- Eggs layers
- Care level: Beginner
The Best Aquarium Size Southern Pygmy Perch:
Southern Pygmy Perch can be kept in moderately sized nano aquariums (50L) or larger. They are ideal for outdoor small ponds.
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Tank Mate Compatibility:
Southern Pygmy Perch are a peaceful fish. Although they are not a schooling species, they do benefit from living in groups of their own kind. Southern Pygmy Perch Can be kept as a single species, or in a cold water community aquarium or pond. Avoid keeping with small species or crustaceans that are small than their mouth.
Great tank mates for your Southern Pygmy Perch include:
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Diet:
Southern Pygmy Perch carnivores and are easy to feed. They readily accept small sinking pellets as the primary diet. Naturally they have a high protein diet eating insect larvae. For healthy Southern Pygmy Perch, ensure to feed a varied diet that includes live, frozen and freeze dried blackworms, bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia.
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Southern Pygmy Perch Fish Tank Setup:
Aquarium Filtration
Southern Pygmy Perch enjoy clean and well filtered water with gentle flow. Select an aquarium filter with gentle filtration. Some quality aquarium filter brands to consider inlcude Eheim, Fluval, Oase, Ocean Free, Aqua One.
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Aquarium Plants for Southern Pygmy Perch
The Southern Pygmy Perch will benefit from aquatic plants in an outdoor pond for protection. When breeding, they will scatter their eggs on plants. Select live aquatic plants that will tolerate cold water.
Some aquarium plants to consider include:
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Aquarium Decorations
Driftwood & rock is the ideal aquarium ornament as Southern Pygmy Perch love to swim about and hide behind structure. Resin aquarium ornaments can also be used to add character to your aquarium and enhance it's design.
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Aquarium Lighting
Southern Pygmy Perch enjoy a shaded, more dimly lit aquarium. If keeping live aquatic plants, consider lighting requirements for ideal plant growth. Replicate daylight hours of 8-10 hours per day. Plants will create needed shade for your fish.
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Aquarium Substrate
Aquarium sand and smooth surfaced fine to medium grade gravel are great aquarium substrates for Southern Pygmy Perch. If keeping live aquarium plants, a combination of aquasoil and sand or gravel on top can provide an attractive and practical solution for optimal plant growth.
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