Gray Ctenopoma
Ctenopoma kingsleyae
Also known as: Climbing Perch, Kingsley's Climbing Perch, Kingsley's Ctenopoma, Tailspot climbing perch, Tailspot Ctenopoma
A long-lived African predator that can outlast almost every fish in your collection.
About
Kingsley's climbing perch (Ctenopoma kingsleyae) is a robust, predatory anabantoid from a wide swath of West and Central Africa, ranging from Senegal and Mauritania all the way through to the Congo basin. Like its Asian relatives, it carries a labyrinth organ that lets it breathe atmospheric air directly, an adaptation that serves it well in the slow, oxygen-poor forest waters it tends to call home. It grows to a respectable size and has the build and attitude to match. This is not a fish you drop into a peaceful community. Anything small enough to swallow will be eaten, and it can be genuinely hostile toward its own kind, so most keepers are better off housing it alone or as a proven pair. In a larger setup with plenty of cover, it can work alongside robust tankmates like Synodontis catfish, mormyrids, or larger Polypterus species. Breeding is rarely achieved and may not even be possible until the fish reaches maturity, which some sources suggest can take five to ten years. That detail hints at something remarkable about this species. There are documented cases of Ctenopoma kingsleyae living for more than three decades in captivity, making it one of the most exceptionally long-lived freshwater fish a hobbyist is likely to keep. Plan accordingly.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Gray Ctenopoma
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Gray Ctenopoma get?
- The Gray Ctenopoma reaches about 3–10" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Gray Ctenopoma need?
- A minimum of 29 gallons is recommended for the Gray Ctenopoma.
- What water parameters does the Gray Ctenopoma need?
- The Gray Ctenopoma does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 5–20 dGH.
- Is the Gray Ctenopoma aggressive?
- The Gray Ctenopoma is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Gray Ctenopoma eat?
- The Gray Ctenopoma is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Gray Ctenopoma live?
- With good care, the Gray Ctenopoma typically lives 5-8 years.