P-shawi-Hd
Pseudolaguvia shawi (Hora 1921)
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This little ‘bee cat’ was first described as a Laguvia, and as mentioned previously has been moved into Pseudolaguvia. Overall markings and colouration varies only slightly from specimen to specimen, with three distinct brown zones interspersed with yellow zones. The first brown zone, being from the snout through to the posterior edge of the ventral fins, the second commencing adjacent to the anterior edge of the anal fin and continuing through to the posterior edge of both adipose and anal fins, and the third being through the caudal peduncle. Although there are no reports of any successful spawning, these small Erethisids are quite easy to sex, with the females being slightly fuller in body and having a more convex posterior margin to the pectoral fins.


A sand substrate containing a few small rounded pebbles, and having a few plants, would make an ideal biotype for them to live in. Small danio’s, rasbora’s and small anabantoids like Trichopsis pumila, make excellent tank mates.
Although these fish do better in temperatures of around 21ºC and a neutral pH, they can tolerate higher temperature and a fluctuation in pH, as long as the water is well oxygenated and well filtered, as they do not tolerate medium/high nitrate and ammonia levels.

A diet of varied live foods such as small bloodworms, grindal worms, sifted daphnia, Cyclops and newly hatched brine shrimp, should be provided as they tend not to feed on prepared food.

Synonyms

Laguvia shawi