Results for “tank”

An attractive and colourful fish when small, this species quickly grows into a large aggressive adult, requiring a large tank.

An ideal species for the newcomer to 'oddballs'. It is exceptionally hardy, long-lived (it can survive for over 15 years when cared for properly) and exhibits some interesting behaviour. It appears to have evolved convergently with leaf fish of the genera Polycentrus and Monocirrhus (they're not closely related). All these species mimic leaves and other aquatic debris to assist them in hunting their prey. If you add live food to its tank, you will see the typical stalking behaviou...

An ideal resident of the larger, well-furnished community set-up though it might upset slow-moving or timid companions simply by its size. There are plenty of suitable tankmates including many cyprinids, loaches, cichlids, catfish and characins, but as always when selecting a compatible community of fish proper research is essential. A community based around one of its native countries or river basins...

Not difficult to keep in a well-maintained set-up, though we recommend aquascaping the tank to resemble a flowing stream/river with a substrate of variably-sized, water-worn rocks, sand, fine gravel and perhaps some small boulders. This can be further furnished with driftwood roots or branches, and while the majority of aquatic plants will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as Microsorum, Bolbitis or Anubias spp. can be grown attached to the décor.

A good choice for the larger community tank. Newly imported fish tend to be a little delicate and can be susceptible to disease. This is at least in part because all specimens sold for the trade are wild caught. Once acclimatised it usually proves very hardy and adaptable....

This is the most common of the few Distichodus species regularly seen in the hobby, and sadly, it is often sold as being suitable for the general community tank. This is clearly not the case in terms of both its temperament and potential size. Do not buy one unless you have the facilities to house it for life. It is usually seen for sale at a couple of inches long, and at this size is a very attractive orange and black striped fish with bright red finnage. Unfortunately, much of this colour and ...

This species is now considered a member of the Hara genus by many experts, but as things stand it is still officially included in Erethistes. It is, in all likelihood, a Hara, as Erethistes is characterised by divergent denticles on the pectoral fins, whereas Hara possess outwardly pointing denticles. E. maesotensis has these outwardly pointing denticles. It's quite rare in the trade, but makes an interesting addition to an Asian stream community tank if you can get hold of some....

Although often sold as the closely related F. acus (a species that is highly endangered and imported very rarely, if at all), F. vittata is the most common representative of the genus in hobbyists' tanks. The easiest way to distinguish the two is by comparing the shape of the rostrum, which is longer and more slender in vittata, although there are also differences in the arrangement of the ventral scutes. They are adapted for life among peripheral vegetation and tree roots along the edges o...

Also known as Peter's elephantnose, this fascinating species is currently the most common Mormyrid in the hobby. Sadly, its popularity means it is often kept in unsuitable conditions. To deny the fish a soft substrate really is cruel, as it uses its "trunk" to locate food hidden in the substrate. It also needs dim lighting, and will commonly become withdrawn and pine away if kept under bright lights. If you cannot provide suitable lighting, add food to the tank at lights out to al...

A densely-planted tank with floating vegetation and roots, twigs or branches and natural leaf litter would seem appropriate. There's no need to use natural peat, the collection of which is both unsustainable and environmentally-destructive. Filtration should not be strong with an air-powered sponge-type unit ideal, and given it naturally inhab...

This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. All the fish sold in the trade have been captive bred and as such are unfussy regarding water chemistry and diet. The intense black colouration of juveniles does fade as they grow, but adult fish provide a subtle contrast to most other commonly kept species. It goes by several common names, including 'butterfly tetra', 'black skirt tetra' and simply '...

The genus Hasemania is one of the few in the family Characidae in which members do not possess an adipose fin. This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. All the fish sold in the trade have been captive bred and as such are unfussy with regard to both water chemistry and diet. It is sometimes seen for sale with the common name 'copper tetra'....

This species can be quite delicate when first imported, but once settled is usually quite hardy. When buying the fish, check that it has a rounded belly and that its eyes aren't sunken. These are classic signs of emaciation in newly imported specimens, and fish in this condition do not often survive for long. If you can find healthy specimens for sale, it is a charming addition to the larger community tank. It is superficially similar to the closely related Nemadoras leporhinus. The two ...

Aggressively territorial and incompatible with other fishes in all but the largest public installations and even then may attack its tankmates. It's also one of few freshwater fishes that appear unafraid of humans meaning care must be exercised when performing maintenance.

Not recommended for the beginner or for the general community tank, despite often being sold as such. The Jewel Cichlid is regularly seen in the trade. Recently, Hemichromis lifalili has become the more popular fish. These species can be easily distinguished as H. lifalili have only 2 black spots on the flanks whereas H. bimaculatus has 3, having an extra spot on the caudal peduncle....

This species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping, being both hardy and inexpensive. There is a selectively-bred albino form that has been produced for the trade and has become popular in recent years. Care for this is identical to the standard form. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 spe...

Also known as the beacon tetra, this species is ubiquitous in most dealers' tanks and is one of the best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping. It's both hardy and inexpensive. It has been popular in the hobby for several decades. There is a selectively bred albino form that has become popular in recent years, for which care is identical to the standard fish. There is possibly also a subspecies, H. ocellifer falsus that lacks the red spot at the caudal peduncle (the gold-coloured tai...

Other species are frequently misidentified as H. ulreyi. The true fish is quite scarce in the hobby, but makes a very attractive addition to most tanks if you can find it. Like all Hemigrammus, the taxonomic status of this species is currently Incertae Sedis, meaning uncertain. The genus is currently used as something of a catch-all for over 70 species of small characin. Most experts agree that a full revision is required, with the likely outcome that many species will be placed into new or d...

The only species in the genus, and a popular game fish in its native range, H. odoe superficially resembles our native European Pike. It is an ambush predator with a fearsome set of teeth, and should be handled very carefully, particularly when maintaining its tank. Although juvenile specimens have become relatively common in the trade in the last few years, this is strictly a species for the specialist who is able to provide it with a suitably large aquarium and the correct conditions. In sm...

The severum is one of the most poular and readily available cichids in the hobby, however not everyone realises that these fish can attain a fairly large size and are therefore not suitable for every aquarium. The fish is normally sold in the standard green variety and also gold. Severums make good fish for a South American community setup, as long as there are no fish small enough for them to eat. They grow quite quickly, so should be housed in an adequately sized tank from the start....