If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary you may like to consider the leaf fishes. These members of the family Nandidae occur in South America, Africa, and Asia.
Few fish inspire greater devotion than koi. These large ornamental carp have now established a dedicated following in the West, matching that which they enjoy in their Japanese homeland. Koi were developed primarily for the beauty of their colors and patterning, when viewed from above. This led to great interest in breeding and showing koi varieties, and the most desirable individuals now change hands for huge sums of money. To appreciate these attractive pond fish fully, they must be clearly visible through the water; as a result, koi are most often kept in well-filtered water in a pond containing few or no plants.
Clownfish are also known as anemonefish because of their close relationship with this group of marine invertebrates. This association may have developed because the anemones’ stinging cells kill the Oodinium skin parasites to which these fish are susceptible. Clownfish are one of the easiest marine species to breed in the home aquarium.
Often confused with catfish, loaches belong to the family Cobitidae and occur in both tropical and temperate regions. All loaches have barbels around the mouth and, even though it is not always obvious, a spine below each eye. When a loach feels threatened, it will raise its spines, making itself more difficult for a predator to swallow.
Some Asian species are far more popular in their home region than elsewhere in the world, often because of the myths and folklore that surround them. The Dragon Fish of Southeast Asia, for example, is believed to bestow good fortune on its keeper.
A brackish-water tank lets you keep a number of interesting, but often overlooked, species that are native to estuarine waters. The home aquarium can be a mixed community setup, or a recreation of a specialized habitat such as a swamp.
Hundreds of plants are available to the freshwater aquarist, and selecting the right species means matching the optimum conditions for the plants to the needs of your fish. Plants and fish should share water chemistry needs and thrive under the same lighting conditions.
These hardy fish are often recommended as the initial occupants of a newly established marine aquarium. Many species of damselfish adapt well to the fluctuations in water chemistry that will inevitably occur until the filtration system is fully established.
A dark streak running along each side of the body and a slightly golden area on the side of the head behind the eye help to distinguish this tiny catfish. The body is otherwise sufficiently transparent to allow the green eggs in the female’s reproductive tract to be visible prior to spawning.
