Results for “sp.”

This species was previously considered to be a subspecies of R. nagoyae but has generally been accepted as distinct since 2008. It can be told apart from other Rhinogobius spp. from Taiwan by presence of irregular, wavy, reddish brown lines on the cheek and opercle.

S. daemon is relatively common in the aquarium trade but is by no means easy to maintain, with particular attention to space, diet, water quality, and chemistry required in order for it to thrive. It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by possessing two dark blotches on the flank and a prominent ocellus at the caudal-fin base. Among the named species it is most similar to...

Recent genetic research has revealed there to be a possibility that although S. mapiritensis is genetically distinct from S. leucosticta, it may turn out to be conspecific with S. jurupari and S. rhynchitis. There appears to be no clear genetic separation between these three putative species nor a form known to aquarists as S. sp. 'Negro-Alto Orinoco' which replaces S. mapiritensis in the middle and upper Orinoco, Casiquiare Canal, and upper rio Negro.

There appears to be some discrepancy between Smith's original description and Kottelat (1990) in that Smith states the fish is a member of a group of species lacking an ocellus at the upper caudal-fin base, whereas Kottelat mentions the presence of 'a black spot at upper extremity of caudal-fin base, surrounded by a whitish area'.

This popular species was previously imported and classified as Sciaenochromis ahli, and is still named as such in much of the available literature. Many morphs exist, although males of all these exhibit the characteristic blue colouration, differing only in fin colouration and patterning. These should not be mixed in aquaria as they will hybridise. Extra care must be taken regarding tankmates, too, as male S. fryeri have been known to spawn with females of other genera, particularly Aulonoca...

Fish sold under the name S. zonata are sporadically available in the aquarium trade but the majority appear to be the congener S. octozona. The genus currently contains just three members all of which are known only from the Mekong basin. S. octozona is the type species and separ...

A number of sources state that S. brandtii can be identified by the relatively anterior position of the anal-fin origin beneath the first few dorsal-fin rays. However, images of specimens collected from the rio São Francisco, where it is the only member of the genus present, suggest that this is not always the case and this is also supported by the figure from Eigenmann (1915). No recent diagnosis of the species is available.

S. maculatus is one of the better choices for aquarists new to this group of fishes. It grows to a manageable size, is relatively hardy, attractive and usually quite inexpensive. It's sometimes referred to by the alternative vernacular names "gold piranha" or "golden mac" in the hobby. There are in excess of 30 described species of Serrasalmus many of which appear superficially similar and have confusing taxonomic histories. S. maculatus and S. spilopleura have often ...

This species appeared in the trade during 2010 and its identity has been confirmed to us by Thai exporter and aquarist Kamphol Udomritthiruj who collects it from the Se Kong system for the aquarium hobby. To date only subadult specimens have reached the western market.

This species is rarely-seen in the trade due to a relative lack of commercial exports from the middle Yangtze basin. It looks very similar to S. pulchra but can be told apart by the fact it lacks irregular, brownish markings and spots on the side of the head (vs. present in S. pulchra), and like most congeners it has a highly flexible, sinuous body which makes it very interesting to observe.

This species is a relatively recent addition to the hobby but considering the number of specimens allowed to be collected for scientific research is highly restricted by the Taiwanese Council for Agriculture it seems odd that it's become available at all. Indeed it appears that those in the trade are collected and exported on an illegal basis (T-Y Liao, pers. comm.)...

This species is probably the most common member of the genus in the aquarium trade but still not often exported in numbers. Instead it's more often found in mixed shipments of other wild-collected fishes from southern China, particularly Beaufortia or Pseudogastromyzon spp. It may appear superficially simi...

This species probably hasn't been seen in the trade yet but should make an interesting aquarium fish if it ever becomes available. Within the genus it's most similar to S. surrufus and S. mele from which it differs only in terms of meristics. In description it's distinguished from the former only by possession of more teeth in the upper jaw although images of live specimens depict S. surrufus as a more intensely-coloured, reddish fi...

This species is rare in the aquarium trade and normally expensive when available. It's one of the most easily-identifiable in the genus by the combination of usually 14 pectoral-fin rays, 10 segmented second dorsal-fin rays, relatively small adult size, unique colouration in males and the shape of the first dorsal-fin in males in which the fourth and fifth spines are...

This species was described from a single specimen and included in the genus Leporinus until 2011 at which point the holotype was examined and recognised as corresponding to the fish described as Synaptolaemus cingulatus (Myers & Fernández-Yépez, 1950).

This species is very similar in appearance to S. berdmorei which is native to India and Myanmar, and has been widely mislabelled under that name in older aquarium literature. The two can appear identical on first glance but there are some notable differences, most obviously possession of 9-10 branchedrays in S. beauforti vs. 11-14 in S. bermorei, and the fact that even young specimens of S. beauforti exhibit laterally-orientated rows of small, dark markings running across the ...

This species is sometimes confused with S. hymenophysa, native to the Greater Sunda Islands and Peninsular Malaysia, but differs in several ways, the most immediately identifiable of which are possession of small, irregular, dark markings in the lower half of the body and lack of a dark spot in the dorsal-fin. It also has 10-12 vertical body bars...

Often confused with the similar S.nigriventris, this species is imported infrequently. It is easily distinguished from nigriventris by its larger eyes and broad mouth and head. These features give rise to the common name "Big-nosed upside-down catfish". S. contracta spends the majority of its time swimming in an inverted position and this, along with its exaggerated facial features,make it a characterful and interesting addition to the community aquarium. It is also known as the Bug-e...

One of the most popular and commonly seen Synos in the hobby, S. eupterus is usually offered for sale as a small (1-3") juvenile with no information regarding its potential size. These young fish are often sold as Synodontis "Network" due to their attractive reticulated patterning. This patterning breaks up as the fish mature and adult specimens have a simple spotted colouration. The characteristic 'feathered' dorsal also develops with age, with the first few rays develo...

This is one of the most common Synos seen in dealers' tanks and is often incorrectly labelled "Upside-down catfish". The true upside-down catfish is S. nigriventris and S. nigrita inverts far less frequently than that species although it does often rest in this position. Moreover, S. nigrita grows far larger than S. nigriventris and it is a common sight to see several adult specimens in shops that have been returned by unsuspecting owners. S. nigrita is often confused with the...