What the Fish !

African Jewelfish The jewelfishes from Africa are some of the most beautiful, and most bellicose, of the cichlids. While bimaculatus was the original jewelfish introduced into the hobby many years ago, there are now a number of other species available. They all behave the same and require the same conditions.

Angelfish Long a favorite among aquarists, the angelfish is a tall fish that can be kept in a community setting, as long as its tankmates are not overly aggressive or habitual fin nippers. Fast-swimming fish may also make an angelfish nervous and may out-compete it for food.

Arowana The Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a long and beautiful fish known for its voracious appetite and constant surface skimming, looking for things to fit into its mouth. It is native to waterways of the Amazon River and other areas in South America as well as Southeast Asia and Australia.

Bala Shark Also known as the tricolor shark or silver shark, the young bala shark is a staple item in most aquarium stores. However, this fish is a poor choice for most aquaria.

Barb Barbs are freshwater tropical fish within the genera Barbus and Puntius. They are very popular aquarium inhabitants, and the group includes well-known species such as the tiger barb and cherry barb.

Betta The betta, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, has become a popular fish among hobbyists primarily because of the male’s beautiful colors and lavish finnage.

Black Molly The black molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a hybrid variation of the sailfin molly. It is a small fish, with males reaching about three inches in length and females slightly smaller.

Black Tetra The black tetra has been a popular staple of the aquarium hobby for many years. Commercial breeders have developed different color varieties (unfortunately, including the “blueberry” and other dyed fish), and there are long-finned specimens.

Blackline Penguinfish The blackline penguinfish is also called Boehlke’s penguinfish, false penguin tetra and hockey sticks. This species needs at least a 20-gallon aquarium for a small group of six or more fish. This fish is hardy and sticks to the upper waters of the community aquarium.

Bleeding Heart Tetra The bleeding heart tetra is a hardy, peaceful, schooling species that should be kept in groups of six or more. It does extremely well when kept with other peaceful fish, such as Megalamphodus, Corydoras and Nannostomus species.

Blind Cave Tetra The blind cave tetra is a schooling species that is a little too aggressive for the normal tetra community. It is best kept in a group of three to six individuals in a tank with other robust fish, such as small cichlids, livebearers, barbs and catfish.

Blue Gourami The blue gourami is a robust fish that should be kept with other hardy, but mildly aggressive, community tank fishes. When kept with active, aggressive fishes it will often retreat to a corner and hide. House only one male per aquarium, as this species has a tendency to fight with one another.

Boesemans Rainbowfish Description: The front half of Melanotaenia boesemani's body is blue, and the back half is yellow-orange. In some specimens, you may also see a stripe or two of silver-black scales.

Brichardi Cichlid Description: Neolamprologus brichardi is called brichardi cichlid, princess of Burundi and fairy cichlid. This moderately aggressive pale brown cichlid is elongate and has clearly defined scales.

Bronze Cory In the wild, most Corydoras swim in schools of several dozen or more, and similar conditions should be duplicated in the home aquarium. The Corydoras aeneus should be kept in a group of six or more with other community tank fish, such as small characins, livebearers and rasboras.

Buenos Aires Tetra The Buenos Aires tetra is now provided to the hobby almost exclusively from fish farms in Florida, which means it usually has been raised in alkaline, hard water. It will, however, adapt back to its original conditions of neutral soft water.

Cardinal Tetra The cardinal tetra is probably the world’s favorite tropical fish in terms of numbers kept. Many hobbyists have at some point in time, kept cardinal tetras. And, while they have been bred, they have never been bred in commercial quantities.

Catfish Catfish are very recognizable and popular aquarium inhabitants. They belong to the order Siluriformes, and include a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater catfish families.

Cherry Barb As with many other fish, the cherry barb is now almost exclusively raised commercially in the Far East and Florida. If you ever have a chance to procure wild stock, purchase them and you will see what their true colors are. That said, the cherry barb that is in the hobby now is a beautiful fish.

Cichlid Cichlids are mainly freshwater tropical fish from the family Cichlidae.

Clown Barb The clown barb is a very active, medium-size, elegant species that should be kept with similar-size species that also prefers warmer water.

Clown Knifefish The Clown Knifefish is one of the true monster fishes that are available in the aquatic hobby. The cute little ones that are sold at your local fish store at 4” to 5” will very quickly grow, and grow, and grow, and eventually you will have a 24” fish on your hands.

Clown Loach The clown loach is an active schooling fish that is best kept in small groups (three to six fish). It will tolerate tankmates of other species, although docile species may become agitated by the constant activity of this fish.

Colombian Tetra / Red-Blue Columbian Tetra The Colombian Tetra (also known as the Red-Blue Colombian Tetra – but since it is the only fish called “Colombian Tetra” I see no reason to add “Red-Blue” to its name) is a large, peaceful tetra that comes from the Acandi River Basin in Colombian, in South America.

Congo Tetra The Congo Tetra is one of the few “tetras” that comes from Africa, and is definitely the best known and most frequently kept in aquariums; most tetras come from South America. The Congo Tetra is a strikingly beautiful fish, large and full-bodied with flowing fins.

Convict Cichlid The convict cichlid is often the first fish a budding aquarist breeds — they are almost impossible to keep from reproducing.

Cory Cories are South American catfish of the family Corydoradinae. They are temperate and tropical armoured catfish. Cories are the most popular catfish for aquaria, and most species remain relatively small. It is recommended that they be kept in small schools rather than individually.

Danio Danios are small schooling fish that bring a lot of activity to freshwater aquariums. The most popular type is the zebra danio, which is a very hardy pet species, and long-finned varieties have added to the danios’ popularity.

Diamond Tetra The diamond tetra’s lack of color is more than made up for by its other attributes. The scales located on the sides of this fish are reflective and almost shimmer. Its overall color is a glittering silver with highlights of greenish-blue.

Discus Although the discus is a peaceful, schooling species, it is best kept in a species tank because its temperature needs are much higher than most other species can stand.

Dwarf Gourami The dwarf gourami is a peaceful, timid species that should be kept in pairs with fish of similar size and temperament. Avoid housing this fish with some of the more active characins and barbs.

False Julii Cory Catfish Description: The false julii catfish is not Corydoras julii. The false julii cory catfish is easy to distinguish from C. julii because it has a darker and more mazelike pattern of black stripes on a white or silvery body.

Firemouth The firemouth is one of those fish that does not look like much when small, but when they mature — and especially when they are in breeding colors — they are spectacular to behold.

Frontosa Cichlid Description: Cyphotilapia frontosa is one of the most popular cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, and with good reason. This species is outgoing and will eat out of the aquarist’s hand. It is not as active or as aggressive as other Lake Tanganyika cichlids.

Giant Danio The giant danio is a fast swimming fish that reaches up to 4 inches in length. In addition, the giant danio is a big bodied fish with a length commensurate with its girth.

Glass Catfish The glass catfish is one of the most unusual fish commonly kept in the hobby, and it is certainly the most transparent. All of the bones and the sac that holds the internal organs are clearly visible through the transparent flesh of the glass catfish.

Glowlight Tetra The glowlight tetra is one of the most beautiful and easy to keep fish offered in our hobby. If you want an absolutely spectacular tank, put a school of glowlights in with black gravel, lots of plants and subdued lighting. You will understand the “glow” part of their name.

Goldfish The goldfish is a form of wild carp that has been kept by humans as pets since at least 970 A.D., which is the first recorded instance of keeping and breeding them. The Chinese have developed different varieties of goldfish since then, as have the Japanese shortly thereafter.

Gourami Gouramis are freshwater fish in the family Osphronemidae. They are labyrinth fish, having the ability to breathe air through their labyrinth organ. Gouramis are typically found in Asia, India and South East Asia.

Guppy Although they are ideal community tank residents with fishes of similar size and temperament, if you intend to breed guppies, it is best to house them in a species-only tank. You can house three pairs in a 10-gallon tank or five to six pairs in a 20-gallon tank.

Harlequin Rasbora These great little colorful fish have been in the hobby for more than 100 years, believed to have been introduced to the aquarium hobby in 1906.

Hatchetfish Hatchetfish are freshwater fish belonging to the family Gasteropelecidae. They are characterized by their large sternal region, and are known to be excellent jumpers.

Head And Tail Light Tetra The head and tail light fish has been in our hobby for a very long time, and was probably one of the first tetras to be spawned because it spawns easily. The fish is available from both aquacultured and wild-caught sources.

Jack Dempsey The Jack Dempsey is one of the most popular “pet” fish (a fish that is often kept alone and develops a relationship with the owner). Oscars are another, probably even more popular, fish that is kept this way.

Jewelfish Jewelfish, also know as jewel cichlids, are members of the genus Hemichromis. They are native to West Africa, and are known to be aggressive in the aquarium. Generally, jewelfish do best in a monospecies setup, as other species will likely find them too difficult to live with.

Kissing Gourami The kissing gourami is a peaceful species that should be housed with fish of similar size and temperament. Males will occasionally fight by "pressing" their mouths together — hence the common name.

Knight Goby The knight goby is not brightly colored, but it is very attractive and interesting.

Koi Description: Koi are large domesticated carp commonly kept in backyard ponds. Some koi are exceptional specimens, called "show koi" and can be very expensive. Many pondkeepers keep less expensive pet koi; they may not have perfect colors and markings, but they are great pets.

Kribensis The “krib” is one of the most common and easy to keep of the constellation of Pelmatochromis/Pelvicachromis genera in the hobby. This fish is very hardy, adapt to almost any water conditions and will breed in wet cotton.

Kuhli Loach Although it will live for several years in an aquarium where it is the only fish of its kind, the kuhli loach will seldom come out in the open under these conditions.

Lemon Tetra The lemon tetra is not seen much in the hobby anymore, most probably because when young, the fish does not show much in the way of colors. Also, the commercial breeding of this fish in Florida and the Far East has taken what was already a very subtle range of colors and made them even less notable.

Livebearer Livebearers are any omnivorous fish that retain eggs inside the body and give birth to live young. This group includes some of the most well-known and widespread fish in the freshwater aquarium hobby, including guppies, Endler’s livebearers, mollies, platies and swordtails of all types.

Loach Loaches are freshwater fish belonging to the family Cobitidae. They are generally small, benthic fish, and they have barbel organs similar to those seen in catfish. They are generally hardy and will scavenge in the aquarium.

Long-Fin Swordtail Fish breeders have developed many forms of long-fin swordtails, as well as platies and guppies. By making use of the fact that these fish are prolific and produce mutations quite often, expert aquarists have managed to selectively breed for the longer fins.

Long-Fin Swordtail Fish breeders have developed many forms of long-fin swordtails, as well as platies and guppies. By making use of the fact that these fish are prolific and produce mutations quite often, expert aquarists have managed to selectively breed for the longer fins.

Marbled Hatchetfish The marbled hatchetfish found in the local fish store are all caught in the wild — they have been spawned, but not on a commercial basis. Also, there are at least two species, and probably some others, that come in under the common name of marbled hatchetfish.

Molly Mollies are live-bearer members of the genus Poecilia. They are popular aquarium species and do best in warm freshwater aquariums. The black molly is the most common, and the sailfin varieties are especially attractive.

Montezuma Swordtail The Montezuma swordtail is one of the true wild swordtails originally introduced into the hobby. Today almost all of the swordtails available at local fish stores are many generations removed from wild fish such as this and have many different colors.

Montezuma Swordtail The Montezuma swordtail is one of the true wild swordtails originally introduced into the hobby. Today almost all of the swordtails available at local fish stores are many generations removed from wild fish such as this and have many different colors.

Neon Tetra The neon tetra was the first wild-caught fish that really set the tropical fish hobby into a dither, and contributed much to establishing the "tropical" fish hobby. When the neon was first introduced in Europe and then America, this fish commanded incredibly steep prices.

Orange-Finned Loach The orange-finned loach is a schooling species that does best when kept in small groups (i.e., six or more individuals) in a tank with more active fishes, such as barbs and armored catfish. It becomes very active at night.

Oscar The oscar has become one of the most popular “pet” fish because it will learn to recognize its owner/feeder and will become extremely tame.

Otocinclus This is a shy, schooling species that should be kept in groups of six or more, in an aquarium with similar peaceful species. It does not do well when housed with more active species, such as cichlids.

Paradisefish A paradise fish can be kept with other paradise fish when it is a juvenile, as well as with other similar-size community tankmates with the same temperature requirements. However, as a male paradise fish matures, it will engage in fierce battles, so only one male should be kept per aquarium.

Pearl Gourami The pearl gourami is one of the most beautiful anabantids -- bubble nest builders. It is peaceful and can be kept with any other community tank fish, displaying only mild aggression toward others of its species, and then usually only from males in breeding colors.

Penguin Tetra The penguin tetra is a lovely fish that comes from many places in the Amazon River drainage throughout South America.

Peppered Cory The hobby still imports most Corydoras species from the wild, but the peppered cory was one of the first tank-bred cory catfish. Peppered cories sold in shops are now almost always farm-raised. The albino cory cats seen in shops are almost always C. paleatus, too.

Pictus Catfish The pictus cat is also sometimes referred to as the “angel cat”, but nowadays there are a few other “angel” catfish that are very different (some come from the African lakes), so referring to this as the pictus cat is probably best.

Platy The platy probably comes in more sizes, colors and finnage types than any fish available to hobbyists today. The fish farmers in Florida and the Far East (primarily Singapore and Hong Kong) are constantly coming up with different platy varieties.

Plecostomus or Pleco The plecostomus is a peaceful species that can be housed in a community tank as a single member of its species. As an adult, it is extremely intolerant of its own kind, although two can be kept together if they are added simultaneously as juveniles and allowed to "grow up" together.

Porthole catfish The porthole catfish is a very nice fish that has been available for many years, but has never really been all that popular. The problem is probably that they have never been bred in large numbers commercially, so virtually all of the fish that come into the hobby are wild-caught.

Rainbowfish Originating from Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea, rainbowfish are so-named because of the iridescent colors they display under the proper lighting. The various types may range in size from a couple to 6 inches in length. Rainbowfish are schooling species that should be kept in small groups.

Ram The ram may be the most beautiful of all the dwarf cichlids, with its iridescent blue scales, golden chest, exquisite black markings and brilliant red eyes. The blue ram has the coloration of a wild fish. A golden tank-raised strain is also common.

Red-Eye Tetra Description: This active shoaling fish inhabits the aquarium’s middle waters and is a peaceful addition to a community aquarium (although it may nip at slow fish with long, flowing fins). The red-eye tetra has a mostly silver body, but its back displays green iridescent scales with dark edgings.

Red-tailed chalceus The red tailed chalceus (also sometimes called the pink tailed chalceus) is a very beautiful, fast-moving fish that is often imported from South America.

Red-Tailed Shark This is a gorgeous fish. The red-tailed shark has a deep black body, white-tipped sharklike dorsal fins, and, of course, a bright red tail. However, this fish doesn’t usually show its true colors in dealers’ tanks.

Redtail Botia The redtail botia is a schooling species that does best when kept in small groups (i.e., six or more individuals) in a tank with more active fishes, such as barbs and armored catfish. It becomes very active at night. As yet, there have been no reported spawnings of this species in the home aquarium.

Rosy Barb The rosy barb was one of the first fish to become popular in the hobby. Though this fish fares well at typical aquarium temperatures, it is not a tropical fish. It prefers cooler temperatures and usually requires no aquarium heater. The rosy barb is peaceful, very hardy and best kept in groups.

Rummynose tetra The Rummynose Tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri) is a small and popular tetra known for its ruby red coloration that exhibits well in a heavily planted aquarium.

Sailfin Molly The Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna) is perhaps the most beautiful of mollies. It is a small sized fish, with males reaching about 4-5 inches in length and females reaching closer to 5-6 inches in length.

Serpae Tetra The Serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) is a small and popular tetra known for its propensity to nip at other fish, especially those with long, flowing fins. It is native to waterways of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay with stark colors. It gets its name from the Amazonian village of Serpa.

Siamese Fighting Fish The Siamese fighting fish, also known as the betta, has become a popular fish among hobbyists primarily because of the male’s beautiful colors and lavish finnage.

Silver arowana The Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a long and beautiful fish known for its voracious appetite and constant surface skimming, looking for things to fit into its mouth. It is native to waterways of the Amazon River and other areas in South America.

Silver Dollar The silver dollar is a peaceful, schooling fish that can be kept in groups of three to six with most other community tank species of similar size.

Skunk Cory Because the skunk cory is shy and easily frightened when kept as a single specimen, Corydoras arcuatus should be kept in small groups (i.e., six or more individuals) with other community tank fish, such as small characins, livebearers and rasboras.

Spotted Headstander The Spotted Headstander is a very interesting fish, but it is not seen very frequently in the hobby. This is probably because a) the majority of these fish in the hobby come from the wild, and b) they can be difficult to get to adjust and thrive in an aquarium.

Swordtail The swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a popular live-bearer that gets its name from the males’ distinctive, elongated tailfin, which appears sharp and pointed. Various types are available, including the green, red, red wag and pineapple swordtails.

Tetra Tetras are freshwater tropical fish that include both small South American fish belonging to the family Charcidae and African fish belonging to the family Alestiidae. There are numerous species that are referred to as tetras, including the very popular neon and cardinal tetras.

Three-Spot Gourami The three-spot gourami is a robust fish that should be kept with other hardy, but mildly aggressive, community tank fishes. When kept with active, aggressive fishes it will often retreat to a corner and hide. House only one male per aquarium, as this species has a tendency to fight with one another.

Tiger Barb The tiger barb is a lively, playful, schooling species that should be kept in groups of seven or more. It may become aggressive if kept in too small a group, and may harass slow-moving fishes and peck at the fins of gouramis and angelfish.

Tiger-Banded Peckoltia There are a large number of “suckermouth cats” sold in the hobby, and they in fact represent a variety of different genera and species.

Tropheus moorii The Tropheus moorii is often territorial and may be intolerant of members of its own species. However, it seldom harasses its tankmates. It is best to keep this species in groups, with only one male to several females.

Twig Catfish The Twig catfish is an absolutely perfect case of camouflage. Long and slender, with an extended nose, this fish completely blends into the background when it attaches itself with its sucker mouth up on a stick of wood, or a wide leaf of a plant.

Upside-Down Catfish The upside-down catfish is a peaceful, schooling species that should be kept in small groups (i.e., three to six individuals) with other peaceful community tank residents.

Whiptail catfish The whiptail catfish is a very peaceful, at time shy and retiring, fish that will do very well in any community tank. There are probably a variety of different closely related fishes that are sold as whiptail cats, but they are all the same in disposition and care.

White Cloud New hobbyists often see a dealer’s tank with the white cloud label and look fruitlessly for a white fish. The scientific name means “Tan’s fish” and “white clouds.” A boy named Tan discovered the fish in a stream on White Cloud Mountain in China.

Wine Red Fighting-Betta Distribution: The wine red fighter comes from Southeast Asia, in southern peninsular region of Malaysia, notably from Muar, and also from near Jambi in central Sumatra.

Zebra Danio The zebra danio is a active fish that can be housed in groups of three or more with other peaceful community tank residents of similar size. It should be housed in large aquariums that are long, rather than wide or tall. Provide a coarse sand or fine gravel substrate.                                                                       HAVE a fishy day                                                      Regards                                                                          v.m.k