This species has become more common in the trade in recent years, and makes an interesting addition to larger communities. It develops bright red fins as it matures. Some specimens develop a pink sheen on the underside. These variations may indicate different species, as there are several in the genus that superficially resemble D. affinis….

Clypeobarbus was originally put forward as a subgenus of Barbus by Fowler in 1936 on the basis that member species possessed a midlateral row of enlarged, shield-like scales but he only included the type species ‘Barbus‘ kemoensis (now a junior synonym of Clypeobarbus pleuropholis) in the group. Subsequent work by Poll and Lambert (1961), Jubb (1965) and Skelton (1993) resulted in several additional species being placed into the grouping although it appears that little of this work was widely-recognised until the recent study was published.

This is the most common of the few Distichodus species regularly seen in the hobby, and sadly, it is often sold as being suitable for the general community tank. This is clearly not the case in terms of both its temperament and potential size. Do not buy one unless you have the facilities to house it for life. It is usually seen for sale at a couple of inches long, and at this size is a very attractive orange and black striped fish with bright red finnage. Unfortunately, much of this colour and …

Contrary to many reports, including a number of scientific papers, this species breeds in the same way as other cyprinodontids and does not dig pits or exhibit extended parental care.

It’s a fractional spawner with females depositing eggs on a more-or-less continuous basis when a warm temperature is maintained though ideally it should be permitted to breed on a seasonal basis in spring and late summer as it would in nature.

L. taeniata is the largest-growing and second most widely-distributed member of the genus although it’s a rarely-seen in the aquarium trade.

It can be distinguished from all congeners since it uniquely possesses 5 lateral scale rows between the lateral line and dorsal-fin origin (vs. 4 or 6–8 in the remaining species).

An incredibly hardy and adaptable species that is not so popular in the hobby as it once was, probably due to its often aggressive nature.

As with other goodeids, there is less of a size difference between the sexes than in many other livebearers. This is thought to be related to the relatively primitive structure of the andropodium, as the fish tend to choose mates that are of similar size so that the sex organs are synchronised.

Goodeids are unique among livebearers in that the developi…

The species name 'furcidens' is derived from the interesting fork-shaped teeth of this fish. This species may develop a cervical hump as it matures. As with other goodeids, there is less of a size difference between the sexes than in many other livebearers. This is thought to be related to the relatively primitive structure of the andropodium, as the fish tend to choose mates that are of similar size so that the sex organs are synchronised.

Goodeids are unique among livebearers in t…

Previously included as a member of the genus Cichlasoma, the red devil is often confused with the midas cichlid, A. citrinellus. The two can be distinguished through differences in morphology. As suggested by its scientific name, A. labiatus possesses characteristically large lips, although in reality this is variable and should not be used as a defining indicator of species. Certainly, tank bred fish tend not to have these large lips. More reliable differences include the bigger nuchal hump and mo…

Restricted to a series of small habitats below the waterfall known as ‘El Salto’ in the upper Río Mezquital basin, Durango state, central Mexico. It was previously considered to occur throughout much of the upper Río Mezquital in both Durango and Coahuila states, but genetic analyses suggest otherwise and have resulted in taxonomic confusion (see ‘Notes’).

Despite often being referred to as extinct in the wild this monotypic species is still surviving at a few localities. It's not particularly scarce in the hobby with strong captive populations existing, some of which have been selectively bred to produce variations in colour and patterning.

As with other goodeids, there is less of a size difference between the sexes than in many other livebearers. This is thought to be related to the relatively primitive…