Sicyopus cebuensis

Sicyopus cebuensis is a species of freshwater fish that is native to the Philippines, particularly found in streams on the island of Cebu. This species, like other members of the genus Sicyopus, is quite unique in its habitat preferences and care needs. Here’s a brief guide on how to keep Sicyopus cebuensis in a home aquarium:

Tank Setup:

1. Tank Size: A 10-gallon tank can be sufficient for a small group of these fish. However, larger tanks are always better to maintain stable water parameters.

2. Water Conditions: These fish come from clear, fast-flowing mountain streams, so they prefer:

   • Water Temperature: 24C to 28C (75F to 82F).
   • pH Level: 6.0 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
   • Water Hardness: Soft water is preferred, with a general hardness of 2 to 12 dGH.
   • Water Flow: They thrive in tanks with moderate to strong water movement, mimicking their natural environment.

3. Substrate: A soft substrate such as fine gravel or sand will suit them well. A lot of these fish like to forage and hide in the substrate.

4. Filtration: A good filtration system is necessary to keep the water clean, given their preference for flowing, clean water.

5. Plants and Decorations: Include plants that can thrive in low light and fast-moving water. Also, adding rocks and driftwood will provide hiding spaces, which are essential as these fish are somewhat shy.

Diet:

• Sicyopus cebuensis are omnivores that feed on detritus, algae, and small invertebrates in their natural environment.
• In the aquarium, they can be fed high-quality algae wafers, live or frozen foods like daphnia, and finely chopped bloodworms, brine shrimp, and small sinking pellets.

Tank Mates:

• They are peaceful and can be kept with other small, non-aggressive fish.
• Avoid keeping them with larger or more aggressive species that might outcompete them for food or harass them.
• They are best kept in species-specific groups or with similarly-sized, peaceful fish that won’t disturb them.

Behavior:

• These fish are relatively calm and tend to stay near the bottom or hide among rocks and plants.
• They enjoy having a stable environment and might get stressed with drastic changes in water parameters or tank conditions.

Breeding:

• Sicyopus cebuensis is an egg-laying species. The female lays her eggs on rocks, and both parents may guard the eggs and the larvae.
• They are relatively difficult to breed in captivity and may require highly specific conditions to encourage spawning.