Every species

This species is not actually a piranha in ichthyologic terms, being monotypic and therefore unique. It was so named due to its general resemblance to true piranha, and the fact that it is quite closely related to Pygocentrus species. Mento means "chin", referring to the protruding jaw of the fish. This jaw structure, along with the adapted teeth, is used in its natural feeding behaviour. It has been observed to swim at great speed into a selected target, biting hard as it collides w...

C. choprae has only been available since 2003 but has quickly established itself as one of the most popular small danios in the hobby. There has been some confusion regarding the correct spelling of the specific name with many resources listing it incorrectly as "choprai". Briefly, when Hora described the species he named it after a man, Dr B. N. Chopra, meaning that "choprai" is technically correct as under ICZN rules the specific name ought to follow the gender of the indiv...

This species was formerly included in the genus Microrasbora although it's long-been considered a danionin by certain authors, e.g., Kottelat and Witte (1999) and was placed within the genus Danio for a period. In the aquarium trade it's marketed under various names including 'emerald dwarf danio', 'thick band purple zebra danio' and 'cross-banded dwarf rasbora'.

Known only from a handful of streams in the upper Mali Hka river drainage, Ayeyarwaddy River system, near Putao township in the far north of Kachin state, northern Myanmar. Type locality is 'Nan Hto Chaung in Putao, about 1 mile from 46th regiment, close to rice mill'.

The type locality is an area of permanently-flooded grassland formed by the damming of a spring for agricultural purposes. The water is only around 30cm deep, transparent and supports dense growths of aquatic plants, mostly from the family Hydrocharitaceae which includes such genera as Elodea, Egeria and Blyxa. Sympatric species included Devario sondhii, a Microrasbora very similar to M. rubescens, an undescribed Yunnanilus known to aquarists as the 'rosy' loach and Channa harcourtbutleri.

All members of the family Auchenipteridae are thought to practise internal insemination and females can carry mature, unfertilised eggs and sperm packets inside the body for unspecified periods of time. When conditions are satisfactory fertilisation is triggered and the eggs deposited, and there is n...

A very cute little catfish, that unfortunately is rarely kept in ideal conditions. When it is maintained properly, it's a joy to watch as it feeds from close to the water surface, swimming frantically in the flow. It was reclassified, and placed in the genus Centromochlus in 1998.

The genus Centromochlus is diagnosable by members having the proximal anal-fin radials enlarged and fused to each other at the base, forming a single ossified structure. It's sometimes included in the putative subfa...

An infrequently seen but very interesting oddball species for those who are looking for something a little different. To others, it might appear to be a rather nasty species. In the wild, it swims in voracious feeding groups. Apparently, it can home in on weakened or distressed fish as it has a very well developed sense of smell. Other specialisations include the tiny eyes and particularly slimy skin. The former are reduced in size and covered by a thin layer of skin so they are less likely to b...

Chaca are unsuitable subjects for the general aquarist, but are relatively popular among lovers of oddball species. This species is very similar in appearance to the closely related C. chaca. However, it is somewhat darker and redder in colour than its relative, and lacks the hooklets that occur on the lips and body of chaca. It is a true master of disguise, and is also known as the angler catfish, due to it's ability to use its barbels as a kind of lure, using them to simulate the movement...

Chaca are unsuitable subjects for the general aquarist, but are quite popular among lovers of oddball species. This species is very similar in appearance to the closely related C. bankanensis. However, it's usually a bit lighter in colour than its relative and possesses small hooklets on the lower lip and body that are not present in bankanensis. It's a true master of disguise and is also known as the angler catfish, due to its ability to use its barbels as a kind of lure. These can be...

This species is traded under a number of English vernacular names, of which some others include 'blonde bulldog pleco', 'blonde rubber pleco', 'blonde rubbernose pleco', 'striped rubber pleco', and 'striped rubbernose pleco'. It may also be seen referred to as 'L146', 'L146a', or 'L187b', these codes having been used for it in the Aqualog series of books. It can be told apart from all congeners except C. anale and C. jegui by...

Also known popularly as the rubbernose plecs, Chaetostoma species are seen for sale quite often these days. This is one of the more commonly seen, and provided its needs are adequately met, is a very hardy little fish. There's a bit of mystery surrounding its true identity, hence the species name, and it's sometimes misidentified in shops. The true L187 is currently known as Chaetostoma pearsei, and is a white-spotted fish. When buying Loricariids such as this always check the fish ...

There are currently three species which look almost identical and are most easily separated by collection details since their ranges do not overlap in nature; C. chagunio is endemic to the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages and C. nicholsi to the Ayeyarwady/Irrawaddy.

Endemic to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins and thus occurs in northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Type locality is 'the Yamuna River, and northern rivers of Behar and Bengal'. The distribution of the genus as a whole is interesting because these fish occupy the area that geographically separates Indian and Southeast Asia barbs and it has been theorised that they may represent an evolutionary 'link' species...

This species can be distinguished from its congener C. macrolepidotus mainly by the red or yellow (as opposed to pink) caudal fin. In addition, it has yellow pectoral and pelvic fins and may also have some yellow colouration on the body. It is seen for sale as often as its relative, although it's quite abundant in nature....

This species can look quite stunning when cared for properly. It can sometimes be a little delicate when initially imported, as it has very large scales which tend to fall off during transport. Once acclimatised, it usually proves fairly hardy. There are reports of aquarium specimens surviving for over fifteen years in well-maintained conditions....

This undescribed species is also traded as C. sp. 'ndoboi' or 'ndobnoi', and despite its lack of official recognition it's the most commonly-encountered member of the genus in the aquarium trade at time of writing. It can be easily-distinguished from the congeners C. brichardi and C. popelini by its adult body patterning which comprises two or three series of irregular, dark, laterally-orientated blotches, the upper of which is often contained entirely within the dorsal ...

Also known as the trout cichlid, this species makes a great centrepiece to a well-chosen community of big Rift Lake cichlids. An adult male in top condition makes for a truly jaw dropping sight. It is only occasionally offered for sale, as it is difficult to collect, living a predominantly solitary lifestyle. As a result, it is much sought after by enthusiasts. It is sometimes confused with the other species in the genus, C. spilorhynchus, but can be distinguished by its more elongate shape. ...

This species is only occasionally offered for sale, as it is difficult to collect, living a predominantly solitary lifestyle. As a result, it is much sought after by enthusiasts. It may be confused with the other species in the genus, C. caerulus, but can be distinguished by its deeper body shape and very distinctive black markings on its snout. Champsochromis have widely spaced teeth compared to some other pelagic predatory cichlids found in Lake Malawi, such as Buccochromis species....