Results for “sp.”

Like the closely related Polycentrus species from South America, with which it is sometimes confused, this fish is camouflaged to mimic a dead leaf, both in body shape and pattern. It can also change colour to match its surroundings. When hunting, it stalks its prey in a head-down stance, appearing to drift towards it like a dead leaf drifting in a current. In reality the fish is propelled by tiny movements of its transparent hind fins. When it strikes at an item of prey, the entire mouth pro...

In Brazil P. castexi is currently banned from export, although it can still be legally obtained from other countries. There's a high level of polychromatism (differences in colour and pattern) displayed by this species, and in the hobby some of the colour forms have been given distinguishing names. Below is a list of some of the commoner varieties, along with some defining characteristics: Otorongo Ray (also known as "Jaguar" Ray, P25, P26, P28 or P35): This popular variant has...

P. schroederi is one of the most attractive and sought after members of the family. Due to current export restrictions in Brazil it has become very scarce in the hobby and commands a high price when it is available, usually from captive breeders. There is another fish sold under the name "flower ray", presumably to boost sales. This is a potentially undescribed species imported from Peru and is usually referred to as "Peru flower" or P40 by ray enthusiasts. Some believe this ...

P. maxillaris is one of the more popular tetras in the hobby, and is easily obtainable from most aquatic shops. It must rank among the very best choices for the newcomer to fishkeeping as it's peaceful, hardy and inexpensive. There's a selectively-bred "golden" strain available which is actually a semi-albino fish. Care is much the same as for the standard form. Currently the only species in the genus, in older literature it's often referred to by the now invalid name...

Also known as the common catopra, this is still quite a rare species in the hobby, although it's becoming more readily available due to captive breeding efforts. It makes an interesting addition to the larger community or oddball tank....

This species has an interesting method of feeding in nature. It 'blows' at the top layer of the substrate (usually sand) and feeds on any invertebrates or other morsels that are uncovered. It is rare in the hobby and little information regarding it's care is available....

Mostly collected in the in the rio Negro basin, Amazonas state, Brazil, and in particular the rio Demini, a northern tributary flowing into the central Negro in the municipality of Barcelos. P. leopardus was described from the Rupununi River in Guyana and the identity of this fish thus remains unconfirmed. This 'species' is also traded simply as 'leo...

This species is not often seen in the hobby, which is a pity as it is a stunning fish with interesting behaviour. If you do manage to get some, be sure to provide the best possible conditions from the start, as they appear to travel quite badly and losses are common. There are currently 3 subspecies, Pseudocrenilabrus philander philander, P. p. dispersus and P. p. luebberti. However, recent studies suggest as many as 11 distinct populations exist, differing in location, colour, patterning, be...

This species is traded under various vernacular names including 'Chinese hillstream loach', 'Chinese butterfly plec' and 'Hong Kong Otocinclus. It's the commonest member of the genus in the hobby but has been frequently misidentified as the congener P. cheni in the past with the two often said to be indistinguishable in terms of colour pattern. Some sources additionally suggest the sole defining external character to be that in P. cheni the distance between the resp...

A paternal 'lip brooder' which has been bred in aquaria. Post-spawning the male carries the eggs attached to his labial barbels for a period of 12-14 days after which the fry hatch with a large yolk sac attached, this being absorbed over the next 48 hours or so. During incubation the behaviour of the male i...

H. sexmaculata is very similar to H. leonardi but can be told apart since it possesses 2 simple and 12-14 branched pectoral-fin rays (versus 6 simple and 11 branched rays). Both of these species are sometimes misidentified as H. yunnanensis which has 7 simple and 12 branched pectoral-fin rays.

There is ongoing debate as to the true genus of this species, it having been variously grouped in both Maylandia and Metriaclima as well as the currently valid Pseudotropheus. It is unlikely it will remain in Pseudotropheus, however. One interesting feature is the presence of additional rows of teeth when compared to others in the genus. Also, the rows of bicuspid teeth, used for rasping algae from rock surfaces, extend further back into the mouth than in other Pseudotropheus. P. fainzilberi...

A popular mbuna that has been in the hobby for many years. There is ongoing debate as to the true genus of this species, it having been variously grouped in both Maylandia and Metriaclima, as well as the currently valid Pseudotropheus. It is unlikely it will remain in Pseudotropheus, however, and many sources already consider it a member of Metriaclima. As with other members of the genus, it possesses flat, bicuspid teeth which are designed for scraping algae and other organisms from the surface...

This common mbuna also goes by the names "Eduard's mbuna" and "Pindani". It is one of the most popular Rift Lake cichlids in the hobby due to its striking colouration and somewhat peaceful nature (for a mbuna). Wild fish can now be quite difficult to find, as the vast majority of specimens offered for sale are tank-bred. An albino form exists in aquaria and has achieved a fair degree of popularity. A highly recommended beginner's mbuna....

Altum Angels are a lot less common in the trade than their well known (arguably the best known tropical fish) relatives Pterophyllum Scalare, the common Angelfish. However, they are still available from some of the better tropical fish suppliers. They are a challenge to keep - they share all of their relatives' difficulties (susceptible to hole-in-the-head disease, very weak to nitrate buildups, extremely prone to stress-related diseases, commonly eat their own spawns etc.) and have a fe...

This species occasionally appears in the aquarium hobby, but the trade is largely reliant on commercially-produced 'tiger barbs' of questionable origin. It is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: lateral line complete; 14 circumpeduncular scales; 21-23+2 scales in the lateral row; dorsal-fin black with red outer band; pelvic fins red.

This species occasionally appears in the aquarium hobby, but the trade is largely reliant on commercially-produced 'tiger barbs' of questionable origin. It was considered a synonym of P. anchisporus for a number of decades following Alfred (1963), but revalidated by Kottelat and Tan (2011).

P. tetrazona is traditionally considered to be among the most ubiquitous species available in the aquarium trade. Wild examples are rarely traded, however, and there exists ongoing confusion as to the identity of the commercially-produced 'aquarium' tiger barb. A number of selectively-bred, ornamental strains are available. The albino, 'green' (aka 'moss'), and 'golden' (leucistic) variants are particularly pop...

Prior to its description P. kamalika was referred to as P. amphibius, a putatively valid species probably restricted to western India. It differs from all congeners in the following combination of characters: 4½/1/2½ scales in a transverse line between the mid-dorsal...

The hill streams in which this fish can be found are generally shaded by the forest canopy and dense marginal vegetation. Substrates are typically composed of boulders, smaller stones, sand or gravel with submerged tree roots around the margins and quieter areas in which fallen branches and leaf litter collect. Other fish species occurring in the Tunga...