Platinum Halfbeak

🐟 Platinum Halfbeak (Dermogenys pusilla morph)

Common Name: Platinum Halfbeak
Adult Size: 2.5–3 inches
Lifespan: 3–5 years

🔹 Temperament & Behavior

• Generally peaceful, though males can be territorial.
• Surface-dwellers; enjoy staying near the top of the tank.
• Best kept in small groups with more females than males.

🔹 Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: 20 gallons minimum
• Water Parameters:
• Temp: 75–82 °F (24–28 °C)
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Hardness: 10–20 dGH
• Setup: Provide floating plants for cover and open surface area for swimming. Tight-fitting lid required — excellent jumpers!

🔹 Tankmates

• Best with peaceful mid-to-bottom dwellers: Corydoras, rasboras, tetras, dwarf gouramis.
• Avoid fin-nippers and aggressive fish.

🔹 Diet

• Carnivore/omnivore.
• Eats floating foods: flakes, floating pellets, freeze-dried/frozen/live (bloodworms, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae).
• Feed small portions often since they prefer frequent meals.

🔹 Breeding

• Livebearer (like guppies, but fewer fry per batch).
• Gestation ~4 weeks; females give birth to 10–20 fry.
• Provide dense floating plants for fry to hide.

✨ Fun fact: The Platinum Halfbeak is prized for its shimmering silver-white “platinum” body and long beak-like lower jaw, making it a unique showpiece fish for surface layers.