Leopard Ctenopoma – The Elegant Ambush Predator for Your Aquarium

If you're fascinated by unique and slightly mysterious fish, the Leopard Ctenopoma (Ctenopoma acutirostre) is an excellent addition to your freshwater collection. This stunning labyrinth fish is renowned for its beautiful leopard-like spots, graceful movements, and intriguing behavior.

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Origins & Natural Habitat

The Leopard Ctenopoma originates from the Congo River Basin in Central Africa, where it inhabits slow-moving streams and swamps with dense vegetation and plenty of hiding spots. These fish thrive in soft, slightly acidic to neutral waters, often shaded by overhanging plants and submerged roots.

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Appearance

This species has a sleek, elongated body with a golden-bronze base color adorned with bold, leopard-like black spots all over. Their large, expressive eyes and gently rounded fins add to their captivating appearance. Adults typically reach up to 6 inches in length.

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Behavior & Temperament

Leopard Ctenopomas are semi-aggressive ambush predators. They have a stealthy hunting style, slowly stalking small fish and invertebrates before striking with precision. While they can coexist with similarly sized, non-aggressive fish, caution is advised as they may prey on smaller tankmates.

These fish are labyrinth breathers, meaning they can gulp air from the surface, allowing them to tolerate lower oxygen levels better than many other species.

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Aquarium Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 40 gallons

• Water Temperature: 75–82°F

• pH Range: 6.0–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Tank Setup: Heavily planted with driftwood and rocks; subdued lighting and plenty of hiding places

• Filtration: Moderate with gentle flow preferred

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Diet

Leopard Ctenopomas are carnivorous and require a protein-rich diet to thrive. Feed them:

• Live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and small fish

• High-quality carnivore pellets

• Occasional treats like small crustaceans

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Tankmates

Due to their predatory nature, tankmates should be chosen carefully. Suitable companions include:

• Larger peaceful fish that won’t fit in their mouth

• Other semi-aggressive species with similar temperament

• Avoid small fish and shrimp that may be seen as prey

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Final Thoughts

The Leopard Ctenopoma is a fascinating and elegant fish that offers both beauty and interesting behavior. Ideal for intermediate to advanced hobbyists, this species adds a touch of the wild African waterways to your aquarium with its leopard-spotted pattern and unique hunting style.

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