THE KITEFISH 



C. J. HEEDE 



Pseudocorynopoma doriae 



The Kitefish 



Among our many aquarium fishes 

 none is so appropriately named as the 

 Kitefish, Pseudocorynopoma doriae. 

 This member of the Characin family is a 

 native of the Amazon, La Plata and 

 tributary waters of South America. It 

 first became known to aquarists about 

 ten years ago. 



The general coloration of the species, 

 when viewed in bright, direct light, is 

 iridescent bluish green ; upper portion of 

 body, olive to brownish on the back ; 

 abdominal region rich silver ; silvery blue 

 or violet line runs from behind head 

 backward to a dark spot at the tail ; dor- 

 sal and anal with dark spots ; outer area 



of tail fin is cream color; adipose fin 

 pinkish. The female lacks the fin devel- 

 opment of the male. The male is lively, 

 graceful in movement, and will dance the 

 "tango" and "fox trot" to win the favor 

 of his spouse. 



The breeding habits are much like 

 those of Danio and Tetragonopteris. 

 The eggs, to the number of 800, are ex- 

 pelled in one day. They are non-adhesive 

 and lodge among the plants or fall to the 

 bottom. The period of incubation ranges 

 from twelve to forty-eight hours. For a 

 few days after hatching the fry are at- 

 tached to plants by a slimy thread con- 

 nected to the back of the head. When 



