Leopard Bushfish
Ctenopoma acutirostre
The Leopard Bushfish (Ctenopoma acutirostre) is a semi-aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 200 litres (53 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa
- Africa
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Leopard Bushfish Tank Setup
Treat 200 litres (53 US gallons) as a starting point - big predators need length, strong filtration, and a secure lid. Hold the water at 75-82°F and pH 6-7.5, and assume anything small enough to swallow will eventually be eaten. They reach about 15 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Leopard Bushfish Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Leopard Bushfish Tank Mates
Will eat small fish; prefers cover The Leopard Bushfish is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Leopard Bushfish Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Leopard Bushfish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Leopard Bushfish need?
Leopard Bushfish need a tank of at least 200 litres (53 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Leopard Bushfish need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Leopard Bushfish eat?
Leopard Bushfish are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Leopard Bushfish good for beginners?
Leopard Bushfish are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Leopard Bushfish
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 200 litres (53 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Leopard Bushfish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Zebra DanioFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
