Pentapodus emeryii

Datasheet

General Description

The Double Whiptail, also known as Whip-tailed Threadfin-bream, belongs to the Nemipteridae family (Pentapodus species) and is native to the Western Pacific region, particularly found in the Philippines, Indonesia, and northwestern Australia. These often-overlooked fish species are attractive and intriguing to maintain in an aquarium, with their appearance being influenced by the color of the substrate. They are most stunning against a dark substrate and prefer feeding at the bottom until they adjust to eating in the water column.

Aquarium Suitability

Considered suitable for aquariums with the caveat of providing appropriate care and a well-suited environment, the Double Whiptail thrives in sizable tanks, ideally with a minimum capacity of 1000 liters. These fish can be average in hardiness, requiring frequent feeding multiple times a day, especially when newly introduced. It is essential to ensure they receive enough food from the outset, particularly as they consume food sources quickly as they grow.

Care and Hardiness

Requiring good hiding spots like live rocks, these fish can initially display shy behavior when introduced to a new tank. They might become a threat to small crustaceans and fish as they grow larger, making it crucial to monitor their interactions and ensure appropriate tank mates. Double Whiptails thrive best without other members of their species, preferring a varied diet consisting of live food sources, such as fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, and zooplankton.

Reef Suitability

Reef safe with caution, these fish can be introduced to a reef tank provided they are monitored closely for any aggressive behavior towards similar species or smaller tank mates. Their compatibility with crustaceans, particularly shrimp and crabs, should be carefully considered in a reef setup to prevent any conflicts or harm.

Aquarium Setup

Maintaining a well-structured aquarium setup for Double Whiptails involves providing ample swimming space due to their active nature. The tank should have hiding places like live rocks to facilitate their need for shelter and security. Ensuring a stable water environment within the parameters of 8-12 kh, 8.1-8.4 pH, and a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C is vital for their health and well-being.

Behaviour

These fish are mostly peaceful but can exhibit aggression towards similar species or smaller tank mates, necessitating careful observation and selection of suitable companions. They are known to search through sand for food, which can sometimes lead to cloudiness in the water and disturbance of detritus. Double Whiptails can also jump out of open aquariums, highlighting the importance of securing the tank adequately.

Feeding and Diet

Double Whiptails must be supplied with a varied diet consisting of fish, larger crustaceans, invertebrates, small crustaceans, and zooplankton to ensure their nutritional needs are met. Live feeds increase the chances of successful acclimatization in the tank, and they require regular feeding schedules to sustain their growth and activity levels.

Dimorphism and Captive Reproduction

Information on dimorphism and captive reproduction of the Double Whiptail species is not provided in the available dataset.