Baram Snakehead
June 30th, 2013 — 3:24pm
This species was considered a synonym of Channa melasoma for a number of years prior to its revalidation by Ng. et al. (1996).
Specimens larger than around 120 mm SL can be distinguished by possession of a black spot in the centre of numerous body scales and a barred caudal-fin pattern, characters which are missing in both C. melasoma and the similar-looking C. cyanospilos.
Comment » | Category: Perciformes, Snakeheads
February 7th, 2013 — 7:53pm
This species is relatively uncommon in the aquarium hobby but is available on occasion, sometimes mixed in among shipments of the congener C. salivator.
These two can be told apart by the fact that C. salivator possesses a series of distinct dark bars on the head and body in both sexes, a colour pattern unique within the genus.
It is also similar t…
Comment » | Category: Tetraodontiformes, The Rest
December 20th, 2012 — 12:23pm
An obligate dweller of swiftly-flowing streams and headwaters containing clear, oxygen-saturated water. It often inhabits riffles and runs and is likely to display a preference for shallower zon…
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
June 19th, 2012 — 4:51pm
This species is one of three similar-looking members of the genus alongside D. johorensis and D. trifasciatus, while it may also be confused with Striuntius lineatus.
Juveniles of all except S. lineatus exhibit a vertically-barred rather than laterally-striped colour pattern, the metamorphosis to adult patterning beginning at around 20 mm SL and normally being complete by 30-40 mm.
Comment » | Category: Barbs & relatives, Cypriniformes
March 13th, 2012 — 1:25pm
It can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: gill slit angular; presence of subopercular groove, running continuous to origin of pectoral-fin; body black with numerous, small, evenly-spaced light brown spots; head dorsum black with numerous cream spots; pectoral and pelvic fins with cream spots; caudal-fin with iridescen…
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
March 13th, 2012 — 1:25pm
One of the more commonly-traded members of the genus and often found in mixed shipments which may contain other Gastromyzon spp. or related fishes like Beaufortia kweichowensis. These are typically labelled ‘Borneo sucker’, ‘Hong Kong pleco’, ‘butterfly loach’, etc. regardless of species.
It’s sometimes misidentified as G. punctulatus, a species not currently traded which possesses yellow finnage and a lighter-coloured, less-intensely spo…
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
March 13th, 2012 — 1:25pm
In fact G. farragus and G. ocellatus represent one of 12 pairs of cryptospecies to be found in the genus, differing in subtle aspects of patterning. Cryptospecies are defined as morphologically similar, but reproductively isolated species which in fishes often inhabit adjacent river basins but in some cases occur sympatrically. The phenomenon may be a result of parallel evolution, and is not normally considered to represent an early stage of speciation.
Comment » | Category: Cypriniformes, Loaches
Spanner Barb
March 13th, 2012 — 1:19pm
This species is commonly-referred to as ‘T-barb’ in some countries. It’s closely-affiliated with and sometimes traded as the congener B. kuchingensis but that species can be told apart by colour pattern comprising a prominent row of dark spots along the lateral line, plus a short, horizontally-orientated streak extending from the upper part of the operculum. In B. lateristriga the lateral markings usually form a solid stripe and there is no streak extending from the operculum.
Comment » | Category: Barbs & relatives, Cypriniformes
Product reviewers wanted
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6th Sep 2020
Product reviewers wanted
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30th Aug 2020
Product reviewers wanted
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23rd Aug 2020
Product reviewers wanted
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19th Aug 2020
Barbodes semifasciolatus – Golden Barb* (Barbus sachsii, Puntius schuberti)
I simply had a question (please forgive if this is not allowed, I read the FAQ but I was not sure). I was wondering if there is any evidence of offsp...
12th Aug 2020