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Ophthalmotilapia ventralis

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

This is a truly stunning species that does well in a Tanganyikan community with well-chosen tankmates. It exists in well over 20 colour morphs, too many to list here. Obviously these should not be mixed in aquaria as they will hybridise freely. In nature, it is only the largest dominant males that build nests whilst the subdominant males and females shoal together. The territories of these dominant fish may measure several metres across….

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Ophthalmotilapia nasuta

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

O. nasuta can be distinguished from other members of the genus primarily by the fleshy proboscis-like growth that extends beyond the upper lip. It exists in several different geographical morphs including "Kachese", "Mpimbwe", "Cape Tembwe" and "Chamba", among others. These should not be mixed in aquaria as they will hybridise freely….

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Ophthalmotilapia boops

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

This was the first species to be placed into the genus Ophthalmotilapia.

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Astyanax mexicanus (DE FILIPPI, 1853)

Blind Cave Tetra

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

While the surface-dwelling form of this species is fairly unremarkable and rarely-seen in the hobby, the blind form is very popular indeed. The two may have diverged as recently as within the last 10,000 years, with the blind form losing its eyes and much of its pigment. This probably happened because the fish needed better development in other sensory areas. Losing unnecessary and energy-consuming aspects of its physiology allowed it to devote more energy to developments such as increased numbers of taste receptors on the head.

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Astyanax bimaculatus (LINNAEUS, 1758)

Two Spot Astyanax

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

A. bimaculatus is not a popular aquarium fish but is available on occasion exception, most often as a contaminant among shipments of other species.

It’s identity is also in question to an extent with the name currently applied to what is considered to represent a species complex comprising at least four taxa.

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Nimbochromis venustus

Venustus

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

Not a fish for the general Malawi cichlid community, N. venustus is an ambush predator in nature. It is often found hanging motionless around rocky structures, in Vallisneria thickets or on the floor of the lake. It is a sedentary species and does not move around a lot. This is a behavioural adaptation known as thanatosis, or 'playing dead'. This strategy is usually used as for defensive means in other animals but in N. venstus is adapted for offensive means. The fish has a mottled col…

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Nimbochromis livingstonii

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

Not a fish for the general Malawi cichlid community, N. livingstonii is an ambush predator in nature, often being seen hanging motionless around rocky structures, in Vallisneria thickets or on the floor of the lake. It is a sedentary species and does not move around a lot. This is a behavioural adaptation known as thanatosis, or 'playing dead'. This strategy is usually used as for defensive means in other animals but in N. livingstonii is adapted for offensive means. The fish has a mot…

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Aphyocharax rathbuni EIGENMANN, 1907

Green Fire Tetra, Rathbun's Bloodfin, Redflank Bloodfin, Rubinsalmler (DE)

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

Endemic to the Paraguay, Paraná and Uruguay river drainages in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.

The smallest of the three Aphyocharax species seen in the hobby, the redflank is relatively uncommon in the hobby in the aquarium trade.

It is also known as the Green Fire Tetra.

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Aphyocharax nattereri (STEINDACHNER, 1882)

Dawn Tetra, Augenflecksalmler (DE)

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

This species is normally referred to as A. paraguayensis, but that name has been considered a synonym of A. nattereri since 2003.

Confusion remains however, as the type locality for the latter is ‘Villa Bella’, now known as Parintins, a settlement on the main Amazon river channel between Manaus and Santarém and many kilometres away from the majority of confirmed localities.

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Aphyocharax anisitsi EIGENMANN & KENNEDY, 1903

Bloodfin Tetra, Rotflossensalmler (DE)

March 13th, 2012 — 1:21pm

A good beginner’s tetra, as it’s a hardy species that will adapt to a relatively wide range of conditions. In a well-insulated house it can even be kept in an unheated tank, although it won’t be as colourful as when kept in warmer water.

It’s also quite long-lived and captive specimens over ten years old are not unheard of…

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