A fish/ray to be identified

[Eelzor]

Ok, I REALLY want to now what this fish is. It looks a bit like a small ray with a tiny tail. It is kind of brown in colour and is supposed to hang around the sandy plains of the ocean. And they are quite small. I really can't give much information, but I will try. I have a picture of it, but it is in a book and I have no scanner. Help me! I want to own this ray/fish thing!

 

[FanOFish]

See link in next reply

 

[FanOFish]

http/www.aquariacentral.com/articles/hil...illstream.shtml

Hard to say without a picture but could it be a butterfly pleco? Good picture in the above link

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> sandy plains of the ocean

That would make it a marine fish then? Not much to go on there.

 

[Eelzor]

oops, should this be in marine then?!@ AARRRRRRRR,.. Move it someone, or poeples just answer my question here.

Edit: Not the Hillstream btw.

 

[Eelzor]

Ooo! I think I have found it out! I believe it is a Flounder. Not available yet here . Does someone have any pics/links of freshwater flounders?

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> I believe it is a Flounder.

Ah, so not a ray at all! Freshwater "Flounders" used to be classed with Soles, however, they have been moved. There are several species, the only one that can be truly freshwater throughout it's life is Achiropsis nattereri from the Amazon. Grows to 7-8 inches, lies buried in the sand which must not be sharp. Eats live food.

Most of the species want some salt in the water.

Picture but highly variable - changes colour to suit the substrate it is lying on.

 

[Eelzor]

Yes, I found that picture. Thats the one I want. From the book I saw it in it looked somewhat like a ray. Do you think lfs get you specific fish if you ask for them?

 

[petshop johnny]

its a miniture flounder.ive had them before.the need special foods like frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
my met an untimely death when my paradise gouromi became cannibal.

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> Do you think lfs get you specific fish if you ask for them?

Depends a lot on the LFS and your relationship with them. You could ask. I've seen them, about 3" the ones I saw.

Seems to me a lot of trouble for something that is going to hide under the sand all day - but whatever floats your boat I suppose. Remember, there are a number of species, most want salt - you'll need to be careful what you get and what you keep it with.

 

[Eelzor]

I have one more question with the Freshwater Flounders - What do there undersides look like? A stingray? Just white?

 

[Lateral Line]

Most demersal flat fish are white underneath, look around a fish mongers. No real evolutionary need to have markings under there.

 

[ste2k3]

I kept one some time ago. they are just white like a ray. the one I kept had tiny "hairs" all over its back but the underside was smoth. also, flounder have mouths at the front of the body where as rays have it underneath. dosn't lok like flounder have evolved as well as rays

 

[Eelzor]

Oh, well, it's the closest I can get to rays. How does one go about taking care of it? Difficult? Easy?

 

[petshop johnny]

they don't seem to mind water quality and they seem to just find a good place to hide.they tend to cover themselves in gravel .and amazing blend in with the colors of the substrate.so i recommend gravel thats the smallest possible so they can burrow in.the do make a quick bolt to the surface every once in awhile much like a khuli loaches.and every once inawhile they will cling to the sides of the glass since they have a suctioncup ability.but the seem to eat anything small enough and close enough.i suggest tetra bits they sink and are small enough