The African Butterfly cichlid is a small riverine cichlid from western Africa; specifically Sierra Leone, southeast Guinea, and western Liberia. It rarely grows to more than four inches in total length and it has a temperament quite similar to that of the kribensis - relatively peaceful, rarely digs in the substrate, and it seldom bothers plants. They form pairs and tight … [Read more...] about Breeding the African Butterfly Cichlid
Other fish
The Dwarf Shell-Dwelling Cichlid from Lake Tanganyika
Whether you are new to cichlids or are an old pro at the fish keeping hobby and are looking for a small, personality packed fish to liven things up, then consider this little African gem from Lake Tanganyika!:) Lake Tanganyika Temperament Tank set-up Water Food Filtration Compatible tankmates Spawning Rearing Lake Tanganyika The natural environment that … [Read more...] about The Dwarf Shell-Dwelling Cichlid from Lake Tanganyika
Diamonds are Forever (Moenkhausia pittieri)
Last year I purchased 10 Diamond Tetras at a monthly DSAS auction. Joe Kaznica who had bred them had offered them at auction. Joe has a great knack breeding tetras and I know all his fish are well maintained. The sparkling appearance of these fish is what caught my eye and so I bid on them, but was not really prepared to house them when I got home. I had a 20-gallon long tank … [Read more...] about Diamonds are Forever (Moenkhausia pittieri)
An Excess Of Astyanax
Do you want to spawn and raise a few characins? There's a simple recipe. First buy a trio of Astyanax bimaculatus. Then set up five or six fifty gallon tanks. But wait a minute - we're a little ahead of ourselves. What the heck is an Astyanax anyway? The genus Astyanax consists of a large number of species of new world characins. They are to be found almost everywhere in … [Read more...] about An Excess Of Astyanax
Breeding Whiptails
Rineloricaria hasemani: Location: Brazil Para, Maguary near Belem in forest streams that empty into Rio Guama. Rineloricaria microlepdogaster: Location: Brazil Rio Grande Do Sul, South East Brazil. These are very peaceful sucker mouth catfish living in fast flowing oxygen rich water. They grow to about 150 to 200 mm. The males are easily sexed as they have whiskers on … [Read more...] about Breeding Whiptails
Panaque species ‘Bruno’
In 1988 authors working for the much respected German language magazine Datz launched the 'L' numbers scheme in order to form a universally recognised identification system for new loricarins arriving in the aquarium hobby from South America. In the early 1990's L77 became one of the first L numbered loricarins to appear in the U.K. At this time these fish were sold under … [Read more...] about Panaque species ‘Bruno’
The Elusive Jaguar (Liosomodoras oncinus)
Named for the rare Jaguar Cat, Panthera onca, of the South American Rain forests and just as elusive and beautiful, Liosomodoras oncinus is a rarely seen catfish from Peru. Easily one of the most beautiful of all catfish, it has appeared, although infrequently, as a contaminant in shipments from Peru. Juvenile specimens are even more striking than adults, their patterns being a … [Read more...] about The Elusive Jaguar (Liosomodoras oncinus)
Spawning Corydoras sterbai
Corydoras sterbai is a very attractive catfish which comes from the Upper Rio Guapore River in Brazil. It is often confused with Corydoras haraldschultzi which is an equally attractive fish from the same region. The experts tell us that the C. haraldschultzi has a light body and head with dark spots and lines. C. sterbai has a dark head and body with light spots and lines. It … [Read more...] about Spawning Corydoras sterbai
Accidental Spawning of Corydoras paleatus
Corydoras paleatus (Peppered Cory) has been available to the aquarist for a long time. It was one of the first corydoras species to spawn in the aquarium. I have never attempted to spawn any of the catfish but have been successful with a number of other families. I recently purchased eight C. paleatus at a Diamond State Aquarium Society auction. I took them home and placed … [Read more...] about Accidental Spawning of Corydoras paleatus
Corydoras oiapoquensis
This small Corydoras is named for the river it is native to, the Oyapock in French Guiana. Unfortunately, it's not a common find in pet shops, but may be more so in the future if more hobbyists take the time to breed them. Corydoras oiapoquensis is very similar in size and coloration to Corydoras panda, but lacks the caudal peduncle spot, and makes up for it with a series of … [Read more...] about Corydoras oiapoquensis