An organism feeding on mud, or more specifically, other organisms that dwell within the substrate.

The scientific study of freshwaters, particularly lakes and ponds.

Selective inbreeding in order to maintain or favour desired traits in organisms. Common in the ornamental fish hobby and industry.

Continuous lineal descent from a given ancestor; ancestry; the sequence of descendants from an ancestral form.

Measurement of liquid volume, equivalent to a cube measuring 10cm on each side. Standard term for 1000 cc.

Of, relating to, or located on the shore of a sea or lake.

Type of substrate mostly used in marine aquaria collected directly from natural marine habiats and packaged in such a way as to maintain the resident microorganisms.  Significantly reduces the time required to mature a new aquarium.

A fish species exhibiting ovoviviparity or viviparity.

Refers to ‘Los Llanos’, a wide expanse of tropical grassland located east of the Andes mountains in Venezuela and Colombia. Much of the area undergoes significant seasonal fluctuations in water level due to flooding of the Río Orinoco which flows through it.

Possessing a lobe or lobes; lobed.

A curved or rounded projection, division or outgrowth, especially of an anatomical part.

See lobate.

Confined or restricted to a particular place or area.

Running lengthwise.

Of, relating to, or inhabiting actively moving bodies of freshwater. Opposite of lentic.

Crescent-shaped. Sometimes used to describe a caudal fin with a deeply emarginate shape.