FRESHWATER FISH CURIOSITY CORNER Some species, often possessing unique anatomical features or biomechanisms, exist only as a single family in the world of the aquarist - and sometimes also in the wild. For these reasons we have grouped them together on this double page. Notopterus chitala (Notopteridae) The Indian knifefish or clown knifefish lives in […]
FRESHWATER FISH BELONTIIDAE These fish possess an unusual feature: located in the upper part of the head is a special organ known as the labyrinth - hence their earlier name of Labyrinthidae. They were also formerly known as Anabantidae (meaning “climbers”), since some can scramble out onto land. The labyrinth, in fact, allows them to […]
FRESHWATER FISH Cichlidae: other African species Besides the Cichlids of Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika, a few more interesting species are found in other, lesser-known lakes, and in certain rivers in East and West Africa. Pelvicachromis pulcher The kribensis is a native of Nigeria; it thrives in hard, even brackish waters with abundant vegetation. The […]
FRESHWATER FISH Protomelas annectens A shy and timid species. The male of the annectens prepares a burrow in the sand for the female’s eggs, which he then fertilizes. She incubates them in her mouth for 2-3 weeks; the fry emerge from their refuge when 7-8 mm in size. Size: 15 cm. Protomelas similis The dark […]
CICHLIDAE: LAKE MALAWI SPECIES Cyrtocara moorii The adults of the blue lumphead have a bulging forehead, more prominent in the males. Rather timid, C. moorii seeks out sandy areas of the lake bed with rocks to demarcate its territory. The female incubates the eggs in her mouth for 3 weeks. Size: 20 cm. […]
FRESHWATER FISH Tropheus moorii The moorii seeks out rocky zones with clear water and a supply of algae, and so requires supplements of vegetable material in captivity. The males will fight for territory. The female incubates the eggs in her mouth; as they are larger than those of other species, she can only hold a […]
Julidochromis dickfeldi Dickfeld’s julie can be distinguished by its background coloration, often darker than that of its cousins, and by the blue border on the fins. Size: 8 cm. Julidochromis regani One of the largest julies, the striped julie or convict julie can grow to 15 cm; other species usually measure 7-9 cm. The English […]
FRESHWATER FISH Other American species There are still more American members of this family. Some of the smaller ones are deservedly popular on account of their coloration and behavior, while others are giants requiring an aquarium of commensurate size. Aequidens maroni The keyhole cichlid is tranquil, even timid, and needs a wellplanted tank […]
Discus A native of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, the discus is often considered the most beautiful and regal of all freshwater fish. It lives in calm, clear waters with soft and acidic properties. Tranquil and peaceable, the discus is a leisurely swimmer, exhibiting stress reactions in the presence of livelier species. The best tankmates […]
FRESHWATER FISH Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum The convict cichlid is a territorial fish which you will often find playing bulldozers in your aquarium! It is best therefore to avoid plants or delicately positioned rockwork. Selective breeding has gradually evolved a xanthochromic (golden) variety, which is just as belligerent. Both strains can interbreed with the redheaded cichlid, but […]