• Scientific name: Microctenopoma fasciolatum
• Synonyms: Anabas fasciolata, Anabas fasciolatus filamentosa, Ctenopoma fasciolatum
• Common name: Banded ctenopoma
• Group: Labyrinth fishes
• Habitat:Africa; Cameroon and Congo
• Size: 8 cm
• Biotope: Inhabits in clear water with lots of surface vegetation.
• Social behavior: A generally peaceful species, but males can be territorial with each other.
• Diet: Omnivorous; Live and frozen foods are accepted.
• Breeding: Quite hard
• Tank: Minimum 80 litres
• Population: 1 pair for 100 litres
• Decoration: Prefers a densely planted tank with some floating vegetation. Cover their tank well, as they are excellent jumpers.
• Temperature: 24-28 °C
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Hardness: 4-20 NK°
• Lifespan: 5-8 years

Description: The base color of Microctenopoma fasciolatum is brownish-yellow with 8-12 dark vertical stripes on each side and there is a blue patch on the gill cover. The dorsal and anal fins on male are greatly extended similar to those of the Paradise Fish. Female has less color.

Banded ctenopoma is a bubblenest builder. Breeding is possible in soft (2-4 °dGH), slightly acidic (pH 6.5) water with a temperature around 28 °C. The male builds a bubblenest among the floating plants or under a broad leaf. Spawning occurs under the nest: the male embraces the female’s body with his own body while the eggs and sperm are released. The 500-700 eggs hatch in around 24-36 hours, and the fry become free-swimming in another 2-3 days. The parents should be removed after hatching. The fry are tiny and should be fed with infusoria or brine shrimp nauplii.