FreshwaterBrackish
Freshwater garfish
Xenentodon cancila
Belonidae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 40 cm
- Body shape
- Elongated
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 1,464 liters
- Diet
- Missing
Know what is missing? Suggest it in the app.
Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), and 5 more countries.
Introduced to Hong Kong SAR China and United States.
More about the species
Description
Adults occur primarily in rivers; also in ponds, canals, beels, and inundated fields. Often found in slow-flowing pools in rivers with a rock or sand substrate. They inhabit large and medium-sized rivers with adults occurring in areas that lack floating vegetation. A solitary species that swims in midwater, usually against the current, and is capable of bursts of speed, especially when in pursuit of its prey. Observed to feed exclusively on crustaceans in the wild; but take live fish only when in an aquarium. Also feeds on small fishes and insects. Oviparous. Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface. This fish is capable of nipping the fingers or killing a person by leaping at them at great speed, however, suggests that the "killing a person" statement may be exaggerated). Marketed fresh.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Belone cancila
- Belone graii
- Esox cancila
- Esox hindostanicus
- Esox indica
- Xenenthodon cancila
In other languages
- Sydasiatisk halvgedde
- Intiannokkakala
- Asian needlefish, Gar, Silver needlefish, Stickfish
Articles
All articles
Fish that get along4 min read
Temperament, fin nippers, fish that eat other fish, and fish that need the same water. And what the Harmony mark in the app means.
How to set up an Asian aquarium5 min read
Two aquariums from Southeast Asia: calm forest streams and peat swamps with soft, brown water, and fast mountain streams with cool, oxygen-rich water.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.