Results for “sp.”

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 is the only species of Synodontis found in Lake Malawi. There exists both large and small-spotted morphs, both of which are available in the trade.

Taeniacara Candidi are the source of much discussion amongst dwarf cichlid keepers. They are a highly attractive species, but require very specific water parameters and as such are seen as a challenge amongst even experienced south american cichlid keepers. Candidi are renowned for not liking water changes - they will commonly get "moody" after a water change, and will sulk at the bottom of the tank for over a day in some cases. Try to keep new water at the same temperature as the C...

Similar in lifestyle to Julidochromis species, Telmatochromis vittatus is ideal for the smaller Tanganyikan community and is also a good choice for the beginner. It can be distinguished from the similar T. brichardi and T. bifrenatus primarily by its larger size, smaller eyes and more rounded nose. Like other Lamprologines, Telmatochromis have fang-like, caniform teeth, which they use for scraping microrganisms from rock surfaces. On adult specimens these are clearly visible....

Very similar to its congener T. exilis, it can be distinguished by looking at the position of the eye which is set much further forward in exilis. Also, the humeral process (long spine extending from the back of the gill plate), is broader and shorter in this species than exilis. Neither are seen very often in the hobby....

This species is also sold as the 'redline' rasbora which is something of a misnomer as in reality the colour of the lateral stripe that gives rise to the name can vary from deep orange to golden depending upon the collection locality of the fish as well as diet, condition, and even mood. Some specimens also have a second, darkish stripe beneath the other which seems to vary in length and intensity depending on a similar array of factors. Older fish tend to possess a greater degree of black edging to the scales, especially in the ventral portion of the body.

T. heteromorpha was first exported for aquaria in the early 1900s and has gone on to become one of the most familiar, enduring species in the hobby. It has suffered as a result of its popularity to a certain extent with the mass-produced fish we see today lacking much of the colour seen in wild specimens and even exhibiting morphological deformities in some cases. Several selectively-bred ornamental strains have also...

This species is traded under various names including 'chocolate scissor-tailed loach', chocolate long-finned loach', 'red line cobra loach', 'spiny eel loach' and 'dragon loach'. It's apparently difficult to find in its natural habitats and thus time-consuming to collect, meaning it's rarely traded in numbers, sought after by enthusiasts and tends to carry a relatively high price tag when available. The genus currently contains just three...

This species is clearly not an aquarium fish, and thankfully is not imported with any great regularity. Young specimens are occasionally seen for sale however and no matter how cute they look, don't be tempted to buy one. The gigantic adult size is not the only problem with W. attu, as the mouth is filled with needle sharp, backward-pointing teeth. The fish will bite aggressively when being fed, especially when handled and larger individuals could easily sever a hand or worse. It is a genu...

Originally classified in the genus Notopterus and reclassified in 1984, this is now the only described species of Xenomystus and has several interesting characteristics. Its swim bladder is specially adapted to act as an accessory breathing organ in a similar fashion to Polypteriids. It must rise to the surface to take a gulp of air periodically, often emitting a bell-like sound as it does so. X. nigri is often confused with the similar looking but far more aggressive Asian knifefish, Notopt...

In nature, the pair bond formed by this species lasts only for the duration of the breeding season. However, in aquaria this bond can last much longer, with the pair remaining in their territory and defending it even when not spawning. It is thought that this is directly due to the fish being kept in the confines of the aquarium, where the territory is a permanent fixture. X. flavipinnis is very sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and regular water changes are essential to its good heal...

This species isn't especially popular in the aquarium trade but is undoubtedly interesting despite its lack of colour. In addition to its survival ability in the absence of water it's also capable of producing audible sounds though the purpose of these has not been fully-studied. Naturally-occurring xanthic and albino forms have also been recorded. There is considerable confusion as to the taxonomic status of the two species currently occupying this genus, with ichthyologists widely...

L. siamensis can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: 39-42 scales in the lateral series; shoulder spot usually absent, but sometimes well-defined; body with longitudinal stripes formed by a spot on each scale; dorsal fin with dusky median stripe and no red coloration; caudal fin dusky, sometimes with reddish coloration, but no well-defined stripes; 20-23 circumpeduncular scales...

The elongated, slender body profile, angular lower jaw and reduced scalation exhibited by this little-known subspecies have seen it placed in the disused genera Anatolichthys and Kosswigichthys in the past and it's still inexplicably listed as a species of Lebias by some sources (for the record Lebias has long been considered a synonym of Cyprinodon by most authorities and an ICZN committee voted to suppress the name in favour of Aphanius as recently as 2003). You're unlikely to find i...

Endemic to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins and thus occurs in northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Type locality is 'the Yamuna River, and northern rivers of Behar and Bengal'. The distribution of the genus as a whole is interesting because these fish occupy the area that geographically separates Indian and Southeast Asia barbs and it has been theorised that they may represent an evolutionary 'link' species...

Also known by the vernacular names ''black band garra', 'stone-lapping minnow' or 'false flying fox' and continues to be traded as Garra taeniata, an invalid name synonymous with G. cambodgiensis. It is often confused with those laterally-striped members of the genus Crossocheilus sold as 'Siamese algae eater' or 'Siamese flying fox', but in those species the dark lateral body stripe continues into the caudal-fin whereas in G. cambodgiensis it terminates...

Not a common species in the hobby, although it does occasionally show up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. 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 different genera....

Not a common species in the hobby, although it does occasionally show up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. 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 different genera....

Not often seen for sale, but occasionally shows up as a contaminant among imports of more popular species. It's a subtly attractive species when in good condition. 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 diff...

Despite its abundance in nature, this is not a commonly seen species in the hobby. When it is available, it's usually only as a contaminant among imports of other species. 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...