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

BLACK-BANDED SUNFISH

Enneacanthus chaetodon Family Centrarchidae.

Distribution U.S.A., New Jersey to Maryland. Description Shape: thickset, short and deep body, flat-sided. Color: grayish yellow to greenish yellow with numerous but partly indistinct black vertical bars, often with irregular dark speckles in between. The first two spines of the dorsal fin are black; the following two, bright orange-red or red. The first two rays of the pelvic fins are orange; the next two, black. Size: up to 4 in (10cm); sexually mature at 2 in (5cm). Sexual differences: scarcely distinguishable; the females have brighter coloring during the spawning period. Environment Still and gently flowing waters. Temperature: cold—39-72 °F (4-22 °C). The fish keep well in outdoor pools. pH and water hardness: medium-hard to hard water with occasional replacement of a portion by fresh water. Illumination, substrate and furnishings: good lighting; deep, sandy bottom; ample vegetation. Feeding Live food.

Biology Behavior: relatively nonaggressive and peaceable. Reproduction: the father tends the young. Social life: form loose schools. Compatibility: may be mixed with peaceable surface-inhabiting fishes that are not too large, but a species tank is even better.

 

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May 31, 2011

ELECTRIC CATFISH

Malapterurus electricus

Family Malapteruridae. Distribution Africa.

Description Shape: long but thickset; thick head with small eyes that glow in the dark. No dorsal fin; adipose fin far back near the tail; no spines in pectoral fin. Three pairs of barbels; fleshy lips. Color: back grayish brown; sides flesh-colored to gray; belly reddish or yellowish white, with numerous irregularly arranged dark spots. Size: up to 3ft in (1m). Sexual differences: unknown.

Environment Temperature: 73-86 °F (23-30 °C). pH and water hardness: no particular requirements; neutral, fresh water is preferable. Furnishings: well-planted tank with plenty of cover. Feeding A predator. Live food; first earthworms and I lean meat in strips for young fish, later exclusively fish.

Biology Behavior: it possesses electric organs, arranged in pairs along its sides. Electrical discharges can be produced at will; they are used for self-defense and to stun the fish’s prey. They also serve as a means of orientation in turbid waters. Reproduction: unknown. Social life: must be kept singly. Compatibility: only fishes intended as food should be put in the same tank.

 

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May 31, 2011

SPINY EEL

Macrognathus aculeatus

Family Mastacembelidae. Distribution Southeast Asia to the Moluccas. Description Shape: characteristic eel shape, with an extended snout which contains the nostrils. The head is also long and pointed. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins adjoin one another, but are not linked by a fin membrane The soft-rayed dorsal fin is preceded by fourteen or fifteen isolated spines. No pelvic fins. Color: chocolate to tan, often with stripes on the back. The three to ten peacock’s-tail spots on the dorsal fin are sometimes absent. Size: up to 6in (15cm). Sexual differences: females essentially stronger, becoming very stout at spawning time.

Environment Fresh and brackish waters. Temperature: 72-82 °F (22-28 °C). Fish kept permanently at too high a temperature are more susceptible to infections and are shorter-lived. pH and water hardness: not important. Substrate and furnishings: the chief requirement is for cover. The tank should be thickly planted. A particularly deep layer of sand should be provided. Feeding All types of live food. The fish can suck up their prey.

Biology Behavior: peaceable; active at twilight and in darkness. Reproduction: not yet achieved in an aquarium. Compatibility: best suited to a species tank.

 

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May 31, 2011

BANDED LEPORINUS

Leporinus fasciatus

Family Anostomidae. Distribution South America.

Description Shape: elongated, torpedo-shaped body, flattened very slightly along the sides. The head is conical with a small snout. A few, powerful teeth. Color: ten vertical bars on a yellow background, darker on adults. Size: up to 12 in (30 cm).

Environment Native habitat is slow-flowing, gravelly brooks. Temperature: 72-77 °F (22-25 °C). pH and water hardness: not important. Substrate and furnishings: as the fish are plant-eaters, do not plant feathery vegetation. Sand or gravel bottom with frequent replacement of part of the water with fresh. Feeding Vegetable foods (lettuce, etc.) and worms. Biology Behavior: a schooling fish which swims and leaps very quickly. Keep top firmly closed. Reproduction : not yet successful in the aquarium. Social life: a companionable fish. Very long-lived, if well fed and kept well supplied with fresh water. Compatibility : keep with other head-standers.

 

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May 31, 2011

REDFIN SHARK

Labeo erythrurus Family Cyprinidae.

Distribution Thailand: the Mekong River at Komarat. Description Shape: an elongated carp, torpedo-shaped, with an almost straight belly line and slightly arched back. Slimmer than many species of the same genus, with well-developed organs for sucking and chewing and grinding up vegetation in the low-set mouth. Two pairs of barbels. Color: back ranging from light brown to blue-black, lighter toward the underside, and spotted. A dark spot or vertical bar on the caudal peduncle. All the fins are red. Size: 4| in (12 cm). Sexual differences: unknown.

Environment Temperature: 70-75 (max. 81) °F (21-24, max. 27 °C). pH and water hardness: undemanding; best to provide soft, neutral to slightly acid water. Furnishings: large tank with ample vegetation (two-thirds to three-quarters of area) and many hiding places.

Feeding Live food of all kinds, algae, lettuce. Keep the diet varied. Biology territorial aquarium

Behavior: the young live in schools; adults Reproduction: not yet achieved in the Compatibility: easily maintained in a com-munity tank.

 

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May 31, 2011

RED-TAILED BLACK SHARK

Labeo bicolor Family Cyprinidae.

Distribution Thailand, mainly in streams. Description Shape: elongated body, laterally compressed; somewhat deeper body than L. erythrurus. Color: sharply divided into two colors: body black with caudal fin in strongly contrasting orange to blood red. Size: up to 4J in (12 cm). Sexual differences: female is significantly bulkier.

Environment Turbid streams. Temperature: 73-81 °F (23-27 °C). pH: 5.5-7; light peat content. Water hardness: soft water. Illumination and furnishings: large tank, with moderate lighting and plenty of cover. Feeding As for L. erythrurus.

Biology Behavior: as for L. erythrurus; territorial adults even more aggressive. Reproduction: optimum temperature 79 °F (26 °C). Spawning tube appears some two weeks beforehand; 30-40 eggs are laid at a time. The young hatch in 48-72 hours and can immediately take nauplii; upkeep is simple. Males make violent thrusting motions during mating. Social life and compatibility: can be kept with other fishes in general aquarium. Antagonistic toward members of its own species.

 

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May 31, 2011

GLASS CATFISH

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Family Siluridae.

Distribution Indochina and Indonesia. Description Shape: very compressed sides, short body cavity, long caudal peduncle. Dorsal fin consists of a single ray; anal fin very long, but separated from the deeply cleft caudal fin, whose lower lobe is longer than the upper. One pair of very long barbels on the upper jaw Color: transparent, even when mature, sometimes with a rainbow-colored metallic sheen. Size: up to 4 in (1 Ocm) Sexual differences: unknown.

Environment Temperature: 68-77 °F (20-25 °C). pH: 6.5-7.5. Water hardness: medium hard for pref erence, but not important. Furnishings: roomy, not-too-deep tank, about half planted.

Feeding Live food should not be too large. Cereals are taken only occasionally.

Biology Behavior: schooling fish which swims constantly but rather slowly and needs water plants for rest. Reproduction: unknown. Social life: single specimens do not live long. Compatibility: do not keep with fast swimmers.

 

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May 31, 2011

JULIE

Julidochromis ornatus Family Cichlidae.

Distribution Lake Tanganyika, in rocky areas. Description Shape: slender body, almost completely cylindrical, with prominent pointed snout. Small mouth set low. Color: basic color white to gold. Three clearly marked brownish-black lines along the back, the uppermost passing through the base of the dorsal fin, the lowest extending from the snout through the eye and the middle of the side to middle of the tail-fin base. Size: male 2^—2|in (6-7cm); female somewhat smaller. Sexual differences: only in size.

Environment Temperature: 72-77 °F (22-25 °C). pH: around 8. Water hardness: hard water. Furnishings: reasonably large tanks with hiding places (stone prominences with recesses, flowerpots, pipe sections, etc.).

Feeding Both live and a little dried food. Biology Behavior: territorial, but easy to keep with other Tanganyikan cichlids. Reproduction: propagate freely. The young are tended by the male or by both parents.

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May 31, 2011

SERPA TETRA

Hyphessobrycon serpae

Family Characidae.

Distribution Amazon basin and Rio Guapore. Description Shape: elongated. Color: very variable Back dark olive; sides gray-green; belly yellowish with an iridescent sheen. When the fish is excited or in a state of well-being, the whole of the rear part of the body is blood red. Clearly marked dark patch on the shoulder. An indistinct lateral stripe, broadening toward the tail. Size up to 11 in (4.5 cm). Sexual differences: males mostly a brighter red.

Environment No special needs. Temperature 73-77 °F (23-25 °C). pH: slightly acid. Water hardness medium soft. Illumination, substrate, furnishings: good but not-too-glaring lighting; not-too-light bottom material; about two-thirds of tank space thickly planted. Feeding Omnivorous.

Biology Behavior: lively, peaceable, lives in schools. Reproduction: fairly easy. Compatibility: good to keep with other, not too closely related fishes.

 

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