CYPRINODONTIDAE CYPRINODONTIDAE (KILLIES, ETC.) The Cyprinodonts (meaning “toothcarps”) flourish in virtually all the world’s tropical inland waters (Australia excepted), with over 500 species in all. They have teeth, and their mouths are oriented upwards to seize prey on or near the surface; some species can even leap out of the water. They dwell in calm, […]
FRESHWATER FISH ATHERINIDAE The Atherinidae are characterized by long, streamlined bodies which immediately suggest their speed and agility in the water. They are preponderantly marine species, with very few inhabiting inland waters. Telmatherina ladigesi Some experts consider that the Celebes rainbowfish belongs to another family: the Telmatherinidae. T. ladigesi lives in shoals, preferring hard water […]
CATFISH Synodontis nigriventris (Mochokidae) The adult of the black-bellied upside-down catfish swims, as the name suggests, belly upwards, while juveniles behave quite normally. A nocturnal, peaceable species, it is omnivorous, but will require a small amount of extra vegetable material. Rarely breeds in captivity. Size: 10cm. Synodontis petricola (Mochokidae) Like S. nigriventris, the […]
FRESHWATER FISH Hypostomus plecostomus (Loricariidae) The pleco feeds on algae, spending the night on the bottom. Once it has reached a certain size, it can become invasive and disturb the decor, so it needs a roomy tank. Size: 20 cm. Ancistrus sp. (Loricariidae) Several species of the bristlenose are sold in commercial outlets […]
CATFISH CORYDORAS SPECIES FOR THE BEGINNER Two robust and sturdy species are particularly recommended to the beginner. The aeneus catfish or bronze catfish (Corydoras aeneus) is rather drab: there is also an albino variety created through artificial selection. As with many Corydoras species, the male’s dorsal and pectoral fins are more pointed than the female’s. […]
FRESHWATER FISH CATFISH Catfish belong to different families, but are all members of the order Siluriformes. They possess barbels, live a solitary life on the bottom, and are mainly twilight species. Not very fussy about water quality, they play a major part in maintaining the balance of the aquarium as they scavenge algae or particles […]
Botia macracantha The clown loach is the most well-known and commercially successful species of the genus Botia. All species are bottomsifters, i.e., they search the substrate for food. None will breed in captivity. A twilight fish, mainly hiding away during the daytime, the clown loach can be aggressive when cramped for space or defending territory. […]
FRESHWATER FISH Other Cyprinidae: Balantiocheilus - Epalzeorhynchus - Tanichthys As well as the groups already mentioned, which arc those most commonly obtainable from commercial outlets, there are a few other species of interest to the amateur aquarist. Epalzeorhynchus kallopterus Tranquil enough - even timid - except with its own species, the flying fox is a […]
Shubukin The dorsal and caudal fins are markedly elongate. Coloration: variegated, with no fixed pattern. Size: 10-15 cm. Japanese veiltail The veiltail has a caudal fin composed of two or three lobes. Size: 10 cm. Though people often confuse koi with goldfish, these are in fact different varieties of carp selected (starting from […]
FRESHWATER FISH Labeos One look at the labeos’ shape reveals that they are bottom-dwellers in fast- flowing water: quite streamlined to minimize current drag, with a flat belly for resting on the bed and barbels for sensing prey on or in the substrate. These fish are primarily “twilight” (nocturnal) species; they are also aggressive toward […]