Blub

Common names: Marbled hatchetfish
Size: 5-8cm
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Tempº: 24ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Top layer
Origin: Peru, Guyana
Gender: Hard to determine. Females are larger.
Notes: Hatchetfish go well in most communities, as they confine themselves to the uppermost layer of the tank. They prefer a strong current – and must be kept in a shoal of at least 6 individuals. The tank must have a good cover and no escape points – as these fish are strong jumpers and once airborne they use their wing-like fins to effectively fly! They are sometimes stated as difficult to keep as they need a highly varied diet – but providing variation in a fish’s diet is part of fishkeeping anyway – and it does not only apply to hatchetfish!

These guys are a great way top add variation and activity to almost any community – they never stray from the top, never bother other fish and are generally very peaceful! However, caution must be taken when mixing with Platys (Which is not advised) because platys are quite capable of throwing hatchets around and stopping them feeding.

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Black Phantom Tetra
(Megalamphodus megalopterus)

Common names: Black phantom tetra, Black phantom,
Size: 4-5cm
pH: 6.0-7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Brazil
Gender: Males have long fins. Females have some red on them.
Notes: This peaceful schooling tetra is perfect for beginner’s (Or expert’s!) community tanks, as it adds beauty and activity that can stand some neglect. As with most other tetra species, it will quarrel with other Black phantoms to establish dominance. As with most schooling fish, it is best to keep them in a ratio of 1 male to every 3 females. They are best kept in groups of 6 or more; like all schooling species. Otherwise they will become stressed, nippy and won’t come out as much.

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Endler’s Livebearer
(Poecilia wingei)

Common names: Endler’s Liverbearer
Size: Males 2cm, Females 4cm
pH: 6.5 – 8.0
Tempº: 18ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Venezuela
Gender: Males have a gonopludium instead if an anal fin.
Notes: This tiny livebearer is a great addition to the aquarium, especially the Nano tank. They are a close relative of the guppy, and can easily crossbreed. Males and females should not be housed together unless breeding is intended, because they will easily overstock all but the largest of tanks. They are very peaceful and they will only fight if an all male, all female or 1 male to every 3 females ratio is not maintained.

Blub

Common names: Cameroun fan shrimp, African fan shrimp, Giant filter shrimp
Size: 15cm
pH: ?
Tempº: 23ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: Cameroon
Gender: ?
Notes: Despite their size, these not-so-little guys are completely harmless to any fish. They are filter feeders that use the ‘fans’ on the end of their forelegs to filter out microscopic animals from the water. The yare passive feeders, and will sit there with their legs extended waiting for food to come to them, so a current is essential. As with all invertebrates, make sure any medications you use are invertebrate-friendly.
Sometimes, a dominant male shrimp will turn brilliant red, and on some occasions even shrimps that are kept alone turn brilliant red!

Blub

Common names: Peacock goby, Peacock gudgeon, Common gudgeon.
Size: Males 7.5cm, Females 4-5cm
pH: 6.5 - 7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: New Guinea
Gender: Females are smaller; males have a ‘hump’ on the head.
Notes: This hardy fish owes it’s popularity to it’s small size and beautiful coloring. These fish don’t always accept commercially prepared food, so it is necessary to keep some live food handy. Peacock gobies are not in fact true gobies – but sleeper gobies, a different family of fishes. Knight and Bumblebee gobies are good examples of true gobies. This fish is peaceful, although some flaring and mock fighting may break out between individuals.

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Zebra Danio
(Danio rerio)

Common names: Zebra danio, Zebrafish, Striped danio
Size: 6cm
pH: 6.5 – 8
Tempº: 18ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle/top layer
Origin: India
Gender: Males have yellow stripes in-between their black stripes.
Notes: Zebra danios are perfect for the begginer’s tank. Active, pretty and hardy – these fish will go great in most communities. However, they can be a little nippy at times and it is a bad idea to keep them with Bettas, whose fins will be ripped by the danios. Keeping them with shy Gouramis is also a bad idea, as they could scare the timid fish into hiding and also damage their fins.
However, as this is a schooling fish, it is essential to keep them in groups of 6 or more.

Blub

Common names: Siamese algae eater, SAE
Size: 12-15cm
pH: 6.5-8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle-bottom layer
Origin: Thailand
Gender: Mature females are more plump.
Notes: Well known among planted aquarists, this brilliant algae eating fish is often confused for the more aggressive Flying fox and False Siamese algae eaters. The difference is that the Flying fox’s stripe, unlike the true SAE’s, has straight edges and does not extend to the tail. The false Siamese on the other hand, has a gold stripe above the black one. This fish has no Swim-bladder, so it must stay swimming to keep afloat. This is why you will see your SAE resting on a rock sometimes. The Siamese algae eater is valued by fishkeepers because it is one of the only fish that will eat Hair and Thread algae, and also eats virtually indestructible Black beard algae among others. If there is no algae available, it is important to supplement it’s diet with sinking algae wafers, and blanched vegetables like you would a pleco.

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Tiger Barb
(Puntius tetrazona)

Common names: Tiger barb, Sumatra barb, Albino tiger barb, Green tiger barb
Size: 8cm
pH: 6.5 – 8.0
Tempº: 20ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo
Gender: Males are more brightly coloured.
Notes: This fish is notoriously aggressive, and for good reason. When kept in numbers under 6 – these fish will become shy and start nipping tank mate’s fins. However, this can be totally prevented by keeping more than 6 Tigers barbs. You can buy albino and green variations of this beautiful striped fish. Tiger barbs are incredibly hardy – and as long as there is a good number of barbs and some decent tank space it is a great beginner’s fish. However they should never be kept with Bettas.

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Pearl Gourami
(Trichogaster leeri)

Common names: Pearl gourami, Leeri gourami, Lace gourami,
Size: 10cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle/Top
Origin: Maylasia, Sumatra, Borneo
Gender: Males have a red throat and longer fins.
Notes: These fish are somewhat more delicate than other gouramis. (Like Three-spot, Dwarf and Honey) However, it is still one of the most attractive and easy-to-keep Gouramis around. Like all other Labyrinth fish; it can breath atmospheric air – and does best in a slow current. The Pearl gourami can be freaked out by many larger fish – and simply hide away. They are more brave and active in pairs – and can quickly become the dominant fish.

Blub

Common names: White cloud mountain minnow, WCMM, Chinese danio, White cloud, Canton danio
Size: 4cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 8ºC - 25ºC
Tank region: All – but prefer surface
Origin: China
Gender: Males are more colourful.
Notes: These fish are pretty much indestructible when it comes to hardiness in the aquarium. They are ideal of beginners – but need to be in a school of at least 6 individuals. Although usually the first fish to be combined with Goldfish, this is a bad choice as the Goldfish will eventually view them as ‘fast food’ – which brings us neatly onto another point about this fish. It is very active. They are very peaceful as long as they are in a school – but if not in one they can get nervous and start to nip!

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German Blue Ramirezi
(Micogeophagus ramirezi)

Common names: German blue ramirezi, GBR, Blue ram, Butterfly cichlid, Ram cichlid, Dutch ram, Gold ram.
Size: 6cm
pH: 5.5-7.5
Tempº: 25ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle-Bottom
Origin: Columbia, Venezuela.
Gender: Females have a pink belly, males have an elongated 2nd ray in the dorsal fin, Males dorsal and anal fins are more pointed at the back, Females tail is more rounded.
Notes: These stunning little fish are delicate! The GBR is one of the most beautiful and peaceful cichlids you’ll find. They prefer a fully planted aquarium, where the water parameters are more stable, and there is lots of cover to minimize these sensitive fish’s stress and make them feel secure. Rams and other Dwarf chichlids really need a complex habitat with as many nooks and crannies (Plants are great at making these.) and caves as possible. A great way to add a cave to the Ram’s habitat is to use a coconut cave – as it is perfectly shaped for a dark interior, and is a great medium for Java moss. They will take most foods, as they are omnivorous. It’s best to keep them over sand, as they often spend hours sifting it through their gills, looking for food particles.

Blub

Common names: Bristlenose pleco, Bristlenose, Bushynose catfish, Ancistrus,
Size: 12cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 21ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: Exact locality not know; somewhere in South America
Gender: Males have bristles.
Notes: This is a great algae eater for the community aquarium of 75litres or larger. They are very peaceful, apart from if you have a pair of males who have spawned. They are great to watch, and their spots have a subtle beauty of their own. They should be fed on cucumber slices, Algae disks, and the occasional meaty treat like bloodworm. It is important to have some wood in their tank – as they suck nutrients from it.

This species was known as 'Ancistrus sp. (3)' to the scientific sommunity until August 2008 when it was re-designated 'Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus'; but will likely be known to many people as 'Ancistrus sp. (3)' for a long time after.

Blub

Common names: Fancy guppy, Guppy
Size: 6cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Central America
Gender: The male’s anal fin is long and tube shaped – known as a gonopludium.
Notes: These fish are very hardy and thus are amazing fish for newbie fishkeepers. You can get many varieties of guppy, from dull black to electric blue and everything in between
Being livebearers, if you have a male and female you’re almost guaranteed to get babies!

Blub

Common names: Harlequin rasabora, Harlequin fish
Size: 5cm
pH: 5.5 – 7.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Thailand
Gender: Males are thinner than females.
Notes: This is many aquarist’s all time favorite fish, and for good reason. These little guys are hardy, peaceful, attractive and active! They are at home in a planted aquarium and a large school of harlequins in a well aquascaped planted tank is a sight not to be forgotten.

Blub

Common names: Peaceful betta, Crescent betta,
Size: 6cm
pH: 5.5-7.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 29ºC
Tank region: Middle Top layer
Origin: Malaysia
Gender: Males are red and blue, females grey. Males have longer fins.
Notes: This is a fish that was named appropriately. Whilst the males will fight, (Thus multiple must not be kept in the same aquarium!) they are very peaceful to other species in the aquarium and don’t stand such a good chance of being nipped as the ‘standard’ Betta - B.splendens. These fish also readily accept their own kind (With the exception of males accepting other males) which means they can be kept in small groups in the aquarium. These fish are good jumpers, and should have a cover over the tank to prevent this. When kept in a quiet and peaceful community – these fish will become real stars of the aquarium!

Blub

Common names: Marthae silver hatchetfish, Black winged hatchetfish
Size: 5cm
pH: 6.4 – 6.8
Tempº: 24ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Top layer
Origin: Venezuela
Gender: ?
Notes: A great little fish to keep, these fish are great jumpers and can achieve distances of 2M – so a tight fitting cover is a must. In the wild they use this incredible jump to escape predators and catch insects that re above the surface! Hatchets are carnivorous, and need to be fed plenty of meaty foods to stay alive. These fish are totally peaceful, and are an ideal addition to the community to fill the almost always empty top layer. Hatchets must be kept in groups of at least six to minimize stress – and therefore minimize jumping. Some sources may give this fish a difficult reputation – this is almost totally because of attempts to keep them in small numbers! It is important to have some sort of guard in your filter – as this fish’s thin body is easily sucked in at night. Hatchetfish benefit from the addition of floating plants.

Blub

Common names: Glowlight danio,
Size: 3cm
pH: 6.5 – 7.0
Tempº: 18ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle/top layer
Origin: Asia
Gender: Females are fuller bodied when carrying eggs.
Notes: A great addition to a community without any fish large enough to eat it. Indeed, seeing a school of Glowlight danios swimming through a well maintained planted aquarium is an unforgettable sight. These fish must be kept in a school of at least 6, but since they are so small 10 Glowlight Danios has the bio load of 6 Cherry barbs.

Blub

Common names: African butterfly fish, Butterfly fish
Size: 10cm
pH: 6.4 – 7.5
Tempº: 24ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Top layer
Origin: West Africa
Gender: Male has a slightly curved anal fin, female has a straight one.
Notes: These fish make an interesting addition to the right tank. When housing a butterfly fish, it is important to remember that these fish will eat anything alive that will fit in it’s mouth! (Even Tiger barbs must fear the wrath of the great butterfly!)
Generally it is unwise to keep them with any tankmates under 10cm. They will need lots of live food – but frozen or freeze-dried foods will be eaten lavishly.