If you have read through the catfishes chapter you will already be aware of Malapterurus electricus (Electric catfish). There are, however, several other fishes that are able to produce electricity.
The Altum Angelfish has a much taller body than the Angelfish itself. It also has a flattened area above the jaw and a steeper, less curved profile leading up to the dorsal fin.
Black Angelfish The black pigmentation on the fins and body of these fish keeps their striped patterning largely hidden. The body also shows green iridescence. The Blue Discus, named after its disk body shape, has grown in popularity over recent years thanks to the wide range of color varieties available.
The Platy has a broad body and naturally rounded fins. Spotted patterning on the caudal peduncle and dorsal fin is common in the wild, and it has been maintained in a number of domestic strains.
It is unclear when people started keeping fish for their aesthetic qualities, rather than as a source of food, but the activity certainly dates back well over a thousand years. It probably began in China with the domestication of goldfish and koi and has spread worldwide with advances in aquarium technology and transportation. Today’s aquatic industry produces a vast range of products to make fishkeeping more rewarding than ever before.
