Results for “common name”

This species is also sold under the vernacular names 'golden Chinese loach' and '12-banded Chinese loach'. Along with S. pulchra it's the most commonly-traded member of the genus, and the two are often imported in mixed batches, presumably because they occur and are thus collected together in nature.

This species is uncommon in the aquarium hobby, although the scientific name is widely misapplied to Barbodes dunckeri, a similar-looking species native to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore commonly referred to as 'clown barb' and labelled as B. everetti in the majority of available literature. The two are quite easy to tell apart, with B. everetti an overall less...

There is considerable confusion surrounding the identity of B. bagarius with its name having been widely applied to a relatively small species that is said to reach only 200 mm SL and considered to be common in northern India and much of Indochina.

Also known popularly as the rubbernose plecs, Chaetostoma species are seen for sale quite often these days. This is one of the more commonly seen, and provided its needs are adequately met, is a very hardy little fish. There's a bit of mystery surrounding its true identity, hence the species name, and it's sometimes misidentified in shops. The true L187 is currently known as Chaetostoma pearsei, and is a white-spotted fish. When buying Loricariids such as this always check the fish ...

This species is traded under several names of which others include 'sharp-nosed gourami', 'moonlight chocolate gourami', 'black-lined chocolate gourami' and 'black-tailed chocolate gourami', though it's far from common in the hobby. Its unique colour pattern makes it difficult to confuse with any of the three other members of the genus even in the absence of meristic data.

This species is very similar to Hemiancistrus subviridis in appearance and the two occur sympatrically in nature, although B. demantoides is less common in the aquarium trade. Both have been marketed under the DATZ code L200 with B. demantoides sometimes referred to as 'L200 high-fin' or 'L200a', the former name in reference to its comparatively long dorsal-fin spine (average length in the type series 42.1 mm vs. 34.3 mm in H. subviridis).

The name of this fish is unclear with the fact that diagnoses for several members of this genus do not appear to exist in the English language making identification even trickier. It's not common in the aquarium trade, either.

There are currently 25 described species in the genus Nannocharax, these forming a monophyletic group with members of the very similar Hemigrammocharax. None can be described as particularly common in the hobby but N. brevis and N. fasciatus are the most often seen. They are notoriously tricky to identify though, and it's quite possible that more than two species are being sold under these names. In nature these fish occupy a similar ecological niche to the South American darter characi...

One of the commonest Synos seen for sale, S. nigriventris is occasionally confused with S. contractus. However, on close inspection the species are easy to tell apart as S. nigriventris lacks the large head and mouth and larger eye of S. contractus. The scientific name nigriventris refers to the fact that the belly of this fish is darker than the dorsal area. This is a form of camouflage, making the fish harder to spot by predators above, such as predatory fish, birds etc. It is a basic re...

There are a few different colour forms of this lovely suckermouth available, each of which possess varying amounts of orange patterning in the fins. Some of these are given extravagant sounding names such as "dragon fin" or "tiger fin". What's nice about this species, is that these flashes of colour don't fade with age, as with many of its relatives, making for a striking fish when fully grown. Leporacanthicus species are commonly referred to as "vampire ple...

An attractive, if uncommonly seen cichlid. In common with many Central American cichlids, these fish can pose in a challenge in terms of accomodation and it not uncommon to end up having to house these fish individually. Previously described as cichlasoma regani, it is still occasionally sold under this name.

This species is also traded/referred to by the vernacular name 'Ceylon fighting fish'. It differs from its only congener, B. hasselti, by its overall reddish (vs. brownish-grey) body colouration, and absence (vs. presence) of a mosaic-like patterning in the unpaired fins. At least three putative phenotypes have been recorded. The nominative, and commonest, mostly inhabits clear streams in rainier zones...

R. borapetensis is one of the more commonly-encountered rasboras in stores and is particularly recommended for newcomers to the hobby. While it can appear a little plain or 'washed' of colour when seen on sale once settled and in good condition it is an eye-catching little fish that often schools quite closely. It's sometimes sold with the alternative trade names of black-line or magnificent rasbora. R. rubrodorsalis is a very similar-looking congener that occurs sympatrically...

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...

Previously referred to as Pangasius sutchi, this is the commonest of the Pangasiid catfish seen in the aquatic trade. It's usually seen for sale as a cute silvery-blue 2-3" youngster, most often without adequate information regarding its long term care requirements and potential size. Unfortunately this means it makes it's way into many a beginner's community tank, as it's undeniably attractive when small. The use of common names such as the one stated here don't he...

This species is common in the hobby and also sold as 'skunk botia' or 'Hora's loach', the latter in reference to Botia horae Smith, 1931, currently considered a synonym of Y. morleti. It's similar in appearance to the rarely-seen Y. longidorsalis but can be told apart by the fact it has a dark stripe running over the dorsal surface (this giving rise to the vernacular name 'skunk loach') which is lacking in its relative. The two can be further separated...