This species is among the more frequently-traded members of the genus, although confusion regarding its identification and natural distribution is commonplace and it’s often misidentified as B. nunus or B. xanthozonus.

It can be diagnosed as follows: <30 lateral scales; one black band on head, three on body; first black band on body overlapping first dorsal fin to the extent that almost all fin, except a narrow margin, is black, and beginning opposite centre of opercle...

This delightful little species can be distinguished from others in the genus by its elongated pectoral spines. It, and others in the genus (and also the closely related genus Erithistes), also go by the common name of moth catfish due to their patterning and shape when viewed from above….

One of the largest goby species in the world, O. marmoratus is unsuitable for the vast majority of aquaria, but is an interesting oddball for the true enthusiast with the facilities to house it properly. It is a nocturnal ambush predator and generally remains motionless during daylight hours unless striking at food. It is a popular food fish in some of its native countries, where it is known as soon hock….

This species is considered endangered across its native range, but has recently begun to appear in the hobby a little more often as a result of commercial farming. It's still by no means common though. Superficially it looks very similar to the much commoner Northern purple spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda mogurnda), but can be distinguished by the presence of only 30-36 scales along its lateral line, (as opposed to 37-48 in M. mogurnda), and a higher degree of red spotting in the second dorsal fi…

A good species of gudgeon for the beginner, being tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, hardy and easily bred. We've even seen them spawning in dealer's tanks on more than one occasion. It's easily confused with the similar looking, but rarer Southern purple spotted gudgeon, Mogurnda adspersa, a fish which is now being farmed for the trade despite being endangered in nature….

Occurs in northern and eastern Australia and southern New Guinea.

In the former its range extends from the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia state around the northern and eastern coastlines of the continent as far as the Towamba river system in New South Wales state.

Appears to be endemic to southwestern Borneo though occurence records are scant. Type locality is ‘Bandjarmasin’, a port town in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan), and following Kottelat (1991) it’s range extends westwards as far as the Jelai Bila river basin, near the town of Sukamara, where it’s said to occur sympatrically with the congener B. merah.

Boraras was erected in 1993 in order to separa…

A very attractive fish when in adult colouration, vieja fenestrata is not all that common in the UK hobby. It can is often confused with the more commonly available v. synspila.

Widely and incorrectly referred to as vieja synspillum, this colourful fish is the most commonly available of the vieja species to the hobby. Although not as aggressive as some of its family, it is still a fish to treat carefully.

It can be found in mildly brackish waters in its natural range but this is not recommended or required in captivity….

A strikingly coloured, if somewhat aggressive fish. Also referred to as the White Cichlid, it is occasionally available in the UK through specialist cichlid dealers.