This is the type species of the genus, fairly ubiquitous in the aquarium trade, and represents an excellent choice for the newcomer to fishkeeping since it’s less demanding than most congeners. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘Beckford’s pencil fish’ or ‘brown pencilfish’.

Don’t worry if your fish look different when you switch on the aquarium lights after dark or in the morning as like most Nannostomus species it assumes a cryptic, vertically-barred colour pattern at ni…

Unfortunately the prisitine environment form where this fish comes is being threatened by overfishing (much of it for the aquarium trade) and industry, with an oil development being built at one end of the lake during the 1990s. M. lacustris has therefore been given "vulnerable" status on the IUCN red list. The lake was designated a Wetland of International Importance in 1998, as both it and the Kikori Basin where it lies contain some of the earth's greatest biodiversity in terms …

This beautiful rainbow is not often seen in the hobby. It can be identified by the fact that the middle rays in the dorsal and anal fins are longer than the other fin rays. This feature is usually associated with the closely-realated Glossolepis genus of rainbowfish….

Also known as the stinging or fossil catfish, H. fossilis is not recommended to the inexperienced due to its venomous nature. The venom is contained in sacs at the base of the pectoral spines. A sting from one of these is very painful indeed, in some very rare cases fatal. It goes without saying that extreme care must be exercised when performing tank maintenance, or if you need to move the fish for any reason. If stung, the wound should be immersed in water as hot as you can stand, as this will…

A hardy and easy to keep cichlid, albeit a moderately aggressive one.

Rarely available in aquatic stores, this fish is occasionally available through specialist cichlid dealers.

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.

One of the more beautifull-coloured rainbowfish available when mature, M. herbertaxelrodi is probably at risk from overfishing, but not enough data is available to consider it an endangered species as yet….

This uniquely-shaped rainbow is an uncommonly seen species in the hobby, mainly because it hails from such a remote area in Australia. It is currently listed on the IUCN list of threatened species as being at risk, so all attempts at captive spawning are to be encouraged….

Also known as the Murray River or crimson-spotted rainbowfish, this species is not as common in the hobby as some of its relatives, but can still be found from time to time. It is easily confused with the very similar M. duboulayi, indeed these two were once grouped together as a single species. However, there are clear differences in patterning, fin ray counts and the way in which their eggs and fry develop.

The range of M. fluviatilis extends further south than any other rainbowfish, and a…

An attractive, if aggressive Madagascan cichlid. Not commonly available in the UK, it can occasionally be obtained through cichlid enthusiasts aor specialist dealers.