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…

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…

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…

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…

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….

This species is rarely offered for sale and often appears to be a fairly plain fish when it is seen in dealer's tanks. However, when kept in the correct conditions it is a stunning little fish that comes highly recommended.

Although this profile has been included for information purposes, we do not recommend keeping this species in the home unless you are one of the select few with the facilities available to house it for life. The aquarium dimensions quoted above should be considered an absolute minimum and in reality this fish requires a phenomenal volume of water if it is to be housed long term.

Unfortunately, the price of red-tails has fallen considerably in recent years and "kittens" are readily a…

This species is sometimes confused with B. juruense, especially when juvenile, but can be told apart quite easily by it’s more well-defined colour pattern, relatively slender body shape and longer barbels. It was described in the genus Meredontotus, but is currently included in Brachyplatystoma based on a pair of synapomorphies shared by memb…

Ecological studies have revealed this species to be more of a generalist than its chiefly insectivorous congeners.

Aquatic and terrestrial insects form a significant proportion of the diet, but substantial amounts of filamentous algae and diatoms are consumed with water mites, fish scales, isopods, nematodes and detritus also taken occasionally.

In the aquarium it’s largely unfu…

The genus Danio contains only the type species, D. dangila, separated on the basis of its larger size and the shape of the caudal-fin, which in adults is only slightly emarginate or even truncate in shape, a feature it shares only with Tinca tinca (the common tench) among other cyprinids.

The remaining species, of which B. rerio is thought to be the most ancient, are included in the revalidated genus Brachydanio Weber & de Beaufort, 1916.