Happy Pets

The characteristic ‘head-down’ attitude adopted by these fishes when resting is probably an extension of the swimming position when searching for food, or a protective camouflage among plants.

Marbled Headstander

Abramites microcephalus 130 mm 5 in. South America : slow-moving waters. A larger, stockier fish than its relatives. Seven or eight broad dark bands cross the body vertically, the central band continuing across the dorsal and ventral fins. The other fins are yellow-brown. The head is very small, and a dark band crosses the eye obliquely. A shy fish, but has a reputation of being a fin-nipper and eater of soft-leaved plants. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: worms preferred, and greenstuffs. Breeding: no details available. (more…)

The typical underslung mouths of these fishes are used as a means of locomotion and anchorage, as well as for feeding, in fast-flowing waters.

Sucker Catfish; Plecostomus Hypostomus (formerly Plecostomus) plecostomus 450 mm 18 in. South America : various waters. The long, wedge-shaped body is covered with bony plates, which may be in three or four ridged layers, instead of only two as in Corydoras. (more…)

The Synodontis group have long barbels and long-based adipose fins. The dorsal fins are often large but not always displayed to best advantage. The caudal fins are deeply forked. A generic characteristic is the possession of lockable spines in the pectoral and dorsal fins, which may be erected when the fish is netted or driven into a hiding place. (more…)

Lampeyed Panchax; LampeyeAplocheilichthys (formerly Micropanchax) macrophthalmus 30 mm 1 in. Nigeria, Cameroon : forest streams. The body is not cylindrical, but more laterally compressed. Its colour is a delicate blue, with a faint gold line running from the gill cover to the caudal fin. The caudal fin may have a yellow tinge, with red marks at the edge. The eyes are blue. Unlike some Killifishes, this species does well in hard, alkaline water. A shoaling upper water level species, perhaps too small for a community collection. Temperature: 23-26^°C (73-78^°F). Diet: live and dried foods. Breeding: lays eggs over period of days in plants or mops. Eggs hatch in two weeks and fry mature in six months. (more…)

The Egglaying Toothcarps include the so-called ‘annual’ fishes whose natural watery habitat completely dries up every year, thus killing the fishes. However, before this event occurs, the adult fishes lay their fertilized eggs in the mud of the stream bed, where they survive the rest of the dry season in a dormant state. The onset of the rainy season refills the stream bed and the eggs hatch. The fish then have to mature and spawn in their turn before the weather cycle is repeated. Aquarists have not been slow to take advantage of the fertilized eggs‘ ability to withstand semi-dehydration, and exchange fertile eggs through the post, often on a worldwide basis. (more…)

Guppy; Millions Fish Poecilia(formerly Lebistes) reticu/ata Male 28-32 mm 1-1* in; females 65 mm 21 in. Trinidad : various waters. A well-known species. No two males are ever exactly alike; the females are much larger and do not share the males‘ rainbow colours. Genetic experimentation by hobbyists has resulted in many colours and finnage shapes becoming internationally recognized standards. Several specialist groups exist solely for the Guppy fancier. Serious breeders separate the sexes as soon as they are recognizable to prevent unwanted broods. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods. Breeding: very prolific. Females should be given a separate, well-planted tank in which to give birth. (more…)

Pike Top Minnow Belonesox belizanus Male 100 mm 4 in; female 150 mm 6 in. Belize, Guatemala: various waters. A predatory fish which lives up to the reputation of its much larger namesake. The large, tooth-filled mouth and powerful caudal fin bode ill for other fishes in the same tank, full-grown female Guppies being taken with ease. The body is dark blue-green with speckled markings and a spot on the caudal fin base area. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). The addition of salt to the water is beneficial. Diet: all foods, but predominantly live foods. Breeding: usual livebearer pattern. (more…)

Fishes in this family are often referred to as ‘labyrinth’ fishes because they have a labyrinthine organ in the head which allows them to breathe atmospheric air if necessary. Another distinguishing feature of this group is the breeding pattern: the majority of the fishes are bubblenest builders. The nests are made of saliva-coated bubbles blown by the male, into which the fertilized eggs are placed following the nuptial embrace beneath the nest. The fry are guarded and kept within the vicinity of the nest by the male. The female is best removed after spawning as the male may attack her. When breeding, care should be taken not to allow any cold draughts of air to pass acrossthe water surface as the fry may become chilled. As it is, a fairly high mortality rate occurs within the first two weeks of life with many species, and the ratio of males to females may be low. (more…)

The species in this group live in a wide range of natural habitats in rivers and lakes. They include many aquarium favourites, such as the Blue Acara, the Angelfish and the Oscar. Most are fairly large and may be aggressive at times.

Sheeps-head Acara; Flag Cichlid Aequidens curviceps 75 mm 3 in. S0uth America, Amazon basin : rivers. The grey-green body is slightly iridescent under reflected light. The scales have dark edges, the fins are flecked with blue-green and the d0rsal fin is blue-edged. A peaceful fish. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods. Breeding: deposits eggs on an 0pen site. Parents 0ften eat their first spawning but, given a tank to themselves, usually prove t0 be go0d parents subsequently. (more…)

Golden Lake Nyasa Cichlid Melanochromis (formerlyPseudotropheus) auratus 100 mm 4 in. Lake Malawi (Nyasa). Has an elongated, bright- yellow body. Two black bands, edged on either side with white, run along the back from the snout to the base of the .caudal fin. The dorsal and caudal fins have black patterning ; the anal fin is plain yellow. During the breeding period, the male changes from yellow to blue/black, and the horizontal bands become yellow, edged with white. The dorsal fin turns to light yellow/blue; the caudal fin becomes dark with a yellow edge, and the anal fin dark with a white edge. This fish may be aggressive and should be given a large tank with many hiding places. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods, including vegetable matter. Breeding: mouth- brooder. (more…)