Blub

Well, this is a project I have been doing for quite a while on my computer - since the 18th of March 08 to be exact. It's called the Encyclopedia Aquatica and it is an attempt to profile the many species of Freshwater Aquarium fish, and I am considering adding Plant profiles. So, here it is, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy expanding it!

The images I use in these profiles are all held under various licenses which allow free use of the image. I recommend you magnify them by clicking over them for the best view, as they are often 'squished about' in the un-magnified view.

Unfortunately, as I have never bred any fish and so don't feel I am qualified to write breeding instructions these care sheets simply provide information on the general day-to-day upkeep of the fish in question. They do however include how to tell the gender of the fish - which is almost all that is needed when breeding livebearers!

Oh, and, if you want a particular species to be profiled, don't be afraid to PM me about it. Be sure to check back every so often, as I am always expanding and adding new profiles to it.

To search this thread for a particular species, click 'Search this thread' at the top of this post next to 'Fish forum thread tools'. To get notifications of every new profile added, click 'Fish forum thread tools', then 'Subscribe to this thread'.
Gold tetra, Firemouth cichlid, Spotted climbing perch, Agassiz's dwarf cichlid and Rubber-lip pleco!


UPDATES:

25th July 08
5 New profiles added: Peppered cory, Cherry barb, Serpae tetra, Malaysian trumpet snail and Honey gourami.

26th July 08
Characin special! 5 new profiles added: Black neon tetra, Cardinal tetra, Golden pencilfish, Marbled hatchetfish and Black phantom tetra!

27th July 08
10 new profiles added: Endler's livebearer, Cameroun fan shrimp, Peacock goby, Zebra danio, Siamese algae eater, Tiger barb, Glowlight tetra, Pearl gourami, White cloud mountain minnow and German blue ram.

28th July 08
5 new profiles added: Bristlenose pleco, Fancy guppy, Harlequin rasbora, Peaceful betta and Marthae silver hatchetfish.

29th July 08
10 new profiles added: Glowlight danio, African butterfly fish, Red cherry shrimp, Knight goby, 3 spot goruami, Bolivian ram, Cockatoo apisto, Sterba's cory, Flash pleco and Kuhli loach!

31st July 08
5 New profiles added: Chinese algae eater, Zebra loach, Black molly, Swordtail and Angelfish!

6th August 08
1 Typo corrected: 'Sowrdtail' to 'Swordtail' in post #1. 3 new profiles added: Dwarf gourami, Bronze/Albino cory and Pearl gourami!

15th August 08
1 new profile added: Ember tetra!

31st August 2008
1 Latin name changed: 'Ancistrus sp. (3)' to 'Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus', on post #30 (Bristlenose Pleco). 1 Change to blurb on post #1.

1st September 2008
1 New profile added: Clown pleco!

2nd September 2008:
Cory special! 4 New profiles added: Panda cory, Leopard cory, Pygmy cory and Emerald catfish!

6th September 2008:
2 New profiles added: Bamboo shrimp and Rosy barb!

20th September 2008:
3 New profiles added: Red rainbowfish, Pikehead and American flagfish!

21st September 2008:
2 New profiles added: Threadfin rainbowfish and Upside-down catfish!

27th September 2008:
2 New profiles added: Scarlet Badis and Gold Barb! 1 Change to blurb on post #1.

8th November 2008:
3 New profiles added: Pentazona Barb, Pristella Tetra and Red Neon Goby!
1 Incorrect scientific name (Scientific name typo!) changed to correct version: Puntis sachsii (Gold Barb) to Puntius sachsii.
1 Spelling typo corrected: 'Dwarf neon rainbowfiah' to 'Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish'.

11th January 2009:
'Current Profile Count' added to post #1, 1 New profile added: kribensis!

2nd February 2009:
2 New profiles added: Merry Widow Livebearer and Humpback Limia!

3rd February 2009:
6 New profiles added: Cuban Limia, One Spot Molly, Striped Pyrrhulia, True Rummynose Tetra, Bleher's Rummynose Tetra & False Rummynose Tetra!

4th February 2009:
2 New profiles added: Spotted Headstandder & Marbled Headstander! 5 Profiles edited: Red Neon Goby, Marbled Hatchetfish, African Butterfly Fish, Tiger Barb, Bristlenose Pleco!

7th February 2009:
2 New profiles added: Boeseman's Rainbowfish & Moonlight Gourami! 3 Profiles edited: Panda Apisto, Cockatoo Apisto & Bamboo Shrimp.

9th May 2009:
Rasbora Special! 3 New profiles added: Red-tailed Rasbora, Espe's Rasbora & Rummynose Rasbora. 1 Profile edited: Black Neon Tetra.

24th May 2009:
1 New profile added: Horseface Loach!

8th August 2009:
1 New profile added: False Eight Banded Barb!

9th August 2009:
1 New profile added: Brilliant Rasbora! Image(s) added to the following 4 profiles: Cherry barb, Platy, Guppy and Betta!

10th August 2009:
3 New profiles added: Panda Garra, Rainbow Shark and Red-Tailed Black Shark!

13th August 2009:
1 New Profile added: Common Hatchetfish! Typos fixed in 3 profiles: Merry Widdow Livebearer, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish and Leopard Cory! Image(s) added to the following 9 profiles: Bleeding Heart Tetra, Pygmy Gourami, dwarf puffer, Takashi Amano Shrimp, Marthae Silver Hatchetfish, Panda Apisto, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish and Peppered Cory!

14th August 2009:
3 New profiles added: Otocinclus Catfish, Zebra Otocinclus Catfish and Peppered Otocinclus Catfish!

15th August 2009:
1 duplicate profile deleted: Pearl gourami! (There is now only one Pearl gourami profile - there was two!)

18th August 2009:
2 New profiles added: Emperor tetra and Purple emperor tetra! 'Upcoming profiles list' added to post #1.

1st November 2009:
2 New profiles added: Congo Tetra and Blind Cave Tetra!

2nd November 2009:
100th Profile Added! 2 New Profiles added: Silvertip Tetra and Buenos Aires Tetra!

Blub

Common names: Bleeding heart tetra,
Size: 6-8cm
pH: 5.6-7.2
Tempº: 23ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Amazon basin, Peru, Columbia
Gender: Male has an extended dorsal fin with black on it.
Notes: This tetra may get a bit larger than other tetras, but to watch a beautiful school of Bleeding heart tetras swimming around is more than worth a little extra waste. As with all schooling fish, Bleeding hearts must be kept in groups of at least 6. Like most tetras, Bleeding heart tetras enjoy a heavily Planted tank, and look best and are happier in larger numbers. Bleeding heart tetras are very peaceful, although fin-nipping will occur when not kept in a school.
Image: A healthy Bleeding Heart Tetra

Blub

Common names: Pygmy gourami, Sparkling gourami, Dwarf croaking gourami.
Size: 3cm
pH: 6.0-7.0
Tempº: 25ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle-Top layer
Origin: Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Vietnam.
Gender: Difficult to determine. Male’s anal fin is a little more pointed.
Notes: This tiny fish is very peaceful, and makes a great addition to a Nano tank or a Community of peaceful fishes not large enough to eat it. Ideal tankmates are corys, Plecos, Hatchets, Tetras, Platys and Guppys. A well planted tank does this little fish a favour – giving it plenty of spaces to hide. Their tank should be at least 45litres is capacity. It is a good idea to have ‘dither fish’ like Neon tetras to bring this fish out into the open. These fish can look a little dull to begin with, but when you look closely you will notice their ‘sparkle’!
Left Image: Pygmy Gouramis enjoy themselves in Planted Aquariums.
Right Image: This fish have beautiful neon blue eyes.

Blub

Common names: Platy, Southern platyfish.
Size: 6cm
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 18ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: All layers
Origin: Central America
Gender: Males have a gonopodium.
Notes: The platy is peaceful, small, hardy, pretty, active, and very easy to breed. They make perfect beginner’s fish – for all these reasons. Unless you plan on breeding, you should only keep one sex to stop these prolific breeders over running your tank!
Left Image: A group of female Platys
Middle Image: A Platy's head
Right Image: A blue platy

Blub

Dwarf Puffer
(Carinotetraodon travancoricus)

Common names: Dwarf puffer, Malabar puffer,
Size: 3cm
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle/Bottom layer
Origin: India
Gender: Males have a brown stripe on their abdomen and females are rounder.
Notes: This cute little fish is by far not a community fish. They are aggressive, and capable of killing even fish larger than them with their sharp beaks, and they can be easily wolfed down by fish much larger than them. In fact, the only tankmate that stands a chance is an Otocinclus. They can be mixed, but a large tank will be required. The smallest tank you should keep a Dwarf puffer in is 10litres for a single individual. These fishes are carnivorous, and are avid eaters of snails, even ones much bigger than them. It is a good idea to start a snail farm with a small snail species like Pond or Malaysian trumpet snails to feed these fish. They will happily take live foods small enough to fit in their mouth, but commercial food presents a challenge. These fish are very intelligent and have a definite personality, and will learn to recognize their owner like a Betta might. They will often ‘beg’ for food, coming up to the glass and showing a cute little face.
Image: Dwarf Puffers are inquisitive little creatures!

Blub

Takashi amano shrimp
(Caridina japonica)

Common names: Takashi amano shrimp, Amano shrimp, Algae shrimp
Size: 5cm
pH: 7.0 – 8.5
Tempº: 18ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: Korea & Southern Japan
Gender: ?
Notes: Made famous by legendary aquascaper Takashi amano in his book ‘Nature aquarium world’, this popular freshwater shrimp is the ideal addition to a planted aquarium. They are effective algae eaters, and are gregarious in nature so they should be kept in groups of 3 or more. Many fish medications contain copper which is poisonous to all invertebrates – so keep them out of your hospital tank. They’re bio-load is minimal, and you can add a few to a stocked community without overstocking quite easily. They will eat algae and bottom feeder tablets. It is beneficial to have some kind of moss for them to hide in, Java moss is excellent. Be careful not to keep them with fish large enough to eat them, loaches, puffers or other invertebrate eating fish.
Top Left Image: This species spends a lot of it's time wandering around the substrate.
Top Middle Image: This shrimp looks like it's eyeing up that algae!
Top Right Image: Far from ugly, this interestign little invertebrate can make a perfect addition to a peaceful aquarium.
Bottom Left Image: You can see the yellowish stripe that runs along the top of an Amano Shrimp's body.
Bottom Right Image: Java moss is great for shrimps - this one looks like it's just come out of it.

Blub

Betta
(Betta splendens)

Common names: Betta, Siamese fighter, Siamese fighting fish,
Fighting fish.
Size: 6cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 21ºC - 29ºC
Tank region: All layers, mainly Top
Origin: Thailand
Gender: Males have longer fins than females.
Notes: The Betta is both hardy and pretty, and only needs a 10litre tank – although bigger is better. These fish are not community fish; keeping them with most other fish will not result in success. However, Bettas all have individual personalities. One may accept tankmates and totally ignore them – another might rip them to shreds! Males will not tolerate other males – and they will fight, the weakest one sustaining injuries and often dieing shortly after. They are particularly aggressive to other Labyrinth fish. The only fish they will tolerate are Corys, Snails and Ottos – but only peaceful Bettas will.
Left Image: Plakat Dragon male
Right Image:Red Halfmoon male

Blub

Marthae Silver Hatchetfish
(Carnegiela Marthae)

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.
Image: This fish creates some really interesting reflections!

Blub

Panda Apisto
(Apistogramma nijsseni)

Common names: Panda apiso, Nijsseni’s dwarf cichlid,
Size: Female 6cm, Male 8cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.0
Tempº: 23ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle-Bottom layer
Origin: Peru
Gender: Females have classic ‘Panda’ coloration, males are grey with a blue sheen. Males are bigger.
Notes: These omnivorous bottom-dwelling cichlids are peaceful to all species but other Dwarf cichlids and Bottom dwellers. As with most cichlids, great personality and fascinating behavior are features of this species. The Panda apisto prefers a heavily planted tank, and must have a complex habitat with various caves. This apisto is fairly demanding, and if it’s needs are not met properly the fishes will not fare well at all. A beautiful species for the more advanced fishkeeper.
Right Image: A male and Female Panda apisto for comparison. The top one is female, the bottom male.
Left Image: A female Panda Apisto is truly beautiful!

Blub

Neon Dwarf Rainbowfish
(Melanotaeina praecox)

Common names: Dwarf neon rainbowfish, Neon rainbowfish, Dwarf rainbowfish, Praecox rainbowfish
Size: 6cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle/Top
Origin: New Guinea
Gender: Males have red fins, Females have yellow and sometimes deep orange fins.
Notes: These are active, pretty and hardy fish. They’re amazing neon colour will brighten up any tank. Dwarf rainbows are totally peaceful – but need to be kept in a school of at least 6. They will be at their best in a Planted tank with some free swimming space and a dark substrate. These fish can be a little pricey, however. So, watch the wallet!
Image: A pair of males.

Blub

Peppered Cory
(Corydoras paleatus)

Common names: Peppered cory,
Size: 7cm
pH: 6.0-7.5
Tempº: 24ºC - 29ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: South America
Gender: Females are larger
Notes: One of the commonest catfish available, the Peppered cory is a great addition to the community because it occupies a layer that most fish don’t, is very active and most importantly one of the single most peaceful fish available. They should be kept in groups of at least 3 – but it is far, far better to have them in schools of at least 6 because the fish will be happier and more active. They should NEVER be kept in singles because they will ‘waste away’ on the tank floor. These fish do not come to the surface for food – so the need to be fed bottom feeder pellets.
Image: These fish spend almost their entire lives on the bottom!

Blub

Cherry Barb
(Puntius titteya)

Common names: Cherry barb, Crimson carplet
Size: 4cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 22ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Sri Lanka (Extinct in wild)
Gender: Easy. Males are crimson and torpedo shaped, females are hazel and slightly larger.
Notes: The Cherry barb is one of the most popular fish in the hobby – for good reason! Whilst they do best in schools, they can be kept in pairs or trios in smaller tanks. Cherry barbs are incredibly hardy, making them excellent fish for beginner aquarists.
Left Image: Female Cherry Barb
Right Image: Male Cherry Barb

Blub

Serpae Tetra
(Hyphessobrycon eques)

Common names: Serpae tetra, Jewel tetra, Red minor tetra.
Size: 4cm
pH: 5.0 – 7.8
Tempº: 22ºC - 26ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Paraguay, Brazil.
Gender: Very hard to distinguish. Females are more rounded.
Notes: This species has a reputation for being a fin nipper- but this is only so if not kept in groups of at least 6, as they are schooling fish. However, as with all tetras – the more the merrier! They are a great fish for a beginner, bringing color as well as hardiness to the community aquarium. These fish are great fish to own as they spend a great deal of time establishing their rank in the school, creating a brilliant display as they spread out their fins and dance around the tank, occasionally lunging at each other. Luckily, neither fish will leave the ‘battle’ harmed. As long as they are kept in a large group – this fish is an ideal addition to the community!
Left Image: A trio of Serpaes.
Right Image: A Long-finned Serpae Tetra.

Blub

Malaysian Trumpet Snail
(Melanoides tuberculata)

Common names: Malaysian trumpet snail, MTS, Malayan trumpet snail.
Size: 2cm
pH: Not below 7.0.
Tempº: 18ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Bottom layer
Origin: South East Asia
Gender: N/A
Notes: This useful snail is the true workhorse of the Planted aquarium. Not only do the eat algae, but they burrow in the substrate which aerates plant roots and helps stop the development of dangerous gas bubbles. Since they are livebearers, they don’t leave ugly snail eggs all over the place. However, like many snails, MTS do not need 2 snails to reproduce, so one may become two, until you have a whole army of digging snails!

Blub

Honey Gourami
(Colisa/Trichogaster chuna)

Common names: Honey gourami,
Size: 6cm
pH: 6.0 – 8.0
Tempº: 25ºC - 28ºC
Tank region: Middle/Top layer
Origin: Bangladesh
Gender: Males are colourful, females are drab.
Notes: The Honey gourami is a lovely little fish that does well in a peaceful community, and prefers a Planted tank. It’s best to keep in a trio of 1 male and 2 females, as the male will often chase the females, 2 females will divide his attention. They can become very colourful, and there are several colours available. Since they are very hardy, they are a great way to add variety to the beginner’s tank of Livebearers! These fish should take all commercially prepared food.

Blub

Black Neon Tetra
(Hypessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)

Common names: Black neon, Black cardinal.
Size: 4cm
pH: 5.5-7.5
Tempº: 23ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle layer
Origin: Brazil
Gender: Difficult to determine, females are larger.
Notes: Despite it’s name, the Black neon tetra is in fact not related to the Neon, it’s more closely related to the Serpae or Bleeding heart tetra! However, the pattern on this fish is similar to that of the classical neon – but with different colors, the ‘Neon’ stripe being white. They may not be as stunning as their gaudy counterparts, but Black neon tetras have a subtle beauty of their own. These fish do well in a planted aquarium, and as with all tetras must be kept in groups of at least 6!

Blub

Common names: Cardinal tetra,
Size: 5cm
pH: 7.0-8.0
Tempº: 23ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle
Origin: Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil.
Gender: Females are a little larger, and plumper.
Notes: On first sight, the Cardinal tetra looks just like a Neon tetra. However, this fish has an entirely red underside, and is slightly bigger than the Neon. It is much more striking, but tends to be a little more delicate than the Neon tetra as they are wild caught. However, as long as they are kept in a school and are properly adapted to captivity, they can be quite hardy. It is much better to keep them in a heavily planted tank similar to their environment in the wild, which greatly reduces stress levels.
The more Cardinals you have, the better they look. A large school of Cardinal tetras in a well planted tank is an awesome spectacle to behold. As mentioned before, it is extremely important you give this fish a long acclimatization process to help it adapt to captive conditions.

Blub

Common names: Golden pencilfish, Beckford’s pencilfish,
Size: 6.5cm
pH: 6.0-8.0
Tempº: 24ºC - 27ºC
Tank region: Middle -Top layer
Origin: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Northern Brazil.
Gender: Males are more colorful, and sport a curved posterior edge on the anal fin.
Notes: This small characin is a colorful addition to the community aquarium, and shows of it’s colors best in a slightly acidic planted aquarium. The Golden pencilfish is very peaceful, and fast and nippy species like danios and barbs often outcompete it for food. These fish are good tankmates for Corydoras, Apistogrammas and other small characins. Some territorial disputes may break out between males, but these rarely, if ever, end in injury to either fish. Golden pencilfish do best in schools of at least 6.