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Family Achiridae: Nine genera, twenty-eight species, some fresh, brackish, mostly marine. Characterized by being "right-handed", with dorsal and anal fins from from caudal, right pelvic attached to anal, and lacking pectoral fins. Preoperculum with a superficial groove. Previously these fishes were included in the family Soleidae (the Soles), not "flounders" (which have free pelvic fins and possess pectorals. Range: All Western Atlantic, some in freshwater permanently others for long durations. Species of Interest/Use/Availability to Aquarists:
Selection Environment Habitat Not sharp sand (silicates are out), not multi-colored. Covers, they jump! Behavior Mention color change/camouflage, burrowing, reclusive, nocturnal Tankmates, non-aggressive, not eager eaters. Foods/Feeding/Nutrition Most need live foods, near them, like tubificid worms. small livebearers, ghost shrimp when larger. Can be trained onto dead meaty foods. Twice a week feedings are fine. Disease Due to thick slime coats, bottom scratching behavior, these fishes tend to be external parasite resistant, though they can get/succumb to ich, velvet... These complaints are easily treated with manipulation of salt content, as the single celled protozoans are not nearly as adaptable to quick changes in salinity. Bibliography/Further Reading: Luling, K.H. 1965. The Small Sole, Achirus fasciatus. TFH 5/65. Starinchuk, Justin. 1988. Freshwater Flounders?!! FAMA 2/88. |
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