Amazon puffers are relatively small pufferfish with a cute, sociable personality! Learn how to care for these entertaining finned friends in your aquarium.
Catfish employ a variety of unique feeding strategies. Learn how physical traits give clues as to what catfish eat and how you can meet the needs of your fish.
Creating an aquascape for African Rift Lake cichlids requires special care and selection. Learn how to choose the best plants and hardscape for your layout.
Beautiful colors and an outgoing nature set the sunshine pleco apart! Learn the basics about keeping and breeding these freshwater fish.
Little inverts can add big personality to any aquarium! Here are some of the best dwarf freshwater shrimps to consider for your setup.
A variety of spineless, cold-blooded creatures can wreak havoc on fish. Learn to fight off these pond insects and other invertebrates.
If you’re looking for a new way to give your fish tank some flair, a Southeast Asia biotope is sure to turn heads! Discover this elegant aquarium design style..
The graceful elegance of angelfish makes them a staple of the aquarium hobby. Read about angelfish breeding, care, and more.
A forest-flooded Amazon biotope aquarium can bring the natural world to life in your fish tank. Learn how to build your own setup.
Although many tetras can be found in just about any pet store, emperor tetras are some of the best under-the-radar options. Learn more about these regal fish!
Guppies are enormously popular aquarium fish, and wild-type species are no exception. Discover these fascinating types of guppies!
From defending territory to protecting fry, cichlids may fight for a variety of reasons. Learn more about the causes of cichlid aggression.
Whether you have a nano aquarium or a bigger tank, these tiny fish will make a wonderful addition. Discover the best types of minnows on the extra-small side!
Successful aquarium breeding of the spotfin hatchetfish has never been reported—until now. Read the story!
Whether you have a smaller aquarium or just want to add more tankmates, discover these amazing South American dwarf cichlids!
Serpae tetras are popular aquarium fishes, and they’re just as fascinating in the wild! Learn about our contributor's experience swimming with these beauties.
Nearly extinct in the wild, the rare zebra pleco is coveted by aquarists everywhere. Learn how to build a habitat for this fish that will encourage breeding.
The Rio Guejar is home to many stunning fish species. Learn about the author’s encounters with plecos, tetras, and other South American fishes in this river.
Although Siamese fighting fish are quite popular, other fishes in the same genus are equally exciting! Learn about wild bettas of the wine red betta group.
Lake Victoria and its surrounding areas are home to some of the world's most fascinating freshwater fishes, including 3 recently described annual killifish species.
Corydoras catfishes are undoubtedly the most popular group of catfishes in the hobby and have been for decades.
Freshwater invertebrates are on the rise in the aquarium world, providing hobbyists with the opportunity to keep something more than the usual fish and plants—namely, snails, crayfish, crabs, and shrimps.
“Could that be a sucker?” I asked myself when I noticed something stuck to the rock in the stream in which we were searching for fishes for the past couple of hours.
Teleocichla and Retroculus are two cichlid genera that share a number of common traits, but one in particular distinguishes them from other cichlids.
Driftwood catfish, also called wood cats, are a small group of fishes from the family Auchenipteridae found throughout the Amazon.
Most of us start out in the hobby by keeping a community tank or maybe a few goldfish we won at a fair.
Sometimes life can take some really strange turns when you are a diehard killifish addict (keeper).
The most significant trend in the fishkeeping hobby continues to be the move toward nano tanks.
A well-planted tank is a beautiful thing: a miniature ecosystem unto itself.
So you’ve decided to install an outdoor pond, and you have a pretty good idea of which fish species you want to stock.
My love for aquariums and aquatics extends well beyond the world of fish.
Nano tanks are all the rage in the aquarium hobby these days, attracting a new audience to this popular pastime.
If you’re seeking a small fish that can add action and a rainbow of sparkling colors to your freshwater aquarium, the kribensis cichlid (Pelvicachromis pulcher) is definitely worth considering.
The spectacular colors of licorice gouramis continue to attract aquarium hobbyists.
Lake Tanganyika, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, holds 18 percent of the world’s available supply of fresh water.
Over the past 50 years, much has changed in aquarist culture when it comes to developing an aquarium’s milieu.
Several years ago I purchased some juvenile blizzard cactus cats, also known as L065.
While most aquarists know only the eponymous betta, Betta splendens, the genus Betta contains some 70+ species.
A rare dwarf cichlid hailing from the Congo River, the diminutive Nanochromis splendens surpasses its reputation as being a wonderful hide-and-seek cichlid that amazes hobbyists with its curious behaviors.
Catfishes of the genus Corydoras and its closely related genera are the catfishes of choice for many aquarists.
Livebearing fish have been the backbone of the tropical fish hobby since its beginnings at the turn of the 20th century.
Finding your way around murky freshwater rivers and lakes is no mean feat, even for a fish.
Barbs have long been popular among aquarists, yet most of the species we know best are among the smaller members of the group.
Sciaenochromis fryeri is a popular, medium-sized African cichlid that hails from Lake Malawi.
Although I have always enjoyed keeping all types of fishes, from a young age I’ve always had a soft spot for catfishes.
A dedicated fishkeeper presents his list of the species of fish that every hobbyist should keep at least once in his/her life.
Continuing his tale of Amazonian adventures, a fish importer reports on a busy hub of the export trade where a yearly festival celebrates the local ornamental fish industry.
In a peek into another installment of the popular 101 Best fishkeeping book series from TFH/Microcosm, read all about some of the best freshwater shrimps for your nano tank.
A longtime fishkeeper discusses how to care and keep the oft-underappreciated pearl danio, a hardy candidate for a freshwater community setup.
A pondkeeper explains how to set up and maintain a pond that is ideal for koi (Cyprinus carpio) in this helpful guide.
A longtime aquarist and current Curator of Fishes at the Toledo Zoo describes the illnesses that may afflict your fish beyond the commonly seen ich.
An experienced ornamental fish importer describes his experiences collecting with three generations of aquarium-fish collectors during his trip to the Brazilian Amazon.
An experienced aquarist profiles the smaller-sized, but by no means smaller-personality, cichlids that get their name from their beautiful cockatoo-crest-like dorsal fins.
An aquarist who has kept nearly every kind of fish in the freshwater hobby discusses the killies he describes as having “piscinality”: the gardneri group, beautiful killifish that will appeal to a wide range of fishkeepers.
A longtime fishkeeper and importer lists his picks for the best barbs to place in your community setup, and explains which popular species may be better left out of your tank.
An experienced livebearer keeper and American Livebearer Association member writes about the many and varied livebearers available outside the ubiquitous guppies, platies, mollies, and swordtails.
While visiting Cambodia to work on a humanitarian project, an intrepid adventurer and fish fanatic took some time to net some of the local underwater fauna, including gouramis, bettas, and catfish.
It takes a special aqua-terrarium setup to properly keep the popular and charismatic Trachemys scripta elegans; a dedicated turtle fan explains how.
An experienced cichlid breeder details the care and breeding of a charming shell-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika with fascinating behaviors and interesting looks.
Miniature fishes have enjoyed a renewed popularity of late, and Mike Hellweg reviews some of the most sought-after for smaller tanks: the cyprinid genus Boraras.
Although they may appear small at the store, some large-growing species require much more room than you might expect.
Ich is one of the most common fish diseases, but it is fairly preventable and treatable.
A rare cichlid from fast-moving waters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nanochromis transvestitus is a bit of a challenge to keep and breed but will reward you with its stunning coloration and fascinating parental care.
Colorful fish that are hardy and full of personality, gouramis make excellent community tank residents.
A wide range of eartheaters are available in the hobby, and while some remain relatively small and are not too aggressive, others can grow into giant brutes that will kill anything in their path, so it is imperative to know which one is right for you.
A rarely imported loach, the red-tailed squirrel loach is worthy of its own setup dedicated to its exacting need for cold, swift-moving water.
Cactus plecos are extremely colorful, but they have a reputation for being hard to breed.
A stunning species, the Angolan barb is not as commonly seen as other species of barbs.
Unlike the small species of shrimp available in the hobby, freshwater prawns grow much larger, are more aggressive, and can become the subject of an interesting dedicated setup.
Freshwater and brackish goby species are not nearly as numerous as their marine cousins, but many of them are well suited to captivity.
Gorgeous, peaceful, and active, the threadfin rainbowfish (Iriatherina werneri) is a spectacular aquarium fish.
Often dismissed as being dull or drab, ricefish can truly shine if placed in a planted aquarium.
Known for their pugnacious attitudes, cichlids are often considered too aggressive for the average community tank.
Hatchetfish have been in the hobby for many years, and, as one veteran hobbyist explains, they are still the best surface-dwellers for a community aquarium.
Annual killifish from South America not only sport amazing looks, they have fascinating life cycles.
Plecos are the go-to algae eaters for many hobbyists, but some species require huge setups to thrive.
Though not as popular as staple livebearer species, the merry widows make great aquarium residents with their peaceful disposition, hardy nature, and prolific breeding habits.
There is perhaps no fish more controversial than the parrotfish.
With their unique looks and placid personalities, stick catfish can play a starring role in a setup dedicated to their needs.
The orange dwarf crayfish is an uncommon and colorful cray that makes for an ideal breeding project in the home aquarium.
Although not as striking as its Asian cousins, the South American silver arowana is full of personality and looks stunning when allowed to develop to its full potential.
If you really want to make your aquarium pop, there is nothing like adding a brilliant-yellow fish.
Looking for a small, personable cichlid that is easy to keep? As one cichlid enthusiast explains, the three-stripe and red-line dwarf cichlids may be exactly what you're looking for.
Plants are famous for their ability to add a serene, verdant look to an aquarium, but what if you don’t have a planted tank? One expert hobbyist provides a number of fish that will add a green sparkle to the aquarium.
The butterfly barb is a rarely seen species that is challenging to keep.
Sometimes the only blue in an aquarium is the water, but one lifelong hobbyist suggests that this color should play a greater role in the tank and offers a list of the best blue fish for your aquarium.
Have you ever wondered if you need a sterilizer on your tank and, if so, which one would be best? An aquarium scientist explains the reasons for sterilization and how ozone and UV differ.
If you’re looking for something different for the aquarium, the axolotl is sure to please with its otherworldly looks.
It should come as no surprise that catfish feeding strategies are as diverse as the species themselves.
Pretty, peaceful, and full of personality, fairy cichlids are sure to delight you with their antics as they establish a colony in your tank.
Koi and goldfish make colorful and hardy additions to a pond during the spring and summer months, and one pond expert offers her tips for choosing the right fish for your particular situation.
A stunning cichlid with an engaging personality and a feisty temperament, Paratheraps sp.
Although many people think of killifish as annuals, only living for one year, a large subset of killies spawn continuously on plants and live for much longer.
Freshwater shrimp are the latest craze in the planted aquarium hobby.
An uncommon aquarium fish, the blue dwarf is a colorful animal that makes an excellent addition even for nano aquariums.
A relatively new addition to the hobby, the imperial tetra has proven to be a challenge to breed, but this master fish breeder has devised a sure method for spawning the species in captivity.
The latest color morph of the common ram cichlid, the electric blue ram has proven to be a popular addition to the hobby, though it is slightly more difficult to keep than its wild-type cousin.
A fairly recent import, the Chinese vermilion goby is a playful, hardy addition that is perfect for anyone looking for a new fish to try in their river-themed tank.
The bucktooth tetra may not look like a piranha, but in the author’s experience, it is more aggressive than one! Learn how to care for these beautiful but vicious animals for a truly fascinating tank in your own home.
Like many aquarists, I’ve always been fascinated by aquatic ecosystems in general and spend a great deal of my free time exploring these habitats in their natural state, including streams, ponds, swamps, and wetlands.
Range: Not a natural species.
For years I had wanted to keep fancy goldfish, but the lack of quality specimens from local suppliers left me believing that one had to live in Japan or China to get the good ones with any consistency.
Despite its small size, Crenicichla compressiceps is a beautiful predator that will captivate you with its interesting behaviors and breeding habits.
Leaves may not be at the top of most hobbyists' lists of aquarium necessities, but our author demonstrates how they can provide significant benefits in many setups.
Common Names: Altispinosus, Bolivian ram, hifin ram.
Known for their striking colors and bold patterns, royal plecos are fantastic fish for larger aquariums.
The tiger-striped Distichodus sexfasciatus is an extremely large, active species that is a great acquisition for dedicated hobbyists.
Taxonomic Troubles: For years this fish was known in the hobby as Kryptopterus bicirrhis, a very similar but larger species, but it has now been correctly identified as K.
The former president of the International Betta Congress explains how to keep some of the most popular and recognizable group of fish in the hobby happy, healthy, and beautiful.
Shrimp are being bred in an array of colors in the freshwater hobby, and one crustacean convert explains why they are such a fun addition to a typical planted tank.
Picking up mouthfuls of sand to strain for food items in the substrate, eartheaters have quite the appropriate moniker.
Generally hardy with interesting colors and behaviors, wild livebearers make excellent fish for beginning to advanced aquarists.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Gymnotus albifrons; you may see it called Apteronotus passan, Sternarchus albifrons, S.
Although not as popular as cories or plecos, syno cats are just as entertaining and provide a bit of a challenge for the aspiring fish breeder.
A noted cichlid photographer offers a selection of stunning photography and explains how exceptional scenes can be captured.
A devoted explorer travels to Africa to collect and bring home some of his most beloved aquarium species.
Surviving in some of the most extreme environments for freshwater fish, annual killies have evolved fascinating behaviors in order to thrive and reproduce.
Taxonomic Troubles: This is a hybrid that was created in Asia a couple of decades before the infamous flowerhorns.
An underwater explorer braves the deep jungle to observe and photograph ram cichlids in their native waters.
The small, shell-dwelling multis from Lake Tanganyika are perfect for hobbyists who want to observe fascinating cichlid behaviors without dealing with large sizes or bad attitudes.
The first of a two-part series, an expert on crustaceans reviews the biology and basic care requirements of freshwater shrimps, as well as some great species for a freshwater tank.
Common Names: Common pleco, janitor fish, pleco, plecostomus, sea hasar, spotted pleco, suckermouth catfish, etc.
As aquarists, we are extremely fortunate to be able to read about and raise so many different fishes from all over the world.
Of decidedly different shape, many species of whiptail catfish are easy to maintain and make fantastic attention-getters due to their unique appearance.
Our fervent traveler visits a remote, mountainous region in China to collect its precious and exclusive treasure, the panda loach.
Though invisible and odorless, nitrate can have a deadly effect on a tank’s inhabitants, but there are simple and effective methods for keeping it at a tolerable level.
Bring a piece of the prehistoric home with triops, peculiar creatures with an otherworldly visage and remarkable biology.
With a silver body so iridescent that it seemingly glows, this gourami makes the perfect choice for aquarists wishing to add a sense of the celestial to their tanks.
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.
Join the goby craze! An international aquarium aficionado reports on eight great old and new favorite gobies that make small, colorful, and interesting additions to aquariums of all types.
The large-growing Apistogramma steindachneri is a great option for community tanks and breeding setups alike.
Common Names: Butterfly algae eater, butterfly hillstream loach, butterfly loach, butterfly pleco, Chinese butterfly loach, Chinese sucker, hillstream loach, Hong Kong pleco, pleco loach, stingray loach, UFO pleco, etc.
Unlike their namesake marine predators, freshwater sharks make interesting additions to reasonably sized tanks.
Encouraged by the stories of his grandfather, one international traveler discovers the diversity of aquatic life in China.
Our international traveler visits Lake Victoria to collect local cichlids and other interesting fish.
Nannacara aurocephala is an out-of-the-ordinary cichlid that doesn't require a tank the size of your living room.
An expert aquarium photographer and big-cichlid lover captures the exciting drama of the jaguar cichlid mating ritual.
Range: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Burma (Myanmar).
Vibrant reds and shimmering blues help these killies take on the starring role in any aquarium.
Once dismissed as drab brown fish, rivulus killifish now are known to provide a wealth of vibrant colors and interesting behaviors to their keepers.
Traveling down the Yarapa River, our South American adventurer encounters a host of wildlife taking advantage of every niche habitat he encounters.
Found in China's Yangtze River, the rare and incredibly beautiful imperial flower loach needs the aquarium hobby to come to its rescue.
An explorer-biologist traveled to Costa Rica collect two species of Brachyrhaphis—little livebearers with big, bad attitudes—and found them to be surprisingly great aquarium fish.
Common Names: Bicolor rainbow, boes, Boeseman’s/Boesman’s rainbowfish, boesemani, etc.
Small, personable, and beautiful, dwarf Crenicichla species are perfect for the aquarist who wants the excitement of keeping pike cichlids but in a smaller space.
Our South American adventurer journeys through the jungles of Venezuela to investigate the vibrant half-red Hemigrammus, a possible new tetra species for the hobby.
A fearless fishkeeper clears up the caretaking myths for some of the fiercest predators for the aquarium.
Big, bold, and beautiful—discover how to keep the only cichlid native to the United States.
Common Names: Chained loach, chipmunk loach, dwarf botia, dwarf chained loach, dwarf loach, ladderback loach, monkey botia, mouse loach, pygmy loach, Sid, Sid the Monkey, skunk loach, etc.
Our fearless explorer offers a glimpse into the disappearing realm of Moenkhausia pittieri, a popular species in the hobby that faces near-certain extinction in the wild.
With domesticated varieties available in every color of the rainbow and wild species as rare as they are beautiful, there is a betta out there to suit any aquarist’s taste.
A serial traveler with one eye always on the water returns to Africa, this time exploring the treasures of one of its largest and diverse countries.
Common Names: Common krib, king cichlid, krib, kribensis, pink krib, purple cichlid, rainbow cichlid, rainbow krib, etc.
A big-personality cichlid in a little, colorful package, Dicrossus filamentosus has the looks and personality to charm aquarists that may not have the tankspace to house its larger cousins.
Dismissed as "Frankenfish" by some and prized as good luck charms by others, one consistent theme surrounding flowerhorns in the aquarium hobby is controversy.
Out of the African wilderness comes one oddball fish that will neither outgrow your tank nor kill everything in it.
Aquatic frogs can entertain and fascinate their keepers with underwater antics and interesting breeding behaviors.
Common Names: Rasbora, harlequin, harlequin rasbora, harlequin fish, red rasbora, etc.
The exceptionally charming and vibrant pencilfishes are great schooling fish for the hobbyist looking for something beyond the average tetra.
Tetras are not the first fish to come to mind in terms of easy breeding, but some are easier to breed than you might have been led to believe.
Common Names: Smiling acara, flag acara, flag cichlid, curviceps, dwarf flag cichlid, sheepshead acara, blunt-head cichlid, etc.
The ability to survive in almost all water conditions, breed easily, and clean up after fish sounds like the recipe for a perfect invertebrate—but there is certainly such a thing as being overly successful.
Many hobbyists began their fishkeeping with only a small and undemanding guppy tank, but they are hooked for life after seeing those small babies looking back out at them.
At first, I wasn’t quite sure why I bought Geophagus sp.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Barbus nigrofasciatus.
An unusual newcomer that is easy to keep and breed, this tiny crab is sure to fascinate with its colorful appearance and accomplished climbing abilities.
As with any species of aquarium fish, knowing what and how to feed your pond fish is essential to their health and well-being.
A variety of spineless, cold-blooded creatures can wreak havoc on fish. Learn to fight off these pond insects and other invertebrates.
For many hobbyists, warmer weather means it is time to enjoy fishkeeping in the great outdoors.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Callichthys splendens.
Our international adventurer collected one of Goa's tiny shimmering aquatic treasures, Aplocheilus kirchmayeri, in the waterways of India’s west coast, bringing his aquatic gems home to breed and raise successive generations—and learning more about them every step of the way.
Once the stuff of science fiction, cloning is not only happening in real-world laboratories, but also in home aquariums! One hobbyist relates his tale of keeping and multiplying the marbled crayfish, an all-female self-cloning species that one day just might help to feed the world.
Many new hobbyists (as well as veterans) like to incorporate different types of fish into a community tank.
Despite their universal popularity in home aquaria, the habits of Paracheirodon axelrodi in the wild largely remain a mystery.
Common Names: Honey gourami, honey dwarf gourami, red flame gourami, dwarf fire gourami, red robin gourami (these and other names are also used for color morphs of Colisa lalia and for hybrids of T.
A peat swamp isn't the most attractive locale for collection, but sometimes you have to get your hands dirty (and legs wet) for some of the more fascinating species.
There may be nothing more emblematic of the world of fishkeeping than a goldfish kept in a bowl, nor anything more inappropriate for the health, enjoyment, and display value of these marvelous fish.
Common Names: Redtail shark, redtail black shark, black shark, bicolor shark, redtail black loach, redtail sharkminnow, red tailed shark, redtailed labeo, etc.
In part one of his in–depth look at the Tropheus species of Africa's Lake Tanganyika, respected aquatic author, photographer, and fishkeeping legend Wolfgang Staeck delves into the history and habitat of these remarkable cichlids.
TFH is proud to present the first and only known photographs of a living Pristobrycon careospinus! Follow the author on his journey through a thick veil of horseflies and into the jungle darkness to track down this elusive Venezuelan piranha.
Knowing how to get electric blue Dempseys is just the first step, and these delicate fish offer several challenges.
The avid explorers return! This time, they're delving headfirst into Uruguay, capital of countless catfish, journeying through the exotic countryside and encountering a wide range of catfish varieties that make wonderful aquarium residents.
Once rarely imported and very expensive, this syno cat is now readily available at a reasonable cost.
Frogs aren't the only croakers in aquaria.
Our author takes you on a trip to the waters of Malaysia, home to a variety of aquatic treasures.
Residing in a location brimming with exotic species, our young author becomes captivated by an intelligent and agile pike.
If you're bored of common tetras, pencilfish might make an excellent alternative for a schooling community fish.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Gasteropelecus strigatus.
Calling them tiny would be an understatement! Learn the origins and breeding habits of one of the smallest vertebrate organisms on the planet.
The fearless explorer-collectors are at it again, this time tromping through Uruguay to bring you their adventures with the colorful and endearing species of the genus Gymnogeophagus.
Our authors take you on a journey to this complex Central/South American divide, home to diverse and fascinating species that evidence the region’s geological changes over time.
A veteran fish hobbyist and plant entrepreneur relates his lifetime experiences, from a modest childhood goldfish bowl to an elaborate and effective hi-tech planted discus setup.
The colorful stripes of the clown killie, coupled with its miniature size, make it great for smaller setups.
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.
The great state of Texas is home to many things.
Turtles can make fascinating and endearing aquarium residents, but their care requirements are much different than those of other aquatic pets—and very important to follow.
A cautionary tale of some catfish species aquarists may encounter in the aquarium hobby, but which should be avoided by most fishkeepers because of the monster sizes they can reach.
Taxonomic Troubles: The original name was Thorichthys helleri meeki.
Though somewhat underrated in the aquarium hobby, a school of danios can really add some life and beauty to most setups.
With their elegant colors and peaceful temperament, Bolivian rams are like the butterflies of the fishkeeping hobby.
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.
Third-grader Nathan Berman hasn't been an aquarist for very long, but after breeding his African cichlids he has already experienced the allure of fishkeeping.
The author, a veteran in the fishkeeping hobby, details 10 species that make excellent inhabitants for the popular—but seldom properly stocked—10-gallon tank.
These colorful little tetras are simple to keep, yet stunning–a perfect addition to most community aquariums.
Common Names: Fire neon, glo-lite tetra, glowlight tetra, etc.
The author ventures into the dark and mysterious jungles of his homeland in search of legendary wild fighting fish.
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name.
Pufferfish are among the most popular oddball fishes for freshwater and brackish-water aquaria.
In part 2 of his series, the intrepid explorer/collector continues his overview of the sociable and energetic jesters of the freshwater aquarium hobby.
One little livebearer that has done much to raise awareness of the need to catalog and conserve endangered fishes is the Monterrey platy Xiphophorus couchianus.
By way of honoring the late Dr.
The dedicated hobbyist/breeder, a medical doctor in his native Czech republik, details his experience spawning a rare and beautiful cory catfish.
It was Monday morning, just days before this year’s American Cichlid Association (ACA) Convention in Sacramento, California when the Board of Trustees and the rest of the American cichlid world got the news: Dr.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Perilampus aequipinnatus, later as Danio aequipinnatus.
Cichla is the genus that the family Cichlidae was based on, and thus it serves as a flagship for the group.
The proper feeding of our fishes is an important part of their successful captive management, and I would like to make some comments regarding this topic on a particular group of catfishes.
A look at the many beautiful, playful, and intelligent loach species available in the hobby, with a discussion of their differing degrees of suitability for the home aquarium.
Some of the more unusual-looking specimens to ever grace a freshwater aquarium, what the banjo catfishes lack in looks they make up for with their interesting characteristics and behavior.
It was autumn, 1998.
Journey with fish collector extraordinaire Stan Sung through the jungles, swamps, and streams of Thailand as he explores the habitat for various fishes and other wildlife.
The gulper cat Asterophysus batrachus Kner, 1858 is a member of the family Auchenipteridae (driftwood or auchenipterid catfishes), which occur in rivers from southern Central America to extreme southern South America (specifically Argentina).
The author details his experiences with breeding the beautiful and rare Danio choprai, and includes tips on how to care for the fry.
The spread of invasive species throughout the world is a serious problem; understanding the issue and possible solutions is an important step toward saving the diversity and health of our planet.
Greetings all.
About six years ago my husband and I installed a small goldfish pond in our backyard.
In my last column (TFH September 2007), the third in this series about innovative aquaristics, I introduced the three species of the little-known (to the hobby) genus Retroculus.
Killifish from Akaka camp, western Gabon (Teleostei: Poeciliidae: Aplocheilichthyinae), exhibiting similarities of pattern and morphology with another sympatric lampeye species, Aplocheilichthys spilauchen.
This large, mouthbrooding, peach-colored, tiger-striped betta may well be the ideal species for the dedicated wild betta fan looking for something a little out of the ordinary.
In the latest installment of his eye-opening series on the tropical fish trade along the Rio Negro, the inquiring traveler discusses crucial issues facing the people and places behind some of our most popular aquarium fishes.
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original name, though it was originally misidentified in the hobby as H.
Cue dramatic music.
While visiting a friend the winter before last, I heard a familiar burbling sound coming from a dark corner of their family room.
Since their introduction into the aquarium trade back in 2003, red cherry shrimp (RCS) have become increasingly popular.
In last month’s “Cichlidophiles” (TFH August 2007), I highlighted the singular accomplishment of my good friend and successful cichlidophile Lee Newman of Vancouver Canada, who racked up the first recorded captive spawning of the chiselhead eartheater Satanoperca acuticeps back in 2001.
Last month I described an algae problem that was making one of my tanks look grungy, and I said I’d decided it was time to get to the bottom of the problem.
A look at the surprisingly complex interrelationships between a large catfish species and various cichlids in Lake Malawi.
Members of the family Characidae are broadly known as characins, a family that includes interesting fishes like the feared piranhas and pirembebas, fruit-eating pacus, torpedo-shaped Leporinus, the brilliantly colorful cardinal tetra, headstanding Anostomus, and the stout dorado.
Common Names: Red rainbowfish, salmon rainbowfish, Irian red rainbowfish, New Guinea rainbowfish, etc.
While collecting in the waters of Uruguay, our fearless explorers come across monster-like fish with sharp teeth, large bodies, and ferocious attitudes.
Filters perform numerous necessary and valuable tasks.
Located in the Central American heart of volcanic activity, Nicaragua is a majestic country that bears an array of aquatic attractions.
Last month I maintained that the most spectacular freshwater fish that you’ve probably never seen is the fancy sailfin molly.
There are some interesting and hardy species of aquarium fish that prefer conditions somewhere between the temperate and tropical temperatures of most aquaria.
In last month’s column (TFH July 2007), I began what will be a multi-column discussion by example of how to spawn the unspawnable cichlid.
One of the most bizarre fish in the hobby, the reedfish Erpetoichthys calabaricus commands the attention of many aquarium hobbyists—but to keep it properly requires some experience and know-how.
A tale of persistence and ultimate triumph; the author became the first in the United States—and one of the first in the world—to successfully breed Cichla sp.
I know, I know.
A groundbreaking diagnosis of chytridiomycosis, a dangerous and deadly amphibian infection, in the pet aquatic frog hobby, with tips on eliminating it through quarantine and treatment.
An expert aquarist shares his breeding account of Neolamprologus caudopunctatus, a small shell-dwelling Tanganyikan cichlid that is easy to maintain in small and medium aquariums.
Once quite common in the aquarium trade, the cichlid “Cichlasoma” beani is now one of the rarest, most desirable, and hardest-to-obtain cichlids on the casual cichlidophile’s wish list.
A look at the fascinating mating strategies and amazing parenting skills that make the cichlids a perennial hobby favorite (aside from their good looks, of course!).
For the past five months of columns I have droned on about discus taxonomy and systematics, and have stressed the scientific side of the cichlid hobby.
An exclusive in-depth look at the celestial pearl danio Celestichthys margaritatus, separating fact from fiction about this beautiful new cyprinid, with an illustrated spawning account.
What is the most spectacular freshwater fish parading through your pet shop? We all have our preferences.
Oscars Astronotus spp.
The peaceful and attractive rainbowfish and silversides can add beauty and interest to harder, more alkaline freshwater systems.
In the third installment of a series detailing his journey of discovery, the author describes the thrill of collecting aquatic jewels along the Rio Negro.
The denizens of a fishroom easily fall into two camps: those that come and go, and those that become permanent or long-time residents.
A look at "MB," a common, highly contagious, and incurable bacterial fish disease, and some steps that can be taken to prevent its outbreak.
Size: 3.
I must immediately start this entry with thanks, and any necessary apologies, to the wonderful collaborative team of Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers.
I have spent the last three columns (TFH March, April, and May 2007) discussing the recent findings of Kullander’s group (Ready et al.
The author journeys to the Volta region of Ghana to find the Ghana killifish Fundulosoma (Nothobranchius) thierryi, encountering surprises—both good and bad—along the way.
Size: 6 cm TL (2.
In the year 1968, a young hobbyist's algebra grade is saved by reading legendary livebearer breeder and geneticist Dr.
In the last several months’ columns I have reviewed the recent work from the lab of Swedish ichthyologist Sven O.
I would like to start off with a brief mention of a recently described Otocinclus catfish (“oto cat”) from Colombia and Peru.
GH is an abbreviation for Gesamthaerte.
The Chairman of the American Livebearer Association details his fish-collecting trip to Mexico, where he found some longtime livebearer favorites in their natural habitats.
The authors explore the theories and practicalities of brine shrimp hatching, using their own research to test previously published reports.
While many are content with keeping their betta in a small unheated bowl, these beautiful fish look better and live healthier lives in proper setups.
The characodons are my favorite goodeids.
In the second part of his series, the author discusses his experiences with the high waters, flooded forests, and floating meadows of the Amazonian rainy season.
In recent columns I have discussed two recently published studies on the Lake Tanganyikan Synodontis species.
Going by the numbers, piscivorous fish don’t seem like very good choices for the home aquarium.
Antibiotics can help save the lives of some of our favorite pet fishes, but these powerful medicines must be used correctly to be safe and effective.
Here is a quick review of the discus saga up until now.
In last month’s column, I described the first half of a day that I spent with Dr.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Rasbora maculata, moved to the new genus as part of the 1993 revision of this group.
In a recent article that appeared in the December 2006 issue of TFH, I asked the question “How Many Discus Species Are There?” The answer, according to fish collector/explorer Heiko Bleher in his new discus book (Bleher’s Discus Volume 1, 2006, Aquapress, Italy), which appeared this past summer, and which I reviewed in that article, was three—Symphysodon discus, S.
The tetras, barbs, and gouramis that were popular in the "good old days" of the fishkeeping hobby still make beautiful and interesting aquarium specimens today.
The first installment of a series looking at the Amazon ornamentals fishery and its impact on the native peoples along the Rio Negro.
I always start to get a little nervous somewhere around the beginning of March.
My first experiences with payara were some 20 years ago now (I can’t believe I am even old enough to say that!).
In a previous column (“Good News From Lake Tanganyika,” TFH November 2006) I discussed work being done on Lake Tanganyikan Synodontis utilizing mitochondrial DNA techniques.
When you’re in this hobby long enough, you will eventually experience the “contradictory denizen” of your fishroom.
With a perfect mix of charm, intelligence, and spunk, the dwarf puffers from India's Pamba River are fascinating creatures to keep—and breed—in the home aquarium.
A glimpse into the late-Nineteenth-Century aquarium hobby as seen through the pages of a February 1899 Ladies’ Home Journal article on a do-it-yourself aquarium building project.
I live in the country, but a couple of days a week I commute into the city for my job.
A scientific explanation of why fish are born the sex they are, as well as a look at how gender can be manipulated by outside factors.
The author recalls his exciting trip south of the border searching high and low for endangered goodeids, including the elusive Characodon audax.
The immense popularity of Scleropages formosus in the Orient led to severe overfishing, which put the fish on the Endangered Species List some time ago.
The author offers his account of breeding and raising up the fry of the colorful West African cichlid Hemichromis lifalili.
Most veterinarians are either ill-equipped or unwilling to see fish as patients, but the author has made caring for pet fish a priority in his practice.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi is often misunderstood and considered to be difficult to keep, but if it’s cared for properly, the ram can provide a beautiful and interesting fishkeeping experience.
During the summer of 2006, while visiting the cichlid breeding facility of close friend and well-known cichlid expert Jeff Rapps, I noticed a shiny dart-like fish that looked like a little snook in one of his holding tanks.
The genus Cichlasoma Swainson 1839 was restricted and redefined by ichthyologist Sven O.
This month is a “housekeeping” month, and so this column will consist of some bits and pieces starting with a couple of corrections.
An account of how the author was able to successfully breed the arrowhead puffer Tetraodon suvattii and raise up the fry.
There are some estimated 600 distinct species of cichlids in Lake Malawi, one of the most dramatic examples known to biologists of explosive speciation and adaptive radiation that has occurred in vertebrates.
The author makes her first fish collecting expedition and finds out first-hand just how difficult, yet rewarding, an Amazonian adventure can be.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Apistogramma ramirezi, later Papilochromis ramirezi, sometimes misspelled as Microgeophagus.
One of my greatest fears—at least as far as this column is concerned—is that someday a deadline will be looming, my editor will be lobbing terse emails my way (“Are you planning to turn in your column any time this century, Laura? Please advise.
Apistogramma dwarf cichlids are not the type of fish you can just toss in your aquarium—there’s a lot more to keeping these little beauties.
Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie…and breeder traps.
The topic of xylophagus (wood eating) catfishes is an interesting one, and some new information on this is currently in press and should be available by the time this column is in your hands.
Common Names: Longnose distichodus, longsnout distichodus.
Range: Widespread in the Amazon basin, found in clear-, black-, and whitewater habitats in the Amazon-Solimoes River from Peru through Brazil to the Capim River Basin.
Taxonomic Troubles: This fish has always been Betta splendens, but it has seen major revision in its higher taxa, such as family.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Micralestes interruptus.
Taxonomic Troubles: This is the original description.
Taxonomic Troubles: Variations in the striping distinguished the various L-numbers, but they were combined in the original description as one species.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described in several other genera over the years, including Tilapia and Pseudotropheus.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Heros festivus.
A large-scaled, stocky fish with two barbels. Although gold or greenish brown and grey are the natural coloration, koi have been developed in a number of brilliant colors and patterns.
Range: Amazon basin in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, also in French Guiana.
Taxonomic Troubles: None.
Taxonomic Troubles: None.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Trichopodus lalius.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally Cobitis kuhlii.
Taxonomic Troubles: Like most Rift Lake species, this one has had its share of taxonomic confusion.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Barbus melanopterus.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Labrus trichopterus.
Range: Much of the Amazon drainage, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, French Guiana, and Guyana.
Taxonomic Troubles: Originally described as Hoplosternum aeneum.
Range: India: Indus, Ganges-Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi drainages.
Taxonomic Troubles: A "Chiclasoma" orphan, but valid now as Herichthys, for which it is the type species.
A small, slender barb, torpedo-shaped rather than rounded like the tiger barb Puntius tetrazona.
Body elongate, though stockier than many loaches, with arched back that becomes more pronounced as the fish grows.