Bay Snook
Petenia splendida
Until fairly recently this fish was very rare in Australia, lately though several batches of small fish were available at specialised aquariums. Two varieties seem to be available here; the first is the Bay Snook, shown in the picture below.
The red morph of the Bay Snooks is also available, although I have never seem them. Judging by my experiences with this fish and those of Tim Bardsley-Smith, fellow american cichlidophile, the snook is quite a placid fish which cannot compete in terms of aggression with the larger more aggressive central american cichlids such as red devils (Amphilophus citrinellus) or red terrors (”Nandopsis” festae). Better tank mates include oscars, severums and larger more robust geophagines such as G. brasiliensis.
Species
Name:
Petenia
splendida
Common
Name(s): Bay
Snook
Country of
Origin:
Central
America
Diet:
Piscivore
Water
Chemistry:
pH 7.0 -
7.4, kH not
critical
Temperature:
23 - 28 C
Although in natural environs P. splendida is primarily a piscivore (as can be seen by its enormous tube-like mouth) the snook in tank settings will take a variety of prepared foods. Prepared frozen foods/whitebait/prawns/mealworms are also relished while pelleted foods are tolerated. Any fish small enough to fit into the fishes mouth are considered food items.
In natural settings P. splendida can reach lengths of up to 50cm. In a tank setting the species rarly exceeds 40cm. Even so, this is a large fish that requires large deep tanks and 4×2x2 or 6×2x2 sizes should be considered the minimum for long term husbandry or breeding of this fish.
Water chemistry is not critical but slightly acidic water is prefered by the species. The species is also prone to hole in the head disease, this may be a result of unsuitable water chemistry or some other stress.
The colouration of this fish is not initially that striking and many write the fish off too early, judging the proverbial book by it’s cover. The colours are fairly woody but the fish has an certain irridescence under appropriate lighting and striking blue eyes. This species is an interesting addition to a large tank of mixed larger south american cichlids. Worth a look for the keen American cichlidophile.
