Pearlscale Cichlid
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
The Pearlscale Cichlid is an extremely attractive fish, showing some gorgeous bluey green hues and reflective flecks on their flanks. They aren't difficult to look after or breed, but be careful when choosing tankmates. The only problem with spawning is that the male may become aggressive towards the female – it is certainly wise to have a tank divider, just in case.
Look out for Pearlscale Cichlids labelled as Texas Cichlids, as it is a misleading common name that is often given to Heri…
1 comment » |
African Tiger Fish
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
A voracious piscivore that hunts in large shoals in the wild, this species is perfectly designed for its lifestyle. It is very streamlined and muscular and has one of the most amazing sets of teeth of any freshwater fish. These are dagger-shaped and interlock, meaning the fish can rip chunks out of its prey. The teeth are visible even when the animal's mouth is closed, which makes for a fearsome sight.
It is a popular game fish in its native range, with the largest specimen caught weighi…
Comment » |
Pacific Blue-eye
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
Generally found within 15-20 km of the sea but habitat-type is extremely variable. It’s been recorded in full marine conditions as well as pure freshwater environments, and commonly inhabits coastal mangrove creeks, swamps, and salt marshes.
Freshwater habitats tend to comprise lowland swamps or forest streams with clear water but some populations inhabit acidic, tannin-stained, black waters. It’s also abundant in the artificial canals typical of residential zones in the Gold Coast, southern Queensland.
3 comments » | Category: Atheriniformes, The Rest
Spotted Blue-eye
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
Described from ‘Rivulet in sago forest at Ngaiguli, Terangan, Aru Island, Aru Islands, Maluku, Indonesia’, corresponding to the island now normally referred to as ‘Trangan’ in the Aru Islands group, eastern Indonesia.
The islands are located in the Arafura Sea, with western New Guinea to the north and the Arnhem Land Region of Australia’s Northern Territory to the south, and though they lie within Maluku province of eastern Indonesia, are part of the Australian continent in a geological sense.
Comment » | Category: Atheriniformes, The Rest
Forktail Blue-eye
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
This species is also traded as ‘forktail rainbowfish’ or ‘yellow forktail’, and it’s also undergone several changes in scientific name since description. Pseudomugil furcatus is the original designation, but Allen (1980) created the genus Popondetta for it on the basis of morphological characters including number of anal-fin rays (16-20 in P. furcatus, 8-12 in other Pseudomugil spp.), absence of anterior…
13 comments » | Category: Atheriniformes, The Rest
Chinese Sailfin Sucker
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
This species is traded under various names including ‘Chinese banded shark’, ‘Chinese sucker’, ‘freshwater batfish’, ‘high-fin banded loach’, etc. It’s currently illegal to import or own privately in several countries, including the UK, but continues to be available with only the attractive juvenile form traded, and almost always without information regarding adult size of almost a metre or potential lifepan of 25 years+.
Myxocyprinus is a monotypic genus and the only Asian representative of the family Cato…
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Suckers & Sucking ‘Loaches’
African Darter Characin
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
There are currently 25 described species in the genus Nannocharax, these forming a monophyletic group with members of the very similar Hemigrammocharax. None can be described as particularly common in the hobby but N. brevis and N. fasciatus are the most often seen. They are notoriously tricky to identify though, and it's quite possible that more than two species are being sold under these names.
In nature these fish occupy a similar ecological niche to the South American darter characi…
Comment » |
Pictus Cat
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
There are currently 32 genera and over 80 species included in the family Pimelodidae (including Pimelodus), making it the second largest and one of the most diverse amongst catfish. However most experts agree that a full systematic revision of the family is needed, as little information about the phylogenetic (evolutionary relatedness) relationships between the various genera exists. Taxonomy information at the species level is also basic at best. It's therefore likely that at least some of…
3 comments » |
Tiger Shovelnose
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
It's debatable as to whether this species should be considered an aquarium subject at all, given its eventual size. All too often juveniles are sold without adequate information regarding their long term care. These cats can and will attain something close to their maximum size in captivity, and will do so quite quickly. The myth that they will only grow to match the size of the tank they're kept in is just that – a myth. It's also worth noting that species such as this can live f…
Comment » |
Three-lined Neolebias
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
This species is rarely seen in the trade but makes a superb addition to the smaller community tank. Often appears quite bland in dealer's tanks but, in the correct environment, is a stunning little fish….
Comment » |
Product reviewers wanted
Hello! Very much interested in writing for you, please include me in the info. Thank you for the opportunity!
6th Sep 2020
Product reviewers wanted
I would be interested in reviewing products. Before retiring I was a technical writer and managed a Quality Management Program.
30th Aug 2020
Product reviewers wanted
I'm interested and can write reviews from the perspective of someone new to the hobby. I'm only 3-4 months in, but hopefully I can help someone that's...
23rd Aug 2020
Product reviewers wanted
I’m interested in doing this if there is still availability, it sounds like fun! Thanks
19th Aug 2020
Barbodes semifasciolatus – Golden Barb* (Barbus sachsii, Puntius schuberti)
I simply had a question (please forgive if this is not allowed, I read the FAQ but I was not sure). I was wondering if there is any evidence of offsp...
12th Aug 2020