Every species

Known from the Pahang River system in southern Peninsular Malaysia, and the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra and Borneo. On the latter records exist from the Kapuas, Barito, and Mahakam watersheds in Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of the island Type locality is 'Pangabuang, Lampong Province, Sumatra, Indonesia'.

Different populations vary in appearance somewhat (see image of Salween specimen for example), and L. leptocheilus may turn out to represent a group of closely-related species rather than a single taxon. The population from the Cambodian Mekong has been considered to represent a distinct species, Labiobarbus lineatus, although that name is currently a synonym of L. leptocheilus following Kottelat (2013). It is widely used in the ornamental trade, however.

It can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: 61-68 scales in the lateral series; a small, well-defined, sometimes ocellated black spot on the shoulder and another in the centre of the caudal peduncle; body without longitudinal stripes formed by spots on scales; caudal fin uniformly dusky or colourless, lobes without stripes or black margins.

L. siamensis can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: 39-42 scales in the lateral series; shoulder spot usually absent, but sometimes well-defined; body with longitudinal stripes formed by a spot on each scale; dorsal fin with dusky median stripe and no red coloration; caudal fin dusky, sometimes with reddish coloration, but no well-defined stripes; 20-23 circumpeduncular scales...

This species is sometimes referred to as 'Sierra Leone dwarf characin' and is the only member of its genus which can be distinguished from other alestids by lacking dorsal scales anterior to the adipose-fin insertion. The family Alestidae is the most spe...

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).

This species was known as L. sp. 'Buckelkopf' in the aquarium hobby prior to publication of its official description. It's distinguished from all congeners by possessing 7-8 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 9–10 in L. dorsigera, L. fulvipinnis and L. thayeri, 8–9 in L. curviceps and L. flamannellus, and 9–11 in L. flavilabris).

Native to the lower Amazon river basin in Brazil with some populations exhibiting differences in colour pattern to one another, particularly in respect of the degree of red and blue pigmentation on the body and fins. Type locality is given simply as 'Amazon River, Brazil'. Field observations suggest it to display a pref...

Wild fish are probably foragers feeding on algae, organic detritus, small insects, worms, crustaceans, and other zooplankton. In the aquarium it's easily-fed but the best condition and colours offer regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia, and Artemia, alongside good quality dried flakes and granules, at least some of which should include additional plant or algal content.

Sympatric fish species in the grasslands include Rivulus schuncki, juveniles of Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus and an unidentified Nannostomus sp. One contrasting locality was a flowing igarapé with the fish collected from shallow water alongside Apistogramma gossei, Crenicichla inpa,unidentified...

Has been collected from habitats containing clear, soft, acidic, tea-coloured blackwater, most typically among leaf litter or submerged vegetation in very shallow (10-50 cm depth) water along the margins of streams and other minor tributaries. At a village called El Niñal close to the mouth of the rio Pasimoni in the Casiquiare drainage pH was...

This species is relatively rare in the aquarium trade. It can be differentiated from all congeners by a combination of possessing ctenoid (vs. cycloid) scales on the sides of the head plus lacking a dark spot at the caudal-fin base.

This species is relatively common in the aquarium hobby but is not easy to maintain and recommended only for experienced aquarists. It can be told apart from all congeners by specimens larger than 60 mm SL possessing an extended pectoral-fin spine forming an extremely long filament that may be more than four times the length of the first branched pectoral-fin ray (vs. not possessing such a filament in other species of Lamontichthys).

A rarely seen species in the hobby.

In nature, the spawning nests of large male fish may measure several meters across and contain hundreds of snail shells. Interestingly, when they are protecting brooding females males do not eat and eventually become so weak that their territories are taken over by stronger fish. Immature and sub-dominant males can be seen over areas of open substrate where they feed voraciously in large shoals. Females are only ever found in areas containing the nests of dominant males. It appears that the ...

An interesting species which resembles the popular Steatocranus species, both physically and in lifestyle. It has several physiological adaptations to allow it to live in rapids and fast-moving waters. The body is very streamlined, with strong pectoral fins. The swimbladder is also modified, being much reduced in size. This makes the fish less buoyant and thus less likely to be swept away by strong currents. In the aquarium it spends most of its time on the substrate, where it swims in a comical...

L. kungweensis can be distinguished from similar species such as L. hecqui by the gold colour on the top of the eye. It also has a distinctive black spot towards the back of the dorsal fin. It is not often seen in the hobby....

A highly piscivorous, predatory species unsuited to the general aquarium. It is an ambush predator in nature, often being seen hanging motionless around rocky structures or on the floor of the lake. It is a sedentary species and does not move around a lot. This is a behavioural adaptation known as thanatosis, or 'playing dead'. This strategy is usually used as a defensive means in other animals, but in L. lemairii it is adapted for offensive means. The fish has a mottled colour pattern...

A charming little cichlid with real character, L. ocellatus is a deservedly popular hobbyists' fish. It has an endearing habit of burying its shell and defending it against all-comers. Many an unsuspecting hobbyist has recieved a sharp nip from an ocellatus who feels its territory is being invaded. Neighbouring shells may also be buried to prevent other fish moving in. Koning has hypothesisesd that the burying of the shell and the resultant pile of sand around it not only provides additiona...

Care must be taken when purchasing this species as females look so different to males that the sexes were initially described as separate species!