A bentho-pelagic species occurring in rain forest areas. Has an accessory breathing organ so can tolerate low oxygen levels. It has a very large mouth and is a sit-and-wait predator. Polycentropsis abbreviata exhibits male parental care (Britz 1997). In captivity, 100-200 eggs (diameter 1.3-1.4 mm) are preferentially attached to the underside of floating leaves. After spawning the male builds a foam-nest below the leaf covering the eggs in air bubbles. Bubbles are produced by taking air into the mouth and releasing bubbles through the gill cover. Eggs hatch after 120 h (at 27°C). Larvae adhere to the nesting site with a multicellular attachment organ on top of their head. They are guarded by the male until they leave the nest around 24 h after hatching. Yolk sac is reabsorbed and larvae start to swim free on the second day after hatching.

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Year Assessed

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No information available.

Unknown

Oil exploration and land degradation due to impacts of deforestation, urban and agricultural developments. Also potentially threatened by exploitation for the aquarium trade.

None known. More research is needed into this species population range and numbers and biology and ecology. Conservation measures should be addressed, including habitat conservation and restoration, and population trends should be monitored.