Results for “species”

The Iranian Plateau is home to a diverse group of Aphanius with four species already described and several awaiting description. These are among the most ancient in the genus having divereged away from a common ancestor around 20 - 24 million years ago. Among them this species is most closely related to A. sophiae from the Kor River system but can be distinguished by differences in patterning. Males of A. sophiae lack the characteristic darkcolouration seen in A. vladykovi and females possess a ...

This is one of only 4 described species of Euchilichthys (although more have been discovered) and is very rare in the hobby. It can be distinguished from similar Chiloglanis species by its elliptical (as opposed to circular) mouthparts and larger adult size. Unlike the South American Loricariids, it lacks armoured scuting on the body....

One of the more commonly-traded members of the genus and often found in mixed shipments which may contain other Gastromyzon spp. or related fishes like Beaufortia kweichowensis. These are typically labelled 'Borneo sucker', 'Hong Kong pleco', 'butterfly loach', etc. regardless of species. It's sometimes misidentified as G. punctulatus, a species not currently traded which possesses yellow finnage and a lighter-coloured, less-intensely spo...

Despite its designation as type species this is among the most frequently-misidentified members of the genus. This is in part because its natural distribution was earlier considered even more extensive than the still-substantial range recognised today, with populations from the Río Orinoco, Guianas and rio Tocantins now recognised as species in their own right.

This species is very rarely-traded since collections of fishes for commercial purposes aren't common in Suriname. It's a member of the nominal G. surinamensis 'group' of closely-related species within the genus and can be identified by a combination of characters including: no dark preopercular marking; six vertical/parallel bars on each flank (normally visible only when the fish are stressed, spawning or preserved); dark, squarish lateral spot positioned within the third vertical bar; sixth (posterior) bar elongate an...

This species is very rare in the aquarium hobby and may never have been available on a commercial basis although it has been collected, bred and distributed by some private collectors. It's a member of the putative G. surinamensis 'group' of closely-related species within the genus and ca...

Although only described in 2006 this species has been known in the hobby since at least 1988 when it was imported to Germany and traded as G. sp. 'Parnaíba'. An undescribed species from the rio Pindaré in Maranhão state usually sold as G. sp. 'Pindaré' is sometimes labelled G. sp. 'Pindaré' (Parnaíba) which has resulted in some confusion but the two do not occur sympatrically and are totally distinct from one another.

This species lends its name to the 'G.' steindachneri, an assemblage of closely-related species with unresolved generic placement which currently also includes 'G.' crassilabris and 'G.' pellegrini. It exists in a number of colour forms which vary with locality, some of which may eventually be described as separate taxa. Some of these may appear on trade lists under the synonym Geophagus hondae.

Also known as the salmon-red or New Guinea rainbowfish, this is one of the most popular rainbows in the hobby. Unfortunately, the colouration of today's mass-bred specimens is not even close to the spectacular wild fish. If you can find wild specimens they are well worth it.

Lake Wanam has been the subject of a management project co-ordinated by famous aquarist Heiko Bleher, who became concerned by an apparent drop in numbers of both this species and the barred rainbowfish (Chilatherina fasciata), which is also found in the lake. The drop in numbers is thought to be a result of the introduction of non-native Tilapia, Gambusia and carp species into the lake, along with a significant increase in the number of humans living in the area. G. wanamensis is now considered ...

This species was originally classified in the genus Limnochromis. There are a couple of colour morphs available and these should not be mixed in aquaria, as they may hybridise. In nature, this fish feeds in a similar way to Geophagus species, in that it will sift sand through its gills to extract invertebrates hidden in the substrate. It is a deep water fish and has been recorded foraging at depths of up to 200 metres. These movements seem to be related to the presence of the plankton on which...

G. niloticus is the only species in its genus and is utterly unique. Unlike other knifefish it has an extended dorsal rather thangiving rise to the alternative common name of upside-down knifefish. Despite this common name, it is actually more closely related to the Mormyrid group of species. It is a truly beautiful sight in motion despite its lack of bright colours, as it can move in virtually any direction with ease using its undulatingto 'steer'. It also produces a weak electrical d...

This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. All the fish sold in the trade have been captive bred and as such are unfussy regarding water chemistry and diet. The intense black colouration of juveniles does fade as they grow, but adult fish provide a subtle contrast to most other commonly kept species. It goes by several common names, including 'butterfly tetra', 'black skirt tetra' and simply '...

Not a good beginner's species, due to its very respectable adult size, but it makes a stunning oddball addition to communities of larger fish. It's sensitive to many aquarium medications, particularly those containing copper. The genus Gymnotus has undergone considerable taxonomic revision in recent years, with over 20 new species being described since 1994, including several that were originally considered to be G. carapo. The systematics of the genus are still not fully understood...

This beautiful species is critically endangered in nature but is not that rare in the hobby being quite easily bred. Many sources refer to it by the invalid scientific name Astatotilapia latifasciata and may also be seen for sale as Haplochromis sp. "zebra obliquidens" or H. obliquidens. Sadly it's thought that the latter fish has never even been exported and is extinct in nature. Furthermore, H. obliquidens is a Victorian species and does not even inhabit the same lake as H. l...

This species appears to be unknown in the aquarium trade but is a valued food fish within its native range. Hemibagrus has been divided into a number of putative species groups which may or may not represent monophyletic assemblages, and following a major review by Ng and Kottelat (2013) H. filamentus is included in the H. nemurus group.

This species is relatively common in the aquarium trade but has been widely misidentified as the congener H. nemurus which is native to Java and may never have been exported for ornamental purposes. Hemibagrus has been divided into a number of putative species groups which may or may not rep...

This is the species most commonly sold as 'rummy-nose tetra' in aquatic outlets. A selectively-bred "golden" variant has also been produced by commercial breeders and is available from time-to-time. The natural form is very similar to both the "true" rummy-nose, Hemigrammus rhodostomus and the 'false' rummy-nose, Petitella georgiae in appearance. The 3 species can distinguished by several factors. The first is by the extent to which the red colouration...

This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping, being both hardy and inexpensive. There is a selectively-bred albino form that has been produced for the trade and has become popular in recent years. Care for this is identical to the standard form. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 spe...

This is the 'real' rummy-nose. The species most often sold as such is, in fact, the firehead tetra, H. bleheri. These 2 are very similar in appearance, as is the 'false' rummy-nose, Petitella georgiae. The 3 species can distinguished by several factors. The first, is by the extent to which the red colouration on the head of the fish extends into the body. H. bleheri is the only one of the 3 in which the red extends beyond the gill covers. The amount of red colouration on ...