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 […]
Widely distributed over the planet the Cyprinidae (barbs, danios, rasboras, labeos, carp, etc.) form one of the largest freshwater families, with more than 2,000 species. The smallest species - only a few centimeters in length - are very well known and extremely popular with hobbyists. The largest, which can grow up to 1 m in […]
Leporinus striatus (Anostomidae) The striped leporinus is an omnivorous species, but requires extra vegetable material. Its size and aggressiveness require it to be kept in a large, covered tank, as it is capable of leaping out of the water. Size: 20-25 cm. Metynnis argenteus (Serrasalmidae) The silver dollar closely resembles the piranha, but […]
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 […]
The emperor tetra swims in small shoals, sometimes hiding in the vegetation. The males, more brightly colored than the females, can be mutually aggressive. This is not a prolific species, and breeding is awkward. Size: 5-6 cm. Prionobrama filigera The glass bloodfin is a topfeeder which hangs around the filter outlet. It can […]
The Loreto tetra, little commercialized, remains relatively unknown. It thrives and breeds best in shady, peat-filtered water. Size: 4-5 cm. CHARACINS FOR THE BEGINNER Breeding from this family is not always something for the beginner, though day-to-day care is not particularly difficult. We suggest the novice try two species: Hemigrammus ocellifer The head- and tail-light […]
Anoptichthys jordani As a result of geological upheavals, the blind cave tetra found itself trapped in a number of subterranean rivers in Mexico. Over the course of time it lost the use of its eyes, but it can still find its food on the riverbed, thanks to its sense of smell. The sensory organs of […]