Africa is home to a wide range of unique and fascinating fish. The fossil record shows that some of these, notably the African lungfish (see opposite), have altered relatively little over millions of years.
Synodontids are a popular group of catfish for the aquarium, partly because they do not grow to a large size, but also because they are active and attractively patterned in many cases.
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.
Directory of Freshwater Fish Cichlids Asian and African cichlids Orange Chromide (Etroplus maculatus) ORIGINS: Asia, found in western coastal areas of India and Sri Lanka. SIZE: 3 in (7.5 cm). DIET: Prepared cichlid foods and live foods. WATER: Temperature 68–79°F (20–26°C); hard (150–200 mg/l) and neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5). TEMPERAMENT: Not aggressive. These pale-yellow […]
Directory of Freshwater Fish Characoids Predatory species DREADED HUNTERS Few fish inspire greater fear than piranhas. While many predatory fish live solitary lives, piranhas are like packs of wolves, living and hunting together in groups and occasionally taking prey as large as horses or even people. Indeed, keeping these notorious fish is outlawed in some […]
Shaped rather like a coin, with a silvery body color, the Silver Dollar makes an impressive tank occupant, especially when a shoal of these fish are housed together. They can be sexed quite easily, since the anal fin is longer in males and has a reddish tinge at the front.
A narrow, yellowish body and markings similar to those of a dead leaf characterize this unusuallooking species. The aquarium must include dense vegetation, among which the fish can hide.
African Cichlids Dwarf species of the genera Pelvicachromis, Nanochromis, Manochromis, Limbochromis (cave brooders), Anomalomis (open brooder) are West African forest analogues South American dwarfs, and require similar living conditions (and can share a tank), although in the wild Nanochromis is found in rocky habitats. Strong sexual dimorphism is again the norm, with females generally the smaller and more colourful, and often responsible for initiating courtship.
Qchlids (family Cichlidae) originate primarily in tropical America and Africa, with a few species in the Middle East and Asia. They are mainly freshwater fishes, though a few species require or tolerate brackish conditions. Size – adult Standard Length (SL) – ranges from 2 cm to 91 cm (3/4 in to 36 in) with a similar diversity in form, diet, and behaviour. Some species are very colourful and are thus attractive aquarium occupants. Many aquarists are, however, attracted by their interesting behaviour, character, and apparent intelligence; large specimens in particular can become genuine pets.
