Blub

Common names: Red rainbowfish, Salmon red rainbowfish, Irain jaya rainbowfish, Lake sentanti rainbowfish, Red irian rainbowfish, New guinea red rainbowfish.
Size: Males 12cm, Females 10cm.
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle/Top
Origin: New Guinea, Indonesia
Gender: Easy. Males are red, females are a silver color.
Notes: These Rainbowfish are true marvels of the natural world. They have stunning colors, and in a school of mixed sexes they are amazing! When kept without females, Male red rainbowfish will turn a dull rusty brown color. They need to be kept in school of at least 6, and does best with a ratio of 1 male to every 2 females. This species is listed as ‘Vunerable’ on the ICUN red list. They like to have lots of live plants in their tank, and are totally safe with them so are excellent candidates for the Planted tank.

Blub

Common names: Pikehead, Crocodile fish, Giant pikehead.
Size: 20cm
pH: 5.5 – 6.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: ?
Origin: Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.
Gender: ?
Notes: These carnivorous fish are not for the beginner. They are very sensitive, require an acid pH. They can be kept in groups. They have a remarkable method of hunting: they hover in the same spot for hours on end, mimicking a twig, and at exactly the right moment they strike out with their massive crocodile like jaw at it’s prey. They will tackle even large goldfish, and cannot be weaned onto commercial food. They do best in a Planted tank.

Blub

Common names: American flagfish, Florida flagfish,
Size: 6cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 19ºC - 24ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Florida to the Yucatan
Gender: Females have shorter fins than males.
Notes: The American flagfish is a beautiful cool water killifish from the south eastern United States. It is a good tankmate for other cooler water species like White Cloud Mountain Minnows and Bearded corydoras since they are so peaceful. It is a good algae eater, rivaling even the Siamese algae eater in it’s algae eating quality’s.

Blub

Common names: Threadfin rainbowfish, Featherfin rainbowfish.
Size: 5cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 26ºC - 30ºC
Tank region: Middle top layer
Origin: Irain Jaya, Northern Australia
Gender: Males fins have long ‘thread’ extensions, the males first anal fin is large and fan shaped, the males fins are a richer red to black, females are duller.
Notes: These rainbows are some of the most suitable for a small tank. They need to be kept in schools of at least 6. They prefer to live in a planted tank, and look truly stunning when kept in large numbers in a well aquascaped tank. In fact, it is one of the most magnificent sights in the freshwater aquarium world. Since these fish’s throats are narrow, they must be fed very small foods to prevent choking. They are very peaceful.

Blub

Common names: Upside-down catfish, USD.
Size: 10cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Zaire
Gender: Males are darker and females are a little rounder.
Notes: The USD is a very unusual and peaceful fish unique in that it spends almost all it’s time upside down! In nature they ‘sit’ on the bottom of lily pads to avoid predation – which is why they live their lives in such a peculiar way. These odditys need lots of places to hang under – bogwood is ideal. They are somewhat shy, and are more active at night. However, they can be enticed out into the open in day by providing them with a small group (this fish should always be kept in a group of at least 3) and providing lots of caves and hiding places. This fish’s coloration is curious in that it is dark on it’s belly and light on it’s upside – an adaptation to living upside down. When viewed from the bottom, the lighter color looks more like the sky (so predatory fish will have a more difficult time spotting it) and when viewed from the top it looks more like the leaf litter (so terrestrial enemies have a harder time finding it). The Upside down catfish is an omnivore, and should be offered quality flake food, sinking pellets, and appreciates live foods. On a more sinister note, whjen buying at the store make sure you really are getting S.nigriventis – there are plenty of less charming and larger and more aggressive Synodontis that it could be regrettably confused with.

Blub

Common names: Scarlet badis, Red badis, Bengal dario.
Size: 1.5-2cm
pH: 6.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: India
Gender: Males are red, females are much duller.
Notes: This tiny, cute and colourful fish is a great addition to a small nano tank. It is peaceful, and does well with other peaceful fish. Since they are hardy, they make great beginners fish. They are not schooling fish, but prefer living in a social environment. They are very inquisitive and intelligent, so it is a good idea to keep them in a complex environment to explore. Females are rarely imported because of their dull colour. Overall, the Scarlet badis is one of those miracle fish that is interesting, easy, small and pretty.

Blub

Common names: Gold barb, Golden barb, Goldfinned barb, China barb.
Size: 8cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle-Bottom layer
Origin: South East China, Vietnam, Singapore (Introduced), Hawaii (Introduced).
Gender: Males have more black patches along their flanks.
Notes: These are hardy, peaceful barbs that do well in a community aquarium in schools of 6 or more. They are not the best fish for a Planted tank, as they tend to nip at the plants and if the tank is sparsely planted they may rid you of your green matter. They are fairly good eaters, and can easily outcompete more delicate species for food, so be careful.

Blub

Common names: Pentazona barb, Fivebanded barb, Five banded barb, Belted barb.
Size: 5cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 23ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Borneo, Singapore, Malayan Penisula.
Gender: Males have bit (just a hint) of red on their fins.
Notes: These peaceful barbs are a lot like tiger barbs, but are nowhere near as aggressive and smaller. Like other barbs, they are schooling fish who need schools of at least 6, although 5 is ok. They need a larger tank than other fish of their size might because they can be really active and tend to use the whole length of the tank. They are shy however, and should not be kept with overly active fish as they may go into hiding and become very shy. When sold they are usually yellowish, but with time and care can develop a red color. They do well with other peaceful fish and aren’t well known for fin nipping behaviors at all! They appreciate cover of plants, but also appreciate plenty of swimming space.

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Pristella Tetra
(Pristella maxillaris)

Common names: Pristella tetra, X-ray tetra.
Size: 4 - 5cm
pH: 6.0-8.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle
Origin: Venezuela, Brazil, Guiana, British Guyana.
Gender: Males are more slender than females.
Notes: The Pristella tetra is a peaceful, schooling community fish good for beginner’s tanks as they are fairly hardy. They enjoy the cover of plants, so a planted tank is a real bonus. Pristella tetras need to be kept in groups of at least 6 or they may become agitated, stressed and nippy. They are easy to feed, in the wild they eat small insects and planktonic animals, but in captivity they will thrive on a varied diet of commercially prepared foods.

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Red Neon Goby
(Stiphodon sp.)

Common names: Red neon goby, Neon goby,
Size: 5cm
pH: Exact measurements not known! They are best on the cooler end of the scale, probably around 24ºC - 26 ºC.
Tempº: ? – Exact measurements not known. Thrives in general community pH’s.
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: Indonesia.
Gender: Male are more colorful – females have no red on them.
Notes: There is only a tiny amount of information available on these small gobys. They are peaceful fish who tend to graze on algae and microscopic animals. They may take bottom feeder pellets, or they may need to be fed on live foods. Care must be taken when mixing them with aggressive fish as they are very peaceful towards other fish and are easily bullied. These fish are rarely imported, and when they are they are almost always males because females do not have the colorful fins and are not as easy to sell. They have a peculiar way of swimming, and a suckermouth which they use a lot like a pleco might. They prefer a fast flowing current and slightly cooler water.

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Common names: Kribensis, Krib, Rainbow Krib, Common Krib, Niger Cichlid, Purple Cichlid.
Size: 10cm
pH: 5.0-8.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 29ºC
Tank region: Middle-Bottom layer
Origin: Nigeria, Cameroon, Hawaii (Introduced).
Gender: Females have a red and plump belly, Males are larger, less colourful and more torpedo shaped.
Notes: The Kribensis Cichlid is a very peaceful (by Cichlid standards!) Dwarf cichlid from West Africa. Unlike most African Cichlids, they do not inhabit great lakes but rivers. They are generally suitable for community tanks. It defiantly lives up to it’s Latin name – pulcher is Latin for ‘beautiful’! It is best not to breed them in a community tank – as they will chase the other fish to the opposite corner and possibly kill the other fish to defend their offspring. It is not a good idea to keep them in a ‘conventional’ African cichlid tank as they are too small and to peaceful to hold their own. As with many fish, plants and caves make them feel more secure. Kribs have been known to nip long flowing fins, so the likes of Angelfish and Guppys are best kept away from Kribs. Good tank mates for Kribs include Tetras, Barbs, Danios, Rasboras, other Dwarf Cichlids. Corydoras and other bottom dwelling fish may not be a good idea, as the Kribensis may see them as competition and bully them. They are hardy fishes, but they will not fare well in fluctuating water parameters. The Kribensis cichlid also comes in an albino form.
Left Image: A male and female Kribensis pair. Image credit goes to TreeFork.
Right Image: A single male Kribensis. Image credit goes to TreeFork.

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Merry Widow Livebearer
(Phallichthys amates)

Common names: Merry Widow Liverbearer, Merry Widow, Olomina, Iridescent Widow.
Size: Records of the Male’s size range from 3-7cm, Females 6-7cm
pH: 6.5 – 7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Guatemala, Honduras, Panama.
Gender: Males have a gonopodium instead if an anal fin, and are probably smaller, although the latter measure cannot be confirmed, as the size of a full grown male is not confirmed.
Notes: A rare, hardy and peaceful livebearer for the community aquarium – care of the Merry Widow in not unlike other livebearers (Such as the Platy, Xiphophorus maculatus) and it is certainty prolific like other Livebearers. They two sexes should be kept separately to prevent them from breeding and over populating the tank. When breeding is desired, a ratio of 3 females to every 1 male should be maintained to prevent males fighting and females being overly harassed.

Blub

Common names: Humpback Limia, Hump-Backed Limia, Blackbarred Limia.
Size: Records of this species size range from 4.5-5.2cm for Males and 5.1 – 7cm for Females. The exact measurement cannot be confirmed, as information on this fish is very scarce.
pH: 7.0 – 8.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Haiti.
Gender: Males have a gonopodium instead if an anal fin.
Notes: This rare livebearer is hardy, pretty, easy to feed, peaceful, prolific and good for community aquariums – much like more common Livebearer species (take, for example Xiphophorus maculatus – more often known as the Platy) and should not be kept in mixed sex groups if you do not want to be over populated by their offspring. When breeding is desired, then it is important to maintain a 3 females to 1 male ratio in order to prevent the males fighting and females being over harassed.

Blub

Common names: Cuban limia, Banded limia, Cuban molly, Striped mudfish.
Size: Males 8cm, Females 10cm.
pH: 7.5 – 8.5
Tempº: 18ºC - 25ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Endemic to Cuba
Gender: Males have yellow stripes in-between their black stripes.
Notes: A rare, peaceful Livebearer from the waterways of Cuba. It is, hardy and prolific! In order to prevent breeding, the two sexes should be kept apart, but when you intend to breed them they should have a ratio of 1 male to 3 females in order to prevent fighting in the males and females being overly harassed.

Blub

Common names: One spot molly, Guaru,
Size: Males 4-5cm, Females 5-7cm.
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 26ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Venezuela, Argentina, Puerto Rico (Introduced), Martinique (Introduced).
Gender: Males have a Gonopodium instead of an anal fin.
Notes: This livebearer can be very hard to locate, but once it is found it is a very good fish; bearing all the typical livebearer traits: prolific breeding, small size, good looks, peaceful temperament and fair hardiness. Like other livebearers, it is important to keep the two sexes apart to prevent your tank being overstocked, and when they are to be bred they need a ratio of 1 male to every 3 females – to prevent combat between males and females being bullied to much.

Blub

Common names: Striped pyrrhulina, Banded pyrrhulina.
Size: 3.5cm
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Tempº: 23ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Guyana
Gender: ?
Notes: This is a rare, demanding Pencilfish that can be aggressive to it’s own species, but is fine with other peaceful fish of a similar size. They are a carnivorous species that may only eat live foods. They do best in a planted tank, where they have plenty of spots to hide in. Care should be taken not to house with large tankmates who may view them as lunch.

Blub

Common names: True Rummynose Tetra, Rummynose Tetra, Banded Rummynose Tetra.
Size: 5cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Columbia, Brazil.
Gender: Males are thinner than females.
Notes: Many people think they own this tetra, but in fact own H.Blehri (Bleher’s Rummynose) or Petitella georgiae (False Rummynose). This is because there are actually 3 similar, but distinct species of ‘Rummynose tetra’. H.Blehri is the most common and colourful, but has the smallest range. The True Rummynose is considered the easiest to breed of the three, but is also the least colourful. The best way to tell the True Rummynose from the False Rummynose is to look at how dark the edging on the anal fin is – the True Rummynose has a lighter edge than the False. It is much easier to tell the True Rummynose from Bleher’s Rummynose – in favourable conditions, the red area on the Bleher’s ectends past the gill and is much more vibrant than the True’s, and the Bleher’s lacks the black stripe on either side of the body which extends from the tail on the True and False Rummynose. An interesting fact about Rummynose tetras is that the better conditions, the darker the red. This fish is a schooling fish like all other tetras, meaning it needs to be kept in groups of at least 5, but prefers bigger groups. It does best in a planted tank.

Blub

Common names: Bleher’s rummynose Tetra, Rummynose tetra, False rummynose tetra, Firehead tetra, Red-nosed tetra, Brillian Rummynose Tetra, Common Rummynose tetra.
Size: 5cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Columbia, Brazil.
Gender: Males are thinner than females.
Notes: A popular tetra, well known for it’s high activity levels and brilliant colours. They are often mistaken for H.rhodostomus (True Rummynose Tetra) & Petitella georgiae (False rummynose tetra), but they are the most commonly available of them. They have much brighter red noses than the other species, lack the black mid body line, and their red region extends past the gill in favorable conditions, a feature that the other 2 species do not have. It also lacks the black edging on the anal fin, which the other species have. It is a gregarious creature, requiring a school of at least 5 individuals – but is happier with more. They do best in a planted tank, where they have lots of cover to dart in and out of – an important requirement for all tetra species. An interesting fact about this species is it’s nose – the better water conditions it I kept in, the brighter the nose! This is the same for all 3 Rummynose species, although the Bleher’s rummynose will always have the brighter nose in good conditions, as this species is the most gaudy of the 3.

Blub

Common names: False Rummynose Tetra, Rummynose Tetra, Black-Fined Rummynose Tetra, False Red-nose Tetra.
Size: 5cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Columbia, Brazil, Peru.
Gender: Males are thinner than females.
Notes: A small, peaceful tetra that does well in planted aquariums, and like all tetras, must be kept in a group of at least 5 (but more is by far preferable). This species is often mistaken for Hemigrammus Bleheri (Bleher’s Rummynose) or Hemmigrammus Rhodostomus (True Rummynose). It is easy to distinguish between the Bleher’s and the False Rummynose – the Bleher’s lacks black edging to the anal fin, it lacks the black mid-body stripe and it’s red area extends behind the gill. It is more difficult to distinguish the False Rummynose from the True Rummynose – the anal fin edging on the False is much darker than it is in the True rummynose.

Blub

Common names: Spotted Headstander, Pearl Headstander.
Size: Size reports range from 7.5-10cm
pH: 6.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Guyana, Suriname, Brazil.
Gender: Males dorsal fin is slightly elongated, Females have a more rounded belly.
Notes: This intriguing creature from South America is peaceful to other community fishes, but can become aggressive towards it’s own kind. They swim at a 45° angle. If several are going to be kept together, then the aquarium must have adequate room for all the fishes territorys, and there should be at least 4 Spotted headstanders to ensure that 1 bully does not emerge and bully the other fish to death. They can be kept in singles. When kept in large groups, the territorial behavior is reduced. It is important to keep the water quality at tops, as this fish can be fairly delicate. They are placid fish who like lots of shade, so it is important to keep them in a well planted tank. They are very peaceful, and can be kept with peaceful community fish. They do especially well corydoras catfish, small schooling characins (Hatchetfish, Tetras…) and other peaceful schooling fish. They are easy to food – taking live foods, prepared foods and plant matter. To prevent them nibbling aquarium plants, it is important to feed them fresh veggies regularly.

Blub

Common names: Marbled headstander, High-backed headstander, Striped headstander.
Size: 12-14cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela.
Gender: ? There is currently no known way of telling apart the sexes without actually cutting the fish open.
Notes: A beautiful herbivorous Characiform from the Amazon and Orinico basins. They have an intriguing method of swimming – moving around their environment with their head pointed downwards. They love munching on aquarium plants – they are one of the few herbivorous fish available for aquariums (most of which are characins). In order to help prevent them eating aquarium plants, lots of fresh vegetable matter should be provided – such as cucumber, de-shelled peas and lettuce (It’s a good idea to cook these foods in the microwave for 30 seconds before ‘serving’). You can also offer flake (special herbivore flake is best) and small live foods (even though it’s a herbivore, it’s good for it to have a little bit of meaty food in them). Even so – it is defiantly a bad idea to put one in your prize high-tech planted tank, if you value your plants! They have a reputation for being nippy and aggressive, and indeed they will become aggressive towards they’re own species as they mature. For this reason it is probably best to keep an individual for a small aquarium, but in bigger tanks (120cm long, perhaps) it might be possible to keep several Marbled Headstanders. It is however, a very bad idea to keep a pair, as one might arise as a dominant bully and harass the other to death. Nipping other species is probably due to stress. They are quiet fish in the aquarium, and require hiding places. For this reason, it is a good idea to incorporate root-like driftwood in their tank.

Blub

Common names: Boeseman’s rainbowfish, Boesemani rainbowfish, Bicolor rainbow.
Size: Size reports range from 8 -11cm
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 27ºC - 30ºC
Tank region: Middle-Top layer
Origin: Indonesia, New Guinea.
Gender: Males are larger, and more colorful when mature.
Notes: The Boeseman’s rainbowfish is an excellent addition to the larger peaceful community. They are listed as Endangered (EN) on the ICUN Red List. When in the shop, they often look dull, grey and drab, not really worth buying. However, with patience and good conditions, these fish can develop stunning blue and yellow colouring. They are schooling fish, although they can be kept in trios. It is best to keep them at a ratio of 1 male to every 2 females. These fish will eat almost anything offered, and are relatively hardy. They tend to prefer their tank on the warmer end of the tropical scale. These fish do well in planted tanks, and should not be mixed with peaceful, slow fish like gouramis as their fairly large size and hyperactive temperament can spook these fish, and stop them feeding. They should not be kept with Hatchetfish, as they will be to much competition for food and throw the delicate Hatchets around a lot. They do well in tanks with other species of rainbowfish, and especially well in a rainbowfish-only tank.

Blub

Common names: Moonlight gourami, Moonbeam gourami, Thin-lipped gourami.
Size: 15cm
pH: 6.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 25ºC - 29ºC
Tank region: Middle-Top layer
Origin: Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam.
Gender: The male’s plelvic fins are red or orange, female’s pelvic fins are yellow. Males body colour tends to be blue-ish, the females are more silver.
Notes: The temperament of this species if often debated between aquarists, they all have different personalities. Many are mellow, timid, shy and peaceful but some are more boisterous, and even aggresive. Females are more peaceful than males, who can become fairly territorial as they age. They are very easy to feed, taking almost all foods. They prefer to live in planted tanks, but make sure all the plants are firmly rooted down! They are sometimes reputed for eating plants – and whilst they use whisps of fine leaved plants in their bubble nests, if they are nibbling on plants and not bubble-nesting, then you are probably not feeding enough vegetable matter. They prefer a weak current, as their natural habitat in slow moving rivers has slow currents meaning that Gouramis have not adapted to fast flowing waters.

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Common names: Red-tailed rasbora, Brilliant rasbora, Blackline rasbora, Magnificent rasbora, Borapet rasbora, Red tail rasbora, Redtail rasbora, False magnificent rasbora.
Size: 5-6cm
pH: 6.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle-Top layer
Origin: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.
Gender: It is only possible to tell the gender when females have eggs.
Notes: These rasboras can be somewhat difficult to locate in local shops – but the reward of finding them is worth it. They are fairly hardy, active, peaceful, cheap, (despite being fairly unusual) pretty and sparks interest with other aquarists who may not have seen them before. As with all rasboras, they enjoy the company of at least 5 fish of their own species. They enjoy playing in currents - and also enjoy plant cover; making a planted tank ideal for these creatures. They are any to feed, and will take pretty much anything offered to them!

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Common names: Espe’s rasbora, False harlequin rasbora, Lambchop rasbora, Slim harlequin, Narrow-wedge harlequin.
Size: 2.5-4cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 23ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle layer.
Origin: Thailand, Cambodia.
Gender: Unknown. It is rumored that males are more colorful and females are plumper, but this is definitely not a certain means of distinguishing the sexes of this fish.
Notes: These popular rasboras look a lot like the slightly larger Harlequin Rasbora, having a bit more red on the body. They enjoy a planted tank and as with all rasboras require a school of at least 5-6 individuals. It is important to have a tight cover as they are magnificent jumpers and often jump if they sense danger, or are excited. They are omnivores and easily fed on a diet based around good-quality flake food, although small food is preferred because of their small mouths.

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Rummynose Rasbora
(Sawbwa resplendens)

Common names: Rummynose rasbora, Asian rummynose, Sawbwa barb, Naked micro rasbora.
Size: 4cm
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 21ºC - 25ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Endemic to Lake Inle, in Burma.
Gender: Males have a blue and red body, females are all silver. Females aren’t always imported, as they are not as colorful as males.
Notes: A beautiful, if slightly unusual cyprinid the Rummynose rasbora is not related to the Rummynose tetras as they are cyprinids – coming from asia rather than South America/Africa. These fish have unusual requirements for Rasboras – as they don’t enjoy temperatures at the warmer end of the Tropical temperature scale and don’t do well in acidic conditions. This is because they are endemic to Lake Inle (which is located in Burma) which lies of calciferous rock, making it more alkaline than most Rasbora habitats. These fish can be somewhat difficult to find in shops, and when they are found they are often fairly expensive. Rummynose Rasboras will take almost any foods offered, and are omnivorous. As with all similar fish, they need a school of at least 5-6 individuals to thrive, and enjoy lots of plant cover. It is not recommended that they are kept with much larger tankmates, as they can be outcompeted and intimidated by them. They are very peaceful, and best kept with other tiny species who have similar requirements.

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Horseface Loach
(Acantopsis choirohynchos)

Common names: Horseface loach, Long-nosed loach, Horsefaced loach, Horsehead loach.
Size: 20cm, but 30cm reported in some cases.
pH: 6.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 25ºC - 29ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Maylaya, Indonesia (Sumatra and Java), Borneo, Vietnam.
Gender: Females are larger and have a more reddish colour than males.
Notes: Horseface loaches are unusual and quirky burrowing loaches who can be difficult to find in local fish shops. They are a good larger loach to keep, and enjoy burrowing and sifting the substrate through their gills so sand is really a must for any Horsefaced loach tank! As a result of their burrowing, they can uproot plants (especially large specimens) so you should make sure any live plants are firmly anchored in the soil. They will not eat live plants as they are Carnivorous, but will take most bottom feeder pellets and enjoy live food. If they are properly cared for, they are incredibly difficult to catch so it is almost a must to give them a tank big enough for the full grown animal to start with instead of upgrading as the Loaches age. It is a social species so needs to be kept in groups of at least 3.

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Common names: False eight-banded barb.
Size: 3-4cm
pH: 6.0-7.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle Bottom layer
Origin: Thailand, Borneo.
Gender: Adult males are slimmer than females, and the adult male’s unpaired fins may display a faint reddish hint in good conditions.
Notes: A rare fish in the Aquarium, this cyprinid is not compatible with fast moving or hyperactive fish because of it’s rather retired nature and the fact it can be outcompeted for food by fast species. They appreciate a planted tank, with dim lighting. They can be tricky to acclimatize to aquarium life as they are wild caught, and often arrive in poor condition. Because of this wild swings in water chemistry can be deadly. Many fish sold as E.insignis may actually be specimens of the closely related species E.octozona, as they are both very similar in looks and care. It should be fed some live food as well as dry food. It is a schooling fish and so needs to be in a group of at least 5-6.

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Common names: Brilliant rasbora, Long-band rasbora, Einthioven’s rasbora, Blue line rasbora.
Size: 8-9cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.5
Tempº: 22ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle-Top layer
Origin: Thailand, Malaysia,Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra.
Gender: Females are larger than males.
Notes: The Brilliant Rasbora is one of the larger rasbora species, and is a typical rasbora as far as care and temperament goes. They are very peaceful, and need to be kept in a school of at least 6. They are relatively uncommon in the Aquarium trade – and many fish sold as R.einthovenii are actually R.borapetensis – however it is easy to tell the two species apart. In R.eiththovenii, the stripe that goes along the body extends into the tail and in front of the eyes on it’s mouth. In R.borapetensis, the stripe doesn’t extend into the tail and stops just before the gills; and the black stripe has a thin goldish stripe above it. Also, R.einthovenii is considerably larger than R.borapetensis. The Brilliant Rasbora will take commercially prepared food, and is relatively easy to care for.
Image: Brilliant Rasbora

Blub

Common names: Panda garra, Rainbow Garra.
Size: 9-10cm
pH: 6.2 – 7.2
Tempº: 22ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: Burma.
Gender: Males tend to be slimmer than females.
Notes: A peaceful bottom dwelling Garra; this omnivorous species can make an interesting addition to the aquarium. It can be kept in groups, and whilst occasional disputes (which involve charging, flaring of fins and paling of the body coloration, although injuries rarely ensue from these scuffles) will occur they will develop a pecking order between themselves. This species does best if there is lots of dissolved oxygen and running water in the tank.