Oxeye Herring - Brackish 10cm

Oxeye Herring

The Oxeye Herring is a truly fascinating predatory species known for its impressive size and distinct appearance. Also more commonly referred to as the Indo-Pacific Tarpon, this fish is found in the estuarine and coastal waters stretching from the eastern coast of Africa, through South and Southeast Asia, to Northern Australia. The Oxeye Herring is highly valued among sport fishermen due to its vigorous fighting ability and is equally appreciated by aquarists for its unique physical traits and behaviour.

Adult Oxeye Herrings can reach a formidable length of up to 1 meter out in the ocean although are more commonly caught in the 50 - 60 cm in freshwater. These fish are also the perfect hunter with a streamline body shape, armour like scales, a trap jaw like mouth and large eyes which gives them excellent vision to lock onto a prey fish. These fish are a shimmering silver from head to tail with a slightly darker tone towards the top of the fish. Oxeye herring also sport sharp, pointed fins which gives them the perfect ability to just cut through the water as they swim reaching impressive speeds for their size. It is part of the reason why they are such a popular sports fish since they run with line and jump out of the water when hooked. These fish also live for up to 40 years so they will be a perfect long-term consideration.

Breeding Oxeye Herrings in captivity is extremely challenging and rarely successful due to their size and complex life cycle, which typically involves migration to specific spawning areas in the wild. These fish when mature spend most of their time in full saltwater conditions but can live their whole life in fresh. Breeding these fish would have to be a dedicated task which is likely not achievable or viable for most aquarists.

Tank Recommendations for your Oxeye Herring

Due to their potential size and active nature, Oxeye Herrings require a very large aquarium or pond. A minimum tank size of 2000 litres is recommended for a single adult or pair, with substantial additional space needed for each additional fish. The tank should have a secure lid to prevent escape during their frequent jumping. In the wild these fish are often found in schools; this sort of group setting makes the fish less skittish and less likely to freak out in a captive environment. A sand substrate with minimal pointy obstructions is best for these fish as they can occasionally dart around and smack into things in their way. Keeping the mid to top water column open would be most ideal.

When adult it is ideal to have the water be slightly brackish to full marine, with a salinity that can be gradually adjusted as the fish grows. Whilst this sounds limiting, a lot of the recommended tank mates for this species and tolerate the same conditions. Ideal water temperatures range from 24-28°C, with a pH between 7.5 and 8.5.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Due to their size and dietary preferences, care must be taken when selecting tank mates for the Oxeye Herring. Whilst these fish aren't aggressive in the way a cichlid is, they are predatory and will try to pick off fish that can fit in their mouth. Possible tank mates include other large, robust fish species that can thrive in similar brackish conditions.

Usually Compatible

Small community fish like neon tetras, ember tetras or rasboras, and even livebearers like guppies.

Sometime Compatible

Larger growing african hap cichlids, Central American or South American cichlids which should all work size wise and parameter wise. There is a chance these species can be overly territorial however which can be problematic to the Tarpon in the long run.

Rarely Compatible

Smaller species like rainbowfish or tetras will become a meal. Incredibly aggressive species like Murray cod or predatory marine species like grouper or white tip reef sharks should be avoided.

Feeding your Oxeye Herring

The Oxeye Herring is a predatory fish, primarily feeding on smaller fish in the wild. In captivity, they should be provided with a varied diet consisting of meaty fresh or frozen foods such as shrimp, squid, and smaller fish. They should also take to pellets quite easily so feeding something like a cichlid carnivore pellet would work best. When first introduced however it may take some time for them to start feeding and in rare circumstances the need for live foods may be needed. In this situation it is best to quarantine the live foods before feeding.