profiles for main page

[Fuzzy]

i just wanted to post some profiles for the main page. i am very sry if this is the wrong place to post these. the picture is under the profile.

TETRAS
Black Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Origin: South America: Paraguay and Guaporé River basins (southern Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia)..
Temperament: Peaceful. Excellent for community tanks.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods
Temperature Range: 68-78°F.
pH: 6-8.3
dH: 5.0 - 19.0
Adult Size: 2"
Sexing: Female is a little wider and anal fin is narrower and runs parallel with its second vertical line.
Breeding Black Tetras and Raising Fry
Comments: Several varieties, most common the long fin.

Bleeding Heart Tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Origin: Amazon River, South America
Temperament: Peaceful. Good for community tanks with small to meduim fish
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 74-82°F.
pH: 5.7-7.2
dH range: 3.0 - 12.0
Adult Size: 2"
Sexing: Male has an extended dorsal fin with black coloring.
Breeding Bleeding Heart Tetras & Raising Fry
Comments: Best kept in schools or in pairs.

Bloodfin
Aphyocharax anisitsi
Origin: Argentina, South America.
Temperament: Peaceful, Should be kept in schools.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 68-80°F.
pH: 6-8
dH range: 5.0 - 30.0
Adult Size: 1.75"
Sexing: The males have a small hook on their anal fin.
Breeding Bloodfin Tetras & Raising Fry
Comments: Good first fish for community tanks and beginners.

Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Origin: Found in slow moving waters in Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, South America. : Upper rio Orinoco and upper rio Negro.
Temperament: Peaceful, great community tank and should be kept in a small school of about 6 or more individuals.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 72-80°F.
pH: 5-6.2
dH range: 5.0 - 12.0
Adult Size: 2"
Sexing: Females are a little larger, with wider bodies.
Comments: One of the most beautiful, common & popular fish. Although somewhat similar to Neon Tetra, these are two different species.

Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Origin: Congo Bason, Zaire.
Temperament: Peaceful but timid and easily frightened.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 74-82°F.
pH: 6.2-7
dH range: 5.0 - 19.0
Adult Size: 3"

Emperor Tetra
Nematobrycon palmeri
Origin: Western Colombia, South America.Río Atrato basin
Temperament: Peaceful.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 72-80°F.
pH: 5.2-7.5
Adult Size: 2"
Sexing: Males are larger, have more vivid colors and extended dorsal and tail fins.
Breeding Emperor Tetras & Raising Fry
Comments: Very nice fish. Worthy of its name.Sexing: Male has extended dorsal and tail fins. It is also larger and more colourful than the female.
Breeding Congo Tetras & Raising Fry
Comments: Nice fish, but doesn't do well with other more aggressive species.

Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Origin: Essequibo River, Guyana, South America.
Temperament: Peaceful. Community fish. Does better in small schools as is true of all tetras.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 74-82°F.
pH: 6-7.5
dH range: 5.0 - 12.0
Adult Size: 1.5"
Sexing: Only God and they know
Comments: Very popular and common. Does best in small school of 4-6 fish.

Green Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
Origin: Found in slow moving waters in Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, South America. : Upper rio Orinoco and upper rio Negro.
Temperament: Peaceful, great community tank and should be kept in a small school of about 6 or more individuals.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 72-80°F.
pH: 5-6.2
dH range: 4.0 - 10.0
Adult Size: 2"
Sexing: Females are a little larger, with wider bodies.
Comments: One of the most beautiful, common & popular fish. Although somewhat similar to Neon Tetra, these are two different species.

Head & Tail Lights
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Origin: French Guyana, South America. Occurs along the coastal zone and prefers water bodies with little current. Lives in groups.
Temperament: Peaceful. Community fish.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 74-78°F.
pH: 6.3-7
Adult Size: 1.75"
dH range: 5.0 - 19.0
Sexing: Only God and they know.
Comments: Best kept in small schools.

Lemon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Origin: South America - Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil.
Temperament: Peaceful and common in community tanks.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 74-82°F.
pH: 5.5-7.8
dH range: 25.0
Adult Size: 1.75"
Sexing: The yellow line, above the black line is orange on the males.
Comments: Nice Fish, but like most tetras, best kept in a group of 4-6 individuals.

Rainbow Tetra
Nematobrycon lacortei
Origin: Western Colombia, South America.Río Atrato basin
Temperament: Peaceful.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 72-80°F.
pH: 5.2-7.5
dH range: 3.0 - 12.0
Adult Size: 2"
Sexing: Males are larger, have more vivid colors and extended dorsal and tail fins.
Comments: Very nice fish. Worthy of its name.

Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon callistus
Origin: South America.
Temperament: Peaceful and does well in a community, with a small school of 3-4 individuals.
Feeding: Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.
Temperature Range: 72-82°F.
pH: 5.8-7
dH: 4.0 - 12.0
Adult Size: 1.75"
Sexing: Females are slightly larger and wider
Comments: Nice community fish, very common & popular.

Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Origin: Amazon delta.
Max. Size: 1.77" (4.5CM)
pH: 6-6.6
Temperature: 22-31C (72-90F)
Temperment: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size and/or Tank Type: A 15G (60L), community tank
Favourite Foods: Live & Artifical foods.
Other Info: I've always thought of this kind of neat, especially with it's name.
GENDER: The Male is smaller, more slender, with smaller ventral fins.

Benny Tetra
AKA: Gold-Stripe Tetra
Creagrutus beni
Temperment: Peaceful
Sociability: Groups
Min. Tank: 10 gallons
Availability: Common
comments: A small community fish that should be kept in groups of five or more. The water should be slightly acidic to neutral, and the aquarium should be stocked with plants and other small fish.

Bucktoothed Tetra
AKA: Exodon Tetra
Exodon paradoxus
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Northern Brazil and the Guyanas
Max Size: 6"
pH: Neutral
Temperature: 72-82° F.
Diet: Carnivorous
Breeding: Expert
Min. Tank: 30 gal
Temperment: Aggressive

Cochu's Blue Tetra
Boehlkea fredcochui
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Peru
Max Size: 2"
pH:Neutral
Temperature: 72-79° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Expert
Temperment: peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gallons
Keep these little guys in soft, slightly acidic water with plenty of hiding areas through the use of plants and driftwood. They prefer the company of their own kind, and thus should be kept in groups of five or more.

Flame Tetra
Hyphessobrycon flammeus
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Max Size: 2"
pH: Neutral
Temperature: 72-82° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Intermediate
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gallons
A peaceful fish fit for the community aquarium. Flame tetras are best kept in schools. A dark substrate is appreciated. Subdued lighting is preffered through the use of floating plants. These characins are omnivorous and accept prepared flake foods. Vegetable matter such as crushed algae tablets or plant-based flake foods are appreciated, as are small live foods such as mosquito larvae and bloodworms. Feed a varied diet.

Jelly Bean Tetra
Ladigesia roloffi
Family: Alestidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Ghana
Max Size: 1.5"
pHlightly Acidic
Temperature: 72-77° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Expert
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 5 gal
A small Tetra that doesn't always go well in the community aquarium for the simple fact that it prefers an acidic pH, whereas most fish don't. Feed flake and frozen food, but when possible also supply the fish with small live foods. Keep in groups of five or more if possible.

Lesser Bleeding Heart Tetra
AKA: Spotfish Tetra
Hyphessobrycon socolofi
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Northwest Brazil
Max Size: 2"
pH: Slightly Acidic
Temperature: 72-77° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Expert
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gal
This schooling Characin is sometimes also known as the Spotfin Tetra. These fish should be kept in groups of at least six in a community aquarium. Decorate the tank with plants and driftwood. They are sensitive to poor water conditions, so weekly water changes are recommended.

Pepper Tetra
AKA: White-Star Tetra
Axelrodia stigmatias
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Amazon basin
Max Size: 1"
pH: Slightly Acidic
Temperature: 72-79° F.
Diet: Carnivorous
Breeding: Intermediate
Temperment: Peaceful
Min.Tank: 5 gal
Despite being small and harmless, this fish likes a diet based mainly on meaty foods and relishes small live foods. Should be kept in soft, acidic water with a gentle flow and plenty of plants and other hiding places. Keep in groups of five or more.

Pretty Tetra
Hemigrammus pulcher
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Upper Amazon basin
Max Size: 2"
pH: Neutral
Temperature: 72-82° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Intermediate
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gal
Pretty Tetras aren't as commonly seen in the hobby as most other attractive community Tetras. Decorations and hiding places should be provided through the use of plants and bogwood. Water conditions aren't too important as long as it is clean, soft and has a slight current. Treat them like most other small, schooling tetras. Females are more plump than males, especially at breeding time, and males have a more pointed swim bladder.

Red-Eyed Tetra
Arnoldichthys spilopterus
Family: Alestidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Western Africa
Max Size: 3"
pH: Neutral
Temperature: 75-80° F.
Diet: Insectivorous
Breeding: Expert
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 15 gal
An active, peaceful and schooling species, the Red-Eyed Tetra has big scales like a barb and is a good addition to the community aquarium. Feed flake or frozen foods.

Silvertip Tetra
Hasemania nana
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Brazil
Max Size: 2"
pH: Neutral
Temperature: 72-82° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Intermediate
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gal
Keep the aquarium stocked with plants and the water neutral in pH and with a good flow. These fish should be kept in groups of five or more. Males are more colorful and slender than females.

Socolof's Tetra
Gymnocorymbus socolofi
Family: Characidae
Type: Characins
Distribution: Meta River in Columbia
Max Size: 2"
pH: Slightly Acidic
Temperature: 72-77° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Expert
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gal
Young specimens are colorful and prefer the company of their own kind, while mature fish tend to fade in color and become loners to a certain extent. These fish can be shy and should be provided with low light levels and floating plants for added security

Tenuis Tetra
Mimagoniates lateralis
Family:Characidae
Type:Characins
Distribution:North Argentina to South Brazil
Max Size:2"
pH:Acidic
Temperature:65-70° F.
Diet:Omnivorous
Breeding:Expert
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gal
A peaceful but not particularly hardy species. This fish must be kept in consistent water conditions of soft, acidic values with a good flow. A strong filtration system is required.

Three-Spot Tetra
Odontostilbe kriegi
Family: Characidae
Typeedium sized Barbs. Keep them in groups and in soft, slightly acidic water with lots of plants: Characins
Distribution: Central South America
Max Size: 2"
pH: Slightly Acidic
Temperature: 72-82° F.
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Expert
Temperment: Peaceful
Min. Tank: 10 gal
A small, schooling, peaceful fish that does well in the community aquarium. The water should be neutral to slightly acidic, and the aquarium should be stocked with plants and have clean, clear water. Feed them the usual flake or small live foods.

 

[Fuzzy]

African Cichlids
Name: Hemichromis bimaculatus
Origin: Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
Maximum size: 11cm
Name derivation: bimaculatus - refers to the two spots on the flank of the fish, the first in the centre of the body, the second on caudal peduncle. This does not include the spot on the operculum.
Distinguishing Features: The true Hemichromis bimaculatus is a dark red-brown fish, it has very few irradescent spots on its flanks or gill covers and those that are visible are quite pale in colour. It has an elongated snout which gives it a more predatory appearance than other red jewel cichlids. Whether the true H. bimaculatus is available in Australia is a matter of considerable contention. H. bimaculatus is often confused with H. guttatus, this can be seen in the Baensch Aquarium Atlas I, where the photo of H. bimaculaus is in fact, H. guttatus.

Name: Hemichromis cerasogaster
Origin: Appears limited to Lake Maji-nndombe in Zaire.
Maximum size: 10cm
Distinguishing Features: H. cerogaster is a orange jewelfish with only one spot in the centre of the flank. The belly of the fish is more red in colour than the flanks which possess few irradescent spots. The dorsal fin is pale in colour, darkening towards the rear, there are no spots and the fin has a red margin. The photo of H. cerasogaster in the Baensch Aquarium Atlas III does not possess this dark area in the dorsal fin, and occurs in rivers around Kinshasa and may represent a closely related species. It is highly doubtful whether this species was every imported to Australia.

Name: Hemichromis cristatus
Origin: Guinea, Ghana and Nigeria
Common name: Red Forest Jewel
Maximum size: 9cm
Distinguishing Features: The easiest way to distinguish Hemichomis cristatus from all other red jewel cichlids is that the central spot in the centre of the body is surrounded by a a light yellow area. This fish along with H. lifalili are sold under the trade name of the Red Forest Jewel. It differs from H. lifalili by being a more orangy colour at maturity, in having the aforementioned marked light area surrounding the spot in the centre of the flanks and by retaining, in some individuals, a faint shadow of the spot on the caudal peduncle. H. cristatus also has a yellow-gold colour on the operculum, which is not present in H. lifalili. H. cristatus has around 4-5 rows of scales that are blue and irradescent along the centre of the lateral flanks. The photo of H. cristatus in Baensch Aquarium Atlas II is the same photo from Baensch Aquarium Atlas I and is previously identified as H. lifalili. It would appear this photo is actually H. lifalili.

Name: Hemichromis elongatus
Origin: Extensive.
Common name: Five Star General
Maximum size: 15cm
Similar species: Hemichromis fasciatus, Hemichromis frempongi
Name derivation: elongatus - refers to the elongate/predatory shape of the body.
Distinguishing Features: Hemichromis elongatus belongs to a subgroup of Hemichromis (along with H. fasciatus and H. frempongi) that are distinctly larger and more predatory than the smaller jewel cichlids. H. elongatus has a longer more predatory snout is grey in colour with five distinctive black spots along the length of the body, the first on the gill cover and the last on the caudal peduncle. These spots are surrounded by small irradescent bronze scales and in sexually active fish the opercular spot is surrounded by a red colouration. This gave rise to the common name, the five star general. The fins are opaque and smoky in colour, the top of the tail margin fin sometimes has small a red mark. The five star general was once available in Australia, however it appears to have been lost to the hobby.

Name: Hemichromis fasciatus
Origin: Extensive, mainly in coastal regions.
Maximum size: 15cm
Similar species: Hemichromis elongatus, Hemichromis frempongi
Distinguishing Features: Hemichromis fasciatus belongs to the predatory H. elongatus group of jewel cichlids. Jeff Rapps, of Tangled Up in Cichlids has kindly given permission for this photo of his male H. fasciatus to be used in this article. The fish in the photo varies from the typical H. fasciatus in the intense red colouration of the underbelly which extends a long distance towards the tail and in the yellow colouration of the finnage. The photo may represent a male in breeding garb, a closely related, as yet undescribed species or may be H. frempongi. H. fasciatus is a typically a grey to silver fish with five spots along the flanks, the first on the gill cover and the last on the caudal peduncle. This species can be differentiated from H. elongatus by the fact that the finnage is typically clear to pale yellow in colour, and the black bars are not surrounded by the irradescent bronze scales that are present in H. elongatus. I am unsure but doubtful whether this cichlid has ever been available in Australia.

Name: Hemichromis frempongi
Origin: Appears limited to Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana.
Maximum size: 14cm
Similar species: Hemichromis elongatus, Hemichromis fasciatus
Distinguishing Features: Hemichromis frempongi is very similar to Hemichromis fasciatus in morphology. The differences appear to be the extensive red colouration of the underbelly which extends to the anal fin in H. frempongi and the size and surrounding spots of the five black spots which mark the fishes flanks. In H. frempongi these spots are smaller and the small irrascent silver pots which surround these markings in H. fasciatus are abscent in H. frempongi. Like H. elongatus and H. fasciatus, H. frempongi is a elongate predatory species. Hemichromis frempongi is not as yet available in Australia and has never been imported.

Name: Hemichromis guttatus
Origin: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria
Common name: Common Jewel
Maximum size: 11cm
Distinguishing Features: Paul Loiselle in his book, The Cichlid Aquarium, states that he believes Hemichromis guttatus to be the original jewel cichlid of the aquarium hobby and judging by the colouration and body shape of the so-called "H. bimaculatus" in Australia, it appears that he is probably correct. Pictures of Hemichromis guttatus in his text and others show a fish that appears very much like like the common jewel cichlid available in Sydney. The species when mature only has the spot in the centre of the flank, along with the spot on the operculum as the spot on the caudal peduncle fades with maturity. H. guttatus is reportedly "higher" in the body than other Hemichromines. I believe H. guttatus, is commonly available in Australia, however it is almost always misidentified as Hemichromis bimaculatus.

Name: Hemichromis letourneauxi
Origin: Widespread through much of tropical West Africa
Maximum size: 14cm
Distinguishing Features:H. letourneauxi is an browny orange fish which is difficult to confuse with other species due to its plainer colours and limited number of blue flecks through the body. The species has two spots on the body when mature, one on the caudal peduncle and the other in the centre of the flank of the fish. A gill spot is also present sometimes surrounded by a reddish colour. The males supposedly develop a slightly steeper forehead altthough it is difficult to distinguish the sexes. It is doubtful whether this species has every been imported into Australia.

Name: Hemichromis lifalili
Origin: Congo, Zaire, Ruki and Ubanghi River
Common name: Red Forest Jewel
Maximum size: 10cm
Distinguishing Features: Of all the Hemichromines, H. lifalili is perhaps the most popular and most stunning in colour. Sold in the aquarium trade along with H. cristatus as the forest jewel, H. lifalili is a commonly available species. The fish itself is bright crimson in colour when mature, and has only two spots one on the operculum and another on the flank. The spot on the caudal penduncle, present in juvenile specimens completely fades with maturation. The body is covered in hundreds of small irradescent blue spots, which are strongly marked on the caudal fin. The head is small and the snout is more angular than in H. cristatus which has a more rounded snout. When selecting parent stock for breeding, it is important to choose highly coloured individuals that are preferably unrelated, as colour selection by females in the wild does not take place in the home aquarium. The picture of Hemichromis cristatus in Baensch's Aquarium Atlas II is probably H. lifalili.

Name: Hemichromis sp. affin. paynei
Origin: Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
Common name: green forest jewel
Distinguishing Features: The green forest jewel is quite a distinctive fish easily distinguished from other jewel cichlids by its olive green colouration. In particular the dorsal flanks of the fish are predominantly olive green, which fades to a gold colour in the centre of the flanks, the fishes throat and lower ventral regions are a pale red. Blue spots are present on the face of the fish and persist in sparse rows towards the caudal fin. The opercular spot is prominent, as it the spot in the centre of the flanks. The spot on the caudal peduncle, present in juveniles fades with age and at maturity is a small black stripe which preceeds the rays of the tail fin. Like other Hemichromines, the dorsal fin bears some blue spotting and a red margin which is continued on the upper corner of the dorsal fin. The green forest jewel is fairly commonly available in Australia.

Name: Hemichromis stellifer
Origin:Widespread throughout much of tropical West Africa
Maximum size: 11cm
Distinguishing Features: Hemichromis stellifer is a very similar fish to Hemichromis guttatus and looks much like the common jewel cichlid available in Australia. Like H. guttatus, H. stellifer is orangy red in colour with rows of irradescent blue flecks along its flanks. Only two spots one on the flanks and the second on the gill cover are present on mature specimens although juveniles have a pale spot on the caudal peduncle. H. stellifer differs only in dentition to H. guttatus and in all other respects the two species are very similar. The photo of Hemichromis bimaculatus in Baenschs Aquarium Atlas I, is either H. stellifer or H. guttatus, in reality it is probably H. guttatus as this is the more common species.

Name: Hemichromis X 'Neon'
Origin: Does not exist in the wild
Maximum size: 12cm
Distinguishing Features: The Neon Jewel cichlid or Neon head Jewel is a difficult fish to source information on. From what little information I have gathered it would appear that the Neon Jewel represents a inter-species hybrid, although it's parentage remains uncertain. If anyone has any information on the species used in this hybrid, please mail me here. The Neon Jewel is a spectacular fish, however, I must try and encourage people not to keep this fish in place of geniune species of jewel cichlid. In Australia in particular it is important to try and promote the keeping of pure species lines, as the import of Hemichromines from German or as wild caught specimens from West Africa is prohibited. If you are truly interested in keeping a spectacular species why not consider Hemichromis lifalili or Hemichromis paynei? The Neon Jewel cichlid seems to have been accepted by many cichlidophiles as more acceptable than fish like the blood parrot. Although the fish bears none of the gross deformities of the blood parrot, it does represent a hybrid species and in a way I believe this fish poses a greater risk to the variety of species available to the hobby than the aforementioned blood parrot. The blood parrot is easily recognisably as a deformed hybrid species and the risk re-intergration to pure cichlid lines by accident is next to zero. Poor quality 'Neon' hemichromines, however, may be easily mistaken for other species and be interbred with pure species by the well meaning cichlid keeper. Therefore, the keeping of the 'Neon' X hemichromine must be discouraged by the responsible aquarist who wishes to see pure strains of Hemichromines available in Australia in the near future.

Name: Anomalochromis thomasi
Origin:Widespread throughout much of tropical West Africa
Common name: African Butterfly cichlid
Maximum size: 12cm
Distinguishing Features: Anomalochromis thomasi is easily distinguished from other Hemichromines, by the its cream to yellow body colour, small size, and distinctive flecks of blue and gold throughout the body. A. thomasi is excluded from the genus Hemichromis by it's unique dentition and is otherwise quite similar in morphology. A. thomasi are probably, along with the species of the south american dwarf cichlid genus Laetacara, are some of the most under-rated of cichlid aquarium species available. It is commonly available around Sydney and I would urge breeders to consider this fish for a small tank in your fishroom. Anomalochromis thomasi is an easy fish to spawn although the parents do not defend the young well against more determined predators such as barbs or loaches. Although the fish are monogamous open spawners like Hemichromis sp. they are shy fish and prefer a site that is more protected by plants or rocks. Many of the females of this species are egg eaters and this is, at least in part, due to the removal of fry by aquarists. These fry raising instincts should be promoted and pairs should be allowed several attempts at fry raising before intervention by the fish keeper.

Paratilapia polleni
A beautiful cichlid from Madagascar. These fish, used to be very hard to come by, but I have noticed, they are more frequently available. The first time I saw them the store had five, and I bought them all at $13.00 a piece. They are a dark black fish, that like most, only show their real colors when taken care of. They have numerous spots that take on a beautiful blue to purple color. The ones I have kept, never got that aggressive, but did seem to, like most cichlids, loved dinner time so some of the smaller fish got pushed out of the way by them. I believe they get to be around a foot in length, mine got to be around 6" before I had to get rid of them due to moving. I have heard they are picky with water quality, mine proved rather hardy, as long as properly housed.

Paratilapia typus
Spawning: Substrate spawner.
Common names : Marakely (“black fish” by Malagasians); Black Diamond cichlid (rest of the world)
Location: Andapa, Madagascar (North east coast).
Variety: Small spot Paratilapia polleni

Pelmatochromis thomasi
The Pelmatochromis thomasi is more commonly know as Thomas's Dwarf Cichlid. It is one of the few types of cichlids that can be palced in a community tank. It is a beautiful and peaceful fish and is quite easy to breed. It will eat all types of live, frozen, or flake foods. But it is not amongst the first to feed so make sure you put in enough food for them to eat without overfeeding.

Pelvicachromis pulcher
"Kribs", or "kribensis".

Kribs are very common and a great cichlid for smaller community tanks from the Nigeria river area (Niger delta etc) in Africa.

They are cave breeders, and if you give them a cave in your community tank and you have got a pair, they will most likely begin to present theirselves, begin to prepare a cave and then spawn after a short time.

The showing (word?) of these pairs is wonderful to look - the female presents its wonderful purple-colored body to the male, while they both jitter all the time. You really have to see that yourself, this makes kribs a very interesting fish. So is watching them preparing their breeding cave!

The fry can be kept artemia nauplidae from the beginning, as they are rather big, since this species is a cave breeder. Raising them should be no problem.

Pelvicachromis subocellatus
Familie : Cichlid
Origin : Gabon. Zaïre
Max Length : 10 cm
Min.length aquarium : 100 cm

Steatocranus casuarius
"Humphead, Blockhead, Buffalohead"
These cichlids from the African Rivers LOVE fast flowing water. The pairs I kept were much more colored and a lot less shy when I arranged the tank with a very very powerful powerhead simulating the current of a fast river. It's recommended to do the same. As other cichlids rarely love fast flowing water as those, they are probably not the best choice for a community tank.
Steatocranus casuarius hales from West Africa where it lives in fast flowing rivers near or even in rapids. The genus name refers to Steato (fats or lipids) and cranus (head), literally fat head - this pertains to the fatty lump that this species develops on the forehead.

The species can be intolerant and belligerant for its size and will chase and attack other bottom dwelling fish which venture into it's large territories. The picture to the right is a juvenile (6cm) and when mature the species will reach lengths of 12cm in males. With maturity the "hump" is also much more pronounced and can hang foreward over the head. Sexing these fish is difficult although males grow somewhat larger and have more developed "humps".

Like other west african species such as Pelvicachromis sp. S. casuarius is a cave spawner and a flower pot or coconut shell is ideal for spawning purposes. As this species can be quite aggressive when spawning, the minmum tank size would have to be at least 150L, although surface area at the base of the tank is far more important than depth or volume of the water itself. As usual if breeding is intended, the breeder should attempt to locate good quality stock from unrelated dealers.

The species has a poorly developed swim bladder, a result of a lifestyle in the rapids. In a tank setting the species can often be found "sitting" on the gravel or "perched" on a leaf, as shown above. The species also has a high oxygen requirment and can be often seen gasping. Thus filter outlets should be placed above the water line to increase aeration and or additional water movement provided by a powerhead or airstone.

The species like other west african cichlids does not harm plants and the extra cover they provide gives this shy species plenty of hiding places. The lionhead is an unfussy eater taking all manor of prepared, frozen or live foods. Despite its somewhat drap colouration, the species has real character and its unusual shape appeals to many... definately worth a look.

Steatocranus gibbiceps
"Blunt Head Cichlid"
Max. size: 10.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5696)
Environment: demersal; freshwater
Climate: tropical; 24 - 27°C
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K and tmax.)
Distribution: Gazetteer Central Africa: Malebo Pool (Stanley Pool) and the Lower Congo River.
Dangerous: harmless

Steatocranus irvinei
Family: Cichlidae (Cichlids) , subfamily: Pseudocrenilabrinae picture (Stirv_u0.jpg) by Lewis,
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name: Cichlid
Max. size: 10.7 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5696)
Environment: demersal; freshwater
Climate: tropical; 24 - 27°C; 10°N - 5°N
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K and tmax.)
Gazetteer West Africa: Endemic to the Volta River system (Ref. 7378).
Biology: Maximum TL was recorded at 13.4 cm (Ref. 5696)
Dangerous: harmless

 

[Fuzzy]

thats all for now

 

[silver]

What main page are you talking about ???


Silver

 

[Doggfather]

great work, if it dosn't go on the main page, it should at least get pinned

 

[Paradise_Gourami]

The fish you have marked above as a "Rainbow tetra" is actually a paradise gourami. Just thought you'd like to know

 

[juliethegr8t]

I'm just curious - where did you get your information? If it was taken directly from any sources, you need to site them as references. Otherwise, you can get in trouble.

 

[Osphromenoides]

Actually the fish that is misnamed is a Macropodus Opercularis (common paradise fish). An anibantoid but not of the gourami species. Not really a good community fish either especially with Tetras (esp. small ones)

 

[Adrinal]

Yep you need to let the mods know where you got your info esp if they are directly quoted
The pictures need to be your own or written aproval from the owner.
... Otherwise its called stealing...
)

 

[rsz]

The pic under the cardinal tetra one is a neon tetra, I'm not sure whether it's a flame tetra pic or not but it looks like a neon tetra too... other than that they look good


You also have to ask for permission to use pics