Oryzias Songkhramensis

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General Description

Oryzias Songkhramensis, commonly known as Songkhram Ricefish, is a micropredator species that feeds on small insects, worms, crustaceans, and zooplankton in its natural habitat. It is a small fish with distinctive features such as black and yellow/orange bands on the caudal fin lobes in males, a black spot at the base of the pectoral fins, and a rounded and elongate caudal fin. These fish have 6-7 dorsal-fin rays, 15-16 anal-fin rays, and 7-8 pectoral-fin rays, displaying more confidence and vibrancy when kept in groups of 8 or more.

Aquarium Setup

When setting up an aquarium for Oryzias Songkhramensis, a heavily planted environment with a dark substrate, dense vegetation, and some open spaces is ideal. Additional decor like twisted roots, bogwood pieces, and surface vegetation contribute to a natural habitat that enhances coloration in these fish. Maintaining plants also creates a conducive breeding space for both fry and adults (see table for specific water parameters).

Behaviour

Songkhram Ricefish are generally peaceful but due to their small size, they may not be the best addition to all community tanks. They thrive when kept with diminutive species such as Boraras, Trigonostigma, or Danionella. They can also coexist with smaller anabantoids like Sphaerichthys and some Betta species. While not aggressive towards conspecifics, for breeding purposes, it's recommended to keep them isolated to avoid hybridization risks with other Oryzias species.

Feeding and Diet

In their natural habitat, Songkhram Ricefish feed on small insects, worms, and zooplankton. In an aquarium setting, they accept small dried foods but should be offered daily meals of small live and frozen foods like Daphnia, Artemia, and bloodworms. Including high-quality, suitably-sized flakes and granules in their diet helps maintain their health and vibrancy.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Breeding Songkhram Ricefish is relatively easy, with females producing batches of eggs frequently. Males darken in color, defend territories, and entice females during spawning. The adhesive eggs are fertilized and typically hang from the female before being deposited. Males exhibit distinct caudal fin markings, while females have a more subdued coloration. Juveniles should be monitored closely to prevent larger ones from preying on smaller individuals.

Habitat and Distribution

Found exclusively in fresh standing waters like shallow pools, ditches, and rice paddies, Songkhram Ricefish inhabit the Songkhram River basin in northeastern Thailand and parts of the Mekong drainage in central Laos. They prefer clear waters with specific temperature, oxygen, and pH ranges, often coexisting with species like Trichopodus trichopterus and Macrobrachium lanchesteri.