May 31, 2011

GOURAMI

Osphronemus goramy

Family Osphronemidae. Distribution The greater Sunda Islands. Description Shape: oval, strongly compressed sides. Head very small; thick, protruding lower jaw. Pelvic fins have threadlike elongations. Young fish slimmer, with more pointed head. Color: adult specimens brownish, wilh dark back and lighter belly. Size: 1 ft 1 ¿in (60cm). often up to 3ft 3^in (1m) and 22lb (10kg). Sexual differences: females have rounded anal and dorsal fins. Environment In quiet waters, preferably clean with plenty of vegetation, but also in slimy ponds and mudholes. Temperature: 63-81 *F (17-27 °C). pH and water hardness: no specific requirements Furnishings: large tank with some floating plants for cover. Feeding Omnivorous

Biology Behavior: breathes atmospheric air using its respiratory organ called a labyrinth. Reproduction: 4 bubble-nest builder. The male guards the young. Social hfe: very peaceable. Suitable for indoor aquaria only when young, as they grow very fast. Compatibility: very suitable for community tanks.

 

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May 31, 2011

GLASS TETRA


Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae Family Characidae.

Distribution Rio Paraguay and Rio Paranaiba. Description Shape: deep-bodied, elongated and very compressed. No adipose fin, and an incomplete lateral line. Color: sides of the body bright silver, darker toward the back, slightly yellow toward the belly. A broad black vertical band on the tail preceded by a yellow field with a metallic sheen. Eyes bright and luminous, with the upper part of the iris red. Smoky, mud-colored fins, with white tips to the dorsal and first anal fin rays. Size: up to 2| in (7 cm). Sexual differences: in females the line of the belly is more curved in profile. Environment Temperature: 72-77 °F (22-25 °C). pH: 5.5-6.5. Illumination and furnishings: one-third vegetation, two-thirds swimming space; also one or two floating plants. Lighting should not be too bright. Feeding Omnivorous.

Biology Behavior: lively, undemanding schooling fish. Reproduction: see H. pulchripinnis. Compatibility: good to mix with other peaceable tetras.

 

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May 31, 2011

GIANT GO U RAM I

Colisa fascista

Family Belontiidae.

Distribution Bengal, Burma, Thailand, Malayan peninsula.

Description Shape: elongated body, very compressed; long dorsal and anal fins. Pelvic fins elongated like threads. Thickened upper lip, especially on the male. Color: highly variable according to provenance ai;d breeding strain. Brown with a greenish sheen, and w:h several narrow orange-red to red stripes slanting diagonally backward. Back fairly dark brown, chest and belly blue-green, often with a purple sheen. A brilliant blue-green spot on the gill cover. Size: up to n (12cm). Sexual differences: female less strongly colored, with the dorsal and anal fins rounded; these are elongated into a point in the male. Environment Temperature: 75-82 °F (24-28 °C). pH and water hardness: no special requirements. Substrate and furnishings: well-planted tank including feathery-leaved plants (two-thirds to three-quarters if tank area); plenty of floating plants to provide cover; the remainder free swimming space. Some humus to be left on the bottom. Feeding Omnivorous.

Biology Behavior: a lively fish, somewhat timid before becoming acclimatized to the tank. Repro duction: bubble-nest builder, very productive. Com patibifity: peaceable, easily kept with other fishes.

 

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May 31, 2011

BANDED CICHLID

Cichlasoma severum Family Cichlidae.

Distribution Northern Amazon basin and the Guy-anas. Naturalized in southern Nevada (U.S.A.). Description Shape: very deep body, almost oval; compressed profile. Color: very variable according to provenance, age and mood. Ground color ranges from brassy yellow to dark brown, the belly always lighter, head and nape often greenish, with reddish-brown or greenish spots and small stripes. Size: up to 8 in (20 cm) Sexual differences: males already recognizable at 2 in (5 cm) by bright red-brown flecks on the head. Environment Temperature: 72-81 °F (22-27 *C pH and water hardness: no special requirements Furnishings: during mating period keep in species tank without vegetation.

Feeding Omnivorous; give plenty of large live food (earthworms, fish), but dried food also. Biology Behavior: territorial and aggressive when mating. Reproduction: suitable partners can produce 1,000 or more eggs. Social life : young fish are peaceable and form schools, as do adults outside the mating period; very territorial in summer. Compatibility: may be kept with other nonaggressive species.

 

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May 31, 2011

CARDINAL TETRA

Cheirodon axelrodi Family Characidae.

Distribution Tributaries of the Rio Negro and the Orinoco.

Description Shape: long and thin. Color: brilliant red lateral stripe begins at the tip of the snout and reaches to the base of the tail fin, extending over the belly and throat. Luminous green lateral stripe. Back reddish brown, belly silvery. Size: 1 ^ in (4 cm). Sexual differ ences. the female is a heavier fish, with a fuller belly. Environment Temperature: 73-75 °F (23-24 °C) 79-82 °F (26-28 °C) for breeding. pH: 5.5-6.5. Illumi nation, substrate, furnishings: medium lighting with plenty of space for free swimming; background of alternate light and dark water plants; black tank bottom Feeding Omnivorous; small live food, especially fru flies (Drosophila), necessary when conditioning for breeding.

Biology Behavior: a lively, active, sociable fish from the “black-water region.” Reproduction: difficult in captivity. The adult fish should be removed after the egg have been laid. Soft, slightly acid water is best for

 

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May 31, 2011

BANJO CATFISH

Bunocephalus spp. Family Aspredinidae.

Distribution Tropical South America east of the Andes from Venezuela to Argentina. Description Shape: low, very flat, something like a dragon kite in shape. Very long, compressed caudal peduncle. Caudal fin square-cut. Spine of pectora fins thickened and barbed. A pair of barbels on the upper jaw, very long and reaching the pectoral fins. Two pairs of short barbels on the lower jaw. Rows of outgrowths o the skin along the sides of the body. Color: relatively uniform; according to mood, ranges from dark to light brown with dark spots and bands, also small light spots. Lighter underside, often with spots. Size: 4§-6in (12-15cm), sometimes more. Sexual differences unknown.

Environment Temperature: 68-77 r’F (20-25°C) pH and water hardness: no special requirements. Substrate: open surfaces of medium-grade sand. Feeding Omnivorous.

Biology Behavior:during the day burrows in the sand. Becomes active at dusk. Swims mostly on the water-jet principle, ejecting water with great force through the gill openings. Reproduction: digs hollows for spawning and lays very large numbers of eggs. Social life: unknown. Compatibility: can be kept with all schooling fishes.

 

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May 31, 2011

CLOWN LOACH

Botia macracantha

Family Cobitidae. Distribution Sumatra and Borneo. Description Shape: the body is thickset. The sides are somewhat compressed, the belly profile almost straight. The dorsal fin arises in front of the ventral fin four pairs of barbels. Color: basic color a bright oranoe-red. marked with three wedge-shaped velvety-black vertical bars. Typically, all fins at least partly blood red Size: upto 11|in (30cm). Sexual differences: unknown Environment In flowing and still waters; a bottom fish. Temperature: 75-86 °F (24-30 °C). pH and water hardness: no special requirements. Illumination, substrate. furnishings: subdued lighting. Deep, soft sandy bottom, with two-thirds to three-quarters of tank planted, the rest as swimming space. Provide plenty of cover. Regular addition of fresh water necessary. Feeding Omnivorous.

Biology Behavior: a lively schooling fish, although older specimens in particular are often solitary; clicking noises are made as a territorial signal. Reproduction: unknown. Compatibility: easily kept with peaceable schooling fishes.

 

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May 31, 2011

CHERRY BARB

Barbus titteya

Family Cyprinidae. Distribution Sri Lanka.

Description Shape: elongated, rather compressed body. One pair of barbels. Color: fawn-colored on ton with a greenish sheen; sides and belly a gleaming silver often reddish. A horizontal stripe (brownish black to deep bluish black) extends from the tip of the snout through the eye to the base of the caudal fin. Above it is an iridescent, metallic line, gold at the front turning to blue or sea green toward the tail. Size: up to 2 in (5 cm) Sexual differences: males a sumptuous red at breeding time. Females darker, with yellowish fins. Environment Temperature: 75-79 °F (24-26 C). pH: around 7. Water hardness: soft, old water. Illumination: subdued lighting. Substrate: dark bottom material, medium layer of sand. Furnishings: abundant vegetation, about two-thirds to three-quarters of the tank.

Feeding Omnivorous.

Biology Behavior: likes shade and will withdraw under cover of plants. Reproduction: breeding not too difficult. At 77-79 °F (25-26 °C) the eggs hatch after 24 hours. 150-250 young would be an excellent spawning. Social life: the younger males are often aggressive. Compatibility: good for keeping with Rasbora and similar peaceable fishes.

 

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May 31, 2011

SUMATRA BARB

Barbus tetrazona Family Cyprinidae.

Distribution Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand, Cambodia. Description Shape: deep-bodied “banded barb.” Blunt snout. Color: brownish to olive on top; sides have a pale reddish sheen, edges of scales a rich gleaming gold. Four black vertical bars, the first passing through the eye. Size: up to 2|in (7cm). Largest of the “banded barbs.” Sexual differences: female recognizable only by its larger belly.

Environment Temperature: 68-77 °F (20-25 °C). pH and water hardness: old water with occasional replacement of part by fresh water; soft, slightly acid to neutral. Illumination: ample but not excessively strong lighting. Substrate: soft, deep bottom layer with some humus. Furnishings: plant edges and background of aquarium. Do not use feathery-leaved plants; the fish will gnaw them to pieces.

Feeding Omnivorous: live and dried food and additional plant food.

Biology Behavior: a lively, peaceable and active schooling fish; an active swimmer. Reproduction: not too difficult. Social life: single fish become very aggressive. Compatibility: good to mix with otherfishes, but not with peaceable long-finned fishes, since this barb will snap at their fins.

 

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May 31, 2011

TIGER BARB

Barbus pentazona hexazona

Family Cyprinidae. Distribution Central Sumatra.

Description Shape: typical barb shape but somewhat longer. Color: silvery-golden body. The wide vertical black bands recall the related Barbus tetrazona (see No. 51). Size: in (5.5 cm). Sexual differences: the female is much fuller in the belly and paler in color. The male is slimmer; its splendid coloring makes it one of the most beautiful barbs. Temperature: 68-77 °F (20-25 °C); for breeding 81 -86 °F (27-30 °C).pH: 6.5-7. Illumination, substrate, furnishings: good lighting; a deep layer of sand on the bottom with a little humus and ample vegetation (two-thirds of tank space), the rest free swimming space.

Feeding Omnivorous; needs large quantities of food Biology Behavior: a lively, peaceable schooling fish Reproduction: not simple; needs high temperatures Social life: forms loose schools. Compatibility: eas kept with other nonaggressive fishes of similar size.

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