Key Features:

Distinctive Appearance: A slender, surface-dwelling fish with an elongated “beak-like” lower jaw characteristic of halfbeaks. The white morph of Dermogenys pusillus shows a pale, silvery-white body with subtle translucency, giving it a clean, almost ghostlike appearance near the water’s surface.
Graceful Swimmer: Constantly glides just beneath the water surface in short, darting movements. Males may display “wrestling” behavior, where they gently spar using their elongated jaws and bodies.
Behavior: Active, surface-oriented, and mildly social. Males can be territorial with each other, especially in confined spaces.

Care Requirements:

Tank Conditions:
Best kept in a well-covered aquarium, as they are excellent jumpers. Ideal temperature is 75–82°F (24–28°C). Prefers slightly hard, neutral to mildly alkaline water with good oxygenation and gentle surface flow. Floating plants are highly beneficial for security and natural behavior.

Diet:
Primarily carnivorous. Feeds on small live or frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, brine shrimp, and finely chopped insects. Will also accept high-quality floating micro pellets or flakes, but live foods enhance health and activity.

Compatibility:
Generally peaceful with other calm mid-to-lower level fish, but best kept either in species groups or with non-aggressive tank mates. Males may spar, so a ratio favoring females or a spacious tank helps reduce tension.

Size and Growth:

Adult Size:
Typically reaches 3–4 cm, with males often slightly slimmer and more elongated than females.

Growth:
Grows steadily under warm, stable conditions with a protein-rich diet. Juveniles develop surface-skimming behavior early, and adult males gradually show more pronounced jaw extension and territorial displays.