Intermediate
Malayan Halfbeak (Dermogenys pusilla)
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 80L
£5.99
White Wrestling Halfbeak (Dermogenys cf. pusilla) is a pale surface livebearer for a mature, tightly covered 90-100L+ aquarium at 24-28 C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 9-19 dGH. Each quantity is one unsexed fish.
Dermogenys cf. pusilla
White Wrestling Halfbeak are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
White Wrestling Halfbeak (Dermogenys cf. pusilla) is a pale surface livebearer for a mature, tightly covered 90-100L+ aquarium at 24-28 C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 9-19 dGH. Each quantity is one unsexed fish.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
White Wrestling Halfbeak (Dermogenys cf. pusilla) is a pale, surface-dwelling livebearer with the extended lower jaw that gives halfbeaks their unmistakable profile. It is sold under the established White Wrestling Halfbeak trade name. The fish spends most of its time just below the water surface, so its care is shaped by horizontal swimming room, a secure lid, calm surface cover and food that remains within reach at the top of the aquarium.
This is not a generic beginner livebearer. A mature aquarium, stable mineral-bearing water and thoughtful companions are more important than bright colour or a crowded community display. Keepers who prepare the upper part of the tank properly are rewarded with an alert fish that is always visible, watches activity outside the glass and shows distinctive social displays. Keepers who leave lid gaps, create a strong surface current or make sudden changes give this specialised body shape very little margin for error.
One quantity adds one unsexed fish in the selected approximate size grade. The live options, price and availability shown beside the basket are the current values; the 3-4 cm and 4-5 cm labels are trade size grades, not promised exact measurements or adult-size limits. Sex, pair status, breeder, locality and exact shade cannot be selected unless the option expressly says otherwise.
The word White describes the supplier's trade colour label. It does not prove that the fish is albino, platinum, leucistic or a formally described colour form. The existing gallery shows the pale stock reference used for this listing, but colour can look different under aquarium lighting and between individual fish. Please use the care and identity notes below when deciding whether this unusual halfbeak suits your aquarium.
| Trade name | White Wrestling Halfbeak |
|---|---|
| Careful identity | Dermogenys cf. pusilla; sold in the trade under D. pusilla / D. pusillus wording |
| Family | Zenarchopteridae, the internally fertilising halfbeaks |
| Sale unit | One unsexed fish per quantity |
| Selected size | Approximate current trade grade; not an adult-size promise |
| Adult planning | Do not plan around a 5-7 cm ceiling; the accepted-name record reaches a larger maximum and trade identity is uncertain |
| Recommended aquarium | About 90-100 litres or more, prioritising a long, unobstructed surface |
| Temperature | 24-28°C; stability is more important than chasing one exact number |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Hardness | About 9-19 dGH |
| Diet | Small surface foods with insect, crustacean and other suitable animal-protein content |
| Temperament | Alert and generally manageable with suitable fish; males or similar surface fish can contest space |
| Experience | Best for an attentive keeper with a mature aquarium |
You are buying a single live White Wrestling Halfbeak. Select the available size option you prefer and change the quantity only if your aquarium is ready for more than one fish. A quantity of one is not a pair, trio or group. A group recommendation explains long-term husbandry; it does not change the number supplied by each basket unit.
Trade measurements are approximate. Fish are active animals, and supplier grading is designed to separate practical size bands rather than guarantee a millimetre-perfect body length. The extended lower jaw can also make total-length comparisons misleading when different sellers measure in different ways. Use the option as a sensible guide to current stock size and build the aquarium for growth rather than for the smallest fish delivered.
The selected option does not promise male or female. Sexing halfbeaks involves the form of the anal fin and reproductive structures, and it is easy to overstate certainty from a quick retail view, especially in smaller juveniles. If your plan depends on a precise sex ratio, contact us before ordering so we can tell you what can and cannot be checked in the current stock. We will not label an uncertain fish simply to complete a requested ratio.
Always use the live option selector for price and availability. Do not rely on an old screenshot, search snippet or a price mentioned on another retailer's page. Shopify inventory can change as fish are reserved or received.
The supplier describes this stock as Dermogenys "pusillus white", while the accepted grammatical spelling of the familiar Wrestling Halfbeak name is Dermogenys pusilla. The older pusillus spelling still appears throughout aquarium searches and historical literature, which explains why both versions are associated with this product. NCBI treats D. pusilla as the current name, and ITIS records that the original masculine ending was corrected because Dermogenys is feminine.
There is a second, more important issue: Dermogenys taxonomy is not reliably solved by a shop trade label. Scientific revisions and later genetic work have found hidden diversity within fish that were historically grouped under familiar halfbeak names. Aquarium fish sold as D. pusilla may represent related members of the genus, and this stock arrived without a collection locality, breeder pedigree, voucher specimen or diagnostic supplier photograph.
The abbreviation cf. means "compare with". Writing Dermogenys cf. pusilla says that the trade fish is compared with the familiar Wrestling Halfbeak identity while acknowledging that the exact species has not been independently verified. This is more useful than switching between confident but unsupported names. It lets keepers find the established care literature while preserving the scientific boundary.
The White label has the same boundary. It is a commercial description of pale stock, not a taxonomic rank. We have not found evidence that this supplier form is a true albino, so the page does not promise red eyes or the absence of pigment. It is also not automatically the same as every fish advertised elsewhere as Platinum, Silver, Gold or Malayan Halfbeak. Those names can overlap in the trade, but they are not safe synonyms for an individual consignment.
| Wording | How this listing uses it |
|---|---|
| White Wrestling Halfbeak | The supplier-supported trade name for this product |
| Dermogenys cf. pusilla | The cautious scientific identification used here |
| Dermogenys pusilla | The accepted familiar species name and source-search term, not a voucher-backed promise for this stock |
| Dermogenys pusillus | A legacy spelling retained only to explain supplier and search wording |
| Albino or Platinum Halfbeak | Not claimed for this consignment |
| Wild locality | Unknown; no country, river or captive-bred origin is promised |
Halfbeaks are built around the surface. The body is long and streamlined, the mouth points upwards, and the lower jaw projects in front of the upper jaw. This shape is not a deformity: research on belonoid fishes shows that the jaw extension is a specialised developmental structure. It helps explain why these fish feed differently from bottom-oriented community species and why mouth condition deserves close observation.
The live gallery contains one existing stock image showing two pale halfbeaks against a dark background. It is relevant to the trade form but is not detailed enough to promise the exact shade, sex or markings of every individual. No unverified local render has been added to the live gallery.
Under aquarium lighting, pale silver, greenish and cream reflections can appear across the flanks. Background colour, water tannins, plant shade, camera white balance, stress and age can all change how the same fish looks. A fish may therefore appear warmer or darker than the isolated catalogue image while still being the same trade stock. Buy this halfbeak for its form and behaviour as well as its colour label.
On arrival, look for a straight swimming posture, controlled position near the surface, clear eyes, open fins and an intact jaw. Small variations in the jaw can be natural, but obvious impact damage, uncontrolled rolling or severe respiratory distress needs immediate attention. Photograph the sealed bag and follow the arrival instructions before changing the water or handling the fish.
A White Wrestling Halfbeak usually occupies the uppermost part of the aquarium. It may hold almost still beneath floating cover, move rapidly to intercept food, or patrol an open lane along the front glass. This is why a tall aquarium with little surface length is less useful than a lower, longer tank of similar volume. The fish needs room in the zone it actually uses.
The "wrestling" name refers to social encounters in which males can display and contest position with their jaws. That behaviour should not be treated as entertainment or encouraged by crowding males together. Brief display can be normal; repeated chasing, impact with the lid or glass, jaw damage, exclusion from food and a fish hiding continuously are signs that the social plan or available surface space needs attention.
These halfbeaks can also startle. Sudden room movement, an uncovered bright tank, abrupt lights and hands arriving from above can trigger a fast escape response. Floating plants, a dark rear background, a predictable feeding routine and gradual lighting changes make the environment easier to read. A close lid is still essential even in a calm aquarium because a startled surface fish can jump before a keeper has time to react.
Do not judge compatibility only by whether another species is labelled peaceful. Two otherwise peaceful species may both demand the same narrow feeding lane. A fast surface feeder can leave the halfbeak underfed without obvious aggression, while a slow long-finned fish may be stressed by constant movement. Watch where each species lives, how it eats and how it responds when food reaches the surface.
For a small planned group, use a mature aquarium of about 90-100 litres or more and prioritise a footprint around 90 cm long where possible. This is a conservative retail recommendation, not a claim that one published number applies to every group. A peer-reviewed laboratory study maintained groups of five to 20 D. pusilla in approximately 100-litre tanks, but laboratory husbandry is not a universal domestic minimum. Sex ratio, adult identity, companions and the amount of open surface all affect the space needed.
The accepted D. pusilla record includes a maximum total length much larger than the often repeated 5-7 cm aquarium claim. Because this trade stock is not voucher-identified, the listing does not promise a small adult ceiling. Planning with extra length and water volume is safer than choosing a nano aquarium around the current 3-4 cm grade. Use our tank-volume calculator to check the real water volume after substrate and hardscape displacement.
The lid must close securely. Check the corners around heater cables, external-filter pipes, air lines and automatic feeders. A gap that looks too small for the body may still admit the narrow head. Keep the water level slightly below the cover if needed, but do not create a stagnant warm air space; the aquarium still requires suitable ventilation and gas exchange.
A feeding hatch should never be left open after use. If a hang-on filter creates an unavoidable gap, fit an aquarium-safe guard rather than relying on floating plants to stop a jump. Recheck the cover after maintenance because lids are often replaced slightly out of position. This simple routine prevents one of the most avoidable causes of loss in surface fish.
The current sale size is not a reason to use a 20- or 30-litre aquarium. Small tanks provide little surface runway, change chemistry quickly and make male conflict or feeding competition harder to manage.
FishBase reports 24-28°C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 9-19 dGH for the familiar Wrestling Halfbeak record. Aim near the middle of that envelope unless your established aquarium already sits safely within it. A practical routine target is around 25-26°C with neutral-to-alkaline, moderately mineralised water. Measure your tap and aquarium water rather than adding chemicals by guesswork.
Stable values matter more than repeatedly adjusting a harmless reading to hit a decimal. Rapid pH or temperature movement can be more stressful than a steady value within the supported range. Match replacement water, condition tap water appropriately and avoid very large corrective changes unless an emergency such as detectable ammonia requires immediate action. Our water-matching tool can help compare this plan with your aquarium.
Ammonia and nitrite should remain undetectable on a reliable aquarium test. UK statutory pet-sale guidance recognises both as toxic and requires water quality to determine safe stocking, rather than relying on a fixed fish-per-litre formula. Nitrate should be controlled through sensible feeding, plant growth where appropriate and regular partial water changes. The correct schedule depends on the measured aquarium, not a generic calendar alone.
Halfbeaks are reported from freshwater and brackish environments, but that does not mean salt should be added routinely to this aquarium. The supplier has not identified a brackish locality, and casual salt use changes the choices available for plants and companions. Maintain stable freshwater within the stated mineral range unless a qualified diagnosis or verified stock history gives a specific reason to do otherwise.
Use a thermometer that is easy to read and verify the heater after water changes. Surface water can warm differently near strong lights or a poorly placed heater. Our guide to tropical fish temperature explains why gradual changes and actual measurement are safer than relying on the number printed on a heater dial.
Use mature biological filtration sized for the aquarium and its full community. The goal is clean, oxygenated water with a surface lane the fish can use, not a forceful jet that drives it into one corner. A spray bar directed along the glass, a baffled return or a correctly sized sponge filter can work, provided water circulates through the whole aquarium and debris does not accumulate.
Do not remove all surface movement in an attempt to make the water calm. Gas exchange still matters, particularly at warm tropical temperatures. Instead, create different zones: gentle ripple near the return, partial floating cover away from it and an open area where food can remain visible. If fish gather directly at the filter outlet, breathe rapidly or stop feeding, test the water immediately and check temperature and circulation.
Oily film from overfeeding can interfere with the very surface this fish uses. Reduce portion size, remove uneaten food and review circulation rather than adding another large meal. Clean mechanical media in removed aquarium water when needed, but protect the biological filter from chlorine and never replace every mature medium at the same time without a reasoned plan.
FishBase associates the familiar species with places containing floating plants or rooted vegetation reaching the surface. Recreate that structure without sealing the entire top. Frogbit, Salvinia or suitable floating stems can create shade, but local availability and invasive-species rules should guide the plant chosen. Keep a clear lane for feeding and inspect floating growth so it does not block filter flow.
Rooted plants and wood can break sightlines lower in the aquarium, yet the most valuable structure is near the surface. Tall stems at the back and sides work better than sharp hardscape projecting into a fast escape route. Avoid rough rock immediately below the fish's usual holding position, where a startled halfbeak could injure its jaw or body.
Moderate lighting with a predictable day-night schedule is suitable. If the aquarium uses a bright plant light, add shaded zones and use a gradual ramp if the unit supports one. Otherwise switch on room lighting before the aquarium and reverse the sequence in the evening. Do not use a sudden bright flash to inspect newly arrived fish.
Wrestling halfbeaks are social fish, but "keep a group" is not permission to crowd the surface. A planned group of around five or more can distribute attention and allow natural interaction in a suitably large aquarium, while the published laboratory example confirms that the fish can be maintained socially. This is a conservative starting point, not an inflexible rule or a promise that every combination will be peaceful.
Sex ratio matters because males can contest space, but this product is sold unsexed. Do not order a precise number expecting a guaranteed one-male-to-several-female arrangement. In a larger established group, watch which fish feed freely and whether any individual is repeatedly driven away. Be prepared to provide more space or separate a persistent aggressor rather than waiting for jaw damage.
A lone fish may appear calm simply because there is no same-species interaction, but absence of visible fighting does not establish an ideal social condition. Conversely, buying a large group for a short tank can create more stress than it solves. Balance social opportunity with surface area, filtration, adult growth and the sex uncertainty of the supplied fish.
This listing carries an eligible quantity-pricing tag. Where the product page shows live multi-buy tiers, the basket applies the displayed saving automatically; care needs should determine the group, not the discount. Never add more fish than the aquarium can support solely to reach a price tier.
Choose companions that use the middle or lower water layers, tolerate the same warm mineral-bearing water and feed without dominating the surface. Peaceful is only the first filter. Compare adult size, temperature, hardness, swimming zone, feeding speed and disease-treatment needs. Our other livebearers collection is useful for browsing, but every candidate still needs an individual compatibility check.
| Candidate type | Assessment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Calm midwater fish with matching water | Often suitable | They leave more of the surface lane available |
| Peaceful bottom fish with matching temperature | Often suitable | Limited spatial competition, provided food reaches them |
| Fast surface feeders | Use caution | Competition can leave halfbeaks underfed without fighting |
| Fin nippers or boisterous barbs | Avoid | They can damage fins and increase startle responses |
| Large predatory fish | Avoid | The halfbeak may be swallowed or injured |
| Tiny fry or ornamental shrimp | Not guaranteed safe | A surface-oriented animal feeder may take very small animals |
| Other territorial surface halfbeaks | Specialist planning only | They compete in the same narrow zone |
Do not use a named species list as a guarantee. Individual behaviour, aquarium shape and feeding routine can change an apparently sensible match. Introduce fish only after comparing care ranges, and monitor the first feeds closely. The surface should not become a continuous rush in which the halfbeaks hit the glass or fail to take food.
Other halfbeak pages are especially helpful for comparison, not automatic cohabitation. Read the Malayan Halfbeak, Liemi Halfbeak, Celebes Halfbeak and Forest Halfbeak listings to compare identity and husbandry. Different genera and trade forms should not be treated as interchangeable simply because their common names contain "halfbeak".
FishBase records worms, crustaceans and insects in the diet of the familiar species, and peer-reviewed digestive work supports a carnivorous tendency. In the aquarium, offer small foods that stay at or near the surface long enough to be seen. Suitable staples can include a quality floating micro pellet or fine flake with appropriate animal protein, supported by small frozen or live invertebrate foods.
Daphnia, Artemia, suitable mosquito larvae and other responsibly sourced small invertebrates can add movement and variety. Use live food from a controlled source rather than collecting from polluted or pesticide-exposed water. There is no need to feed live vertebrate prey. Oversized food can be difficult to handle with the halfbeak's mouth shape, so match each piece to the actual fish delivered.
Start with one or two small feeds per day and watch consumption. The useful portion is what the fish take promptly without leaving an oily film or a trail of food sinking to the substrate. If midwater fish intercept everything, spread a small amount across more than one surface point rather than adding a large single dose. Check that shy or lower-ranking halfbeaks receive food.
| Food | Role | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Floating micro pellet | Measured staple | Choose a size the fish can take without repeated spitting |
| Fine quality flake | Useful prepared option | Offer before it becomes waterlogged and sinks |
| Daphnia or Artemia | Variety and feeding enrichment | Rinse frozen portions and avoid adding thaw water |
| Suitable insect larvae | Naturalistic animal-protein food | Use controlled aquarium-safe sources |
| Large sinking wafers | Poor primary choice | They leave the halfbeak's feeding zone |
| Wild-collected live food | Avoid uncertain sources | Contaminants, parasites and predators may be introduced |
A newly arrived fish may not recognise an unfamiliar dry food immediately. Offer a small, familiar-looking frozen or live invertebrate item, keep the room calm and remove leftovers. Persistent refusal is not solved by repeatedly pouring more food into the tank; verify water quality, temperature, social pressure and mouth condition first.
Observe the aquarium every day. Count fish, confirm that each individual holds position normally, look for jaw or fin damage and watch at least part of a feed. Check the lid after every maintenance session. A problem found while the fish are still alert is easier to correct than one discovered after appetite and posture have deteriorated.
Test water on a schedule appropriate to the aquarium and always after unusual behaviour, a filter interruption, medication or an unexpected death. UK statutory guidance for retail fish systems requires at least weekly water-quality testing and recorded action where values move outside safe conditions. A home keeper may not need formal records, but a simple notebook makes trends visible before they become emergencies.
Change enough water to control measured waste while avoiding abrupt chemistry or temperature shifts. Vacuum accessible debris, trim excessive floating growth and clean the pre-filter before flow falls. Never deep-clean the filter and aquarium simultaneously unless an emergency requires it. Protect mature biological media and use conditioned, temperature-matched replacement water.
| Frequency | Check | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Fish count, posture, breathing, appetite and lid | Investigate any sudden change immediately |
| Weekly or as tests require | Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temperature and pH | Record results and correct the cause, not just the reading |
| Regular partial change | Waste level and replacement-water match | Change gradually with conditioned water |
| As flow declines | Mechanical media and intake | Clean without destroying mature biological media |
| After plant growth | Open feeding lane and gas exchange | Thin floaters while retaining secure shaded cover |
Prepare the aquarium before dispatch. Confirm temperature and water tests, switch off any automatic feeding opening that leaves a gap, and plan a dim, quiet receiving period. Do not buy the fish first and begin cycling the aquarium while it is in transit. A mature system is one in which the biological filter already processes waste reliably.
When the parcel arrives, record a short continuous unboxing video while the outer box and fish bag are still sealed. This protects the evidence needed for a fast Live Arrival Guarantee decision if anything is wrong. Inspect the fish in the bag before opening it and contact us the same day if it is dead, dying or clearly compromised.
Use the acclimation timer alongside the current instructions supplied with the order. Transport water can differ from aquarium water, and a method should account for temperature and chemistry without leaving the fish in opened shipping water unnecessarily. Keep the lid in place as soon as the fish enters the tank.
Leave the lights low for the rest of the arrival period and offer only a small feed once the fish is settled. Do not judge colour on the first day. Watch breathing, balance and jaw condition, then verify water tests if behaviour is not improving. Avoid adding other new fish during the same observation window if you can.
Our full live-fish delivery guide explains dispatch, receiving and packing, while the Live Arrival Guarantee terms set out the same-day claim evidence and replacement-or-refund options. Read both before the parcel is due rather than after a problem occurs.
Wrestling halfbeaks are internally fertilising livebearers. Peer-reviewed work confirms livebearing in D. pusilla, and FishBase reports births of multiple free-swimming young. Those biological facts do not mean this retail fish will breed on demand. Exact species, sex, age, reproductive condition and prior mating history are not guaranteed.
Mature males have a modified anal-fin region used in reproduction, while females tend to become fuller-bodied. Juveniles and stressed fish can be difficult to assess, and the shop does not promise a sex unless a variant expressly identifies one. Never squeeze or net a fish repeatedly to inspect its underside; the risk of jaw impact and stress outweighs an uncertain answer.
A breeding project needs stable warm water, abundant small surface foods, quiet cover and a plan for adult aggression and fry protection. Dense but managed floating vegetation can provide refuge, while an open patch lets fry reach tiny foods. Newly hatched Artemia is supported by published laboratory husbandry for newborn D. pusilla.
Do not state a fixed gestation period or guaranteed brood size for this unverified trade stock. Related halfbeaks can differ in reproductive details, and conditions affect outcomes. Observe the fish in front of you and prioritise female condition, water quality and low stress over trying to force a schedule.
Healthy halfbeaks are alert near the surface, react to appropriate food and maintain controlled posture. Their exposed position makes changes easy to notice if the keeper looks daily. Clamped fins, rapid breathing, repeated crashing, loss of balance, a fish sitting unusually low, refusal of several feeds or visible jaw damage all deserve investigation.
Test water before reaching for medication. Detectable ammonia or nitrite, an overheated aquarium, a blocked filter or a large temperature change can produce symptoms that resemble disease. Correct environmental causes promptly and gradually where possible. Medication cannot compensate for a lid impact, social harassment or chronic poor water.
Jaw injuries require particular care. Remove sharp obstacles, reduce disturbance and separate a persistent aggressor if needed. A fish that cannot take food, develops swelling or deteriorates should be assessed by an experienced aquatic professional or veterinarian. Do not apply salt, antibiotics or copper simply because another aquarium page suggested them; treatment must fit the diagnosis and the other animals present.
Quarantine is valuable when facilities allow it, but a bare, tiny container with unstable water is not automatically safer than a prepared display. A quarantine aquarium needs mature filtration, heat, a lid, suitable cover and the same water-quality discipline as the main tank. Use dedicated equipment where practical and observe the fish without constant capture.
Common names make comparison difficult. White, Silver, Platinum, Gold, Forest, Celebes and Malayan labels may refer to different species, colour trades or supplier groupings. Compare the scientific boundary and care evidence on each product rather than choosing on colour alone.
| Listing | Identity approach | Main decision point |
|---|---|---|
| White Wrestling Halfbeak | Dermogenys cf. pusilla, pale supplier trade stock | Warm mineralised water, secure surface layout and unverified exact species |
| Malayan Halfbeak | Separate Dermogenys product record | Do not assume it is the same consignment under another colour name |
| Liemi Halfbeak | Nomorhamphus liemi | A different genus with its own adult care and social requirements |
| Celebes Halfbeak | Nomorhamphus celebensis | Different named species; compare water and adult-size guidance |
| Forest Halfbeak | Hemirhamphodon trade stock | Different habitat and husbandry should be researched separately |
If your priority is a verified wild locality or breeder line, this is not the right promise: neither is supplied. If your priority is a pale, unusual surface livebearer and you can provide a secure mature aquarium, the White Wrestling Halfbeak is the relevant trade choice. Browse the wider freshwater fish collection if your water, tank shape or experience points to a different species.
Use the live product selector to confirm which size is in stock. The page may show more than one grade even when only one is currently available. Each basket unit is one fish, and no supplier code is needed in the customer-facing title. If the aquarium needs a group, add only the number supported by its mature volume, surface area and filtration.
New customers can enter WELCOME10 at checkout for 10% off their first order. The active sitewide code has no minimum purchase and is limited to one use per customer. Where a compatible automatic multi-buy saving is displayed, Shopify calculates eligibility in the basket; the final checkout is the authority for the applied discount.
Every live fish is covered by the Live Arrival Guarantee when the published receiving conditions are followed. Someone must be available to receive the parcel, inspect it on the day of delivery and make a continuous unboxing video from the sealed outer parcel if a claim is needed. An approved claim can be resolved with a replacement on the next shipment or a full refund to the original payment method.
Questions about the present stock, your water or an order are welcome through the contact page. Send the aquarium dimensions, tested temperature, pH and hardness, current fish and intended quantity. That information is more useful than asking whether the species is "easy" without describing the system.
Dermogenys pusilla is the accepted spelling; pusillus is the older grammatical form still found in supplier and aquarium wording. Because the exact trade fish lacks voucher identification, this listing uses Dermogenys cf. pusilla rather than making a stronger species promise.
Not as a verified claim. White is the supplier's trade-colour description. The stock has not been documented as genetically albino, and the page does not promise red eyes, complete pigment loss or equivalence to products sold elsewhere as Albino or Platinum Halfbeaks.
One quantity includes one unsexed fish in the selected approximate size grade. It does not include a pair, trio or group. Increase the quantity only after checking the aquarium's mature capacity and the social guidance on this page.
Do not treat the 3-4 cm or 4-5 cm sale grade as an adult limit. Published records under the accepted name reach substantially larger than common 5-7 cm shop claims, and the exact trade identity is uncertain. Plan with a long aquarium and room for growth.
For a small planned group, use about 90-100 litres or more and prioritise a footprint around 90 cm long where possible. Larger or male-heavy groups, busy communities and uncertain adult identity justify more space. A secure lid is compulsory.
The supported range is 24-28°C. Around 25-26°C is a practical central target, but a stable tested value within range is preferable to repeated adjustment. Match replacement water and avoid sudden heating or cooling.
Aim for pH 7.0-8.0 and approximately 9-19 dGH. Test both tap and aquarium water. Do not chase a number with rapid chemical dosing; stable neutral-to-alkaline, mineral-bearing water is the objective.
Not as a routine requirement for this listing. Halfbeaks occur across fresh and brackish environments, but this consignment has no verified brackish locality. Keep stable freshwater within the supported range unless reliable stock history or professional advice gives a specific reason to change it.
Yes. They live directly under the surface and can launch through small openings when startled. Fit a close cover, guard cable and pipe gaps, close the feeding hatch and recheck the lid after every maintenance session.
They are not broad aquarium predators, but social conflict can occur, particularly between males contesting the same surface space. Provide length, visual breaks and enough feeding access. Persistent chasing, exclusion or jaw damage means the group needs intervention.
The fish is socially maintained in groups, so a planned group is preferable where space and sex balance allow. A single fish may avoid conflict but does not show the same social opportunity. Do not solve that concern by overcrowding a short or immature tank.
Consider calm midwater or bottom fish that share the same temperature and mineral range without dominating the surface. Avoid fin nippers, large predators, very boisterous feeders and territorial surface species. Compatibility must be assessed for the complete aquarium, not by one common-name list.
Safety cannot be guaranteed. A surface-oriented animal feeder may take very small fry, shrimplets or other suitably sized animals. Do not choose this fish for a breeding aquarium where tiny livestock must survive without separation.
Use small floating prepared foods with suitable animal protein and add controlled-source invertebrate foods such as Daphnia or Artemia for variety. Feed small portions once or twice daily and verify that every halfbeak can reach food before it sinks.
Mature males have a modified anal-fin region associated with internal fertilisation, while females may become fuller-bodied. Juveniles can be difficult to assess. This product is sold unsexed, and no exact ratio or breeding pair is promised.
The one live gallery image is the existing pale stock reference for this product, not a photograph of each individual. Shade and markings vary with fish and lighting. No blocked, unverified render has been added to the Shopify gallery.
Yes. Follow the published receiving conditions, be present for delivery and contact us the same day if a fish arrives dead, dying or clearly compromised. A continuous unboxing video beginning with the sealed parcel provides the clearest evidence for a fast claim.
Yes. New customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off their first order, once per customer. Enter it at checkout and confirm the final total before payment.
This page distinguishes published natural-history evidence from practical retail recommendations. The exact White trade consignment is not a scientific voucher, so evidence under D. pusilla is applied conservatively rather than used to invent locality, lineage or a fixed adult outcome.
For a broader starting point, use our fish care guides and compare the four halfbeak listings linked above. Similar body shapes do not guarantee identical care, and stock status can change independently. Build the final community around tested water, adult requirements and available swimming zones rather than around colour names alone.
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