The Dermogenys pussilus resides exclusively at the surface. The length of the fish is up to about 8 cm. The males are smaller and are more slender than the females.

In an aquarium we can enjoy these fish after a short period of getting used to. In terms of food they eat a large portion of any food but we should try to take time feeding them fruit flies loose on the surface, then the true nature of the fish will come above.

We must be sure that they get enough food as they are not able to get sunk food from the bottom because of their special jaw. Best to keep them at a temperature of about 25 ° C in a large tank with plenty of surface space. In a small aquarium they can easily break the lower jaw by shock reaction after which it will not grow back.

Malayan halfbeak throw live young and if we provide some floating plants it is likely that some of the young will be left over if we do not have predatory fish. Although the majority of the albino form come from breeding facilities (1338),we also offer the wildcaught version (1336).