Results for “fin”

Within this assemblage P. manipurensis is most similar to 'P.' meingangbii and P. padamya by virtue of the fact that males in all three possess orange-red pigmentation on the flanks and caudal-fin. It can be told apart most easily by the fact it possesses a relatively small, spot-like humeral marking, vs. a vertically-elongated, relatively large humeral marking in both the other species.

At one locality in the Kalindhi drainage the water was clear, 1 m at its deepest point and flowing either side of a small check dam, below which the flow was stronger though still not particularly fast. The substrate was composed of rocks and cobbles with a thick layer of fine silt and sand above the dam. There were no aquatic plants but marginal grasses and shrubs were growing to the margins with some submerged roots protruding into the water.

This species is poorly-known in the aquarium hobby and has a confusing taxonomic history having been considered both synonymous with or a subspecies of the congener P. ticto in the past. It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the following combination of characters: lateral line complete with 27 scales (following Day); body with two dark blotches; anterior spot one scale row below lateral line; dorsal-fin with rows of spots.

This species is widely referred to and traded as the congener 'Puntius' narayani (Hora, 1937). The precise identity of the latter is in doubt, however, plus P. setnai possesses a serrated dorsal-fin spine whereas 'P.' It was formerly included in the Puntius conchonius 'group' of closely-related species alongside P. ater, P. bandula, P. conchonius, P. cumingii, P. erythromycter,...

This species is confused with P. ticto in much of the available literature and is sometimes listed as a synonym of it. Although some populations of the two species possess a similar colour pattern (there are reports of a P. ticto variant from the south of West Bengal state in India with a red, black-flecked dorsal-fin, for example) they do not occur in the same waters in nature and can be distinguished by examining the lateral line. This is complete in...

P. interruptus are quite sensitive to water quality and if a high standard is not maintained the development of the males' fins may be impaired and the fish will lose colour. They are also quite an easily frightened fish, particularly if they are not maintained in numbers. This species is most often seen for sale as a fairly drab, greyish 1 1/2" fish and is often overlooked. However once they are settled into the aquarium and have begun to mature they develop spectacular colouration. ...

One of the most popular aquarium fish in the world, the guppy is instantly recognisable to most people. There are many aquarium bred varieties of this species available, most have elongated finnage and gaudy colouration. The wild form is seldom seen for sale. Unfortunately many commercially bred guppies are not very hardy due to inbreeding and over-production and are prone to disease and premature death. We therefore recommend the purchase of quality stock from breeders or society auctions. P. ...

Like the closely related Polycentrus species from South America, with which it is sometimes confused, this fish is camouflaged to mimic a dead leaf, both in body shape and pattern. It can also change colour to match its surroundings. When hunting, it stalks its prey in a head-down stance, appearing to drift towards it like a dead leaf drifting in a current. In reality the fish is propelled by tiny movements of its transparent hind fins. When it strikes at an item of prey, the entire mouth pro...

The genus Prionobrama currently contains only one other valid species, P. paraguayensis. It is very similar in appearance to P. filigera, but lacks any red pigmentation in the caudal fin. It's probably never been imported for the hobby, although it may show up as occasional bycatch amongst shipments of more popular species. P. filigera can be easily distinguished from the "other" bloodfin tetra, Aphyocharax anisitsi by its more elongate body shape and the fact that it exhibits...

Lungfish are among the most intriguing of "oddball" aquarium subjects, being able to survive in the most extreme conditions. They are very ancient fish, having remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. The natural habitat of P. a. annectens is wet for only part of the year and the fish has developed several incredible adaptations in order to counteract this. When the waters begin to recede, the fish will find a suitable nesting site, usually amongst heavy vegetation. Here...

Lungfish are among the most intriguing of "oddball" aquarium subjects, being able to survive in the most extreme conditions. They are very ancient fish, having remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. Some of the natural habitats of P. dolloi are wet for only part of the year, and it has developed several incredible adaptations in order to counteract this. When the waters begin to recede, the fish will find a suitable nesting site, usually amongst heavy vegetation. Here ...

Rarely seen in the hobby, P. nicholsi is a stunning but pugnacious little fish that is nevertheless well worth seeking out. Some males develop long extensions to the ventral fins.

It appears that this species has not yet appeared in the western hobby, probably because commercial fish collections don't normally take place in its native waters although the goby Rhinogobius zhoui has been available occasionally. We're unable to provide details of distinguishing characters since no diagnostic key to the genus exists in English at time of writing, but based on the images available it does appear to possess reddish dorsal and caudal fins. The specimens pictured were i...

This species is also traded as 'forktail rainbowfish' or 'yellow forktail', and it's also undergone several changes in scientific name since description. Pseudomugil furcatus is the original designation, but Allen (1980) created the genus Popondetta for it on the basis of morphological characters including number of anal-fin rays (16-20 in P. furcatus, 8-12 in other Pseudomugil spp.), absence of anterior...

This species is most easily told apart from its only congener P. dayi by lacking (vs. possessing) two dark, irregular lateral stripes on the head and body, and a shorter caudal-fin in males. The results of phylogenetic analyses by Rüber et al. (2006) suggest that Pseudosphromenus is most closely-related to Malpulutta in an evolutionary sense.

This common mbuna also goes by the names "Eduard's mbuna" and "Pindani". It is one of the most popular Rift Lake cichlids in the hobby due to its striking colouration and somewhat peaceful nature (for a mbuna). Wild fish can now be quite difficult to find, as the vast majority of specimens offered for sale are tank-bred. An albino form exists in aquaria and has achieved a fair degree of popularity. A highly recommended beginner's mbuna....

Pterophyllum leopoldi can be differentiated from other members of the genus by the presence of up to 11 vertical stripes on the body, though often only the 3 largest, boldest stripes can be seen. This species also shows a dark patch over the operculum. In adult specimens, a red/maroon hue over the back and fins is characteristic of the species, leading some to believe the most colourful natural form Angelfish. The name-sake roman nose possessed by the fish is also very distinctive and used as a meristic feature.

This species is almost unheard of in the aquarium hobby outside of India but is maintained by some private collectors. It's distinguished from similar species by possessing a single pair of maxillary barbels, a relatively elongate body, and distinctive black spot above the anterior anal-fin base. The genus Puntius was for a number of years viewed as a polyphyletic catc...

This species is uncommon in the aquarium trade which is a little surprising given its huge natural range. Different populations can vary in colour pattern to an extent though all share the defining aspects given by Hamilton, comprising a diffuse yellow-golden marking on the operculum plus a dark spot on the caudal peduncle. The latter is usually surrounded by a variably-sized golden-yellow margin, and the dorsal-fin often contains irregular dark spots and streaks, these sometimes forming a longitudinal band.

It can be told apart from similar-looking congeners such as P. crescentus and P. muzaffarpurensis by the following combination of characters: barbels absent; lateral line incomplete with up to 5 pored scales; 20-22 lateral line scales; 8 predorsal scales; dorsal-fin with a vertically-orientated black streak and a black tip with orange markings; a dark spot at the base of the caudal peduncle.