SARATOGA
Scleropages leichardti
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION:
An elongated fish which swims like a snake. It has silver scales with orange dots. The mouth is large and full of sharp teeth.
SIZE:
60 cm - 90 cm.
APPEAL
Saratoga are large graceful fish with scales that look like polished chrome. they are constantly active in the aquarium and easily observed. Can be trained to take food from the hand. This is a spectacular fish when it gets big.
AVAILABILITY
Not a common fish but most aquarium shops can order one in for you. Expect to pay through the nose for one.
|
|
|
This is Zeus, our greedy Saratoga. His mouth opens like a trapdoor so he can eat surprisingly large food items. |
OBSERVATIONS ON CAPTIVE SPECIMENS
SUITABILITY FOR KEEPING IN CAPTIVITY
|
Advantages: Not particularly sensitive to harassment. Easy to feed. Not particularly sensitive to water quality. Happy in a tropical tank and tolerates cooler temperatures. Does not disturb plants. |
Disadvantages: Grows to a very large size. Needs a large aquarium (180 cm or more). Will eat other fish that are smaller. Can be territorial and sometimes will harass other fish. Will fight aggressively with it's own kind. Only eats meat and fish. Prone to jumping if startled. |
Suitable only for fish keepers with appropriate facilities.
AQUARIUM CONDITIONS
| Minimum aquarium size: | 180 cm long X 40 cm wide. This fish appreciates swimming room so an even larger tank would be good. |
| Water temperature: | 20 C - 25 C. |
| Water salinity: | Fresh water or brackish water. |
| Filtration & oxygenation: | Water needs to be kept reasonably clean and always well oxygenated. |
| Lighting: | Not critical, but the saratoga looks fantastic under good lighting. |
| Plants: | Not critical but definately appreciated. |
| Furnishings: | Not critical. |
| Notes: | Ensure that this fish can swim the length of the tank without being obstructed. |
AQUARIUM BEHAVIOR
Our Saratoga (named Zeus) spends most of his day cruising around the surface of the tank. He sometimes descends to mid water or the substrate when searching for food or escaping attack. This fish rarely harasses other fish but can eat surprisingly large items. Saratoga are said to be prone to jumping however I have not observed this. Zeus does panic easily however and will dive for cover if he sees any sudden movements - especially from above.
Be warned - this fish is a very strong jumper. It can knock over a glass lid on the way up.
FEEDING HABITS
He takes food from the surface and mid water, rarely takes food from the substrate. Eats minced beef heart, white bait and any creature that can fit into his mouth. Also attacks fingers which is very painful. In the wild I'm told that they eat insects and small birds. Zeus tends to take one or two large mouthfuls and then stops eating. I feed him once a day. When he was first introduced into the aquarium it took several weeks before he would take food without showing nervousness.
FISH KEEPING RECOMMENDATIONS
This fish is large and needs a big tank with swimming room. It seems to be all right with other large fish but should not be kept with it's own kind. This fish is very hardy.
|
|
|
The Saratoga is a truly elegant fish. |
OUR FISH
SPECIMEN DETAILS
We keep a single 50 cm fish called 'Zeus' king of the tank.
|
|
|
Although all the images are of 'Zeus' at the bottom of the tank, he normaly swims in mid-water and at the surface. It is just difficult to photograph him when he is swimming. |
USEFUL LINKS
Native Fish Australia - Saratoga page
Contains details of distribution, habitat and aquarium care. Also has an image.
BIG FISH - AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FISH
Has an image and a few notes. You need to scroll down the page.
Created by Alexander and Elisabeth Foreman.
Page constructed by Alexander Foreman.
Copywrite (c) Alexander Foreman
