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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
FAMILIES RELATED TO THE CHARACIDAE Lebiasinidae - Gasteropelecidae - Serrasalmidae - Anostomidae Afew fish with certain anatomical resemblances to Characidae are found in hobbyists’ tanks. In the wild they are native to South America, living in soft, acidic waters. The Lebiasinidae (pencilfish) are top-dwellers and can leap out of the water. The high position of […]