Results for “species name”

This is an exceptionally hardy and adaptable species. It's not an especially common fish in stores, but is quite widely available in hobbyist circles. The common name arises from the row of modified, paired scales that form a keel running from the base of theto the caudal fin....

The vernacular name 'lancer' is derived from the extended dorsal spine possessed by several members of the genus, which currently contains 7 species. Among them B. macracanthus is most similar to B. majusculus and B. vaillantii but can be told apart from the former by possession of shorter pectoral spines (13.3 - 16.2% SL vs. 15.8 - 20.7%), shorter adipose fin (46.0 - 58.0% SL vs. 38.8 - 45.8%), less deep caudal peduncle (7.1 - 7.5% SL vs. 5.6-7.0%) and larger adult size. From B. vaillantii it di...

The vernacular name 'lancer' is derived from the extended dorsal spine possessed by several members of the genus, which currently contains 7 species. Among them B. majusculus is most similar to B. macracanthus and B. vaillantii but can be told apart from both by possession of longer pectoral-fin spines (length 15.8 - 20.7 % SL vs. 11.5 - 16.2 %), from the former by possession of a larger adipose fi...

The vernacular name 'lancer' is derived from the extended dorsal spine possessed by several members of the genus, which currently contains 7 species. B. obscurus is diagnosable from congerners by the following combination of characters: mouth opening relatively small and narrow; oral dentition significantly reduced; dorsal-fin spi...

In the Amazon region it is only specimens larger than around 160 cm and werighing in excess of 50 kg that are referred to as 'Piraíba' with the name 'filhote' normally applied to smaller individuals. Other vernacular names include 'Salton catfish', 'Kumakuma'; and 'tiger antenna catfish'; with members of the genus often referred to collectively as 'goliath catfishes'.

This species is among a handful of near-identical congeners that are traded as 'Siamese algae-eater' (often abbreviated to 'SAE'), 'Siamese flying fox' and 'Crossocheilus siamensis'. The latter name is not valid, however, and is a synonym of Epalzeorhynchos siamensis which is itself a synonym of Crossocheilus oblongus, a species described from Java. C. oblongus is currently accepted to...

Formerly known as Peckoltia pulcher, this species is also known as the pretty peckoltia, flounder plec (in reference to its flattened shape) or chameleon plec. This latter name is quite appropriate, as the fish will change colour depending on the colour of the substrate and other surfaces. It also has a distinctive night time colouration. It closely resembles the Rio Orinoco species L052 and these may turn out to be the same species, as the waters that they inhabit become connected during th...

This fish was first collected in 2009 and limited numbers have been available in the aquarium trade. Though additional exports may be unlikely it's proven easy to breed in captivity and there's a fair chance it will become established in the hobby. It's sold under several names including T. sp. 'lemon' or 'yellow white cloud', and has also been misidentified as the congener T. thacbaensis, a valid species occurring much further north in Vietnam.

This species was available in the hobby several years prior to being described, invariably traded as G. sp. aff. altifrons 'Tocantins', G. sp. 'Tocantins' or G. sp. 'rio Areoes'. The latter of these names refers to an Indian reserve named 'Areões' in the rio Das Mortes drainage, a tributary of the Araguaia which itself drains into the Tocantins, and the aquarium specimens in our images have been identified as G. neambi by Dr. Paulo Lucinda, co-describer of the species.

This species was available in the aquarium hobby for a number of years prior to description and continues to be traded under various names including C. sp. 'Lal Cheng', C. sp. 'Assam', C. sp. 'blue bleheri', C. sp. 'himalayanus', and C. sp. 'red'. The names of valid, but distinct, congeners such as C. amphibeus, C. bleheri or C. stewartii have also been misapplied to it.

An incredibly hardy species, the walking catfish is tolerant of a very wide range of water chemistry and temperature. It can also survive in oxygen-depleted conditions due to its ability to breathe atmospheric air. In fact, it is thought that the fish can literally drown if deprived access to the water surface for long enough. The common name is derived from its natural ability to move across land using its stiff pectoral spines, provided it stays damp. It has special mucous-producing pores ...

Previously included as a member of the genus Cichlasoma, the midas cichlid is often confused with the red devil, A. labiatus. The two can be distinguished through differences in morphology. As suggested by its scientific name, A. labiatus often possesses characteristically large lips, although this is variable and should not be used as a defining indicator of species. More reliable differences include the bigger nuchal hump and more thick-set appearance in A. citrinellus. The midas exists in many n...

This species is sometimes traded as C. sp. 'red line', 'spotted tetra' or as its congener C. nigrofasciata. In the past it's name was also widely applied to the fish now identified as C. callolepis and C. meinkeni, and this misidentification continues to an extent although the two are easily-distinguished by the fact that C. nattereri is the only one of the three possessing a dark lateral stripe on each side of the body.

This species is very similar in appearance to S. berdmorei which is native to India and Myanmar, and has been widely mislabelled under that name in older aquarium literature. The two can appear identical on first glance but there are some notable differences, most obviously possession of 9-10 branchedrays in S. beauforti vs. 11-14 in S. bermorei, and the fact that even young specimens of S. beauforti exhibit laterally-orientated rows of small, dark markings running across the ...

This species is sometimes traded as 'cherry red Congo tetra' or 'super red Congo tetra' and has also been referred to using the misapplied names Alestopetersius nigropterus (a valid congener) and A. ansorgii (a synonym of Nannopetersius ansorgii).

Previously included as a member of the genus Cichlasoma, the red devil is often confused with the midas cichlid, A. citrinellus. The two can be distinguished through differences in morphology. As suggested by its scientific name, A. labiatus possesses characteristically large lips, although in reality this is variable and should not be used as a defining indicator of species. Certainly, tank bred fish tend not to have these large lips. More reliable differences include the bigger nuchal hump and mo...

In aquarium literature this species is also referred to as 'fine scaled tiger fish', 'Indonesian tiger fish', 'Sumatran tiger fish', 'Indo datnoid', and 'Indo dat'. The common name of 'tiger fish' is also used in reference to the African alestid genus Hydrocynus, and the more appropriate 'tiger perch' was suggested by Roberts and Kottelat (1994).

One of the commonest Synos seen for sale, S. nigriventris is occasionally confused with S. contractus. However, on close inspection the species are easy to tell apart as S. nigriventris lacks the large head and mouth and larger eye of S. contractus. The scientific name nigriventris refers to the fact that the belly of this fish is darker than the dorsal area. This is a form of camouflage, making the fish harder to spot by predators above, such as predatory fish, birds etc. It is a basic re...

This species exhibits some interesting behaviour including a degree of social interaction plus the ability to cling to vertical or overhanging surfaces. It's sometimes sold under the name 'serpent loach'. The genus currently contains just three members all of which are known only from the Mekong basin. S. octozona is the type species and separated from the others mainly by body patterning which consists of 7-8 dark bars on each flank, these extending the full depth of the body and much wider than the pale interspaces between.

This species is not an annual fish, being found in permanent bodies of water in nature. Over 20 different forms of it have been discovered at different localities and a handful have been given subspecific names. The most popular in the aquarium hobby include A. o. ottogartneri and A. o. pyrophore, both of which were initially described as separate species.