There are currently over 180 described species of Corydoras (commonly shortened to "cory"), making it one of the most speciose of all South American fish genera. There are also loads of undescribed species, many of which have been assigned a "C number" for identification purposes. This is a very simple system of numbering and is similar to the L number scheme used to identify undescribed Loricariids. Both systems were implemented by the German aquarium magazine DATZ (Die Aqua…

There are currently over 180 described species of Corydoras (commonly shortened to "cory"), making it one of the most speciose of all South American fish genera. There are also loads of undescribed species, many of which have been assigned a "C number" for identification purposes. This is a very simple system of numbering and is similar to the L number scheme used to identify undescribed Loricariids. Both systems were implemented by the German aquarium magazine DATZ (Die Aqua…

One of the most stunning and sought after species of Synodontis and though the cost of ownership has dropped slightly, it still commands a high price. Its natural deep water habitat, limited range and solitary lifestyle make collection for the hobby difficult and so it is rarely seen for sale. It also appears that the areas of the lake in which it occurs are threatened with ecological disaster.

In the aquarium S. granulosa is intelligent and can develop into a real character, with many speci…

Also known as the Orange Striped Squeaker, in our opinion this fish is one of the most attractively patterned Synos. S. flavitaeniata can vary considerably in patterning and colouration but is difficult to misidentify.

This fish is more sensitive to deteriorating water quality than many Syno species so aquarium maintenance must be rigorous. When it was first imported 25 or so years ago it commanded an extortionate price but thankfully is affordable today.

Its flexibility with regards to w…

This species has the characteristic overhanging snout possessed by all three members of the genus. It also has chisel-shaped teeth which are designed for scraping algae off rocks. These physical adaptations give it a competitive advantage, as they allow it to graze from rocks situated in very shallow water which other species cannot reach. The position of the mouth allows the fish to remain parallel to the rock surfaces, thus enabling it to cope with the turbulence in these areas.

L. trewava…

A deservedly popular mbuna, there is ongoing debate as to the true genus of this species, it having been variously grouped in both Maylandia and Metriaclima, as well as the currently valid Pseudotropheus. It is unlikely it will remain in Pseudotropheus. To add to the confusion, it was only described as a distinct species in 1995, having previously been regarded as a morph of Maylandia zebra. Several colour forms are available and these should not be kept together under any circumstances as they …

One of the most popular and commonly seen Synos in the hobby, S. eupterus is usually offered for sale as a small (1-3") juvenile with no information regarding its potential size. These young fish are often sold as Synodontis "Network" due to their attractive reticulated patterning. This patterning breaks up as the fish mature and adult specimens have a simple spotted colouration. The characteristic 'feathered' dorsal also develops with age, with the first few rays develo…

Native to coastal river systems south of the Amazon delta in the states of Piauí, Maranhão, Pará, and Amapá, northeastern Brazil. It has been recorded from the rios Guamá (including tributaries such as the rio Ararandeua), Maracanã (rio Peixe-Boi), Morcego, Parnaíba, Piriá, Caeté, Turiaçu (rio Jamari), and Mearim (rio Pindaré).

Reports from French Guiana and western Brazil appear to represent cases of misidentification.

Endemic to the upper rio Negro basin in Amazonas state, northern Brazil, and Amazonas state, southern Venezuela. One specific locality is Igarapé Muiá (00°09’03″N 66°48’10″W).

Type locality is ‘Upper Rio Negro, eastern Amazonas, Brazil’, which is thought to refer to forest brooks crossing the “new army road”, north of São Gabriel da Cachoeira municipality.

It exhibits slightly different behaviour to the majority of congeners in that it tends to swim in midwater and spends a large proportion of its time away from the substrate. Its morphology exhibits corresponding adaptations towards a pelagic existence with a relatively large eye, a more terminal mouth position, more strongly-forked caudal-fin, and more symmetrical body shape than most other Corydoras species.