Biajaca (Nandopsis Tetracanthus), endemic fish species of Cuba

Scientific name: Nandopsis Tetracanthus
Common name (english): Biajaca
Common name (spanish): Biajaca

Biajaca (Nandopsis Tetracanthus) endemic species of Cuba, is present in rivers and streams of quick course, outlets and bays to all the long of the national territory of Cuba including the bordering keys , for what its tolerance to the salted water is very high. Is also present in lagoons and reservoirs, watering channels, etc.

The Cuban Biajaca is a fish that some years ago was common in all the imaginable biotopes of fresh water and brackish, but in the latest decade has been displaced by the Oreochromis mosambicus (Tilapia) that has been indiscriminately introduced for human consumption in Cuba. At the moment many populations enjoy good health, although others have disappeared totally.

The Biajaca has a robust body, laterally tablet, with caudal fin something rounded and dorsal and anal fins something bigger and pointed in males. Mouth tremendously protactil. It can grow up to 30cm in the males, although some Biajacas of 40 and 45cm are reported in wild state. In aquariums they don't usually exceed the 20-25cm.

Biajaca is of color gray clear with reflections in blued and the back in green olive , with reticulaciones and ocelos in dark brown and black. The fins are usually yellowish or green depending of the gender. Biajaca has a nuptial attractive color where the fins turn dark with red borders and iridescent points. The eyes can be reddish mainly in young specimens.

The sexual differences that are appreciated in Biajaca (Nandopsis Tetracanthus) reside mainly in the biggest size in the males, as well as in the dorsal and anal fins that they have largest and pointed than females. The females spread to have a more delicate coloration than male and they don't have the convexity in the forehead that usually characterizes them when they have a very mature age.

The Biajaca (Nandopsis Tetracanthus) can eat flakes, sticks and pellets of all type, besides alive or frozen food and homemade paps. It is important to add some vegetable contribution to their diet, it could be some fruit (apple, banana, peach) piece, and to keep in mind that it is a depredador, for that needs to provide at least 3 or 4 times a month, small fishes, crustaceans or worms, it also accepts willingly insects like crickets, flies, etc.