An ideal species for the larger Malawian community but one not often seen for sale. In nature, it is a molluscivore, feeding primarily on snails. It has specially developed pharyngeal teeth, which can crush and grind the shells of these animals with ease. Several other species were originally assigned to the genus but currently, only 3 species of Trematocranus exist, most having been reclassified as Aulonocara or Alticorpus….

Juvenile specimens are sometimes available in the aquarium trade although their purchase is strongly discouraged, and this species probably shouldn’t ‚ be considered a home aquarium‚ subject at all given its eventual size plus the fact it can live for‚ several decades.

H. wyckioides can be told apart from mos…

Sand dwelling Malawian cichlid species such as this can be somewhat delicate in the aquarium. A rigorous tank maintenance schedule is recommended to keep them in top shape; with small, regular partial water changes a necessity. Also take care with feeding as discussed above.

It is likely this species will eventually be assigned to a different genus, as there is some confusion surrounding Tramitichromis and it's scientific validity. The fish included in the genus differ from Lethrinops sp…

Rare in the hobby, this species is unfortunately considered critically endangered in the wild. The lake in which it is found is receiving less groundwater than it once was, due to extraction of water for agriculture. Even if this were not the case, the species is found over such an enclosed range that it would still be at extreme risk. All attempts at captive breeding are therefore to be encouraged, with care being taken to keep the different lines pure.

Interestingly, as there are no natural…

Aggressively territorial and incompatible with other fishes in all but the largest public installations and even then may attack its tankmates.

It’s also one of few freshwater fishes that appear unafraid of humans meaning care must be exercised when performing maintenance.

It can be told apart from other members of the B. pugnax group by the following characters: caudal fin rounded in both males and females; chin bar and second postorbital stripe absent; adult males possess intensive blue or bluish-green iridescent (blackish in preservation) colouration on the sides of the head and throat extending from the snout tip to posterior edge of opercle; possession of two central body stripes, the upper extending from the pec…

This species is also known by the vernacular names "Hockey Stick Catfish", "Lima Shovelnose", "Chiripira", "Chucharón" and "Pico de pato".

The genus Sorubim currently contains five recognised species. Of the others S. cuspicaudus is recorded from the parts of the Rio Essequibo, Rio Orinoco, Amazon and Lake Maracaibo basins, S. elongatus from the Rio Essequibo, Rio Orinoco Rio Mamore and Amazon and S. maniradii from the mid-to-upper Amaz…

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…

Pangasianodon is separated from other pangasiid generea primarily on the basis of some morphological differences including a lack of teeth and massively reduced barbels in adult specimens.

Sadly it's numbers are declining rapidly in nature, through a combination of unsustainable fisheries, damming and habitat destruction. Since 1990 wild stocks are thought to have undergone a decrease of over 80%. From an annual catch of over 60 specimens in 1990, only 8-11 were being caught per year in …

In size and weight terms Pangasius sanitwongsei is second only to the giant Mekong catfish, Pangasianodon gigas in the family Pangasiidae, easily qualifying it as one of the largest freshwater fish species in the world.

Alarmingly it's been exported for the trade in quite large numbers in recent years. It's usually seen for sale as a cute silvery 2-3" youngster, most often without adequate information regarding its long term care requirements and potential size. Unfortunately …