This is the 'real' rummy-nose. The species most often sold as such is, in fact, the firehead tetra, H. bleheri. These 2 are very similar in appearance, as is the 'false' rummy-nose, Petitella georgiae. The 3 species can distinguished by several factors.

The first, is by the extent to which the red colouration on the head of the fish extends into the body. H. bleheri is the only one of the 3 in which the red extends beyond the gill covers. The amount of red colouration on …

This is the species most commonly sold as 'rummy-nose tetra' in aquatic outlets. A selectively-bred "golden" variant has also been produced by commercial breeders and is available from time-to-time. The natural form is very similar to both the "true" rummy-nose, Hemigrammus rhodostomus and the 'false' rummy-nose, Petitella georgiae in appearance. The 3 species can distinguished by several factors.

The first is by the extent to which the red colouration…

This stunning species was only described in 1997 and is included in the so-called "Brichardi complex", which also includes N. brichardi, crassus, falcicula, gracilis, pulcher, savoryi and splendens. The species should not be mixed in aquaria as they will hybridise freely. N. helianthus can be distinguished from others in the complex by its overall yellow-orange patterning and v-shaped cheek marking….

N. fasciatus is a predator by nature and its body shape has been adapted to allow it to enter small crevices and gaps in the rockwork of Lake Tanganyika to prey on invertebrates, eggs, fry and small fish. The lateral compression exhibited by this fish also makes the fish hard to spot head on, giving it an advantage over both its predators and prey. It hunts in a head down position a few feet above the substrate, moving its body in sinuous motions to counteract the water currents. It is sometimes…

Not recommended for the beginner N. buescheri is one of the most aggressive small cichlids in the hobby. Several geographical morphs are available, including "gombi", "kachese", "kamakonde", and "zaire".

Deservedly one of the most popular Tanganyikan species available in the hobby, N. brichardi is ideal for newcomers to both Rift Lake cichlids and cichlids in general, being beautiful and easy to keep and breed. It is seen for sale under several common names including "Fairy Cichlid", "Lyretail Cichlid" and "Princess of Burundi". There are several colour morphs available, although these do not vary much in patterning, and an albino form is also occasionally available…

N. brevis is one of the commoner species of shell dweller available in the hobby. Several colour morphs are available including "sunspot", "katabe" and "sambia". As mentioned above, it is often found in areas within Lake Tanganyika where relatively few snail shells collect and in these areas, pairs of fish will share the same shell. This behaviour may or may not be observed in the aquarium, depending on the number of shells provided and the individual fish. The terr…

N. boulengeri can be distinguished from the similar N. hecqui and Lamprologus kungweensis primarily by the orange border on the dorsal and anal fins, although its adult patterning is somewhat different to the other species. Unlike many other shell dwellers, it will spawn in small caves if no shells are made available….

This species was present in the hobby for some time prior to being officially described and the spectacular red fish first exported by Pierre Brichard in the 1960s appears to be a regional form of it. It was also known variously as Nanochromis sp. 'Bamanja', N. sp. 'Genema', N. sp. 'Makoua' and N. sp. Bloody Mary' prior to description, and continues to be mislabelled as N. squamiceps on trade lists.

Diagnosis of C. sabinae is possible via a combination of c…

N. parilus is one of the commoner Nanochromis in the hobby as it is more easily collected from its natural waters than most species. It is easily confused with the less often seen N. nudiceps but can be distinguished by the fact that male fish exhibit a barred patterning inn the upper half of the which is not present in nudiceps. Females can be distinguished by the unpatterned lower part of the caudal, which is spotted in nudiceps. There are a couple of geographical variants available.

We do …