Distichodus

The silver distichodus, Distichodus affinis, is an active citharinid from the Lower and Central Congo basin. It develops bright red fins as it matures and some specimens a pink sheen on the underside, and these variations may indicate different species. It will eat most greenery, so it suits a tank furnished with smooth rocks and driftwood better than a planted one.

The long-nosed distichodus, Distichodus lusosso, is a citharinid from rivers in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo. One of only a handful of Distichodus seen with any regularity in the hobby, it loses much of its juvenile colour and patterning as it matures. It resembles D. sexfasciatus but has a narrow, pointed head, and some specimens become very spiteful with age.

The six-banded distichodus, Distichodus sexfasciatus, is a large citharinid from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. The most common Distichodus in the hobby, it is often sold for the general community tank, which its temperament and size do not suit: it reaches 75 cm, though rarely more than 40 cm in aquaria. Juveniles are orange and black striped with red fins, but much of this colour fades as the fish grows.