Dowe's Four-eyed Fish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Pacific slope of Central America, from southern Mexico to Nicaragua. Found in coastal streams and shallow lagoons.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Family Anablepidae. Eyes are set high and divided horizontally, enabling two focal points. Grows to about 22 cm.

Social Behavior: Highly social, schooling surface dweller. Best kept in groups of at least 6 specimens to ensure security.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Olive-grey body with a golden sheen and a faint dark lateral stripe. Males have a specialized gonopodium-like organ.

Aquarium Setup: Long, wide tanks with a reduced water level (15 cm below top) to provide space above the surface. Secure cover is mandatory.

Diet and Feeding: Surface insectivore. Feed live fruit flies, small crickets, and frozen foods. Must be offered at the water surface.

Water Quality: Prefers hard, alkaline freshwater or low-salinity brackish water. Nitrate levels must be kept low through frequent water changes.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Suitable with quiet benthic species. Avoid housing with quick, competitive surface feeders.

Aquarium Breeding: Viviparous. Spawning results in live-born young after a gestation period of roughly 8 weeks. Fry accept artemia nauplii immediately.

Risks and Diseases: High jumping hazard. Susceptible to cloudy eye if water conditions decline or if they scratch their eyes on decor.