Happy Pets

Species of this family are native to South America, Africa, India, Burma, Thailand and Indonesia. Most are aggressive and predatory, but their colours and behaviour ensure their popularity.

Badis; Dwarf Chameleon Fish Badis badis 65 mm n in. India : standing waters. This fish can change its body colours and patterning to suit its surroundings. Generally it is a dark reddish-brown, with a greenish sheen. From time to time transverse bars may appear. The dorsal fin (similar in shape to that of Dwarf Cichlids) and caudal fin are greenish. The female fish is less colourful. This species is not so aggressive as the rest of the family; it may be kept in the community tank, which should be heavily planted and have many hiding places. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods, particularly meat and small worms. Breeding: spawns in caves and flowerpots, like the Dwarf Cichlids.

Schomburgk’s Leaf Fish Polycentrus schomburgki 90 mm n in. North-eastern South America : standing waters. A stealthy, predatory fish that can swallow fishes of nearly its own length with its protrud able mouth. Its oval, pointed body (resembling a dead leaf) is light brown with dark dots. The fins are clear. At breeding time, the male turns almost black, with a cream line running from the snout to the caudal fin along the top edge of the body. Temperature: 24^°C (75 F). Diet: all foods, in copious amounts. Breeding: eggs laid on the ceiling of caves or in flowerpots. Male fish guards the eggs; the female is best removed after spawning.

Rainbow fishes and Silver Sides

The fishes in this group are related to the Mullets of the oceans. A characteristic feature is the possession of two separate dorsal fins.

Madagascar RainbowBedotia geayi100 mm 4 in. Malagasy : various waters. The elongated body is a light golden-brown colour. Two dark, slightly iridescent bands appear on the flanks ; one runs from the snout to the caudal fin (into which it extends for a short distance), another from behind the gills along the belly to the rear end of the anal fin. The second dorsal is long-based. The caudal is black-edged, and the male fish has red areas outside the black. A shoaling fish. Temperature: 24°C (75°F). Diet: all foods, but insect larvae particularly relished. Breeding: eggs are laid over a period of days in nylon mops, from which they may be transferred to a separate hatching tank. The fry will accept newly hatched Brine Shrimps immediately, but all foods must be circulated throughout the tank by aeration as the fry only feed at the surface.

Australian Rainbow Fish; Dwarf Rainbow Fish; Black-lined Rainbow Fish Melanotaenia maccullochi 90 mm 31 in. North-eastern Australia : running waters. The elongated, deep body is a silvery-blue colour, with horizontal rows of red-brown dots. A red blotch appears on the gill cover. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are greenish at the base, turning to red with a yellow edge. The caudal fin may be’ red. The male fish has a reddish-gold blush to the body, which may be intense on the chest area during breeding time. These are shoaling fishes which appreciate adequate swimming space and some sunshine reaching their tank. Tem- perature.’ 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods. Breeding: eggs may be laid over a period of days ; being adhesive, they lodge in the plants. Adult fishes do not eat the eggs, which hatch in 7 to 10 days.

Celebes Rainbow FishTelmatherina ladigesi 70 mm 24 in. Celebes, Borneo : various waters. The elongated body is light yellow, and a light- blue, glowing line runs horizontally along the rear half. The second dorsal and the anal fin are large, with black first rays. The male fish has filamentous extensions to these fins which give the fish a rather tattered look. The caudal fin is almost lyre- shaped, with white edging. This fish prefers hard water. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods. Breeding: spawning mops may be. used. The fry need very fine first food.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 1:49 am and is filed under Fish, Pets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.