This species is not often seen for sale but is a very good addition to the larger community tank. It is cultured commercially for food in it's native countries, and is used to make a particularly tasty fish soup! The snakeskin gourami can also produce 'cracking' noises, especially during breeding or territorial exchanges….

A very hardy, beautiful species which is highly recommended to the beginner. A male in full breeding dress is one of the most stunning fish available in the hobby. T. leerii is alo fairly long-lived and may survive for 8 years or more in the aquarium. These fish will also consume the aquarium pest hydra….

The severum is one of the most poular and readily available cichids in the hobby, however not everyone realises that these fish can attain a fairly large size and are therefore not suitable for every aquarium. The fish is normally sold in the standard green variety and also gold.

Severums make good fish for a South American community setup, as long as there are no fish small enough for them to eat. They grow quite quickly, so should be housed in an adequately sized tank from the start….

There are currently 24 described species of Serrasalmus, many of which look superficially similar. S. marginatus has at various times been considered a synonym of S. rhombeus and S. humeralis, but is currently considered to be distinct. It's main distinguishing feature is usually given as the thick, black, v-shaped marking in the anterior portion of the caudal fin. Juveniles are said to differ from similar-looking species such as S. compressus and S. altuvei because the dark body "spot…

T. microlepis is not as colourful as some other gouramis but can make a striking addition to the community tank. The modified ventral fins are considerably longer than in other gourami species. It is often used as a food fish in its native countries….

This species is only occasionally seen in the hobby and sometimes sold as 'cherry chocolate gourami'. It was originally described as a subspecies of S. osphromenoides since the two are very similar-looking but has been considered a species in its own right since the late 1980s.

The two differ in the number ofrays (7 in S. selatanensis vs. 9-10 in S. osphromenoides),rays (7 vs. 8),…

The genus Sphaerichthys currently comprises four species with S. osphromenoides by far the best known in the hobby. It’s easily distinguishable from the congeners S. vaillanti and S. acrostoma since both exhibit a notably more elongate head and body profile, reverse sexual dimorphism (i.e. females are the more colourful/strongly-patterened), and are paternal mouthbrooders.

The Dwarf Gourami is one of the most ubiquitous freshwater species in the aquarium hobby, and is unarguably a beautiful fish. Several colour forms have been line-bred for the trade and have also proved popular. These include "Sunset" (also sold as "Red" or "Robin") and "Neon" varieties, although it's highly debatable whether these come close to matching the brilliance of the natural form.

Unfortunately the general quality of dwarf gouramis availab…

Despite its ease of keeping and peaceable nature, this species is not particularly popular in the hobby, although it is imported quite regularly. A gold or 'sunset' strain exists, in which the barred patterning is replaced by an overall orange/gold colouration. This is not a natural variation, but has been selectively bred for the trade. The female of this form is almost as colourful as the male.

Like others in the suborder Anabantoidei, the species possesses an accessory breathing…

S. geryi is sometimes sold as the "violet-line piranha" in reference to the unusal purple stripe that runs from the base of the lower jaw over the top of the body. It makes a stunning aquarium fish as it also possesses highly reflective scales, deep orange/red eyes and a compressed, high-bodied shape. Far from widespread in nature or the hobby, it tends to be pricey and highly sought-after when available.

There are currently 24 described species of Serrasalmus, many of which look s…