Results for “aquarium”

This fish is one of a number of apparently unidentified Scleromystax species known in the aquarium hobby. The genus Scleromystax is included in the family Callichthyidae, of which members are often referred to collectively as 'armoured' or 'mailed' catfishes group due to the presence of bony plates in place of scales on the body.

Although S. jardinii superficially resembles its Asian cousins, it is not considered as desirable an aquarium inhabitant, nor is it classed as being at risk in nature. It can be easily distinguished from the asian species by its much smaller scale size, greater lateral scale count (32-35 as opposed to 21-25 in the asian aros) and duller patterning. It differs from its Australian relative S. leichardtii by its more sloping head, downward-pointing barbels and patterned gill covers. The base colour...

Although S. leichardtii superficially resembles its Asian cousins, it is not considered as desirable an aquarium inhabitant, nor is it classed as being at risk in nature. It can be easily distinguished from the asian species by its much smaller scale size, greater lateral scale count (32-35 as opposed to 21-25 in the asian aros) and duller patterning. It differs from its Australian relative S. jardinii by its spotted scales, forward-pointing barbels, lack of sloping head and unpatterned gill cov...

Fish sold under the name S. zonata are sporadically available in the aquarium trade but the majority appear to be the congener S. octozona. The genus currently contains just three members all of which are known only from the Mekong basin. S. octozona is the type species and separ...

S. elongatus is known as "Caribe Pinche" in its native countries and is a rare find in the trade, tending to be quite expensive as a result. Individuals seem to vary in personality. While some are particularly fearless and will actively chase and attempt to bite hands or fingers placed in or up against the aquarium, others will always appear to be shy and nervous. The streamlined body form that gives rise to the species name is unique among serrasalmids, and has probably developed as a...

S. geryi is sometimes sold as the "violet-line piranha" in reference to the unusal purple stripe that runs from the base of the lower jaw over the top of the body. It makes a stunning aquarium fish as it also possesses highly reflective scales, deep orange/red eyes and a compressed, high-bodied shape. Far from widespread in nature or the hobby, it tends to be pricey and highly sought-after when available. There are currently 24 described species of Serrasalmus, many of which look s...

This species appeared in the trade during 2010 and its identity has been confirmed to us by Thai exporter and aquarist Kamphol Udomritthiruj who collects it from the Se Kong system for the aquarium hobby. To date only subadult specimens have reached the western market.

S. lineolata was first recorded by Diard over 150 years prior to its 'rediscovery' in the early-1990s. It became available to the aquarium trade in the mid-2000s and swiftly established itself as one of the more popular balitorids in the hobby due to its attractive body markings and ease of breeding. It's also sold under the names 'reticulated hillstream loach', 'Vietnamese hillstream loach' and 'gold ring butterfly sucker'. It's difficult to...

This species is not in the aquarium trade though is maintained by a few private collectors. It can be distinguished from all other members of the genus by the following combination of characters: first dorsal-fin withfirst dorsal-fin elongate in males; anterior portion of body with loosely-arranged ctenoid scales; head, entire nape to first dorsal-fin base, pectoral base, and belly naked; male colour pattern comprising creamy-yellow anterior portion of body with dark blotch at midbody and bright orange/red in postero...

Juvenile specimens are occasionally available in the aquarium trade but this species is clearly not a viable subject for the vast majority of private aquarists. While it's considered a sport fish in some countries (France, Italy, Spain, UK) it's flesh and eggs are considered a delicacy in others (Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania) and its skin is also used in the manufacture of leather and glue. The family Siluridae comprises those catfsh species commonly referred to as freshwate...

This species not often seen in the aquarium trade and is apparently rare in its natural waters, with the occasional individual imported as bycatch in shipments of S. pulchra or S. robusta, or by private collectors. Like others in the genus it has a highly flexible, sinuous body which makes it very interesting to observe. It's told apart from congeners by the following combination of chara...

This species is probably the most common member of the genus in the aquarium trade but still not often exported in numbers. Instead it's more often found in mixed shipments of other wild-collected fishes from southern China, particularly Beaufortia or Pseudogastromyzon spp. It may appear superficially simi...

An easily kept cichlid whose character more than compensates for its somewhat drab colouration, S. casuarius is sometimes seen for sale as "Humphead", "Lionhead" or "Buffalohead" cichlid. It is a reophilic fish meaning it inhabits fast waters. Its swimbladder is modified to reduce buoyancy and thus prevent it from being swept away by the strong currents in it's natural habitat. In the aquarium it spends most of it's time resting on the substrate or hiding ...

This species probably hasn't been seen in the trade yet but should make an interesting aquarium fish if it ever becomes available. Within the genus it's most similar to S. surrufus and S. mele from which it differs only in terms of meristics. In description it's distinguished from the former only by possession of more teeth in the upper jaw although images of live specimens depict S. surrufus as a more intensely-coloured, reddish fi...

This species is rare in the aquarium trade and normally expensive when available. It's one of the most easily-identifiable in the genus by the combination of usually 14 pectoral-fin rays, 10 segmented second dorsal-fin rays, relatively small adult size, unique colouration in males and the shape of the first dorsal-fin in males in which the fourth and fifth spines are...

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 infrequently offered for sale but makes an attractive addition to the medium sized community aquarium.

An unusual and highly adapted species, S. brichardi is one of our favourite Synos and really deserves to be kept in a biotope aquarium to be appreciated at its best. Here, it will be seen moving in and out of areas of high and low current and rasping at algae attached to rocks as in nature. It is much more diurnal than many Synodontis species, if maintained correctly. The colours of this fish intensify with age....

Often confused with the similar S.nigriventris, this species is imported infrequently. It is easily distinguished from nigriventris by its larger eyes and broad mouth and head. These features give rise to the common name "Big-nosed upside-down catfish". S. contracta spends the majority of its time swimming in an inverted position and this, along with its exaggerated facial features,make it a characterful and interesting addition to the community aquarium. It is also known as the Bug-e...

Also known as the Orange Striped Squeaker, in our opinion this fish is one of the most attractively patterned Synos. S. flavitaeniata can vary considerably in patterning and colouration but is difficult to misidentify. This fish is more sensitive to deteriorating water quality than many Syno species so aquarium maintenance must be rigorous. When it was first imported 25 or so years ago it commanded an extortionate price but thankfully is affordable today. Its flexibility with regards to w...