Esomus caudiocellatus

Esomus caudiocellatus is a member of the flying barb genus characterised by the distinctive ocellus (eye-spot) at the base of the caudal fin that gives it its species name. Like other Esomus, it is a slender, elongated cyprinid with long pectoral fins that enable it to briefly glide above the water surface — a behaviour that makes a very tight lid absolutely essential. It inhabits warm, slow-moving to still waters including rice paddies, ponds, and vegetated stream margins across Southeast Asia. In the aquarium it is a surface-to-midwater schooler that benefits from a planted setup with floating or emergent plants. Water should be warm and soft to moderately hard. It is peaceful with all appropriately sized tankmates. Feed on small floating foods that it can intercept near the surface.

Water: Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, GH 3–12; warm, slow-moving or still; soft to moderate. Tank: 45 L minimum; planted with floating plants; extremely tight-fitting lid; minimal current. Feeding: Small floating flake, micro-pellet, frozen cyclops and baby brine shrimp; surface feeder. Breeding: Egg-scatterer among floating plants; eggs adhesive; remove adults post-spawning. Compatibility: Peaceful; good with small tetras, rasboras, and corydoras.