Happy Pets

The majority of African Cichlids inhabit the Rift Valley lakes and are spectacularly coloured. These fishes are from naturally hard waters, unlike their South American relatives, and many relish algae or other vegetable matter in their diet. Some are mouthbrooding, and all appreciate a tank furnished with hideaways.

Aulonacara nyassae 150 mm 6 in. Lakes Malawi (Nyasa) and Tanganyika. Has an elongated, fairly deep body. Young males and females have brown bodies with several vertical dark bars, but mature males are deep royal blue with a red/gold suffusion on the flanks, which are crossed with dark bars. The fins are blue ; the dorsal fin is edged with pale blue and the caudal fin has dark blue/black streaks. A peaceful fish, but caves and hiding places must be provided in a reasonably sized tank. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods. Breeding: mouth brooder. (more…)

A number of American and African Cichlids are smaller and less aggressive than the larger Cichlids, and are suitable for the community tank.

Agassiz’s Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma agassizi 70 mm 21 in. Amazon basin : shady streams. The elongated body is brown, with a blue sheen in the male and dark-edged scales. The caudal fin of the male is spear-shaped, with a white outline inside the dark margin. The long- based dorsal fin is edged in red and white. Females are more drab, with a yellow-brown body that has a dark, horizontal line running along the flanks and a slanting, dark line through the eye. The caudal fin is rounded. In general, females of the Apistogramma genus (except for the following species) are similar and difficult to identify. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F), or slightly higher. Diet: all foods. Breeding: secretive; deposits eggs in caves or upturned flowerpots. (more…)

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. (more…)

These brightly coloured, oval- bodied fishes have sharp, bony scalpels on the caudal peduncle which can cause painful wounds. Some species have fixed scalpels, others a protruding horn above the eyes.

Powder-blue Surgeon Acanthurus leucosternon 300 mm 12 in. Indo- Pacific oceans. The delicate blue of the body contrasts with the black face and yellow dorsal fin. The retracted scalpel on each side of the yellow caudal peduncle can be clearly seen. (more…)