Long-nosed Distichodus

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Congo River basin (Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo). Frequents the areas of the river with strong current, eroded banks and dense riparian vegetation to scrape.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Long-snout Distichodus (Distichodus lusosso). Large African characin. It has a high and laterally compressed body, but differs from D. sexfasciatus by its decidedly elongated snout ("beak-like") to reach crevices.

Social Behavior: As a juvenile it is a schooling fish, but with age it becomes distinctly asocial and belligerent towards its peers. Maintains a proud and majestic swimming; bites the fins of slow fish if annoyed.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Stunning juvenile livery: bright orange/gold background furrowed by neat black vertical bands, and blood red fins. As they grow the colors fade to a muddy green-brown, losing the red (a disappointment for many novices). No dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Will destroy EVERY plant (devours them). The setup must be based on large smooth pebbles, huge smooth logs and boundless space to swim. Tanks of 200 cm (80 inches, minimum 160 gallons). Mastodontic filtration required.

Diet and Feeding: Overwhelming vegetarian preference. Inherits the shape of the snout to graze on algae, roots and leaves. Devours lettuce, blanched spinach, zucchini and spirulina wafers. Supplement weekly with krill and earthworms. If it does not take vegetables it gets seriously ill.

Water Quality: Tolerates a wide range of conditions, but suffers from stagnation and excess nitrates, which lead to immediate darkening of the livery and apathy.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Ideal companion for African "Monster Fish" aquariums: large river Cichlids, huge Synodontis, Polypterids (Bichirs) or large Mormyrids. Forbidden to pair fish smaller than 15 cm (6 inches) or with veil fins (will decimate them).

Aquarium Reproduction: Never documented nor achieved in home captivity due to the massive size and the impossibility of making mature adults cohabit peacefully.

Risks and Diseases: The change of livery as an adult leads many owners to neglect or give it away. Sensitive to lethal intestinal blockages if fed exclusively with meat (beef heart, bloodworms) instead of vegetable fibers.