Freshwater needlefish (Xenentodon cancila) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Freshwater garfish, Silver needlefish, Asian freshwater needlefish, Needlenose halfbeak, Freshwater gar
Family
Belonidae (needlefishes)
Origin
South and South-East Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand, east to the Mekong and Malay Peninsula.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
35 cm
Temperature
18–30°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Medium to hard, about 2–15 dGH
Minimum tank
324 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

A long, thin surface predator with a beak full of sharp teeth. It reaches 30–35 cm, so it needs a large tank. Surface area matters most: aim for at least 180 × 60 cm with water at least 30 cm deep. The litre figure given here is an estimate from those dimensions. Young fish shoal and are best kept in a group of four or more. It is nervous and can jump or dash into the glass when startled, so a tight-fitting lid is essential, and lights should not be switched on suddenly in a dark room. Leave a long open swimming area at the surface with some floating or tall plants at the edges. It is often called a brackish fish, but it normally lives in fresh water and does not need salt. Keep it at 18–30 °C, pH 6–8, in moderately soft to hard water, with good filtration. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/xenentodon-cancila/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Xenentodon-cancila.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenentodoncancila). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A strict predator of small fish and insects. Young fish will take bloodworm and chopped prawn; adults need strips of fish, whole prawns and live river shrimp. Live insects such as crickets are also taken. Many will not eat dried foods.

Breeding

Rarely bred in aquariums. In the wild it spawns from May to September. Warm water of 28–29 °C and cooler water changes may trigger spawning. Females lay eggs a few at a time, attached to plants by sticky threads, and they hatch in 7–10 days.

Compatibility and tank mates

Surprisingly peaceful with anything too large to swallow, but any small fish will be eaten. Choose robust, mid- to bottom-dwelling fish too big to fit in its mouth, such as larger barbs, loaches and catfish. Avoid other surface fish that compete for space.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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