This stunning species must surely rank among the most attractive Loricariids available in the hobby. There are several colour forms available, depending on collection locality. These vary in base colour and in the number, size and positioning of the spots on the body.

The true identity of this fish is shrouded in confusion. It may or may not be Hemiancistrus subviridis, also known as the green phantom plec (L200), which it resembles very closely in morphology. The two are also found in diffe…

This species was only described to science in 2005, the species name being taken from the name of a local tribe. It's also known as the spotted orange seam plec, due to its patterning. It's found living alongside other Loricariid species in nature, including Peckoltia and other Hemiancistrus species. There's ongoing discussion as to whether this species and the currently undescribed L122 are one and the same, as these two were apparently both included in the scientific description…

Despite its patent unsuitability as an aquarium subject attractively-coloured juvenile specimens of this species are traded in quite large numbers, although the scarcity of privately-maintained adults would suggest that most fail to reach their potential. The striking, spotted patterning also disappears as this species matures, and since it also becomes increasingly bellligerent with age it can only be recommended to owners of the largest private aquaria or tropical ponds. There exists an albino…

This species has been referred to the genera Poecilobrycon and Nannobrycon in the past and in the aquarium hobby is also known as ‘oneline’ or ‘red fin’ pencilfish. It’s a popular aquarium fish and has an interesting oblique swimming-style, a behavioural trait shared only with N. eques among congeners.

The most recent diagnosis of the species appears to be that giv…

This species is traded under various other names including ‘red arc pencilfish’, ‘Peruvian red pencilfish’, ‘ruby red pencilfish’, ‘red pencilfish’, and Nannostomus cf. marginatus ‘red’.

It was initially described as a subspecies of N. marginatus but can be identified by the following combination of characters: pronounced sexual dimorphism with adult males exhibiting bright red pigmentation between the central…

This species is also known as the ‘spraying’, ‘splashing’ or ‘jumping’ tetra and these names are also sometimes applied to its congeners although none of them exhibit a comparable spawning strategy, simply depositing their eggs among vegetation at or around the water surface.

Several Brachyrhamdia species have developed colour patterns that mimic syntopically-occurring Corydoras spp. throughout the life-cycle, and the remainder may mimic Otocinclus or smaller Corydoras spp. when juvenile.

Among other catfishes they’re closely-related to members of the genus Pimelodella, but differ in…

Hemiodus species can be a very skittish when first introduced to the aquarium, but usually settle down over time, especially if a large number are being kept together. All of them look superficially similar, but can be distinguished by differences in patterning. None are particularly common in the hobby….

Hemiodus species can be a very skittish when first introduced to the aquarium, but usually settle down over time, especially if a large number are being kept together. All of them look superficially similar, but can be distinguished by differences in patterning. None are particularly common in the hobby. H. ternetzi can be identified by the fact that the black lateral stripe extends to behind the eye, and thehas no pigmentation….

Hemiodus species can be very nervous when first introduced to the aquarium, but usually settle down over time, especially if a large number are being kept together. All of them look superficially similar, but can be distinguished by differences in patterning. None are particularly common in the hobby….