Pygmy Hatchetfish
January 19th, 2015 — 1:38am
The smallest and most delicate of the nominal hatchetfishes. The rounded keel is shallower than related species, giving this fish a distinctive elongate profile.
The family Gasteropelecidae is separated from other Characiformes by the following combination of characters: front…
Comment » | Category: Characiformes, Hatchetfishes
Blackwing Hatchetfish
May 13th, 2013 — 4:36pm
Gasteropelecids are commonly-referred to as ‘freshwater hatchetfishes’ due to their heavily-keeled body shape which has evolved in such a way due to possessing an enlarged, heavily-muscled pectoral girdle, and which resembles the shape of a hatchet head.
They are sometimes said to be capable of propelled flight above the water surface by beating their pectoral fins but in fact this is not the case and was disproven by Wiest (1995) who used…
Comment » | Category: Characiformes, Hatchetfishes
Common Hatchetfish, Silver Hatchetfish
March 13th, 2012 — 1:23pm
This species spends almost all of its time at or just below the water surface, although it will sometimes retreat into midwater if threatened or feeding. Like other freshwater hatchetfishes, it is renowned for its ability to leap from the water surface and glide for distances of several metres. This behaviour is used both to catch flying insects, and to escape potential predators.
Comment » | Category: Characiformes, Hatchetfishes
Spotfin Hatchetfish
March 13th, 2012 — 1:23pm
T. stellatus is superficially similar to its only congener T. securis, but can immediately be identified by the presence (vs. absence) of a prominent dark spot in the dorsal-fin. It is sometimes traded as ‘platinum hatchetfish’.
The genus Thoracocharax was originally erected by Fowler in 1906 as a subgenus of Gasteropelecus, but was elevated to generic status by Weitzman (1960).
Comment » | Category: Characiformes, Hatchetfishes
Marbled Hatchetfish
March 13th, 2012 — 1:23pm
C. strigata is an enduringly popular species in the aquarium hobby but is not bred on a commercial basis with all fish offered for sale collected in the wild.
It can be told apart from other members of the genus by its larger adult size and dark, marbled colour pattern appearing as a series of dark and light stripes running diagonally across the body below the lateral line.
This colour pattern is variable and popul…
Comment » | Category: Characiformes, Hatchetfishes
Silver Hatchetfish
March 13th, 2012 — 1:23pm
Gasteropelecids are commonly-referred to as ‘freshwater hatchetfishes’ due to their heavily-keeled body shape which has evolved in such a way due to possessing an enlarged, heavily-muscled pectoral girdle, and which resembles the shape of a hatchet head.
They are sometimes said to be capable of propelled flight above the water surface by beating their pectoral fins but in fact this is not the cas…
Comment » | Category: Characiformes, Hatchetfishes
Laetacara curviceps – Dwarf Flag Cichlid (Acara curviceps, Aequidens curviceps)
The Laetacara curviceps will nibble on soft leaves of live plants as I have observed.
21st Jan 2019
Tetraodon miurus (Congo Puffer)
I own one of these guys and they are truly awesome. His name is Quagmire (given the squared-out jaw.) If you’re not keen on the idea of the fish bei...
5th Nov 2018
Poecilia reticulata – Guppy (Lebistes poecilioides, Girardinus guppii )
You recommend keeping this species with Rasboras, Tetras and Corydoras? Guppies do best in very high pH, while Tetras, Corydoras and Rasboras do best ...
1st Nov 2018
Aphyosemion striatum – Red-striped Killifish (Haplochilus striatus, Epiplatys striatus)
The default photo isn't indicative of how most populations of A. striatum look like in reality. That is a very washed out looking male in my opinion. ...
13th Oct 2018
Nothobranchius rachovii (Bluefin Nothobranch)
The image shown for "Captive-bred, adult male individual of the 'Beira 98' collection." is incorrect. That isn't a 'Beira 98' male. The picture is s...
13th Oct 2018