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3.
IBIPl!CDill
lFl!Ill
A guide for setting up and maintaining
an aquarium for tropical fish and other animals
by BRUCE W. HALSTEAD
and BONNIE L. LANDA
illustrated by GEORGE SANDSTROM

GOLDEN PRESS

NEW YORK

Western Publishing Company, Inc.

Racine, Wisconsin

F O RE W O R D
Few animals provide the profusion of colors, diversity
of form, and beauty of movement offered by aquatic
life, particularly tropical fish. Establishing and main
taining an aquarium offers an insight into the complex
ities of the natural world-an exciting and rewarding
opportunity to observe ecological principles in opera
tion. Ecology is the scieF)ce that deals with the relation
ship of animals and plants to their environment and to
each other, and these dynamic environmental forces can
be seen clearly in an aquarium. On a larger scale-, simi
lar environmental factors control mankind's destiny, for
today's world faces unprecedented problems and chal
lenges in maintaining a balance of nature.
This book was written to help hobbyists with one of
the most exciting and educational of all sparetime pur
suits: studying a closed ecological system in an aquari
um. The fish and other organisms described and illus
trated in this book were selected largely on the basis
of their availability, beauty, and general interest. Those
who master the basic principles of maintaining aquari
ums will probably find it challenging to experiment with
animals (and plants) not included in this brief manual.
The aquarium hobby truly has no limits.

B.W.H.
B. L. L.
Credits: Mel Venti, C h ester C o unty Aqua- Pet, Inc., Paoli, Po., and J o h n R. Pox
son, Exton Hardware Store in Exton, Po., for providing specimens for t h e art i st.

Copyright 1975 by Western Publishing Company, Inc. All rights re

served, including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any
means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by any
electronic or mechanical device, printed or written or oral, or recording
for sound or visual reproduction or for use in any knowledge retrieval
system or device, unless permission in writing is obtained from the copy
right proprietor. Produced in the U.S.A. Published by Golden Press, New
York, N.Y. Library of Congress Catalog Card Numbe" 74-80977.
ISBN 0-307-24361-3

CONTENTS
.

SELECTING THE AQUARIUM

FILTRATION

10

TROPICAL FISH

GRAVEL
WATER

13

. .

14

DECO RATIONS

LIDS AND A RTIFICIAL LIGHTS

TEMPERATURE

SHOPPING LIST

16

25

26

27

28

FISH HYGIENE

30

HEALTH CHART

34

BASIC DIET

SOURCES OF TROPICAL FISH

36

FRESHWATER S NAILS

37

38

40

OTHER AQUARIUM INHABITANTS

TROPICAL FISH FAMILIES

Bony-tongued Fish Freshwa ter

Bu tte rflyfish Elephontfish Characins
Hatche tfish Gymnotid Eels or Knifefish
Electric Eels or Knife Eels Carps and
Minnows Gyrinoch eilids loaches
Spiny Catfish Callichthyid Arm ored
Catfish Sucker-mou thed Armored
Catfish Banjo Catfish Glass Catfish
Pimelodid or Adipose Fin Catfish
Bagrid Catfish labyrinth Catfish
Upside-down Ca tfish Electric Catfish
Halfbeaks Sticklebacks, Sea horses,
and Pipefishes Killifish or Toothed
Ca rp Fou r-eyed Fish livebearers
Glassfish Tigerfish Sunfish
Fingerfish Archerfish Argus Fish
leaf Fish Cichlids Mudskippers
labyrinthfis h es Silversides Soles
Spiny Eels Puffe rs
MORE INFO RMATION
INDEX

1 56

1 57

T R OP I C A L F I S H
Ever since the fi rst Goldfish was k e pt ca ptive i n
C h i na, more t h a n a thousa nd yea rs ago, t h e keep
ing of fish has g rown stea d i l y i n pop u l a rity . T:.e de
mands and cu riosity on the pa rt of enthusiasts d u r
ing the last few decades has resu l ted i n more i nfor
mation a nd eq u ipment beco m i ng ava i l a b l e for the
m i l l ions of hobbyists a l l over the wor l d .
Stresses a n d problems o f everyday l iv i n g a re
easi ly forgotten as you watch underwater spectacles
i n you r own l iv i n g room . An a q u a r i u m stocked with
fish and p l a nts provides la s tin g and cont i n u o u s en
terta i n ment, and the g rat i fica t i on that comes from
creating you r own m i n iature u n derwate r wor l d is
without com pa re.
Fish a re u n i q ue pets. They do not m a ke noises, run
away, eat l a rg e a mou nts of food, or chew u p your
favorite p a i r of sl i p pers. For the price of only one
or two ca n s of pet food, you can b u y a bea utiful
tropical fish. La n dlords who pro h i b i t other p ets g e n

era l ly a l low a q u a r i u ms. Ma ny owners have ta u g ht

the i r pets to eat from thei r fi n gers or to swim to the
surface to rest i n their hand or to be pette d . If their
offspring a re ra ised and sold, pets ca n more than
pay for their room and boa rd .
An a q u a r i u m a dds to a home's decor, and its
m a i ntenance is not d ifficult. The a q u a r i u m shou l d be
a rra nged with care prior to p u rchasi ng a ny fish.
When ecol og ica l pri nci p les a re bei n g considered
seriously, esta b l ishing a nd m a i nta i n i n g an a q u a r
i u m becomes m uch more than a s i m p l e hobby . Ord i
narily only q u a l ified technicians ca n study these
4

An aquarium adds live entertainment to a room's decor.

closed systems a n d then apply their f i n d ings to the

outside world . Experienced, professional aquacultur
i sts raise fish by the mi l l i o n s in l a rge outsi d e ta n ks
as a source of food for huma n s . This is a possible
way to i n c rease the ava i l a b le protein for under
nourished peoples.
5

S E L E C T I N G T HE A Q U A R I U M
Buy the l a rgest tan k possible. I n genera l, the more
space fish have, the better they do. Also, it is m uch
easier to keep a l a rge ta n k clea n. Different species
va ry in thei r activities, g rowth, and space dema nds.
As examples, ten baby Guppies req u i re consider
a bly less space than ten of the sma l lest Gol dfish .
Kee p i n m i nd, too, that it is a l most i mposs i b le to
resist a d d i n g new i n ha b ita nts to the ta n k, a n d so
extra vol ume is soon util ized.
The smal lest tan k i n which one shou ld i nvest is
ten g a l lons. If a new ta n k is too expensive for the
budget, look for a ba rg a i n i n newspaper ads o r at
a uctions. An i nexpensive or second-hand a q ua r i u m
m a y l ea k, but it c a n b e resea led.
NON-TOXIC SEALANT should be
used to prevent or stop leaks.
Often the seepage may be in
the i n si d e top corner, but the
water l ea k s out the opposite
bottom outside sea m. Excess
sealant ca n be trimmed off with
a razor blade. Be careful not
to scratch the g l ass or plastic.

Put t h e a q uariu m in a d ry,

clea n place and a l l ow the
sealer to d ry a n d set for at
l east two weeks. Then age the
a q uarium in aerated water for
a nother wee k before using it.
lea ks in an o l d aquarium con
sometimes be sealed by f i l l i n g
the ta n k slowly with hot water.

Seal a l l seams of aquarium with

sealant that can be bought in
a pet shop.

AQUARIUMS

SIZES AND SHAPES of a q ua ri u m s va ry . Recta n g u l a r

tan ks with sta i n less-steel fra mes a n d g l ass sides a re
the kind m ost recom mended. These a re relatively
sha l l ow tan ks, prov i d i n g the g reatest su rface a rea
per vol ume of water for the exchange of oxyge n
a n d ca rbon d ioxide. If a g l a ss p a n e is broken, it can
be rep lqce d . Ta n ks made of a l l g l ass can not be re
pa i red. P l a stic a q u a r i u m s a re eas i l y scratched, a nd
with age the panes sometimes become d iscolored .
Wooden ta nks must be emptied, d ried, a n d re
coated with res i n from time to time.
GALLON VOLUME of a rectan
gular tank is determined by the
formula (in inches) below:

width

length

height

231
This volume must be known
when it is necessary to add

medicines to the water. O rna

ments and gravel take up
space. If they a re already in
place, it may be easiest to mea
sure the volume of wate r as
the tank i s being filled. Note
this figure a n d keep it where it
will not be lost.

LOCATION m u st be decided before selecti n g the k i n d

a n d size o f a q u a r i u m . Keep i n m i n d t h a t e a c h g a l
lon of water we i g h s a p p roximate l y 81f3 pounds, so
the sta nd m u st be stu rdy. Its location m ust be per
mane nt, the su rface level . Mov i n g or ti l t i n g a ta n k
that i s even pa rtia l ly fu l l of water o r g ravel often
resu lts i n l e a ks .
AVOID having to use extension

cords. Put the aqua rium near

an electrical outlet. Do not
place the aquarium on top of
a television set or a h i-fi, where
the water may overheat and
kill the plants and animals. I n
too much light, g reen algae
th rive on the glass and in the
water. The algae do not harm
the fish but are not attractive.
Controlling algae can be a con
stant struggle, so locate tank
away from windows.
The temperature of the room
should be constant, and there
should be no drafts. The air
m ust be clean. Insecticides,
household sprays, paint fumes,
and tobacco smoke can be dan
gerous to fish and plants.
BE SANITARY. Before working

5 teaspoons o f salt to
lon of
cleans
..

water

disinfects

gal
and

with the aquarium, wash your

hands with soap. Rinse repeat
edly. Scrub the soap and dirt
from under your fingernails
with a stiff brush. Rinse all the
way up your arm if it will be
submerged. Then rinse your
hands and equipment in a
strong salt solution, which both
cleans and disinfects. Finally,
rinse again with fresh water.
Never a l low cleansers or h a n d
lotions n e a r tanks.

TO SIPHON, f i l l t h e tube (old

hose or plastic tu be) full of
water. Hold a t h u m b over each
end of the tube. Put one end i n
t h e aquari u m water a n d m a k e
sure the o t h e r e n d i s below the

l evel of the tu be in the a q uar

i u m . Now rem ove the thumbs,
a n d the water sho u l d flow
freely. A s i pho n i n g tube m a d e
es pecially f o r a q u a ri u m s c a n b e
purchased at o p e t store.

TEST A NEW TANK FOR LEAKAGE before you put it i n

p l a ce. T h i s test w i l l prevent t h e soa k i n g o f va l ua b l e
fu rnitu re a n d r u g s . T h e g u a ra ntee on a n e w ta n k
may b e honored, b u t a warped piece o f f u rn i t u re o r
a sta i ned rug a re not covered b y t h e g ua ra ntee.
Sel ect a waterproof su rface where coo l water ca n
be hosed or pou red i nto the ta n k. Be s u re the bottom
of the ta n k is d ry before fi l l i ng it, or you wi l l not be
a b l e to determine if the ta n k is rea l ly l ea k i n g . Al low
the ta n k to sit for at least twel ve hours.
Afte r the test, scoop or siphon the water fro m the
ta n k . Do not l ift the ta n k with wei g h t i n side it. Ri nse
with a s a l t so l u tion. Even thoug h ta n k does not l ea k,
a q u a r i u m may swea t at fi rst. Put waterproof m a
teria l u n der a q u a r i u m t o catch this moisture.
9

FI LTRAT I O N
Filtration, if the u n i t i s properly operated, saves
hours of clea n i n g . By prov i d i n g a g reater surface
a rea for oxygen to enter the ta n k, fi l te r i n g a l so i n
creases fi s h capacity. There a re two basic types of
fi l ters: cha rcoa l -floss a n d u nderg rave l .
A CORNER FILTER, located in
side the aquarium, is a plastic
box containing aquarium char
coal (also called carbon) on the
lower half and filter floss on
the top. The charcoal cleans the
water and absorbs many impur
ities; the floss removes debris.
Wate r is ci rculated through
these two, which become soiled
and must be changed eve ry
two weeks.
Always rinse new charcoal
thoroughly. Store u n used dry
ca rbon in an airtig ht container

where it cannot absorb poisons

from the air. Activated high
quality
charcoa ls
may
be
cleaned and reused several
times by simply rinsing and
dryin g them i n a clean place.
Buy filter floss, not glass
wool. Pa rticles of glass can
lodge in and injure the fi sh's
gi lls or can be transferred to
people's eyes from their h a nds.
Never pack the floss into a
fi lter. This reduces the o perat
ing efficiency of the fi lter and
puts a strain o n the pump.

OUTS I D E FI LTER

charcoal
Screen

cartridge

undergravel

filler

AN OUTSIDE FILTER is

also a
plastic box, with floss in the
upper half and cha rcoal in the
lowe r half. Water is sucked up
one o r m o re siphon tubes,
d ropped into the box hanging
outside the
aquarium,
and
passed thro u g h the cha rcoal
and the floss before retu rning
to the ta n k. One siphon tube
must reach almost to the bot
tom to pick up a n y settled
wastes. The s;:oho n tube should
have a pinched or screened end
so thot fish are not sucked up.
C ompared to the corner filter,
this type is e a sier to clean,
does not take up space inside
the tank, and i s not li kely to
lose pa rticles of floss inside.

UNDERGRAVE L OR S U B STRATA
FILTERS come in a variety of

models. These a re highly desir

able filte rs, consisti ng of plates
lhol fi t on e nti re floor of lank
ond are covered by one or two
inches of g ravel. Water and
debris are sucked through the
g ravel.
Oxygen-lov ing
bac
teria that grow on the plate
decompose the debris, reduc
ing it to a h a rmless silt that
stays under the plate. This
cleans a n d somewhat purifies
the water. A disposable char
coal cartridge fits where bub
bles are released.
Be sure not to use fine g ravel
in the filter. It will s i ft through
slits of plastic plates of filter.

11

THE AIR PUMP is the com pa n ion of the fi l ter. It is lo

cated a bove the water level , outside the ta nk.
Aqu a r i u m tubing connects the fi l te r to the pump. Be
tween them there shou l d be an o i l a n d dust fi lter
that p revents back p ress u re i nto the p u m p . Air trav
els t h ro u g h the tubing to the fi l ter. Outside fi l ters
may come with their own magnetic-drive motors a n d
n o t need pum ps.
Many types of pumps a re ava i l a b le. Before buy
i n g a pu mp, check to m a ke certa i n it ca n h a n d l e the
g a l l o n vol u m e of you r ta n k . Remember that the
pum p will be working 24 hours a day. It is wiser to
i nvest i n a h i g h -q u a l ity p u m p, which should have
a g u a ra ntee for a m i n i m u m of a yea r. A good pum p
w i l l outlast severa l o f t h e i nexpensive ones.
A

METHOD

OF

FILTRATION

for tanks of more than 25 gal

lons involves a combination of
outside and undergravel filters.
This eliminates the charcoal
cartridge on the undergravel
post. Siphon out about a fou rth
of the water every month and

replace with fresh. Before pou r

ing g ravel over the filter, cover
bottom of ta nk with an i nch of
water and shake the submerged
plate to remove air b ubbles.
Cover filter with g ravel and
sweep your fingers through it
to release air pockets.

loops
outside
filter

charcoal
undergravel
tiller
undergravel
tiller

- plug
s em of
underg ravel
tiller

siphon

12
.

Gravel

fine lsandl

medium

best g ravel for sub

strata filter is i rreg u
lar i n s h a pe and
a bout 'I i n ch i n size

GRAV E L
Put the ta n k i n its permanent l ocation before a d d i n g
g rave l or wate r . T h e ta n k ca n not b e moved after
these a re added. Use natu ra l g ravel . T h i s is the usual
and fa m i l ia r floor covering fo r most fres hwater fish.
Col ored g ravel s a re attractive but o re not recom
me nded beca use they m a y fade or c l o u d t h e water.
Buy ste r i l ized, washed a q u a r i u m g ravel without
l i me o r m eta ls. As a p reca ution, was h the g ravel
a g a i n . Use a clea n p l a stic, g l ass, o r e n a mel con
ta i ner. A newly purchased pl astic pa i l is just right
for a q u a r i u m use. Rinse g ravel i n hot ta pwater.
Cont i n u e to rinse unti l the water runs from the pa i l
crysta l c l e a r . For good meas u re, wash the g ravel
five more ti mes. Fina l ly, rinse the g ravel in col d
water before pouring it i n to t h e ta n k . Sl ope the
gravel u pwa rd towa rd the back of the ta n k-from
one to two i nches. In t h i s way, a ny debris fa l l i ng to
the bottom wi l l settle in the front where it ca n be
seen a n d e a s i l y s i phoned or netted . S l o p i n g a l so
g ives depth a n d interest to the a q u a ri u m .
13

WAT E R
Aged ta pwater i s usua l ly best. Al low the wate r to
aerate for severa l days in the tank. Th is w i l l age o r
season i t . Tapwate r is genera l ly treated w i t h ch lor
ine, which i rrita tes a fish's g i l ls. If the g i l l s a re bad ly
damaged, they may be unable to assi m i l ate enough
oxygen, and the fish wi l l d ie. Fortunately, c h l o r i n e
a n d a few o t h e r ha rmfu l gases w i l l escape t h e water
d u r i n g the a g i n g period . Minera l compou nds, how
eve r, w i l l i ncrease i n concentration as water eva po
ra tes. Many a q u a rists keep a supply of a ged wa ter
stored for use in e mergencies.
TO F I L L A TANK, a l low the wa

ter to dribble slowly dawn the

front pane of g lass. Do nat
dump in a l l the water at once.
Fill the tank halfway, then add
the deco rations (p. 16). Then
add water to within one or
two inches of the to p.
for use in an
aquarium:
Rainwater, which is often con
laminated
with
atmospheric
poisons.
Lake or stream water that
may be poisono u s or harbo r
ha rmful bacteria and parasites.
Demineralized water, because
it lacks the essentia l minerals
fish need.

UNFIT WATERS

Water that has been stored

in iron, zi nc, copper, or lead
vessels is poisonous to fish.
Yellowish water in established
tanks indicates overcrowding
a n d overfeeding. To remedy,
siphon the tank partially and

14

replace with fresh water; add

new cha rcoal to the filters.
Cloudy water the first d ay
afte r setting up a new tank is
p robably
due
to
bacteria.
Never introduce fish i nto such
water. If the water is not crys
tal clear in two weeks, remove
water and start over.
In a n old tank, cloudy water
may be due to a fi lter not func
tioning properly. I t i s most
often caused by a dense g rowth
of microorganisms that are de
composing debris in the ta n k.
Make certain the fish are not
fed too much and that they are
not ove rcrowded. Less than a
ga llon of water per inch of fish
is crowding. C loudiness af this
sort can not be removed by or
dinary fi lters, though a diatom
filter will do so. Siphon off h alf
the water; eliminate the excess
food a n d / or fi s h . Add new
water a n d then check to see if
problem has been remedied.

GREEN WATER is caused by

blooms of microscopic plants
(algae). The algae are not
harmful but a re not attractive
in large a mounts. I f all of the
algae die and decay, they foul
the water, util izi ng the oxygen
needed by the fish. I f the water
has become opaque, m a ke a
complete change of water and
clean the gravel. I f the water
is just beginning to turn green,
the excessive growth of algae
can be discouraged by reduc
ing the a mount of light. Algae
eatin g fish can be introduced
and also larger plants that will
compete with the algae for
nutrients in the water.
WATER is generally a
sign of decay. An odor is a
danger signal. Find its source
and eliminate it.

FETID

CONCENTRATION OF HYDRO
GEN IONS, called pH, indicates

whether the water i s acid, neu

tral, or alkaline. H a rd water is
alkaline; soft water is neutral
to acid. Knowing the pH o.f the
water is especially important
when breeding fish.
A sudden change of pH im
plies that something is wrong
in the tan k, such as overcrowd
ing o r overfeeding. Slight daily
fluctuation s a re normal.
Kits are available for mea
suring a n d settin g the p H . Do
not change to the desired pH
quickly. Wait several hours for
water to stabilize to get new,
accurate
reading.
Activated
carbon keeps water neutral.
Resin
charcoals
buffer
the
woter to a specific pH.

DH
kit

DH, degree of hardness, in

creases due to calcium and
magnesium compounds, possi
bly from dead snail shells or
some kinds of ornaments. Ex
cessively hard- 150 ppm or
more-can be s oftened by dilut
i n g it with distilled water (no
more than 60 percent).
OF WATER is
important to the aqua rium in
habita nts. Bubbles from filters
do not add oxygen to the
water. The oxyge n is absorbed
at the su rface, then circulated
th rough the tan k.
CIRC U LATION

- to outside filter

ff71F------,

15

DEC O R AT I O N S
A bal a nced a q u a r i u m-conta i n i n g on l y fi s h, wate r,
g ravel, a n d p l a nts-is a cha l l e n g i n g p roject for the
a dva nced or experienced hobbyi st: For beg i n ners,
the res u l t is often dea d, decayi n g pla nts that mess
up the ta n k.
Pla nts a re i m porta nt in the theoretica l l y ba l a nced
a q u a ri u m . As they g row, they uti l ize the wa stes
from the fish, but beca use the water is ci rcu l a ted by
a p u m p a nd fi l ter, the a mount of oxygen s u ppl ied by
the p l a nts beco mes i n s i g n ifica nt. If the fi s h a re fed
g reens, the l ive pl ants ca n be e l i m i nated from a n
a q u a ri u m without h a r m .
Artificial a q u a r i u m p l a nts look a uthentic a n d a re
long-last i n g . Check for exposed wires that may rust
a n d conta m i n a te the water. If poss i b l e, buy p l a nts
that a re constructed entirely of non -toxic p lastic,
such as polyethylene.
A creative a rra ngement of l ive p l a nts or a m i xture
of l ive a n d a rtifici a l p l a nts is p l easing a n d a l so p ro
vides fi s h with food a n d with a p l a ce to spawn. The
a q u a ri u m p l a nts themselves a re a g row i n g hobby,
with more t h a n 1 50 species fro m w h i c h to se l ect.
Aquasca p i ng i nvolves blending colors, s h a des, tex
tu re, a n d size . la rger, fast-g rowing p l a nts a re a n
chored at t h e b a c k of t h e ta n k; s m a l l e r o n e s at t h e
sides, center, and front. Rocks ca n b e b l e nded with
the p l a nts to a c h i eve a natura l - l ook i n g u nderwater
worl d . J ust m a ke certa i n to l eave space for the fi s h
t o swi m . Dig g i ng or pla nt-eating fi s h ca n r u i n a n
a q uasca pe i n o n l y a few ho u rs. I n a d d ition, fish
med i cations such as methylene b l u e or sa lt (more
than 1 teaspoon per g a l lon) can k i l l p l a nts.
16

Pla nts a re sold rooted, bu nched, or floati n g . Buy

only crisp p l a nts, with no brown, dead pa rts. Keep
them moist unti l you g et them to yo u r a q u a ri u m .
Avo i d u s i n g p l a n ting sticks; fi n gers a re best. P l a nts
need 8 to l 0 h o u rs of l i g h t d a i l y .

ROOTED PLANTS a re often most bea utifu l . Locate

each p l a nt by d i g g i n g a wi de, shallow hole in the
g ra ve l . H o l d the p l a n t by its top and fa n out the
roots i n the hole before refi l l i ng it. Anchor the p l a n t
if necess a ry. The swol len base o f t h e stem shou l d be
j ust a bove the s u rface of the g ravel . C u t the l i g ht i n
h a l f a few days to a l l ow p l a nt t o root.
The p l a nts obta i n nourish ment from the g ravel, so
in older ta n ks p l ace the p l a nts where the g ravel h a s
been ferti l ized b y the fi s h . Rooted p l a nts g row wel l
in ta n ks with u nderg ravel fi l ters, but the roots be
come ta n g l e d in the fi l te r pl ate. When the ta n k is
d isma ntled for clea n i n g , the p l a nts may be i n j u red,
resu lting in thei r stunting or death. C l i p off old,
brown l eaves.
MADAGASCAR

LACE

PLANTS

a re expensive and hard to keep

alive. Live plants a re propa
gated from bulbs p lanted just
under the g ravel. The tough,
brittle leaves g ro w slowly but
may become 21f2 feet long.
Rub off algae o r dirt that may
collect on the leaves. A mid
winter d rop of 1 0 degrees is
beneficial for this plant but not
for delicate fish. The plant is
used best a s a somewhat iso
lated cente rpiece. I t requires at
least 1 0 hours of subdued light
per doy.

MADAGASCAR LACE PLANT

Aponogeton fenestra/is

to 2112 ft.

17

C RYPTOCO RYNE

Cryptocoryne
to 8 in.

affinis

CRYPTOCORYNE
does
wel l
without great amounts o f bright
lig ht, as in tanks with floatin g
pla nts. S l i g h t l y acid, soft aged
water is best. Many species a re
available. Some pla nts produce
red leaves that g row above the
surface of the water.
SWORD, a typical
rooted pla nt, g rows new plants
by sending out runners. These
should be pushed below the
g ravel. Amazo n s a re a n effec
live decor. As soon as young
pla nts develop roots, they can
be snipped from runners and
transplanted.
The Pigmy Amazo n (to 4 i n.)
wi l l carpet a 10-ga l l o n tank.
The regular Amazo n (to 24 i n.)
should have at least 25 gallons
in which to spread. One plant
may have a s many a s 40 leaves.
In new tank setup s with h a rd
wate r, Amazons a re delicate.
I f the leaves discolor, increase
the daily light d u ration.
AMAZON

PIGMY AMAZON SWO RD

E. tenellus

to 4 in.

HAIR GRASS OR
N E EDlE GRASS
Eleocharis acicularis

to 1 ft.

HAIR GRAS S g rows in thickets

6 to 12 i n ches high. It spreads

by runners. Hair Grass has o n l y
stems, no leaves. I t survives i n
w a r m or cool wate r.
HYGROPHILA is a rooted plant
that does best when pla nted in
small bunches. In good l ight, it
grows well. Hyg roph ila may be
propagated either by cuttings
o r by leaves.
CAPE

FEAR

S P ATTERDOCK

grows 6 to 8 inches tall, i n

slightly a c i d water with plenty
of light. But only plants that
have a g ood root system.

18

BANANA PlANT
Nymph oid e s oquatica

CORKSCREW VAlLISNERIA
O R EEL GRASS

leoves 2 or more in.

across

Vallisneria spira/is

to 2 ft.

WATE R W I STERIA
Synnema triflorum

to 1 0

in.

BROAD l EAF SAG ITTARIA

Sagittaria subulata

to

10 in.

BANANA PLANT produces ba

nana shaped tuberou s roots
that lie on top of the gravel.
A few stems grow from the
roots, with leaves unfolding as
the stem s approach the surface.
Plant-eating fish like to eat both
the stems and the leaves. For
this plant, native to ponds and
slow waters of southeaste rn
U. S., the water temperature
should be 70 to 82 degrees F.
WATER WISTERIA g rows to 1 0
inches ta l l i n slightly acid water.
It requires little light. The bright
g reen leaves may g row right
out of the aqu a rium.

CORKSCREW VALLISNERIA, a
popular aquarium plant, is a
tape-leafed grass that forms a
dense underwater forest i n
either warm o r coal water.
Note the dark green stripe
that runs down the middle of
each leaf. The leaves will g row
to the su rface of a ta n k of
p ractically any size.
SAGITTARIA thrives i n warm or
cool water. I t resembles Vallis
nerio but differs in having a
striped leaf. Some species are as
short as 2 inches; othe rs grow
much tal l e r. All do best in fer
tile gravel in hard water.

19

BUNCHED P LANTS a re more popula r than e ither

rooted or floating pla nts. They a re propagated fro m
cuttings, many of them later prod ucing roots. Re
move the band securing the bunch a n d snip off the
bottom tips of the stems. Strip the leaves from the
lower inch of the stem and a nchor them i n bu nches
of two to fou r stems on top of the g rave l . They will
g row fast a n d need tri m m i n g reg ula rly. U se the
u pper cutt i ng-the top, g rowin g part of the p l a nt
a n d throw away the bottom pa rt. I n new water, add
a n a q u a r i u m p l a nt vita mi n a n d mi nera l s upplement,
ava ila ble at pet shops.
CABOMBA, its fi n e leaves ar
ranged in a fan-shape pattern,
requires water cooler than 72
degrees F. Without sufficient
light and aeration, it fa l l s a part
and sheds its leaves over the
bottom. Goldfish can nibble it
down to stubs.
A sudden change in water
condition s will also kill this sen
sitive plant. Locate it at the
back of the tank, for healthy
plants
grow
quickly-to
a
length of three feet. Several
species of Cabomba are stocked
in most pet shops.

or Anacharis, is a
hardy, popular plant that does
not demand critical water con
ditions. (E. callitrichoides does
require water at 72 to 85 de
grees F.) Fish may nibble on it,
but genera l l y it grows fast
enough to reple nish itself and
may add an inch or more to Its
length daily. Locate it at the
back of th e tank, and prune
the foliage often.

ELODEA,

20

BACOPA
has
thick,
fleshy
leaves, spaced far apart on the
stem. It is a slow grower a n d
needs at l e a s t 1 0 hours of light
daily. Floati n g does not show
off this plant at its best.
HORNWORT
is
fragile
and
crumbles easily. In nature, it
floats just below the surface In
cold water. In an aquarium, it
can be a nchored. A few pieces
provide refuge for baby fish.
Hornwort
does not
develop
roots.

is a cold-water
plant, doing well in water be
low 72 deg rees F . The water
should be well aged. If a n
chored with a porous rock, it
will attach to surface.
WILLOWMO S S

its leaves in swirls

around the stems, g rows fast in
soft water. It needs 8 to 10
hours of light daily. Re move it
routinely and rinse in fresh
water. This results in bushy
plants.

AMBULIA,

ELO D EA O R ANACHARIS

Elodea densa
(also Egeria densa)
to 1 0 ft. long

E. callitrichoides
to 10 ft. long

CABOMBA OR FANWORT
Cabomba caroliniana
3 or 4 ft. long

BACOPA
Sacopa caroliniana

HORNWORT
Ceratophyllum demersum

WI LLOWMOSS

Fontinalis gracilis

AMBU L I A

Limnophila sessiliflora

leaf whorls 3-4 in. across

21

LUDWIG lA
Ludwigia natans
leaves to 1 lf2 in. long

DWARF FOUR-LEAFED CLOVER

Marsilea hirsuta

LUDWIGIA survives at
most
water temperatures in aquar
iums, from cool to warm. At
lower temperatures-60 to 70
degrees F.-the underside of
the leaves of the species illus
trated turn a pretty red. Some
of the leaves are adapted for
growth above the surface
(emersible), others far below
the surface (submersible).
Given adequate space, these
plants become quite bushy.
They produce yellow flowers.
New plants are started from
cuttings planted in soil fer
tilized with fish wastes. Several
species of this bog plant are
available in pet shops.
DWARF

is

FOUR-LEAFED

CLOVER

small, hardy plant that

does well at most tempera
tures. It is showy, hence attrac
tive when planted at the front
of the aquarium. The leaves are
on long stems.
MILFOIL OR FOXTAIL
Myriophyllum spicatum

22

MILFOIL turns light green and

becomes brittle in inadequate
light. If it receives 8 hours of
light per day, it is fast-growing
and turns a deep, bright green.
Several species of Milfoil are
available in shops. They prefer
cool waters and are easily
choked by the debris stirred up
by rooting fish. Compare Milfoil
with Cabomba, Hornwort, and
Ambulia and note the differ
ences.

FLOATING PLANTS red uce the a mount of l i g ht that

can enter the water, hence a re desira b l e where it i s
i m portant t o have a d i m ly l i t tan k . It is wise to
g row them in patches so that some l i g ht can reach
the p l a nts below. If the a q u a r i u m has just been set
up, a d d some a q u a rium-plant vita m i n s to the
water. F loati ng plants a re genera l ly rel ished by
herbivorous fish.
WATER SPRITE is a floating
plant sold in bunches. Even if
anchored in the grovel, it will
stretch its leaves to the sur
face and produce new plants
that multiply as they float. Wa
ter Sprite does well in most
aquariums, as its demands are
not critical.

is very popular for

an aquarium from
light. Large fish espe
cially like to eat Duckweed,
which can quickly cover the
whole surface of a tank with its
tiny leaves. In large tanks or
in outside pools, it may become
a nuisance.

NITELLA has no roots. The wa

ter should be neutral to alka
line.
Nite/la, and
they also seem to en joy
swimming around it.

CRYSTALWORT grows fast. It

requires a minimum of six hours
of light daily. Keep it thinned
inch in thickness. Fish
spawn in this plant.

Most fish eat

DUCKWEED

shading

strong

WATER SPRITE

Lemna min or
leaves about

lh

in. across

Riccio fluitans

NITELLA
Nite/la gracilis
23

sandstone

quartz

slate

petrified wood

volcanic rock

glass
marble

Some Safe Aquarium Ornaments

ORNAMENTS a re second on the l ist of decorations.

Thousands of plastic or cera mic decorations can be
bou g ht, ra n g i n g from m i n iatu re s u n ken ships to
d ivers and treasure chests. Most of them a re safe,
though unnatura l . Avoid using seashe l l s a n d cora l s,
for u n l ess properly treated, they ca n poison the
water. Coins a re a l so dangerous.
Neigh borhood rocks may be the best. They ca n be
used to create natura l -looking caves, a rches, houses,
and mounta ins. C h i l d ren en joy hel ping with these
creations. Al l stones a re not safe, of cou rse. Soft
rocks, such as cement or l i mestone, m a ke the water
a l ka l ine as they dissolve. Rocks conta i n i n g meta l s
wi l l poison fish . I f you a re i n dou bt, a s k t h e a dvice
of a geol ogy instructor. Remem ber, too, that orna
ments su btract from the vol u m e of water, so take
them i nto account when stocki n g the ta n k or adding
med ications to the water.
24

L I D S A N D A RT I F I C I A L L I G H T S
To prevent fish from leaping out, a q u a r i u m s should
have a l id that stretches all the way across the top.
A pa ne of g lass may be used, but do not place it d i
rectly on t h e a q u a r i u m fra me. Leave a bout a fou rth
of a n inch of air space by putting a small rock u nder
the g l a ss at each corner.
If the ta n k is away from windows, as it shou l d be
(p. 8), the room's l ig h t is not adeq uate for the
g rowth of m ost plants. An a q u a ri u m reflector hood
is genera l l y used to p rovide overhead l i g hting.
Fl uorescent l ig hts cost more i nitially tha n do incan
descent l ig hts, but they use less e lectricity a n d last
longer. Fu rther, they do not heat u p, w h ile i nca ndes
cent l i g hts (norma l fila ment b u l bs) ca n overheat
small ta n ks. Be sure to pu rchase tu bes that a re made
especia l l y for aquari u m reflectors. Do not buy b u l bs
in ha rdwa re stores . Those that a re made to prod uce
natu ra l l i g ht for the ta n k a re best. Too much l i g ht
ca uses g reen a lgae to g row a bunda ntly. Most pla nts
need 8 to 10 hours of l ig h t per day.

side view
of aquarium
showing position

fluorescent light

_,_

*'

incandescent light

Jj

25

T E M P E RAT U R E
Goldfish a n d some other k i nds of a q u a r i u m fi s h do
not req u ire water warmer than room tempera t u re.
If tropica l s a re the choice, however, a n a q u a r i u m
heater is necessa ry. These heaters a re eq u i pped with
thermostats so that the water is kept at a consta nt
tempera t u re. When the heater is operating, a s ma l l
l i g ht b u l b g l ows. T o set the u n it, heat the water to
the correct tem peratu re, then turn the a djustment
knob until the l ig h t blinks . Plug i n the heater only
when it is properly s u bmerged. Before s i phon i n g ,
u n p l ug t h e heater.
A heater wi l l melt plastic, so secu re it wel l away
from the sides of a plastic tank. Large fish, l i ke
cichl ids, w i l l b u m p heaters a n d brea k them . Their
tan ks m ust be eq u ipped with the u n brea ka b l e type
of heater that is now on the ma rket.
The tem perature of the water shou ld be checked
daily with a thermometer. Beca use the tem peratu re
is critical for m a ny tropica l s, it is wise to buy a n
i nexpensive second thermometer s o that t h e accura cy
of one ca n be checked a g a i nst the other.

'
lI

round

'

e;

,(

..,

,,

.,

Thermometers

26

honging

S H O PP I N G L I ST
This shopping l ist wil l hel p i n estimating the tota l
cost of your a q u a r i u m setu p. Write down the price
bes ide each item. Using this l i st s h o u l d a lso e l i m i
nate the need for extra trips to the store to pick u p
forgotten items. To t h i s l ist you ca n fi n a l l y a d d the
fi s h a n d their a ssortment of foods, w h i c h s ho u l d be
pu rchased a bo u t two weeks later.
oquorium and stand
filter
charcoal and floss
airline tubing
valves (if needed)
dust and oil filter
air pump
gravel
pH kit
water hardness testing
kit (optional)
plants and weights
ornaments
reflector
light bulbs
heater
feed ing ring
with suction cup

thermometer
siphon
pail and sponge
feeding ring
fish net
emergency tonic (p. 30)

27

BAS I C D I ET
An a q u a r i u m a n i m a l 's wel l -being depends not only
on the q u a l ity of its environment but a lso on the
food it eats.
DIET is impor
tant for any animal. Few foods
contain all the essentials of a
balanced diet, and sa do not
feed the same food more than
a few times consecutively, even
if the fish obviously like it.
Many commercial and live
foods ore available, and hun
dreds of types of packaged
foods can be found on store
shelves. Choose those with the
highest percentages of proteins,
fats, minerals, and vitamins.
Today there is no excuse for
not having a variety of foods
-even as many as a dozen.
VARYING THE

FEED

28

OVERFEEDING is the most com

mon mistake of beginners. Feed
fish frequently, at least two
times daily, but feed small
amounts. Make certain that ab
solutely all of the food is con
sumed at each feeding-say,
within ten minutes. Leftover
food fouls and spoils the water.
Unless the bottom feeders be
gin to eat it, this food should
be removed by siphoning.
Never shake a container of
food over the water unless the
flow can be controlled perfectly.
Sprinkle pinches of food over
the surface.

FISH A VARIETY OF FOODS.

LIVE FOODS

white
worm

Daphnia

'VJjJ
tubifex
worms
mosquito
larvae

IN THE KITCHEN are many

foods that are fine for fish.
Shredded canned spinach is a
good vegetable
supplement.
Fine baby cereals are also ex
cellent. Lean beef heart or liver
and fish or shrimp can be
shredded to the proper consis
tency. For baby or tiny fish,
wrap a small piece of hard
boiled egg yolk in wet linen.
Squeeze one or two drops
through the linen into the tank.
Pieces of food should be no
greater than half the size of
the fish's mouth.

moy be
an inconvenience but is reward
ing. Mony can be raised on
commercial baby foods, but
they grow slowly. The growth
of newly hatched fish is
speeded by feeding them in
fusoria-a broth of micro
scopic plants and animals. Most
pet shops carry infusoria. An
alternate is using the legg yolk
already described above.
Older fry are fed newly
hatched brine shrimp. Eggs of
brine shrimp and directions for
hatching them can be bought
at the pet shop.
FEEDING BABY FISH

nat
arvae

ADULT FISH are usually fed at

least twice daily. One meal con
sists of a high-quality staple
food. The ather can be one of
the following:
live tubifex worms
thawed sea lettuce
shrimp meal
meal pellets
baby guppies or mollies
vegetable flakes and
tablet foods
conditioner daily food
live brine shrimp
commercial liquid tube
food
shredded white fish
canned spinach or cereal food
chopped or shredded
beef heart
chopped earthworms
Live foods are now frozen or
freeze-dried
convenient
for
feeding. They con be substituted
occasionally for the real thing.
Thaw frozen foods to room
temperature; do not refreeze.
If you go on vacation, put
a "vacation feeder11 into the
tank. Healthy fish can survive
for more than a week without
food. If friends volunteer to
feed your fish, caution them
not to overfeed.

29

FI S H H Y G I E N E
Only heal thy fi s h should be pu rchased, a n d their
good hea lth s h o u l d be m a i nta ined. It i s i m porta nt to
be a b l e to recognize a hea l thy fish's a p pea ra nce.
Know the a natomy and behavior of the various spe
cies kept. Study the d i a g ra m a nd a l so the cha rts on
pp. 34-3 5 . Check each pet once every day for a ny
cha nges that may i n d i cate an i l l ness.
Even in the best ca red-for a q ua r i u m, p roblems
may a p pear suddenly. Sick fish m ust be treated im
mediately. A day's delay may mean the death of
the fish. Keep on hand some good emergency gen
era l ton i cs to treat the most com mon fish d isorders.
Ask a rel i a ble dea ler to assist you i n sel ecti ng these
broa d-spectrum medici nes, of which there a re many.
HEALTHY FISH, the fins
stand straight aut. They are not
frayed or held close to the
body. Select active fish that
have clear eyes, bright colors,
and a smooth skin end no dis
colorations. Distended or red
gills indicate infection. Do not
pick the fish that lingers shyly
behind decorations when oth
ers of the same species are in
clear view begging to be fed.
Even such shy types as Gour
amis are alert and dash about
madly when disturbed.

IN

TAP on the aquarium

glass when window shopping
for fish. Tapping confuses and
frightens the fish, causing them
to dash into objects and injur
ing themselves. Vibrations can
also result in internal disorders.
NEVER

30

The advice commonly given

not to buy from a tank contain
ing even one dead fish is mis
leading. The dealer may have
gone through all of his aquar
iums scooping out many dead
fish just ten minutes before you
walked into his store. Those re
maining may be ill. One or two
dead fish in a tank does not
necessarily mean that all of the
.
inhabitants are ill. If the dead
fish have clearly visible signs of
disease, the water may be con
taminated. If a dead fish looks
as though it was healthy and
other fish in the aquarium are
nibbling at its body, chances
are that it died of old age or
perhaps as a result of shipping.
During their long journey from
their source (p. 35), fish may
be bruised or go into shock.

spiny
rays

I st dorsal
fin

2nd
dorsal
fin

caudal
(tail) fin

caudal

barbel

line

PARTS OF FISH (idealized)

BEFORE

MAKING

SELECTIONS

give the dealer a list of the

kinds of fish you have.
The dealer should be gentle
with the fish as he catches them
so that they are not harmed or
unnecessarily frightened. If a
fish jumps and lands on the
floor, wet your hands before
picking it up. Dry hands will
rub off some of the fish's pro
tective slime and leave it sus
ceptible to disease.
The water in which the fish
travel from the shop to your
home must be taken from the
tank in which they were liv
ing. If the fish you select are
from six tanks, then you should
have at least six containers.
Too many fish in one results in
nipped fins, especially if aggres
sive species are mixed with shy.

The net used for catching the

fish should be clean. If the deal
er does not have a separate net
for each tank, have it dipped in
a disinfecting solution, such as
salt or methylene blue, to re
move any harmful microorgan
isms. This disinfecting should be
done between each catch.
USE PLASTIC BAG S for shipping
fish. Make certain that plenty
of air is trapped above the
water in each bag, which
should look like a blown-up
balloon. Do not allow the sales
man to fill the bag by breathing
into it. His respired air is full
of carbon dioxide, and the fish
may suffocate before they reach
their destination. The air should
come either from an air tank or
from the room.

31

WITH THE P LASTIC BAG IN POSSESS ION, m a ke one

last check for signs of disease before ta k i n g the fish
from the store. Be ca refu l not to j i g g le the bag. Do
not a l low yo u n g c h ildren to ca rry it, for they may
d rop or sway the ca ptives and h a rm them. As soon
a s possi b le, p l ace the p l a stic bag in a b rown paper
bag . The d a rk ness wi l l h e l p ca l m the frig htened
creatu res. H u rry home . Remem ber, the fish have a
l i m i ted a mount of oxyge n .
A T HOME, float t h e p l a stic bag(s) i n t h e seasoned
a q u a r i u m to equal ize the tempera t u res of the two
waters a nd a lso to a l low the fish to become ec
q u a i nted with the i r new surro u nd i n gs. Afte r fifteen
m i n u tes, open the bags and slowly (over a period
of a bout ten m i n utes) dip water from the ta nk i n to
the bags. Afte r the ba gs conta i n mostly a q u a r i u m
water, n e t t h e fi s h a n d free t h e m i nto t h e i r new
home. D ispose of the water from w h i c h they were
j u st removed. Some aq uarists recom mend isol a t i n g
n e w specimens f o r a week or two before introd u c i n g
them i n to a n esta b l ished com m u n ity ta nk. I f a spare
ta nk a n d eq u i pment a re ava i l a ble, t h is is a good
p reca ution a ry step a g a i nst i ntrod u c i n g a d i sease .

float bags in aquarium

to equalize temperature
32

NOT
DO
CATCHING

WORRY

ABOUT

from
pet fish. The few diseases that
are transmittable to man are
rare and can be contracted
only by eating the infected fish.
A

D I S EASE

PREVE N TIVE
CARE
is easier
than treating diseases. Take
extra time to keep the tank
clean, at a constant tempera
ture, and the fish well fed. On
the same day that fish are pur
chased, buy some broad-spec
trum medicines for treating the
most commo n diseases.
SALT A N D DYES used in treat
ing fish diseases may kill plants.
Iso late diseased fish in a plant
less aquarium or use alternative
medicines, such as antibiotics.

are:
which form a brown
coating on glass, gra vel, and
decor. They are often incor
rectly cal led brown algae. An
infestation can be kil led by in
creasing the amo unt of light.
Algae can be dangerous (p.
1 5 ) in l arge a m o u nts. Both
green and b lue-green algae
may coat gla ss, gravel, and
decorations. To e l i m i n ate them,
reduce the amount of light
and / or introduce kinds of fish
that eat algae.
Hydras may farm a white coat
ing on the glass. They are car
nivoro us, hence a threat to fry.
Go uramis eat them.
D u gesia or Planaria are free
living fl atworms that are found
in m a n y freshwaters. In an
a q u ar i u m, they eat fish eggs
and fry. Bettes eat them.

A Q U AR I U M PESTS

TREATMENTS are recom

mended in the disease section
of the hea lth chart (pp. 34-35).
For each illness there is also a
large selection of cures.
Diagnosis of the disease is
most important. After determin
ing the ail ment, go immedi
ately to the local pet store and
buy the medicin e that claims to
be effective in treating it. Read
and follow the directions on
the package.
Before buying the medicine,
describe the symptoms to the
fish specialist in the stare to
make certain your diagnosis is
correct. If in doubt, consult
books that have detailed ac
counts and prescriptions. Ex
ternal sym ptoms of diseases
often overlap. For any disease,
microscopic examination is the
final diagnosis.
NO

Diatoms,

DR UGS that are commonly used

to treat the various kinds of
diseases of aquarium fish a re:
Antibiotics
erythromycin,
(chloromycechloramphenicol
tin), chlorotetracycline (auteo
mycin), oxytetracycline (terra
mycin), penicillin, streptomysin,
and tetrocycline.
Dyes - acriflavine, brilliant
green, malachite green, and
methylene blue.
Others - castor oil, copper,
formalin (37-40 % formalde
hyde), mepacrine hydrochlor
ide
(mepacine),
merbromin
(mercurochrome), pocroc acid,
potassium dichromate, potas
sium permanganate, quinine
hydrochloride (quinine), silver
nitrate, and sodium chloride
(common salt).

33

H EALTH C H ART
SYMPTOMS

DISORDERS

TREATMENTS

Inherited
Tumors

growths on body
especia lly tail

no cure known

Deformities

usually in spine

no cure known

Environmental

(often leading to secondary infections):

Constipation
(from i m proper diet;
not enough exercise}

appetite dwindles;
belly swells s l i g h tly;
feces may trail

feed flake food

saturated with castor
oil, or sh reds of
earthworms; vary
diet

Stomach or I n testinal
(from monotonous
diet)

s l u g g i s h ; belly area
usually dark or
light

starve fish for

several days, then
feed varied diet

Shock (due to
changes in water
temperature or
chemistry)

l o s s of color a n d
appetite: may gasp,
fins held close

heat water to 80-85

degrees F.; add 2 tsp.
sea salt per gallon

Swim Bladder Disease

(a temperature shock)

gasp at surface
a n d gulp air

as above

Suffocation (from
overheating,
overcrowding, decay)

gasp a t surface

e l i m i nate cause

Chlorine Shock
(form of suffocation)

same as above

age water before use

Torn Fins, Wou n d s

fins split or frayed,

scales missing

warm water to 80
d e g rees F.; give salt
treatment and a
balanced diet

Deformities

abnormal spine or
fin development

from improper diet;

may be i n h erited

D I S EASES

SYMPTOMS

Viral Diseases
Caul iflower D i sease,
Lymphocystis (a pox virus)

caul iflower-shaped growths may

be white, gray, red

Bacterial Di se ases
C o l u mnaris, Body
F u n g u s, Mouth
Fungus (Chon drococcus)

Fin-rot, Tail-rot, Black Molly

D i sease, Fin Congestion
(from i nvasion of bacteria)

34

not a fungus; flns degenerate,

split; white patches turn slimy;
fish may shi mmy; contagious
fl n s ore red and strea ked with
veins; may deg enerate

Bacterial G i l l Disease

Pop-eye, Exop h t ha l m us

fish ride around in currents of

water; sluggish; loss of appetite;
g i l l s become inflamed
eye(s) bulge; may be clouded

Dropsy
(Pseudomonas, AeromonasJ

fish swe lls; scales may stand out;

fish lies on bottom; eyes may
protrude; ulcers

Tuberculosis lMyxobacterium)

loss of weight, appetite, color;

ulcers, eyes may protrude; lou
of equilibrium; yellow spots on
caudal peduncle

Furuncu losis CAeromonasJ

open ulcers, mainly dorsal

Fungal Diseases

Fungus (Saprole gnia J

white or gray blotches, usually

on wounded areas or weak fish;
contagious a n d common

Eye Fungus

a s above but in eye

lch, White Spot llchthyopthirius)

white flecks, spreading from

fins; common and contagious

Protozoan Diseases
Velvet, Rust (Qodinium)

yellow

S l i my Skin D i sease
(ca used by Ch i l odonel la,
Cydochoeto, Costio,
TrichodinaJ, and ot h e r s

color lost; white, gray, bl uish

white or off-white slime ex
creted from skin and covers
body

Neon Tetra D isease tPiistop horaJ

color fades; equilibrium is lost:

affects other species

Whirling Disease tM yxosom a J

Discus Disease

or

rust-colored

patches

same symptoms as a bove

looks like tiny worms on head

Helminth Diseases
S kin and G i l l F l u kes
IGyrodoctylusJ

fish dash about, rub against

objects; exha ustion; contagious

Gill Flukes IDactylogyrusJ

same as above but restricted

to g i l ls, w h i c h become lnftamed1
fish have difficulty breathing;
flex gill covers frequently

leeches (Piscicolo)

heart-shaped grayish worms

B l o c k Spot Disease
( D iploslomiasis, Neocliploslom u m )

brown to black
body; carried by

Eye Cataract
CHemistomumJ

eyes

cysts cover
snails

get cloudy

Crustacean Diseases
Anchor Worm (LernaeoJ

common o n Goldfish; fish

on gravel a n d objeds

rub

Fish "louse"
(ArgulusJ

attaches externally; dark brown

to pole green

35

S O U RC E S O F TRO P I CA L F I S H
Every yea r m i l l ions of fish a re shi pped to markets
from breed ing houses and fish fa rms. As soon as
the ba by fish reach a size su itable for sel l i ng, they
a re packed i n la rge, heavy-ga uge pl astic bags fi l led
with water a n d oxygen . These a re placed i n card
board ca rtons, insu lated with styrofoa m a nd h u r
ried to thei r destinations by truck or by a i r p l a ne.
The fish descriptions i n this book refer to the na
tive ra nges of the species. Most of the fi s h bought in
stores proba bly ca me from commercial breed i n g
houses or fish fa rms. F i s h t h a t a re n o t prol ific i n
captivity, however, a re best col l ected i n t h e w i l d .
Ra pid a i r tra nsport has g reatly red uced the risk of
getti ng these fish to m a r kets. It has a l so made it pos
sible to i ntroduce new, u n u s u a l species. This is espe
cia l ly a ppea l i ng to the hobbyist and ma kes it worth
w h i l e to h i re natives to net fish i n the w i l d .

CONDITION TANK BEFORE

A balanced aquarim (p. 1 6) con
taining no filtration is difficult to
achieve. The aquarium must first
be conditioned-that is, it m ust
support beneficial n i trifyin g bac
teria that remove from the water
taxlc compounds, such as am
monia, and convert them i nto
less toxic substances, s u c h as
nitrites, n itrates, nitrous oxide,
and free n itrogen.
The aquari um will not be suc
cessful unl ess this nitrogen cycle
is operating properly. It can do
36

BUYING FISH

so at an opti m u m in an under
gravel filter bed (p. 11) and will
start about two weeks after the
n ew tank is set up.
No delicate a n i mals should be
placed in the aquarium until the
cycle or con d i tion i n g begins. The
stabilization can be hastened by
a dd i n g some gravel or water
from an established aquarium or
by introd u c i n g some hardy an
i m al s during the first two weeks
while th e cycle is gelli ng under
way toward attaining a balance.

F R E S H WA T E R S N A I LS
Sna i l s were once considered to be the best scaven
gers for a n a q u a r i u m . Today, a l gae-ea t i n g fish and
catfish a re used i n tropical a q u a ri u m s beca use of the
d isadvanta g es of sna i ls. Even with no specia l food or
ca re, one sna i l ca n i n a short time produce n u merous
offs p r i n g . Soon there a re l itera l ly h u n d reds of s n a i l s .
Thou g h they do cons u m e u neaten foods, they a lso
contribute t h e i r own wastes, and they a l so eat fish
eggs. Wild o r poo l-bred sna i l s may ca rry da ngerous
fish d iseases. Despite these negative fea tu res, sna i l s
ca n add interest t o t h e a q u a ri u m . They hel p keep
the g lass a n d decorations clean .
MYSTERY SNAILS are desirable
and not prolific. They need an
abundance of food. They will
not harm aquatic plants if
given an occasional lettuce leaf
or some cooked spinach.

very pop
ular for either warm ar cold
water aquariums, are bright
red. Fish eat hatchlings.
RAMSHORN SNAILS,

WANDERING SNAIL should be

avoided. It eats plants and
produces a poison fatal to fish.

MALAYAN BURROWING SNAIL

plows in search of food, pre

venting gravel from packing.
Water should not drop below
70 degrees F.
ACUTE BLADDER SNAILS are
exceptionally prolific in most
aquariums-to the point of be
ing considered pests. Fish can
not eat the hard-shelled babies.

MYSTERY SNAILS
Ampul/aria

to 2% in.

BLADDER SNAIL
Physa acuta

to Y2 in.

WAND E R ING SNAIL

Lymnaea ovata peregra
to 1 in.

RAMSHORN SNAIL

MALAYAN SNAIL

Planorbis corneus

M e lan oides tuberculata

to 1 % in.

to 1 in.
37

OTHER AQUARIUM INHABITANTS

its entire life under water. It

will not hop out of the tank.
Needs varied diet of fish foods,
both d ry and live. Arrange the
aquarium a s for any tropical
fish, using floating plants. This
animal is .. sed in laboratories
for pregnancr tests.

a re safe ta
add to an aquarium. They eat
infusoria. As adults, however,
they will eat fish if they can
catch them. Most frogs must get
out of the water to bask and
will jump out of tanks. In es
tablished tanks, they can also
stir up a mess as they kick.

SALAMANDERS and newts need

FRESHWATER

damp land areas, for they

leave the water occasionally.
They eat fi sh eggs, insects,
worms, snails, and unwary
s mall fi shes. These a mphibians
a re quiet and quite tame,
accepting food from fingers.

a re not true shrimp. I n the wild,

they eat algae and debris. Cap
five specimens will eat most
fish foods. Their home is on the
tank's floor, but they will not
uproot or eat plants. Large fish
will gobble them up.

AFRICAN AQUATIC FROG lives

SMALL TADPOLES

GHOST

SHRIMP

( m any kinds
are s uitable I

AFRICAN AQUATIC FROG

Xenopus /aeuis

JAPANESE NEWT
OR SALAMANDER
Mo/ge pyrrhogastra

38

FRESHWATER
GHOST SHRIMP
Gammarus spp.

TURTLE
AQUARIUM

BABY TURTLES a re proba bly the m ost m istreated

pets sol d in pet shops and variety stores beca use
their needs a re so poorly understood . I f treated wel l ,
they may l ive for more than ten yea rs.
DO NOT put them in shallow,
plastic "turtle bowls." In these
liowls, they are too cramped,
and the water fouls quickly. Do
not feed them commercial tur
tle foods ar raw hamburger.
Commercial foods are usually
dried ant eggs and flies, offer
little or no nutrition. The raw
hamburger contains too much
fat, which bloats the turtles.
PUT THE TURlLE in an aquar
ium in which the water is deep
enough for it to exercise. Hang
turtle rafts, available in pet
stores, several inches below the
reflector lights. Allow the turtle
about 8 hours af light each day
for basking. If the water is not
heated, leave a light on all
night on cool evenings. The
water temperature should be
72 to 80 degrees F.
Feed the turtle a balanced
diet; fish foods, dog food, lean
beef, raw fish, cottage cheese,

row shri m p, freshwater snails,

worms, fruits, a rd- b oil e d eggs,
and lelluce. A turtl e will eat
belle r if it is in com pany with
other turtles. If fed daily, it
will not bother fish, though the
long, flowing fins of a slow
moving fish m a y be too m uch
to resist.

Turtles become unbelievably

tame. They will swim to fingers
to grab morsels of food.
Given basking lights and a
proper diet, they rarely become
ill. Swollen eyes or soft shells
are a result of mistreatment.
For swollen eyes, place the tur
tle in an antibiotic or sulpha
bath two times daily. Feed it
as much as it will eat of its
favorite foods. Soft shells are
hardened by giving the turtle
large amounts of sunshine and
calcium supplements in the diet.
The cruel practice of painting
shells will eventually kill the
poor victims.
39

AROWANA
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
to 20 in.

T R O P I CA L

F IS H

F A M I L I ES

BONY-TONGUED FISHES (O s teog l o ssida e )

This fa m i l y of freshwater fis hes, bel o n g i n g to the
same order a s herri ngs, is d istributed ove r South
America, Southeast Asia, Borneo, Sumatra, Aus
tra l ia, a nd Africa . Al l of the membe rs o re l a rg e .

AROWANAS a re sometimes imported from South

America a s j uveni les, o n ly 3 to 4 i n c h es long. If you
a re w i l l i n g to p rovide for a fi sh that w i l l g row to
20 i n ches l o n g in ca ptivity, the Arowa na ma kes a n
u n u s u a l pet t h a t m a y l ive more th a n t e n yea rs . Their
relation s h i p to prehistoric fish makes them especially
i nteresti n g a n d u n usual a q u a ri um pets.
You n g specime n s a re peacef u l ; older o nes must
be i solated . P l a n a head . A ta n k of at least 75 to 1 00
g a l l o n s wi l l be needed w h e n the you ngster g rows
u p . In a roomy ta n k the species s h ows off its g ra ce. ful, s l e e k movem e nts. Temperature of the water
s h o u l d be 75 to 78 deg rees F. Arowa n a s prefer l a rge
l i ve foods, such as Goldfish, but they can be taught
to take c h u nks of raw fish or beef. Pa rents are said
to carry their eggs a n d ba bies i n their mouth .
40

FRESHWATER BUTTERFLYFISH (Pa ntodontidae)

This fa m i l y conta i n s only one genus a n d one species,
occurring in western Africa.

FRESHWATER BUTTERFLYFISH is a l ea per. Spread ing

its la rge pectora l fi ns, i t can g l ide over the s u rface of
the water. If the l i d is left off a n a q u a ri u m, t h i s fi s h
is l i kely t o "fly" out.
Note the l a rge, u ptu rned mouth . This is a feature
cha racteristic of fish that l ive i n the u p per strata a nd
feed at the s u rface.
The ta n k sho u l d be spacious (20 g a l l ons or more),
d i m ly l it, a n d moderately p l a nted, especi a l l y with
a few floati ng p l a nts. The water shou ld be sl i g htly
acid, soft, and 7 5 to 8 5 degrees F . Feed these fish
by spri n k l i n g food on the s u rface . C h u n ks of raw
beef or fish, flying i nsects, earthworms, mea lworms,
and l ive fish a re rel ished. Beca use they a re ca r
n ivorous, Butterflyfi sh shou ld be kept o n l y with their
own species.

FRESHWATER BUTTERFLYFISH
Pantodon bucholzi
5 in.

to

41

ELEPHANTFISH
Gnathonemus petersi

to 9 in.

ELEPHANTFISH (Mormyridae)
ELEPHANTFISH, native to the wa rm, freshwaters of
tropica l Africa, a re not bred com merci a l ly but a re
occasiona l l y i m ported for sa l e i n pet shops. Thoug h
they a re expensive, their oddity ma kes them of i n
terest. One of t h e severa l species i s i l l u stra ted here.
An E l e p h a ntflsh may show p l ayfu l behavior. With
its s u rprisin g ly flexible, long nose, it w i l l dig a n d
fee l a round i n sea rch o f food. It genera l l y ignores
prepared dry foods, hence l ive foods m ust be pro
vided . Beca use of its sma l l mouth, an Elephantfish
ca n swa l l ow only sma l l bits.
House the E lepha ntfish in a l a rge ta n k with aged
water at a tem perature of 75 to 8 0 degrees F., i n a
norm a l pH a n d with some p l a nts. Since the fish is
nocturnal, provi de dark a reas i n which it can hide.
Beca use of its shy, del icate natu re and its occa
sion a l agg ressive be havior, the Elephantfish is not
a good com m u n ity fish and is not reco m mended for
a mate u r a q u a rists.
42

C HARACINS (Cha racidae)

C h a racins, found i n South a nd Centra l America a n d
i n Africa, com prise o n e o f the l a rgest fa m i l ies of
fres hwater a q u a r i u m fi shes. Most of them have a n
a d i pose fi n a n d teeth. Al l lack barbe l s .
C h a racins scatter e g g s t h ro u g hout the ta n k; they
a re not l ive- bea rers. With few exceptions, they do
not ca re for either the eggs or the offspri n g . The
s ma l l school ing, or shoa l i n g , species a re a mong the
most pop u l a r a q u a r i u m fish beca use of t he i r color,
peacef u l tem perament, h a rd iness, a n d ease of
ha n d l i n g . Mem bers of the fa m i ly usua l ly do best i n
sem i - l i t a q u a r i u ms w i t h soft, s l i g htly a c i d water.

BLIND CAVEFISH, natives of caves in the reg ion of

Sa n l u i s Potosi, Mexico, have such h i g h ly developed
senses of s m e l l a nd touch that they rarely b u m p i n to
a nyth i n g . They swi m with the i r head ti lted s l i g h t l y
downwa rd, eat i n g a ny food contacted. B l i n d Cave
fish scavenge, but provide a varied d iet of foods
that wil l s i n k to the bottom . Thoug h s u i ta b l e com
m u n ity fi s h w h i l e you ng , a d u l ts may become ag
g ressive. The water te mpera t u re i n the aq u a r i u m
m a y ra nge from 70 t o 8 5 deg rees F.

43

BLOODFINS s how off the i r bri l l ia n t red fi ns best

when they a re i n l a rge schoo l s in a roomy tank.
They l ay non-a d hesive eggs and w i l l eat them if
they a re not removed after spawn i n g . For this spe
cies, the optim u m water tem pera t u re is 75 deg rees
F., but tempera t u res. from as low as 65 a n d to as
h i g h as 85 tolerated .
CARDI NAL TETRAS a re bel i eved by many a q u a rists
to compare in bri l l ia nce with the sal twater tropicals.
They resemble the s ma l l er Neon Tetra (p. 5 2), but in
this s pecies, the red extends down the ventra l side
of the body. Card i n a l s a re l ess com mon, hence more
expensive than Neons.
SPLASH TETRAS display a cou rts h i p behavior u n l i ke
any other characins. After much playin g a n d chas
ing, the m a l e leads h is fema le to the spa w n i n g p l a ce
he has chosen. This is located a bout two inches
a bove the s u rface of the water. I n nature, the pa ir
may s pawn on a n overha n g i n g leaf o r a rock . I n
ca ptivity, a sma l l p a n e o f sanded g lass a n g led
across the a q u a r i u m w i l l suffice. The g l ass m u st be
san ded so that the egg s w i l l ad here.
The pa i r fi rst j u m p out of the water a n d c l i n g
t o the su rface a n u m ber o f ti mes without spaw n i n g .
After these pre l i m i n a ry j u m ps, t h e actual spawni n g
j u m ps a re made, with eggs deposited and fertil ized
in sma l l g rou ps. About 50 to 1 75 eggs a re l a i d over
a period of an hou r or so. As many as a dozen leaps
a re made i n t h i s ti me.
The fem a l e then swi m s away and shows no
more i n terest in the eggs, but the ma le retu rns pe
riod ica l ly a nd splashes water on the eggs with h i s
44

BLOODFIN
Aphyocharax rubropinnis
to 2 in.

CARD I NAL TETRA

Cheirodon axelrodi
to l Y2 in.

SPLASH TETRAS
Copeina ornoldi
to 3 ln.

egg

tai l . This prevents them from dehyd rating . The eggs

hatch i n three days, a n d the you n g either fa l l or a re
splashed i nto the water. Hatchl i ngs shou l d be sepa
rated from the pa rents.
Splash Tetras do best in neutra l water a t 75 de
g rees. F . Cover the ta n k so that the fish do not j u m p
out. " R ipe" femal es-t h a t i s , fi l led w i t h eggs-are
p l u mper a n d shorter tha n the males.

SWORDTAIL CHARACINS, native to Tri nidad a n d

Venezuela , should be purcha sed w h e n they a re m a

tu re, because they a re then l ess suscept i b l e to d is

ease. A mature male has a t h rea d l i ke extension
from the g i l l pl ate and a t the end of the extension a
shovel-l i ke a ppendage ca l led a "corynopoma." D u r
i n g courtship, the m a l e shows off this extraord i n a ry
feature to h is pa rtner. Older ma les a lso have ex
tended rays i n the ventra l fi ns.
I n mating, a capsul e, or spermatophore, is de
posited i n the femal e's ovi d u ct. I nside this capsu le
a re sperm that can l ive for a n extended period of
time. They c a n ferti l ize eggs expel l ed by the fem a l e
l o n g after the m a l e is removed.
Beca use these fish a re not obsessed with eating
thei r eggs or you ng, they a re easier to ra i se tha n
a re most. Swordta i l Characins do wel l i n pa i rs a n d
a re q uite peacefu l i n a com m u n ity ta n k, w i t h the
water m a i nta i ned at 70 to 80 deg rees F . a n d with
plants. They shou l d be fed a varied d iet.

BLACK TETRAS, from Pa rag u ay, a re peacefu l when

you ng but may become aggressive with a ge, n i p
p i n g other less active, l ess agg ressive fish. By the
time the fish mature, the black fades to a l ig h t g ray.
Col or fading a l so occurs i n you nger fish when they
become i l l or a re frig htened.
Fema les a re noticea bly d isten ded when ripe. Pro
' vide plenty of space for these a ctive egg scatterers
in wate r that is 72 to 85 deg rees F. Schools of these
fish can move with amazing speed to snatch up bits
of food in the i r varied d iet. They req u i re the sa me
ca re a s other tetras ( p . .48). Long fi n ned Black Tetras,
a new stra i n, a re g a i n i n g in popu l a rity .
46

SWO RDTA I L CHARAC I N

Corynopoma riisei
to 3 in.

ripe

LONGFINNED
BLACK TETRA

BLACK TETRA
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
to 2 Y2 in.

female

GOLDEN TETRAS have a n i ntense g o l d shi ne, difficult

to show i n a n i l l ustration. Req u i re ments for Gol d en
Tetras, a peacef u l schoo l i n g species from British
Guia na, a re the same as for other tetras. They do
best in g rou ps of fou r to eight kept in l a rge, roomy
ta n ks in which they can school. A natura l environ
ment is p rovided by dense cl usters of p l ants p l a ced
at random . Both bright (su n ny) and dark (caves)
a reas shou l d be ava i l a ble. The water shoul d be
s l i g htly acid, soft and l ow in l i me. Opti m u m tem
peratu res ra nge from 70 to 80 deg rees F . Give them
a varied diet.
A l l of the tetras a re from South a n d Centra l Amer
ica. Members of the genus Hemigrammus h ave
sca les at the base of the ca u d a l fi n . Most m e mbers
of the genus Hyphessobrycon do not.
SILVERTIP TETRA, a peacefu l shoa ler from southeast
ern B razi l, l ooks ha ndsome aga i n st a dark back
g rou nd, with overhead lig hting to emphasize its
silver-ti p ped fi n s . A red stra i n is a lso ava i l a ble.

GOLDEN TETRA
Hemigrammus armstrongi
1 "h

to

in.

S I LVERTIP TETRA
Hemigrommus nanus
2%

to

48

in .

BUENOS AIRES TETRA, from the La P l a ta Basi n

a round Buenos Aires, g rows t o 4 i nches l o n g , hence
shoul d be kept i n a l a rge ta nk. This species is fre
quently housed in schools while young, but older
fish may nip the fins of any fish kept i n the tan k
with them. Fem a l es i n pa rticu l a r become q u i te ag
g ressive. The tem perature of the water shou ld ra nge
from 68 to 78 deg rees F. Plant the ta n k sparing ly,
for this tetra l i kes to n i b b l e on p l a nts a nd u p root
them . It has a good a p petite a n d wi l l gobble l a rge
pieces of food. Feed i ngs shou ld be freq uent.
GLOWLIGHT is a m i d-strata swi m mer that l ooks very
i m p ressive i n l a rge schoo l s in a n a q u a ri u m with a
dark bottom a n d spri n kled with p l a nts. Its bea uty
approaches that of the C a rd i n a l Tetra ( p . 44) . I n
spawn i ng, t h e p a rtners lock fi n s a n d rol l from side to
side in thickets of p l a nts . Opti m u m water tempera
ture is 75 to 80 deg rees F . The Glow l i g ht s h o u l d be
fed the ba sic d iet. This species i s sensitive to Neon
Tetra Disease ( p. 35).

Hemigrommus coudovittotus

to 4 in.
G L OW L I G H T TETRA
H e m i g ra m m u s gracilis

to 1 1h i n .

49

HEAD AND TAIL LIGHT, a lso ca l led Beacon, occurs

throughout the Guia nas, espec i a l l y i n the Amazon
reg ion. A peacefu l com m u n i ty fish, it l i kes a wide
variety of foods. It is a shoa l in g fish, a m i d -strata
swi m me r, a nd needs pla nts i n which to retire. The
water shou l d be soft and s l i g htly acid, kept at 75
to 8 0 deg rees F . Beca use of its i ridescence, this fish
l ives wel l i n the compa ny of Neons, Card i na l s,
Glow l ig hts, and other such shoa lers . The r i pe fe male
is more p l u m p than the mal e . Ma les someti mes have
a s ma l l wh ite spot on the a n a l fi n . They develop a
hooked a n a l fi n that can easi l y snag i n a net.
RUMMYNOSE, from the lower Amazon, is g a i n i ng i n
popu l a rity. I n proper cond itions, which a re a d i m l y
l i t ta n k a n d soft water at 78 t o 80 deg rees F., the
red nose, single dark horizonta l l i ne, and black
striped ta i l stand out magn ificently. This species
does best in schools.

EAD AND TAI L LIGHT

RUMMYNOSE
Hemigrammus rno,aoS1rom,us
to l Y2

ln.

50

SERPAE OR J EWEL TETRA is vari a b l e i n its colors.

Stud ied extensively, this species i s d i vided i nto six
s u bspecies by some a uthorities. Most of them have
a red t i nt over the i r body. Some have a black spot
on the shou lder reg ion . Serpaes school from the
m i d d l e to the l ower strata . The water should be soft,
neutra l , a n d 70 to 80 deg rees F. Feed them the
sta n d a rd va ried d iet. They may nip fi ns.
HALF-BANDED CHARACI NS a re ra re ly fou n d i n
a q u a ria beca use they d o not breed s u ccessfu l ly i n
ca ptivity. I f obta i ned, however, this species i s peace
ful in a com m u n ity ta n k of at l east 20 g a l lons. The
schoo l s will hover i n the lower strata, but they a re
capa ble of ra pid movements, j u m p i n g out of the
tan k and s k i l lfu l l y dod g i n g or lea p i n g from nets.
Keep them i n neutra l water at a bout 75 deg rees F .
a n d feed t h e m a basic d iet, i ncl u d i n g p l a nts on
which t hey ca n n i bble.
51

FLAME TETRA is a l so ca l led Red Tet from Rio, the

Rio referring to Rio de J a n e i ro where t h i s species is
bel ieved to have originated. The F l a m e Tetra l i kes
an a q u a ri u m with plenty of h i d i ng p l a ces, beca use
it is easily frig htened and wil l l ose its bri l l ia n t colors
d u ring such sessions. I t is a peaceful shoa l er, or
schoo l ing fish, req u i ring neutra l water at 70 to 75
deg rees F.

NEON TETRAS come from the Peruvi a n Amazon

where they l ive in shaded j u n g l e waters. Neons
shou l d therefore be housed i n a sem i-dark a q u a r i u m
w i t h t h e bottom a n d sides i n d a r k co lors . Black tis
sue can be ta ped to the sides of the a q u a ri u m to
s i m u late the natural environme nt, but keep the tis
sue a t lea st half a n inch from the water l evel a t the
top of the ta n k beca use the dye in the paper ca n
k i l l fi s h . Light the a q u a ri u m d i m ly from a bove. If
n ecessa ry, use patches of a floating p l a n t to red u ce
the i ntensity of the l ig ht.
52

N EON TETRA
Hyphessobrycon innesi
to 1 V2

ln.

male

female

In the Neon's j u n g l e habitat, the water is replen

ished freq uently by soft, fresh ra i n . To provide com
pa ra b l e con d itions i n the a q u a ri u m , add boi l e d ra i n
water or ta p water week l y, m a i n ta i n i n g its temper
ature at 72 to 78 deg rees F. a n d its pH at 6 . 5 .
Viewed from a bove, a ripe fem a l e Neon i s broa der
tha n the m a l e. She is a n eg g -scatterer.
Neons a re shoa lers, the school s swi m m in g i n the
m i d d l e to lower strata . The fish is peacef u l with oth
ers of the sa me size. Feed a va ried d iet. Neons a re
suscepti b l e to Neon Tetra Disease (p. 35).
53

LEMON TETRA
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
to J Y, in.
male
f e m a le

LEMON TETRA has a l emon-colored bel l y, seldom

seen i n aq u a r i u m fish. I n a ta n k, a school of Lemon
Tetras l ooks especi a l ly stri king with a schoo l of Bl ack
Tetras. The Lemon Tetra is a cal m but active co m
m u n ity fish that needs a b i t more ca re tha n do most
tetras. It is h i g h l y sensitive to changes in the pH, te m
peratu re, and hardness of the water. If these a re
abru pt, the fi s h may go i nto shock, l osing its color or
even dyi ng. Water changes must be made g rad
u a ll y, watch i n g the fish ca refu l ly to m a ke certa i n
they a re n o t reacting u nfavora bly.
ROSY TETRA, from the Amazon Basin, is colorful
when you n g but fades with a ge. Some a uthorities
consider the Rosy Tetra to be a su bspecies of the Ser
pae Tetra (p. 5 1 ), d ifferent only i n h a v i n g a black
spot on its shou lder. Adu l t m a l es have long, a l most
hooked dorsa l fi ns. Be ca reful not to brea k these
fi n s when hand l i ng the males with a net. The tem
perature of the water shou l d be 72 to 8 2 deg rees F.
Va ry the diet.
54

ROSY TETRA
H . rosaceus

to

1 112

in.

BLEEDING HEART TETRA

H . rubrostigma
to 3 Y2 ln.
-

BLEEDING HEART TETRA is a l a rger, more a g g ressive

species tha n most mem bers of the g e n u s . Keep it i n
schools o f fou r to ten fi s h . The ta n k shou l d be s u p
pl ied with soft, s l ightly acid water a t 7 2 to 78 de
g rees F . Place dense c l u sters of p l a nts a t random
thro u g hout the tan k to provide a natural environ
ment of both bright and shady a reas. Be ca reful in
hand l i ng mature m a l es, which have sickle-sha ped
dorsa l fi n s . You n g a re sensitive to water changes.
55

SILVER DOLLARS have a ferocious a ppea ra n ce

which, coupled with thei r l a rge size, cou ld g ive the
i m p ression that this species is u n desira b l e for a com
m u nity ta n k . Actua lly, Si lver Dol l a rs a re shy. T hey
wil l not bother flsh l a rger tha n 1 to 2 i nches. Mix
them with other species i n the beg i n n i n g , or they
wil l become possessive of their territory a n d n i p the
ti n s of i ntruders.
Silver Dol l a rs wi l l feed on spinach, fru its, l ettuce,
and aq uatic plants i n addition to their d a i l y va ried
d iet. They seem to en joy u p rooting pla nts, hence it
is best to decora te with rocks and a rtificia l p l a nts.
Shoa l s of two to five flsh w i l l dash from one hiding
place to a nother i n the lower strata . The water tem
perature shou l d ra nge from 75 t o 8 5 deg rees F . With
age, Silver Dol la rs lose a ny dark s pots or stripes.
RED HOOK METS not only l ive in ha rmony with the
Silver Dol l a r but a l so have identica l req u i rements.
In size and shape, they are s i m i l a r to the Silver Dol
l a r, but the i r bright red anal fi n is sickle-sha ped .
They have not been bred i n g reat n u m be rs i n cap
tivity and a re ra rely seen i n a q u a ri u ms.
EMPEROR TETRAS a re bea utiful fish that a re q u ite
suita b l e for a com m u n ity ta n k with fish of the same
size. Males a re i dentified by their extended ca u d a l
fi n a n d b y t h e i r splendid coloration, which becomes
especia l l y vivid when they a re cou rting the fema les.
A pa i r of Em peror Tetras does best i n a spacious
ta n k, but since the i r g rowth i s sl ow, it may be best
to keep them temporarily in l i m ited-size a reas. Feed
them a va ried d iet. The opti m u m tempera t u re for
these flsh is 72 to 78 deg rees F.
56

S I LVER DOLLAR
Metynnis schreitmuelleri
to 6 ln.

RED HOOK MET

Mylop/us arnoldi
to 6 i n .

EM PEROR T ETRA
Nematobrycon pa/m e ri
to 2 in.

male

female

57

PIRANHAS a l ways create interest, for everyone

seems to have heard ta les a bout how schools of
these So uth American fish skeleton ize even the l a rg
est o f victims i n a matter o f m i n utes b y sl icing o u t
l a rge bites with the i r razor-sha rp teet h . Owners who
t i re of watc h i n g the i r P i ra n ha tea r a pa rt other fish
for d i nner someti mes set them free i n the nea rest
pond, l a ke, or ca n a l . In the w i l d , the P i r a n h a be
comes a threat to native species, and a uthorities a re
j ustifia bly concerned in wa rmer states that it m ight
become esta bl ished . For this rea son, a per m i t may
be req u i red to keep this fish i n you r state. C heck
with state officia ls before you obta i n a s pec i m e n .
P i ra n ha s a re n o t advised pets f o r most hobbyists.
P i ra n has travel in schoo l s in the w i l d , but in con
fi n e m e nt, they may turn on thei r own k i n d . In one
i nsta nce, two P i ra n has of the same species l ived in
the same ta n k peacefu l l y for more tha n a yea r a nd
a h a l f. Then one morn i n g the head a n d g i l l s of one
of them were fou n d floating on the su rface. Keep
only one P i ra n ha in a tan k !
Provide a P i ra n ha w i t h a p l a ce t o h i d e a n d feel
secu re, fo r odd ly, this fish w i l l eat o n l y when it
senses no danger. Try feed i n g c h u n ks of non-fa tty
beef, such as hea rt, kidney, a n d l ivers. Raw fish is
sometimes accepted. If the pet does not consume
dead matter, try l iv i n g ea rthworms, mea lworms,
t u bifex worms, or goldfish (a favorite). Keep the
water tem perature at a bout 7 8 deg rees F.
When catc h i n g a P i ra n ha, rem e m ber that it can
ea sily bite holes in nets a nd fi ngers. It may be ind if
ferent to h u m a n flesh and not attack h a n d s s u b
merged i n the ta n k for a wee kly clea n i n g but t h i s
practice i s n o t reco m mended .
58

P I RAN HA

Rooseveltiella n attereri
to 1 1 - 1 2 in.
(also known as

Serrasalmo
nattereri}

PENGU INFISH a re na med for the i r black-a nd-white

m a rkings and for their characteristic ta i l -down rest
ing position. Althoug h del icate d u ri n g s h i pping,
these fi s h become q u ite h a rdy after they a re esta b
lished in an aquariu m . A school of Pen g u i nfish adds
character to the mid-strata of a large ta n k . House
them with fish of the sa me size or larger, for Penguin
fish have a tendency to pick on the s m a l ler fellows.
The water should be soft, slig htly acid, and 72 to
78 deg rees F. The aquarium should include pla nts for
n i b b l i n g . Penguinfish will seldom bottom -feed .
PENGU I N F I SH

59

PENCILFISH
Nannostomus eques
2 in.

to

DWARF PEN C I LFISH

N . marginatus
l '\12 in.

to

TH REE-BAN D ED PENC I L FISH

N. trifasciatus
2 in .

to

PENCILFISH a re na tive to South America, where they

i n ha b i t q u iet freshwater strea ms a nd l a kes. For
keepi n g these fish, the a q ua ri u m water shou l d be
aged and its tem perature ma i nta i ned at 72 to 78
deg rees F. The a q u a r i u m sho u l d be wel l s u p p l ied
with pla nts.
These torpedo-sha ped fish swi m in spu rts. Some
species rest i n a hea d - u p pos ition, others in a hori
zontal pos ition . At night the stri pes on their sides
fade i nto i n d istinct bl otches . Do not mix the d ifferent
species i n the same a q u a ri u m, for they may become
q ua rre lsome. Keep each species sepa rate and in
g ro u p s of three or more.
60

NORMAN'S HEADSTANDER, from the l ower Amazon

reg ion, l ives u p to its name by rest i n g and swi m
m i n g i n a cha racteristic 45-deg ree head-down pos i
tion. It dwel l s i n t h e lower strata o f t h e ta n k a n d wi l l
isolate itse l f i n a territory which i t i ncreases i n size
as it esta b l ishes itself a n d g rows l a rger. Smal l e r, less
a g g ressive nei g h bors w i l l be chased from this terr i
tory. This headsta nder i s a j u m per, s o t h e ta n k m u s t
b e covered. The best water tempera t u re i s 7 5 t o 8 5
deg rees F. Watch a t feed ing t i m e t o m a ke certa i n
eno u g h food is eaten from the va ried d iet provided.
Veg eta b l e matter is rel ished .
SPOTTED HEADSTANDERS a re a mong the most d e l i
cate and shy of the a q u a ri u m tropica l s . Ca re m ust be
ta ken to ma ke certa i n they get enough food . Sma l le r
bits o f food a re preferred t o l a rger c h u n ks . Aged
water a n d plenty of rooted pla nts a re necessa ry for
success with these fi sh, and the tem perature of the
water shou l d be m a i nta i ned between 72 a nd 8 2 de
grees F . I n g ro u ps of two to fou r, the contra sti ng
bla ck-a n d -white checkered pattern of the l a rg e
sca les is displayed q u ite effective ly.
NORMAN 'S H EADSTANDER

SPOTTED H EADSTANDER
'
Chilodus punctatus
to 4

in.

61

RED OR STRIPED HEADSTANDER is one of a special

g ro u p of cha raci ns that i n ha bit fresh waters of Cen
tra l a nd South America and Africa . Beca use of the i r
i n teresting s h a pe a nd stri king marki ngs, they are
favorites of a q u a rists. T h e i r na me comes fro m the i r
pecu l ia r h a b i t o f resting a n d a l so swi m m i ng i n a
head-down position.
The Red Headsta nder pos itions i ts penci l-shaped
body, with its three d a rk brown or black stri pes,
head down in the water when rel a xed. It th rives
best i n g ro u ps of two to fo u r and is peacef u l if kept
with other fish of the same size. Si nce it is fond of
vegetation, encourage the g rowth of a l g a e by keep
ing the ta n k we l l l it. lettuce, spi nach, and water
plants may be substituted for a l gae. Aug ment the
d iet with other foods.
Note the position of the Red Headsta nder's mouth
which i s d i rected u pwa rd l i ke a su rface-feeder's .
This affects the eating behavior, for when the fi s h
feeds on t h e bottom, it m u st i nvert itself.
LEPORINUS eats vegetation, so p rovision its ta n k
spa rsely with vertica l p l a nts o n which i t wi l l n i bble.
It will a lso g raze i n the l ower strata, picking up
choice morsels or l ive a n d d ry foods. The vertica l
stri pes a long its sides i ncrease in n u m ber by divid
ing i n two a s the fish g rows .
T h i s fi s h is a j u m per, hence the ta n k must be
kept covered . Some i n d ividua ls may become pesky,
nipping to s h reds the fi n s of other species. Schoo l s
o f both species o f handsta nders kept i n the s a m e
a q u a r i u m a re impressive. The fish a re a bo u t t h e
s a m e size a n d are com patible, and t h e contrast o f
t h e horizonta l a nd vertica l stri pes i s stri k i n g .
62

RED OR STR I P ED H EADSTANDER

Anostomus anostomus
to 7 in.

LEPORINUS
Lepori nus fasciatus
to 6 i n .
63

HATCHETFISH (Ga steropelecidae)

These fish a re native to South America, where they
l ive in the u p pe r strata of soft, s l i g htly acid water.
If a l a rmed, the fish wi l l either hide o r u se their
strong w i ng l i ke pectora l fi n s to ra ise themselves
h a lfway out of the water w h i l e g l id i n g q u i c k l y
a long t h e s u rface. Keep t h e a q u a r i u m covered so
that they do not "fly" out of the ta n k . Ha tchetfish
need plenty of s u rfa ce wate r in a l ong ta n k without
obstructions. One a rea of the ta n k shou l d provide
s h a de-g i v i n g p l a nts i n which the fi s h ca n h i d e . With
out this refuge, a frig htened Hatchetfish may fl y
i nto the g l ass a n d i n j u re itself.
Hatchetfi s h a re peacefu l , but they do not l ive long
i n ca ptivity. Com m u n ity ta n ks a re not reco m mended
beca use these fi s h a re shy a nd wil l not get enoug h
food . T hey do best i n g roups of from th ree to six i n
wate r a t a temperature of 7 5 t o 85 d e g rees F. Feed
them foods that float or rem a i n in the top strata, i n
c l u d i n g p l enty o f l ive food . Ad u lt m a l es a ppea r thin
ner tha n adult fe ma les when viewed from a bove.
These fish a re s u sce ptible to the com mon lch Disease,
described in the cha rt on p. 3 5 .

MARBLED HATCHETFISH a re t h e m ost com monly en

cou ntered of the hatchetflsh. I n the shade of a c l u m p
o f p l a n ts, thei r s i l ver or g o l d h i g h l i g hts become
pea r l - l i ke, and the dark i rreg u l a r strea ks a l ong the
sides of the body a re q u i te distinct. In an u nfavor
a b l e e n v i ronment, the fish become d ra b a nd faded
out. This i s the most ha rdy species of the i m ported
hatchets, a n d it a l so has a longer l ife spa n than do
other species in the g roup.
64

SILVER HATCHETFISH a re not as durable as a re the

sma l ler Ma rbled Hatchets. Some i n d i v i d u a l s wi l l a c
cept d ry fi s h foods, but many demand l ive mea l s.
I n the wild, they util ize thei r "flying" a b i l ity to catch
pass i n g i n sects. In captivity, they ca n be fed fru it
fl ies that a re fi rst a l most d rowned in a jar of water
to prevent the i r esca pe and then spri n kled on the
s u rface for the fish to pick them u p . They w i l l a l so
eat t u bifex worms, brine s h r i m p, a n d a variety of
fish foods . Silver Hatchetfish a re known to l ive more
than a yea r a n d a h a l f. They sho u l d be kept i n
s l i g htly a l ka l i ne water.
MARBLED HATCH ETFISH
Carnegiel/a strigata
to 2 v.. i n .

t;;=::::!::::a

S I LV E R HATCH ETFISH
Gastropelecus levis
to 21f2 in.
65

GYMNOTID EELS OR KNIFEFISH (Gym notidae)

Gym notid eel s, from South and Centra l America, t: re
close l y rel a ted to cha racins (p. 43). Africa n a n d Asi
atic "Kn ifefish" a re si m i l a r i n a ppea ra nce but a re
not rel a ted, belo n g i n g to the fa m i ly Notopteridae.
Mem bers of both fa m i l ies, ca red for i n the same
way, a re noctu rna l a n d a re vicious predato rs. By
wav i n g their highly developed elongated anal fin,
gymnotid ee ls ca n move either backwa rds or for
wa rds with eq u a l ease.

BANDED KNIFEFISH lack dorsa l, pelvic, and ca udal

fi ns, a nd the pectora l fi ns a re s ma l l a n d tra nsparent.
The anal fi n i s prom inent and h ig h ly developed . The
a n u s is l ocated u nder the hea d . El ectric organs en
a bl e the fish to s u rvive in the m u ddy, dark waters of
its natura l ha bitat. If the ta n k is darkened, the
Banded Kn ifefi s h wi l l a d j ust to eating d u ri n g the
day rather tha n at n i g ht. Feed l ive mea l s and
c h u n ks of food . Ba nded Knifefish a re ca n n i ba l istic,
he nce it is wise to keep the species i solated. The
temperature of the water sho u l d be 72 to 85 deg rees
F. The l ife span of a wel l ca red-for Ba nded Knife
fish often extends over ten yea rs.
BAND ED KN I F EFISH
Gymnotus carapo
to 1 2 in.

66

EL ECTR I C EEL
Electrophorus electricus
to 7 ft.

ELECTRIC EELS OR KNIFE EELS (Ei ectrophoridae)

E lectric eels l a c k dorsal a nd ventra l fi ns. They pro
pel themse l ves with their l a rge a n a l fin in the same
manner as gym notid ee ls (p. 66) . Their e l ectric or
ga ns, studied extensively, a re located over a bout 80
perce nt of their body . The tiss ues form i n g t hese or
gans a re pos itioned one beh i n d the other i n col
u m ns, l i ke the pl ates i n a battery. Electrica l i m p u l ses,
each lasting only a fra ction of a second, a re d i s
cha rged i n waves that move from one end of the
fi s h to the other. The a mount of volta ge generated
depends on the tota l n u m ber of plates or "el ectro
plasts" in the eel 's body. Receptors on the fish's head
rece ive reflected i m p u lses a nd a i d the fi s h in fi n d i n g
food or i n sensing da nger.

ELECTRIC EELS, from So uth America, a re not reco

mended for the private col lector. Each eel req u i res a
tan k of a h u n d red g a l l ons or more. Beca use they
l a c k sca l es a n d have a sl i my skin, ha n d l i n g them is
not easy. Heavy rubber g l oves m u st be worn, fo r
this fi s h has a bout 6,000 p lates a n d ca n generate u p
t o 800 volts. I n a l a rge a q ua r i u m w i t h a fi n e-g ravel
bottom , h i d i n g p l a ces, and soft, s l i g htly acid wa ter,
the E lectric Eel is long-l ived. Usua l l y o n l y l ive food
is a ccepted, but if the fish is h u n g ry, it wi l l eat
c h u n ks of raw beef or fish.
67

CARPS AND MINNOWS (Cyprinidae)

Cypri nids com prise the la rgest fa m i ly of fres hwater
fi s h . They a re na tive to Asia, Africa, E u rope, a nd
North America and have been i ntrod uced to Aus
tra l ia a n d other a reas by ma n .
A typical cypri nid has a n e longate, ova l t o ro u nd
body . The ca u d a l fi n is usua l l y forked, a nd there is
no a d i pose fi n . Sca les a re a bsent on the head, but
those on the body a re d i stinct and often a re sil very.
Barbels a re freq uently present, but they a re l i mited
to two pa i rs . Cyprinids do not have teeth in thei r
jaws; they chew with pharyngea l teeth , wh ich a re
toothed p l a tes l ocated i n their throat.
Afte r bei n g chased by her m a te, a ripe fem a l e
scatters h e r e g g s . T h e cou rti ng m a l e t h e n fe rti l i zes
them. If not i m mediately sepa rated fro m their
spawn, the cou ple will gobble the i r eggs. Fe rt i l e
eggs w i l l hatch i n two t o fo u r days. F r y ca n s u rvive
on i nfusoria (p. 2 9) for one to two weeks. Thereafter
they s h o u l d be fed com merci a l ly prepa red food for
baby fi s h .

BARBS m a y or may n o t possess ba rbel s. The genus

is com monly d i v ided i nto t h ree g roups: those with
no ba rbels, those that have two ba rbel s, and those
with fou r barbe l s . Reg a rd less of their g ro u ping, a l l
barbs a re active school ing fi s h . Someti mes the l a rger
i n d ivid u a l s i n a school a re agg ressive towa rd sma l l
er fi s h . Barbs prefe r a wel l - l i g hted a q u a r i u m i n
which there a re at lea st severa l p lants. T h e water
shou ld be wel l -aerated and kept at 70 to 80 deg rees
F. O n l y a few of the most ava i la b l e species in this
large genus a re treated here.
68

S POTTED BARB

ROSY BARB

8.

conchonius
lo 3 i n .

SPOTTED BARBS a re d ifficu l t to identify beca use thei r

spots va ry i n n u m ber, size, i ntensity, a nd a rra nge
ment depen d i ng on the i n d i v i d u a l's a g e a n ci ori g i n .
For these fish to a tta i n the i r ful l or maxi m u m size, a
roomy ta n k with water a t 75 to 78 deg rees F. a nd
plenty of food a re needed .
ROSY BARBS i n h a bit cool (64 to 74 deg rees F.), slow
movi ng waters of strea m s in northern I nd i a . In their
natural habitat, they a tta i n a length of six i nches o r
l o n g e r but rarely exceed half this size i n a n a q ua r
i u m . Ma l es d is p l a y a bri l l ia nt red or rosy col or i n
the spring spa w n i n g season . T h e fem a l e is com pa ra
tively d r a b . Feed these fi s h t h e sta nda rd basic d iet.
They l ive for t h ree to fou r yea rs .
69

CUMMI NG'S BARBS a re ha rdy, a ctive fish from Cey

lon. They eat a wide variety of foods a n d ofte n join
scavengers on the bottom to pick u p food m i ssed by
other fi s h . Shady spots shou l d be provided i n the
ta n k i n wh ich the water is kept a t 7 2 to 7 8 deg rees
F. In some s h i p ments of this species, the fish d isplay
yel lowish i nstead of bright orange fi ns. Only the
ma les exh ibit bright colors.
CLOWN BARBS, a mong the l a rgest of the ba rbs, got
their name from their col o r pattern . Two pa i rs of
barbels a re evident. This species does best i n ta n ks
of more tha n ten g a l lons. The water shou l d be 72 to
75 deg rees F. a n d shou ld conta i n some p l a nts.
STRIPED BA R BS a re a l so la rge, eq u a l ing the size of
the Clown Barb. Even the young of this species re
q u i re plenty of space for school i n g . Keep the water
tempera ture at 72 to 78 deg rees F. These African
barbs a re sensitive to the conditions of the i r env i ron
ment and req u i re more attention than do m ost spe
cies of the genus.
SIX-BANDED BARBS a re delicate when you n g, h e n c e
t h e y a r e often i n a w e a k e n e d co ndition by t h e t i m e
they r e a c h the i r desti nation. Add the reco m m e n ded

dosage of a ge nera l tonic (p. 30) before they a re i n

trod uced t o the i r new home. Feed them a n a bun
dance of l ive foods a t fi rst to b u i l d u p t h e i r resist
a nce. The water shou l d be 72 to 78 deg rees F., soft,
a n d barely acid. Once establ ished, these s hoa l e rs
from Su matra a re pea ceful com m u n i ty fi s h . Their
bea uty increases . Note the six bands, one r u n n i ng
thro u g h the eye a n d the l a st at the base of the ta i l .
70

CUMM I NG'S BARB

Barbus cummingi
Ia 2 i n .

C LOWN BARB

B. everetti
to 42 in.

STR I PED BARB

S I X-BAN D E D BARB

B.

h exazana

to 2 V2 in.

71

''T" BARBS a re ca lled Spa nner Barbs by the British.

They a re n ative to the Ma lay Pe n i nsu l a a nd I ndo
nesia . Some i ndividua l s have red -ti n ted fi ns . In
you n g T Ba rbs, vertical and horizonta l ba rs a re
d i stinct, but at maturity, these ba rs a re not u s ua l ly
wel l defined. " T " Ba rbs a re active fish a n d req u i re
s pa ce. Schoo ls of two to fou r fish a re ideal for the
the l a rger com m u n ity a q u a r i u m .
"

"

ma les i n good condition will peri

o d i c a l ly disp lay their strawberry red bod ies and purple
hea d . For most of the i r l ife, u n fo rtunately, they
show l ittl e or no col o r a n d rese m b l e the d ra b fe
ma les. A ma jority of males in a ta n k resu l ts i n more
freq uent disp lays of col o r but may a l so g ive rise to
fi g h t i n g a n d to n i pped fins. Keep this s pecies i n
water 70 to 80 deg rees F., w i t h cl u m ps of floating
p l a nts. Black Ru bies a re suscepti b l e to fungus
d i seases descr i bed on p. 3 5 .

BLACK RUBY BARB

"T" BARB

Barbus /ateristriga
6 in.

to

BLACK RUBY BARB

B . n igrofasciatus
to 21/, in.

C H ECK E RBOARD BARB

8. oligolepis
to 2 in.

DWARF BARB

8. phutunio
to 1 % in.

SC H U BERT'S BARB

8 . schuberti
to 2% in.

CHECKERBOARD BARBS a re peaceful shoa lers that

will eat a varied d iet a n d a lso often g raze a t the
bottom of the ta n k . A b i t of vegetation added to
their d i et en hances their checkerboa rd pattern. Keep
the l i g hting s u bd ued and the te m pera t u re of the
water at 65 to 75 deg rees F . These ba rbs a re sus
cepti ble to Oodinium ( p . 3 5 ) .
DWARF BARBS m a y b e p l a ced i n sma l l e r ta nks than
other barbs, but m a ke certa i n the water i s a d e
q uately aera ted . Plant the ta n k spa rsel y to g i ve the
fish schoo l i ng space. Ma i n ta i n the water te m pera
t u re at 7 8 to 8 0 deg rees F . Dwa rf Ba rbs a re n a tive
to I n d i a and to Cey l o n .
SCHUBERT'S BARBS a re n o t fo u n d i n the w i l d . They
a re a variety devel oped by a professiona l b reeder
a nd now sol d commercia l l y in g reat n u m bers. They
a re ha rdy, peaceful com m u n ity fi s h .
73

TINFOIL BARBS a re a mong the l a rgest of the ba rbs.

I n a n a q u a r i u m of 30 g a l lons or more, a you n g T i n
foi l B a r b may atta i n a length o f 9 i nches i n a bout
six months. Tinfo i l Ba rbs a re long - l i ved a n d a ctive.
The older they get, the more colorf u l they become.
The basic d iet m ust be a u g mented with vegeta ble
matter every day. Avi d j u m pers, these fi s h manage
to esca pe by j u mping thro u g h the s m a l lest crevice
i n a ta n k l i d . As with most ba rbs, extremes of tem
pera t u re result i n u n hea lthy fish t h a t have fa ded o r
often l ittle color. Keep t h e water tempera t u re a t 7 4
to 80 deg rees F.
HALF-BA NDED OR CHINA BARBS a re peacefu l , ha rdy
shoa lers from C h i n a . They w i l l s u rvive in water from
7
to 8
deg rees F. Sc h u bert's B a rb s (p. 73) w e r e
developed from t h i s species.
T I N FOI L BARB
Barbus schwanenfeldi
to 1 2 in.

B . semifasciolatus
to 3 in.

74

TIGER BARB
8. tetrozona
to 2% in.

CH ERRY BARB
8. tiHeyo
to 2 in.

TIGER OR SUMATRAN BARBS a re the most pop u l a r

of a l l t h e barbs f o r a q u a ri u ms . They a re ha rdy a n d
reta i n t h e i r color a l l yea r . Keep the m i n l a rge
school s. Often one or two of the l a rger i nd iv i d u a l s
i n a school become fi n n ippers. T h e o n l y remedy for
this is to iso l a te the m . These fish w i l l d i s p l ay their
fu l lest coloring if they a re provi ded with a g ood
basic d iet, soft water and p lenty of a e ration. An
a l bi no form is a lso ava i l a ble.
CHERRY BARBS, from Ceylon, va ry i n the h ues of
their stri k i n g cherry color. Althoug h h a rdy, they ca n
a lso become q u ite shy ' if placed with agg ressive
species. This reti r i n g behavior ca n be s u p p ressed by
kee p i n g them in l a rge schoo l s a n d a l l owi n g only fi s h
o f t h e s a m e s i z e to m i n g l e with them. K e e p the water
a t 75 to 8 0 deg rees F. in a we l l -planted ta n k .
75

GOLDFISH req u i re l iving cond itions d ifferent from

a l l other cyprinids descri bed in this book . Not
true tropica l s, they do best in water at l ower tem
peratu res, s u rviving in cond itions that a Neon Tetra,
for exa m p l e, cou ld not. Gol dfish ca n be fou nd i n
backya rd ponds o r i n pint-size bowls.
A two-i nch Gol dfish req u i res at least two g a l lons
of water. In l ess wate r, its g rowth wil l be stunted
and its l i fe span shortened . I n a favora b l e e n v i ron
ment, however, a Goldfish wi l l l ive for a s long a s
1 5 yea rs .
If there a re too ma ny Gol dfish i n a n a q u a ri u m,
they wil l be seen gasping at the s u rface for a i r. If
the fish m ust be kept in a n unaera ted conta i ner,
sel ect the one that has the l a rgest s u rface a rea . More
oxyge n wi l l be a bsorbed thro u g h this g reater a rea .
A bowl with no aeration must be cleaned at least
once a week. Even in aerated fi l tered ta n ks, Gol d
fish a re messy. There shou ld be only two o r th ree

GO LDFISH
Carauius aurafus

1 0-gal lon
aquarium
76

VA R I ETI ES OF GOLDFISH

Bubble-eye

fi s h per five g a l lons of water. If only an u nderg ravel

fi l te r i s used, i t w i l l clog rather q u ickly. A corner
fi l ter is better, and a n outside fi l ter is sti l l more desi r
a b l e . An u n d e rg ravel fi l te r may be uti l ized in con
ju nction with either a corner or a n outside fi l te r.
Gol dfish s h o u l d a l ways be p l a ced i n water that
has been a g ed at least twenty-fo u r hours. P utti ng
th e m in fresh ta pwater may resu l t i n a chemica l o r
temperatu re shock. C l e a n , u nca pped g l ass j u ice o r
m i l k bottles c a n b e used fo r a g i n g t h e water. Gol d
fish a re sensi tive t o extre mes o f a c i d or a l ka l i n e
water com position. Never u s e a heater, for Gol d
fish do best at roo m te m pera t u res. Water a t a tem
pera t u re a bove 85 deg rees F. wi l l, i n fact, e ncoura g e
i n fections, especia l l y f u n g u s d i sea ses.
Gol d fi s h t h a t beg i n to l ose their color proba b l y
need more vegetation a nd l ig ht. D i rect s u n l i g h t i s
best. These fi s h com monly lose some o f t h e i r co lor
with age, however.
77

VA R I ET I ES O F G O L D F I S H

(cont 'd )

Veiltail

Al l owed to eat their fi l l , Gol dfish w i l l overeat to

obesity . Keep i n m i n d that a Gol dfis h's stomach is
norma l ly o n l y s l i g htly l a rger than its eye. Feed it
only enou g h to fi l l a bout "1 V2 eyes." Gol d fi sh l i ke to
n i bble on p l a nts, so keep them suppl ied with a k i n d
they ca n not pick t o pieces . A n archis i s a good plant
for Gol dfis h . Do not feed them excl usively on one
kind of boxed food . Fol l ow the basic d iet reco m
m e n ded i n this book (p. 2 8 ) .
Gol d fi s h ca n become territori a l . A newcomer
placed where others have become esta bl ished may
get a l l of his fins n i pped off or be chased to dea t h .
Al l o f t h e Go ldfish t h a t a re t o co- i n ha bit e a c h ta n k
sho u l d b e p l a ced together with i n o n e month-before
thei r territories a re too fi r m ly esta b l i s hed .
78

(C.

Koi
C.

auratus x

carassius)

P l aced in outside poo ls, Gol dfish do q u ite wel l , ex

isting on i nsects, a l gae, water p l a nts, or the food you
supply the m . U n l ess the water gets too hot or
freezes, is pol l uted, or is i n some other way extre me,
the fish usua l ly s u rvive. Gol dfish thrive s i n g l y i n
a q u a r i u ms, but outside, they d o best i n schoo l s .
Despite their g reat va riety o f col or a n d fo rm, a l l
Gol dfish be long to the s a m e species Carassius au
ratus auratus . They wil l g row to a size dete r m i ned
by their env i ron ment. I n l a rge pool s, they may rea c h
a l e n g t h o f two feet.
A l l of the varieties were deve loped either by the
C h i nese or J a panese except the Comet. Its ori g i n i s
America . Devel oping n e w va rieties o f Gol dfi s h has
become a highly specia l ized fi e l d .
-

79

DANIOS a re a g ro u p of active, ha rdy, undema nding

cypri nids. They a re sl i m a n d strea m l i ned, b u t ripe
femal es a re a bit l a rger than ma les a n d have d is
tended bel l ies. Dan ios shou l d be kept in l a rge
schools. The opti m u m water temperatu re for them
is 72 to 80 deg rees F.
PEARL DANIOS a re native to stre a m s a n d rivers of
B u r m a . They en joy sunshi ne, a nd in a wel l - l i g hted
a q u a r i u m , they reflect a ra i n bow of co lors from the i r
fi ns a n d body. Thei r pea rly sheen may va ry from
shades of s i l ve r to gold, p i n k, or bl ue. Keep the
ta n k near a w i n dow where it rece ives sunshine
d a i ly, b u t control the inco m i n g l ig h t eno u g h to re
strict the g rowth of a l gae. The l a rge school s sho u l d
be p redomina ntly fema les.
SPOTTED DANIOS a re somewhat del icate and do not
breed a s easily i n captivity as do othe r m e m bers of
the g roup. For this reason, they a re fou n d only occa
siona l l y i n stores.

PEARL DAN IO
Brachydanio albolineafus
to 2%

in.

DANIO

SPOTTED
8. nigrofasciatus
to 1 V2

in.

80

ZEBRAFISH
8rachydanio rerio
to 22 in.

GIANT DAN I O
Danio malabaricus
to 4'A ln.

ZEBRAFISH, or Zebra Da n io, is bol d ly stri ped. Note

how the stripes continue down the a n a l fl n . From
eastern I n d ia , this a ctive s hoa ler is one of the most
popu l a r of the a q u a r i u m flsh, and beca use of its
a b u n da nce, it is inexpensive. Zebrafl sh may l ive for
two to th ree yea rs. They a re very h a rdy if kept i n
schools o f a bout s i x flsh i n a roomy ta n k . Zebraflsh
a re sensitive to sudden cha nges i n the water, but
otherwise, they a re rema rkably tol era nt. Keep the
temperature of the water at 72 to 80 deg rees F., a n d
feed them t h e basic d iet for a q u a r i u m fl s h . During
the b reed i n g season, ma les may acq u i re a hand
some golden sheen . Fem a l es lay non-a d h esive eggs.
GIANT DANIOS a re peacefu l, ha rdy com m u n ity flsh,
but beca use of the i r size, do not mix them with
sma l l e r, mouth-sized species. A la rg e ta n k, nicely
p l a nted, is mandatory. Fem a l es lay a dhesive eggs.
81

FLYI NG FOX
fpa/zeorhynchu1
ka//opterua
to "' ln.

FLYING FOX is a lso cal led Tru n k Fish beca use of its
strong, protru d i n g snout, which it uses to root food
out of the g ravel on the botto m. To prevent the fish
from bruising its snout, a soft bottom i n the a q u a r
i u m is necessa ry.
The Flying Fox is omn ivorous-that is, it w i l l
g raze on a lgae b u t a l so readily accepts l ive foods.
I t rests on rocks, l eaves, or the bottom by su pporti ng
its slender body on its pectora l fi ns. Note the h ig h,
cu rved, dorsa l fi n .
Beca use i t h a s not yet been bred com mercia l ly
a n d is ra rely i m ported from its ndtive Su matra, this
species is not com mon i n aquari u ms. One speci men
per ta n k w i l l be peaceful with other species. Two i n
the sa me ta n k w i l l fi g h t each other. The opti m u m
wate r temperature i s 7 5 deg rees F.
82

FLYING BARBS, from southern Asia, a re ada pted to

l ife in the u pper water strata . Note that the sma l l
mouth ope n i n g is ang l ed upwa rd, ena b l i ng the fi s h
to pick u p food from t h e su rfa ce. Flying Ba rbs a l so
breed a t the top of the water. Then, if the water i s
n o t sha l l ow, t h e y wi l l d ip deeper swiftly t o gobble
up thei r own eggs as they sink. Ma rbles on the bot
tom of the ta n k w i l l prevent fish from reach ing thei r
eggs and eating them.
I n their natura l habitat, Flying Ba rbs swim i n
sma l l schools, a few ind ividu a l s often l a g g i n g be
h i n d to sea rch for food . As their n a me suggests,
these fi s h a re l i kely to "fly" out of the water. It is
therefore i m porta nt to keep the ta n k covered. They
a re ha rdy and wi l l l ive for severa l yea rs i n a wel l
mainta i ned a q u a ri u m .

FLYING BARB
Esomus danrica
to 3Y2 ln.

83

RED-TAILED "SHARKS" a re native to T h a i l a n d . They

have a b l ack, sha r k l i ke body with b r i g h t ora nge-red
cau d a l and pectora l fins when they a re you n g a n d
hea l thy. Their two pairs of barbels a n d strong l i ps,
with an i nterna l sucking organ, a i d them in scoop
i n g u p the i r favorite food-a l gae, which i n aq uari
u m s shou l d be provided i n add ition to their basic
diet. Soa ked g reen l ettuce may be s u bstituted for the
algae if necessa ry. These and other similar "sharks"
live in the lower strata, hence they need roc k s or caves
i n which to hide i n a n aquari u m . Keep them in soft,
neutral water at a tem perature of 72 to 75 d egrees F.
Individuals may be quarrelsome toward others of the
same or different species.
These "s ha rks" a re cypri nids or mem bers of the
m i n now fa m i ly a n d a re not related to true sharks,
wh ich a re ca rt i l a g i nous fishes.
BLACK "SHARKS" kept i n ta nks of 1 00 g a l lons or
more may g row to a length of nea rly 20 i nches. I n
s m a l ler a q u a ri u ms, they ra rely exceed 1 2 i nches.
They a re very hardy and w i l l eat most foods. Algae
i s a n essentia l for keeping them in good hea l t h .
B l a c k "Sharks" a re a g g ressive even when young
a n d m ust be kept with fish of equal size a nd tem
pera ment. Ol der speci mens may be a faded black.
RED-FINNED SHINERS are active m i n nows that l ive
in strea ms in midwestern a nd southern U nited States .
They a re members of a l a rg e genus of m i n nows that
a re hardy a n d a convenient size for a l a rge home
a q u a ri u m . Red -fi n ned Shi ners req u i re cool (65 to 72
deg rees F .), wel l-aera ted water. They wi l l eat most
foods offered .
84

RED-TAI LED "SHARK"

Labeo bico/or
to 4% in.

Morulius chrysophekadion
to 20 in.

RED-FINNED SHINER
Notropis /utrensis
to 3 in.
85

HARLEQUIN RASBORAS, native to the Ma l a y Pen i n

s u l a , a re the most pop u l a r o f the n u merous ras boras

ava i l a b l e for a q u a r i u ms. They a re peaceful shoa lers

a n d become s hy if kept with a g g ressive species. Sup

ply the ta n k with thickly rooted p l a nts i n soft, neu
tra l water a t 74 to 80 deg rees F. Feed them the basic
d iet. This species easi ly beco mes i n fected with l ch
d isease (p. 35).

SCISSORTAIL RASBORAS have a habit of flexi n g their

forked ca u d a l fi ns i n a scissorl i ke fashion when

resting or when beg i n n i n g to move. The motion is

e m p h asized by their colori n g . This h a rdy s pecies,

needs water of a bo u t

72 deg rees F. The you n g fish

have an a l most tra nsparent body.

HARLEQUIN RASBORA
Rasbora heteromorpha
to 2 ln.

SCISSORTA I L RASBORA
Rasbora tri/ineata
to 5 ln.

86

male

Bin ERLING
R.hodeus seric:eus
to 3 ln.

female
with ovipositor
extended

BITTERLINGS do poorly i n water a bove 72 or below

60 deg rees F . They a re not recom mended for tropi
ca l fi s h ta n ks. They a re co m monly kept i n a q u a r i u m s
i n E u rope, where they a re native, b u t they a re ra re
in the U n ited States.
B i tterl i n g s and their c lose re l atives in Asia have
u n i q u e bree d i n g h a bits. About Apri l , the m a l e

c h a n ges fro m s i l ver t o red, and t h e fem a l e's oviposi

tor extends. The male sel ects a s u ita b l e hea l t hy
m usse l , a n d h i s m a te i n se rts her ovipositor i n to the
m u ssel's incu rrent siphon, depositing severa l e g g s .

She may repeat this seve ra l ti mes over a p e r i o d of

a few days. After each l ayi ng, the m a l e satu rates
the water a ro u n d the m ussel with s p e r m . Eggs

ca u g h t i n the m u sse l 's g i l ls a re ferti l i zed by the m i lt

in t h e water that is d rawn over th e m . Mussels respire
by d rawi ng water i nto the incu rrent sip h on, passing it
over the g i l l s, then out the excu rrent si phon .

The eggs develop a n d hatch in the g i l l s . After

a bo u t

30 days, hatc h l i n g s have a bsorbed the food

in their yol k sacs . Then they e m erge, l eav ing the

m u ssels u n ha rmed . Both the you n g and the a d u lts
s ho u l d be fed heavily with l ive foods.
87

WH ITE CLOUD
Tanichthys a/bonubes
Y2 ln.

to 1

WHITE CLOUDS a re ha rdy cypri n i ds. The species was

d i scovered i n 1 932 in a fa st-mov i n g stre a m on White
C l o u d Mou n ta i n nea r Ca nton, C h i n a . The C h i nese
Boy Scout who fo u nd the fi s h presented his l ive catch

to h i s emperor, Li n-Sh u -Yen . Biologists later named

the new species Tan ichthys (tan, mea n i n g boy, a nd
ichthys, fish) albonubes (mea n i n g w h i te cloud) . White
C louds do best in l a rge schools. They can tole rate

tem peratu re ra nge from 60 to 90 deg rees F. but

shou l d be kept at as nea rl y 72 deg rees a s poss i b l e .

Ma t u re ma l es h a v e a l onger dorsa l fi n and a re sl i m

mer a n d more col orfu l t h a n the fema l es. Feed them

l ive food i n ad dition to the ba sic d iet to b r i n g out
t he i r richest col o rs.
88

GYRINOCHEILIDS (Gyri nochei l idae)

The Algae Eater, from Tha i l a nd, is the o n l y pop u l a r
a q u a r i u m fl s h i n t h e s i n g le g e n u s i n t h i s fa m i ly.

ALGAE EATER is a s u c k i n g catflsh, using its s u c k i n g

d isc i n the e a t i n g p rocess a n d a l so fo r a nchora g e in

the ra p i d l y fl o w i n g water o f t h e strea m s i n w h i c h i t

l ives . Most fi s h b reathe by ta k i n g w a t e r i n t h ro u g h

their mouth . T h e A l g a e Eater ta kes water in thro u g h

a s l i t between t h e edge a nd t h e base o f its l i ps a l l
a ro u n d its mouth.

A l g a e Eaters a re vegeta rians. They a re genera l ly

kept i n a q u a r i u m s to ea t a lgae off the g lass sides

a n d off the decora tions. They may a lso feed a s scav

engers on the dead

bodies of other fi s h . When

yo u n g , Algae Eate rs a re peacef u l ; ol der ones may

fi g ht each other a n d a lso attack a ny other fl s h that

moves slowly. About one out of five deve lops this

h a b it. If they re lease their hold on a nother fi s h ,

c i rcu l a r red s pot is l eft where the d i sc was attached .

This may become i nfected . Isol ate these u ndesira b l e

Al g a e Eaters, o r try feed i n g them more. I ncrea s i n g

the a mo u n t of l ig ht i n t h e a q u a ri u m w i l l enco u ra g e
t h e g rowth of more a l gae. Keep the water s l i g htly
basic a n d at a bout 77 deg rees F.
ALGAE EATER
Gyrinocheilus oymonierl
to 8 ln.

LOACHES (Cobitidae)
Cobitids co m p r i se a n Old Wor l d fa m i ly of fish. A l l

o f t h e m e m bers have th ree or more pa i rs o f barbe l s

a n d no j a w teeth; t h e fi ns a n d sca les a re sma l l . Cobi

tids a re ada pted to life on the botto m ; many a re

b u r rowers. So me a re o b l e to l ive i n oxygen-depl eted

waters by r i s i n g to the su rface a n d g u l p i n g a i r. The

i n testi n e i s util ized as a n accessory respiratory or

g a n . T h i s does not mea n that aeration a n d clean

water a re u n necessa ry, however.

Loaches h i d e d u ring the day. Prov ide shel ls, cave

l i ke rocks, or s i m i l a r she l teri ng decorations u n der

which they ca n ret i re. An extremely do mestic pet

may a ba n don its noctu rna l habits, but u n t i l this de

pa rtu re from the norm a l is clearly esta b l ished, it is

wise to spri n k l e o bit of food i n the water before

t u r n i n g out the a q u a r i u m l i g hts at n i g ht. Loa ches

have a wel l -devel oped sense of s m e l l a nd ca n ea sily

fi n d t he i r food i n the dark.

KUHLI LOACHES have worm l i ke bod ies a n d move

thro u g h the water l i ke sna kes. Beca use of the i r u n
usuol s h a pe a n d marki ngs, they a re pop u l a r a q u a r

i u m fi s h . Nea r the eye is a stiff spine that ca n p u nc

t u re the s ki n , or it may ca tch in nets. With this spi ne,

the fish ca n dig in the botto m . Its eyes a re protected

by a tra nspa rent covering . The head is not protected

from i n j u ry by s h a r p objects, however, a n d so it is

best to prov ide a soft botto m, such a s sa n d . If f u n g u s
a ppea rs on fi sh's body, treat with tri p l e s u l p h a . Get
advice of fish specia l i st if g rowth persists.
K u h l is do best i n g roups of at least t h ree. They

w i l l crowd together u n d e r one rock or orna ment. If

90

KUHLI LOACH
Acanthophthalmus kuhli kuhli
to 3 in.

MYERSI KUHLI

HALF-BANDED KUHLI

SHELFORD'S PRICKLY EYE KUHLI

A. shelfordi
to 3 in.

t h i s h i d i n g p l a ce is l ifted, the fish expl ode in eve ry

d i rection . Keep the temperature of the water at 72

to 76 deg rees F. Feed the basic d iet.

Note the d iffe rences in the five K u h l i s i l l u stra ted .

Al l a re ca red for i n the same way.

91

SKUNK LOACH
8otia horae
to 4 1n.

C LOWN LOACH

B . macracanthus
to 6 i n .

SKU NK LOACH ES, from Tha i la nd, become a ctive at

the end of the day. I n a brig htly lit aq u a r i u m , they

keep h idden u n der objects o r stay in the shadows. A
refuge of thei r own is recom mended . Large cu rved
pieces of clea ned coconut shel l have been used s u c
cessf u l ly. Fee d them the basic d i et, with p l enty of
l ive food a n d c h u n ks of meat.

CLOWN LOACHES, the most col o rf u l and most popu

l a r of the leaches, a re i m po rted from S u matra and

Borneo. I n d i s p lay ta n ks, they often swi m peacefu l l y

i n school s o f barbs that a re s i m i l a rl y m a r ked a nd

a bo u t the same size or s l ightly l a rger. C l own Leaches

s hy fro m l i g hts at fi rst but usua l l y lose this tendency.
92

STRI PED LOACH

8. hymenophysa
to 5 in.

ORANGE-FINNED LOACH
8. modesto
to 5 in.

STRIPED LOACHES a re ra rely i m porte d . When they

a re, they sel l fast and a re expensive. L i ke other

mem bers of the i r genus, they prefe r soft, s l i g htly
acid, crysta l -clea r water a t 72 to 75 deg rees F. T hey
do we l l in g ro u ps. At n i g h t they ca n be seen da rt
i n g excited l y up a n d down a nd back a n d forth a l ong

the g l ass. Some i n d iv i d u a l s become fin n i ppers.

ORANGE-FI N NED LOACHES, only recently ava i l a bl e,

a re sensitive to m a n y to n i cs, pa rticu l a rl y dyes (p.

33). O l der i n d i v i d u a l s a re not frie n d l y to most other

fish. These fish lack the typica l sna kel i ke body of

most loaches, but their l a tera l ly co m p ressed s h a pe
a n d other body featu res i d e n tify them as cobitids .
93

SPINY CATFISH (Dora d idae)

TALKING CATFISH a re seen rarely-both beca use
they a re not common and beca use they h i de u n der
the g ravel d u ri n g the day. They come out to search

actively for food at n i g ht. P rov ide a soft bottom so

that the catfish ca n b u ry itself easily.

Al l of the catfish i n this fa m i l y from South Ame rica

have bony p l a tes a l o n g the l atera l l i nes of the i r

thick body. A s p i n e protrudes fro m each p l a te. O n

t h e fi rst r a y o f t h e dorsa l a n d pectora l fi ns a re stiff

spines that can infl ict a pa i n f u l prick. H a n d l e these
fish with ca rel These ca tfi sh so metimes e m i t a croa k
i n g sou n d when ca ptu red. They a pp a rently use the i r
modified a i r b l a dder t o m a ke these noises.
Ta l ki n g Catfish w i l l attack sma l l er fi s h a n d eat
the m . They w i l l a lso scavenge, a s do other catfi s h .
Provide t h e m w i t h t h e basic d i et.

TALKING CATFISH
Acanthocloras spinosissimus
to 6 in.

94

CALLICHTHYID ARMORED CATFISH (Ca l l ichthyid a e)

Of the a rm o red catfish, Corydoras is the p redo m i n a n t

g e n u s . The d ifferent species i n t h e g e n u s a re so s i m i
l a r t h a t they a re d i ffi c u l t to identify .

Eve n the clea nest aq u a r i u m ca n benefit from hav

i n g at least two peace-loving

Corydoras that busy

themselves most of the time d i g g i ng in the g rave l i n

sea rch o f food . They w i l l not thrive wel l o n just l eft
overs, however. A va ried, ba l a n ced d iet should be
provided, a n d they a re especia l l y fon d of l ive foods.
Be s u re the food s i n ks to the bottom, past the fi s h

that a re l i v i n g i n the u p per stra ta . S h a r p stones w i l l

i n j u re t h e mouths o f these probing ca tfish, so cover

the bottom with smooth, ro unded g ravel.

I n their native South America, these catfi s h l ive

i n waters low in oxyge n and with m uddy bottoms.

They have evo lved the trait of d a s h i n g suddenly to

the s u rface to ta ke i n a g u l p of air and then h u rry
ing bac k to the botto m . The a i r is forced t h ro u g h

t h e intesti ne, res p i ration occ u r r i n g

i n t h e heavi ly

vasc u l a rized tissues of the h i n d g ut. A p roper en

v i ro n ment for them consists of water that is neutra l ,

soft, a g ed, a nd

65 to 80 deg rees F. I n clean wate r,

the fi s h a re hea lthier a n d a l so more energetic.

A sharp spine is located on the dorsa l fin of ma ny
species. Be ca refu l not to snag this spine in nets.

Also, a prick from one of these spi nes is pa i nf u l , the

h u rt lasti n g for a n h o u r o r more.

95

AENEUS CATFISH, a l so ca l led Bronze Catfish, a re the

most popu l a r of the Corydoras. Older specimens a re
extremely h a rdy, ideal for a ny a q ua ri u m . If a
l a rg e r fi s h tries to m a ke a mea l of one, the catfish's

spi ked fi ns snag in the predator's mouth . U s u a l ly, the

catfi s h is spit out. Occasiona l l y, a catfi s h becomes

per m a nently hooked i n the attacker's t h roat. In such

cases, both the predator and the prey d i e .

Ad u lt fem a l e Ae neus Catfi s h a re f u l le r-bodied

than the ma les. A s m a l ler a l bino v a r iety of this spe

cies is often ava i l a bl e . The a l binos genera l l y p u r

chased a re j u ve n i l es a bout h a l f a n i nch l o n g . Their

p i n k bod ies show clearly i n most a q u a ri a .

AEN EUS CATFISH

Corydoras aeneus

to 3 in.

albino variety
to 2 in.

96

AGASSIZ'S CATFISH
Corydoras agassizi
to 3 ln.

..

..

AGASSIZ'S CATFISH is sma l l a n d stout. The fi s h was

na med for lou is Agassiz ( 1 807 - 1 873), who was a

professor of biology at H a rva rd U niversity. Agassiz

was known for his work with both recen t and exti nct
types of fi shes. He be l ieved fi rm l y i n studyi n g a n i
m a l s in t h e i r natura l e n v i ro n ment.

Agassiz's Catfish e n joys the company of other cat

fish of the same genus. Although not typical school
i n g fi s h , t hey m a y sea rch for food o n t h e bottom i n
g rou ps, or l oose school s. If they a re not ove rcrowded

and a re well fed, all of the different species of Cory

doras are peaceful.

97

SKUNK OR ARCHED CATFISH

Corydoras arcuatus
to 2 ln.

MASKED CATFISH
C. metae
to 2 112 ln.

MYER'S CATFISH
C. myersi
to 2% in.

SKUNK CATFISH, MASKED CATFISH, MYER'S CATFISH

-these th ree species confuse a m ate u rs a tte m pting to
identify their pets. Fu rther, reta i l e rs m ay l a be l them
i ncorrectly. The i r d i ffere nces a re s hown clea r ly i n the

i l l u strations a bove, howeve'r. A l l th ree a re cared for

i dentica l ly.

A pair of Corydoras of the same species and

somet i m es of d i fferent species soon become i n t i m a te
friends in a n a q u a r i u m . One a l ways checks to see if
the other is in sight. As one exa m p l e of t h e i r des i re

for com pa n ionship, only one Sku n k Catfi s h was kept

in a com m u n ity ta n k for a bout six months. Then a n

other w a s a d ded t o t h e a q u a ri u m . It w a s g reeted

with g reat enthusiasm by the o ri g i n a l catfish. A l l

d a y it ci rcled t h e newcomer excitedly a nd w a s there
after a lways at the side of its co m pa n io n .

98

ELEGANT CATFISH are not really as elegant as

m a ny other Corydoras. I n fa ct, they a re rather p l a i n .

I n teresting ly, the two i dentifying, i rreg u la r, d a r k

ba nds on each s i d e may fade or ' da rken a ccord i n g

t o t h e fish's mood. U n l i ke most catfi s h i n t h i s g e n u s,

this species m ay l eave the l ower water stra ta to

sea rch a bove for food on pla nts a n d rocks.

ELEGANT CATFISH
C. elegans
to 2 2 ln.

DWARF CATFISH
C. hastatus
to 1 % ln.

DWARF CATFISH a re ideal for the five-g a l lon fish

ta n k . Beca use of the i r s m a l l size, they a re not

cra m ped in these sma l ler q ua rters. Be s u re to keep
at least two in each ta nk.

Dwa rf Catfi s h leave the bottom strata i n s m a l l

groups t o frol ic i n the mid-strata . Other fish t h a t a re

extremely a g g ressive may pick on these s ma l l cat
fish, so keep them with m i l d - m a n nered fi s h .

99

LEOPARD CATFISH a re stri k i n g l y spotted, hence their

n a m e . Try p ressi n g a sma l l sq u a re of d ry, frozen

t u b ifex worms a g a i nst the front pane of g l ass i n s i de,

a bout h a l f an i n c h a bove the g ravel . At the same

t i me, supply a ny other fi s h w,i th enoug h to keep

them occ u p ied a bove. You w i l l d iscove r that a l l or
nea r l y a l l m e m bers of the Corydoras comm u n i ty join
i n the feast.

SAD DLEBACK CAT F I S H , like all of the Corydoras,

have a n outer "a rmor" that hel ps prevent m a ny ex

terna l diseases. Eve ry other occ u p a n t in a ta n k may

be i n fl icted with l c h (p.

35), but the catfi s h w i l l re

m a i n hea l thy. They a re not tota l l y i m m u ne to dis

ease, however, and once sick, they seem to be more
d i ffi c u l t to c u re than most other fi s h .

lEOPA R D CATFISH

Corydoras iulii
to 2112 i n .

C. melanistius
to 2 V2 ln.

1 00

PEPPERED CATFISH
C. pa/eafus
to 3 ln.

RABAUT'S CATFISH
C. rabaufi
ta 1 3,4

in.

PEPPERED CATFISH have a spri n k l i n g of s m a l l , d a r k

spots over the i r bod y. Before breed i n g , ma les swi m

excited l y a ro u n d in one a rea . A m a l e a n d a fe m a l e

then pa i r off. With the i r mouths, they clea n a ny

possi b l e spawn i n g sites. D u ri n g spa w n i n g , the two

join-breast to brea st. The fe m a l e l a ys eggs in a
pocket formed with her ventral fi ns, a n d there they

a re fert i l ized by sperm e jected by the ma le. The fe

male then sticks the eggs to clean s u rfaces that were

previously sel ecte d .

RABAUT'S CATFISH is a dwa rf species t h a t may be

e a s i l y sna gged i n a net. If this ha ppens, t u rn the net

i nsi de-ou t ca ref u l l y a n d su bmerge i t i n the water
where the catfi s h is to be p l aced . If the catfi s h m ust
be h a n d led, keep in m i n d that the s p i nes ca n ca u se
a pa i nf u l p u n cture.
101

SUCKER-MOUTHED ARMORED CATFISH (lorica ri id ae)

Severa l d iverse forms com p rise this fa m i ly of a r
mored

catfi s h

that

l i ve

in

sma l l ,

swift-flowi n g

stre a m s o f northern South America . They u s e the i r

"su c ker" mouths for atta c h i n g t o or h o l d i n g onto
stationa ry objects a nd a lso fo r feed i n g . The "suck
i n g " mouth is s u bte r m i n a l or p rojected downward

for feed ing on vegeta tion on the bottom . As they

feed on p l a nts in the i r natu ra l enviro n ment, these

catfi sh a l so consume m a ny tiny a n i m a ls. For t h i s

reason, t h e vegeta b l e d iet o f those i n ca ptivity m u st

be s u p p l e mented with other foods . I n a l l membe rs

of the fa m i l y, three or more rows of bony scutes o r

p l a tes extend f r o m t h e h e a d a long the l e n g t h o f

t h e body. P lace these fi s h i n ta n ks o f a g ed water

that is richly p l a nted a n d is

65 to 7 8 degrees F.

TWIG CATFISH a re u nfortu nately short-l ived a nd shy

i n ca ptivity. To avoid obta i n i n g a ha lf-sta rved speci
men, p u rchase only from ta n ks that have an obvious

g rowth of g reen a lgae. If a l g a e a re not a b u nda nt in

yo u r ta n k, add soft peas or chopped lettuce o r s p i n

ach (boiled a bo u t one m i n ute) to the water reg u l a rly

u ntil a g rowth is obta i ne d .

TWIG CATFISH
Farlowe//a acus
to

6 in.

1 02

WHI PTAJL CATFISH

Loricaria parva
to

4 in.

DWARF OTOCINCLUS
Otocinclus affinus
to

2 in.

WHIPTAIL CATFISH a re ea sily camouflaged i n the

g ravel on the bottom of a n a q u a r i u m . Keep thei r

wate r we l l ae rated a n d clea n . Do not house these
fish with m essy a n i ma l s, such a s Gol d fi s h , that de
mand a clea n i n g of the ta n k freq uently . If it i s neces

sa ry to do a co m p l ete clea n ing, save h a l f the water.

S u b merge a ny a l ga e-covered roc ks or p l a nts so that
they do not d ry w h i l e the a q ua r i u m is being clea ned .

Do not scr u b the s i des or bottom of the ta n k com

pl ete ly

clea n

of

a l gae.

Afte r

the

a q u a ri u m

is

cleaned, l eave the l i g hts o n l o n g e r than u s u a l to en

cou rage a ra p i d reg rowth of the a lg a e a nd other
p l a nts in the ta n k .

OTOCINCLUS a re t h e s m a l lest co m mon a q ua r i u m

sucker catfi s h . They rema i n sma l l , ha r m l ess scaven

g e rs a n d a re not destructive-that is, they will not

eat p l a nts o r d i g u p the bottom. These l ittle catfi s h

speci a l ize i n clea n i n g a l gae o ff p l a nts. Keep them i n
sma l l g ro u ps o f at least four. T h i s is a del i cate spe
cies, and if there is not s ufficient vegeta b l e food, it
wi l l die q u ickly.

1 03

PLECOSTOMUS CATFISH g row l a rg e . They shou l d

not b e kept i n ta nks sma l le r tha n 2 5 g a l lons. Beca use
they become a g g ress ive, o n ly one per ta n k is reco m
mended. I t ca n b e put i n a ta n k with com m u n ities of

l a rger fi s h . Petrified wood is often used in the a q u a r

i u m's decor beca use its su rface is i dea l for s u pport

ing mats of soft a l gae and a l so beca use t h i s fi s h l i kes

to ca mouflage itsel f on the "woody" su rface w h i l e

eating o r resti n g . U s e water t h a t has bee n a g e d a t

least o n e month.

These fi s h a re d iffi c u l t to catch. They will d a rt fro m

one h i d i n g p l a ce t o a nother, a n d even if cornered

a g a i nst the g l a ss, they w i l l a ttach themse lves to it
fi r m ly with thei r sucker mouth a n d w i l l not swi m
into the net. They m u st b e s l i d a l on g the g l a ss to
get them o u t of the water. Use a soft leaf to b rea k

t h e i r s u ction a n d get them i nto the net. Once in the

net, the catfish com monly snags its high dors a l fi n .

B e ca ref u l not t o i n j u re t h e fi s h i n removing it.

The Bristle-mouthed Catfish is cl osely rel a ted to

Plecosto m u s but is ea sily d i sti n g u i shed by its p ro m i

nent "wh i s kers."
PLECOSTOMUS
Hypostomus plecostomus

to 8 in.

"

BRISTLE-MOUTHED CATFISH
Anc:lstrus dolichopterus

to 6 in.

/""" /

>- \underside
) }showing mouth
and whiskers
">r,r

BANJO CATFISH
Bunocephalus coracoideus
to 7

in.

BANJO CATFISH {Bu nocephal idae)

BANJO CATFISH a re una rmored catfi s h from South

America . Their head is wide a nd flat. The name of

the gen u s, Bunocephalus, mea ns " h i l ly hea d," re
fer r i n g to the b u mps that exte nd a l so down the
sides. A soft, spa rsel y p l a n ted botto m is essenti a l be
ca u se of the fi sh's d i g g i n g be havior. Ba n jo Catfish

a re noctu rna l , so p rovide pl enty of d a ytime h i d i n g

p l a ces. They a re o m n ivoro u s feeders. Keep t h e tem
pera t u re o f t h e water a t

70 t o 75 deg rees F .

GLASS CATFISH (Si l u ridae)

GLASS CATFISH stay i n the m i d -strata, s u spen ded in
s ma l l schoo l s . Peacef u l and slow-mov i n g , they do

poorly if m ixed with active species. They snatch their

food a s it s i n ks by o n its way to the botto m . They

rel ish l ive foods . T u bifex worms encl osed i n ste r i l e

g a uze o r cheesecloth and dang led in the water a l

l ows them t o feed free ly. I n a p p ropriate l ig hting,

G l a s s Catfish reflect ra i n bows of co lor.

GLASS CATFISH
Kryptoptereus bicirrhis
to 4

in.

105

PIMELODID OR ADIPOSE FIN CATFISH (Pi m e l od idae)

P i m e l o d i d catfish ra nge throu g h southern Mexico,

Centra l

America,

a nd

South

be rs of the fa m i ly have a

Ame rica .

Al l

mem

long, s l i m body. The

ca u d a l fin is forked, and the dorsa l fi n, which has

a t least o n e e rect spi ne, i s set fa r forwa rd on

the body. The a d i pose fin is l a rge. P i m e lodids usual
ly possess th ree pa i rs of ba rbe l s that sweep back

a lo n g the body.

SLENDER CATFISH a re noctu rna l, w h i c h is typical for

m e m bers of the fa m i ly. The l a rger and more c l u t
tered the i r ta n k is, the more they en joy it. Roots,
p l a nts, rock p i l es, a n d decorations a re i d e a l p laces

for h i d i n g d u ri n g the day. These catfi sh do best i n

water that is neutra l , aged, a n d 70 t o 80 deg rees F.
I n o l d e r fish, the stri pes d isa ppea r.

POLKA-DOT CATFISH a re pa rti c u l a rly fo nd of worms

but w i l l gobbl e u p most meaty foods. They w i l l over

eat so much that t h e i r stomachs b u l ge, ra i s i n g their
w h o l e body we l l a bove the g rave l . I f not fed wel l

enough, howeve r, they may atta ck other fish. Ma

tu re speci m e n s lose their spots a n d become bl u ish
g ray. Som e you n g have no spots.

S HOVELNOSE CATFISH a re odd ities. If you have a

spa re shal low ta n k (30 g a llons or more), this may
be p recise ly the fi s h to p l ease yo u . Note the flat

tened

head a n d the d u ck l i ke s nout. The

mouth,

u nder the snout, i s l a rge enough to e n g u lf c h u n ks

of food of considera b l e size. Give this species the

sa m e ca re as other members of this fa m i l y .

106

SLENDER (OR GRACEFUL)

CAT F I S H
Pimelode lla gracilis

to 5 i n .

POLKA-DOT CATFISH
Pimelodus clarias
to 1 0 in.

S H O V E L N O S E C AT F I S H
Sorubim lima
to 1 8 i n .

BUMBLEBEE CATFISH
Leiocassis siamensis
to 7

in.

BAGRID CATFISH (Ba g ridae)

BUMBLEBEE CATFISH, fro m the O l d Wo rl d, a re si m i
l a r t o the p i m e l o d i d s ( p . 1 06), b u t t h e i r s k i n i s

na ked, with no sca les or bony p lates. Pea cefu l a n d

l o n g - l ived i n a com m u n ity ta n k , these catfi s h w i l l
ma ke a mea l o f a n e i g h bor's fi n s i f h u n g ry.

1 07

LABYRINTH CATFISH (C i a r i i dae)

''WALKING" CATFISH were i mported from South
east Asia severa l yea rs a g o . Those t h a t escaped

or were set free by thei r owners now pose a t h reat

to the environ ments they have i nvaded .
These u n us u a l fi s h have both g i l l s a nd pri m itive
l u ng l i ke org a n s . Swish i n g their ta i l a n d u s i n g their
sto u t pecto ra l fi ns a s "legs" to prope l themselves,

they ca n l itera l l y "wa l k" on l a nd. In t h i s way they

esca pe when the waters they i n ha bit beco me u nsu it
a b l e. D u r i n g d roug hts, they stay moist by d i g g i n g

into m u d a n d brea t h i ng atmospheric a i r. I n or o u t of

the water, thei r e i g ht barbels a i d in l ocati n g prey,

whether eggs, i nsects, o r fish twice their own size.

They soon d o m i nate whatever water they i n ha b it.

In co m m u n ity ta n ks, these catfi s h w i l l atta c k a nd

eat other fish, hence they m ust be kept isol a ted . They

have ravenous a p petites. The tem peratu re of the

water ca n be 5 0 to

95 deg rees F. Cover the a q u a r

i u m , b u t leave sufficient a i r space a bove to permit

the fi s h to s u rface for breath i n g .
I n m a n y sta tes, it is now i l leg a l t o possess these
fish, so note the i r a ppea ra nce. Thei r co lor va riations
incl ude g rays and browns.

"WALKING" CATFISH
Clarias balrachus
to

1 08

8 ln.

UPSIDE-DOWN CATFISH (Mochokidae)

AFRICAN POLKA-DOT CATFISH a re ra re a nd expen
sive, b u t t h e y a re des i r a b l e f o r a l a rg e com m u n i ty
ta n k . They a re hardy a n d pea cef u l , b u t they shou l d

be prov i ded with h i d i n g p l a ces. The water tem pera

tu re sho u l d ra nge from

72 to 80 deg rees F. T h i s spe

cies occa siona l l y sw i m s inverted o r u ps i d e down.

UPSIDE-DOWN CATFISH h a ve a dark be l l y and

l i g h t-co l o red back, opposite the usua l col o r i n g of

a
a

fi s h . T h i s is a n ada ptation to t h e i r h a b i t of swi m

m i n g u pside dow n . As the fi s h matu re, t h e y swim
i nve rted more freq uently. I n a dimly l i t, wel l -p l a nted

a q u a ri u m,

school of these fish wi l l g ra ze on a l gae

a nd scave n g e over su rfaces. Note the l a rge eyes of

this species a nd a l so of the one a bove .

AFRICAN POLKA-DOT CATFISH

Synodontis onge/icus
to

8 in.

UPS I D E-DOWN CATFISH

S. nlgriventris
to 3%

in.

ELECTRIC CATFISH (Ma l a pteru ridae)

ELECTRIC CATFISH, the o n l y species in its fa m i ly, has

electri c org a n s si m i l a r to b u t wea ker t h a n t hose of

el ectric e e l s (p. 67) . The s hock is strong e n o u g h to

electrocute tiny fish, to n u m b l a rge ones, a n d to

sta rtle a n u nwa ry h a n d l e r . These fi s h a re vicious
and w i l l a ttack a l l othe r fi s h . They m u st be iso lated .

The water s h o u l d be neutral a n d 72 to 8 0 deg rees

F. P rovide l eafy p l a nts for g reens; a l so meaty a nd

l ive foods.

WRESTLING HALFBEAK
Dermogenys pussillus
to

3 1n.

HALFBEAKS (He m i ra m p hidae)

WRESTLING HALFBEAKS, l i ve-bea rers i m ported from
Southeast Asi a , a re not bred co m m e rci a l l y. In Tha i
l a n d , m a l e s a re bred se lective ly f o r "fi g hting" con
tests i n w h i c h a fi g hter l ocks h i s j a ws a ro u n d a n
opponent-a m e m ber o f the same species. I n home
a q u a r i u ms, keep the water a t 6 8 to 72 d e g rees F.;
add th ree fo u rths of a ta b l espoon of sea sa l t per

g a l lon of water. These su rfa ce feeders must be

g iven l ive foods. The "bea k" i s ea s i l y i n j u red, so be

ca refu l i n h a n d l i n g . These fish a re s hort- l i ved.

1 10

STICKLEBACKS (Gasteroste i d a e)
FOUR-SPINED STICKLEBACKS a re bra c k i s h -water fi s h

t h a t l ive i n estua ries o f t h e Atl a ntic a l on g the nort h

e r n coast o f North America . The w a t e r s h o u l d b e
cond itioned w i t h 1 tabl espoon o f s e a sa lt per g a l l o n

of water. Its te m perature s h o u l d b e 65 t o 68 d eg rees

F. At the bree d i n g season, the colorf u l m a l e b u i l ds

a t u n n e l - nest of vegetation held together with sticky

secretions. He a nd h i s m a te enter the t u n ne l repeat

ed ly. Each visit she l ays eggs, and he fe rt i l izes t h e m .

The m a l e p rotects the e g g s a n d then the young. T h i s

species i s q u a rrel some, so keep it isol ated.

SEAHORSES AND PIPEFISHES (Syng n a t h id a e)

PIPEFISH a re in the sa me fa m i ly as sea horses a n d

often a re co n s i d e red m a r i n e fi s h .

Li ke sea horses,

they a re cove red with bony p l a tes. Ma l es cra d l e the

eggs a nd the yo u n g in fol d s on their be l l y .

Sea sa lt m u st b e a d d e d t o t h e water i n the ta n k .

Fol low the d i rections on the b a g t o g et a sa l i n ity of

a bout 1 .0 1 8 . P i pefi sh eat only l ive food, s u c h a s
brine s h ri m p, D aphnia, a n d you n g l ive- bea rers . The
fish suck the food i n to thei r s l i m snout. P i pefish ofte n
swi m vertica l ly a n d may a lso j u m p out of the

water.

Syngnothus spicifer
to 6 in.
111

KILLIFISH OR TOOTHED CARPS (Cy p r i nodont i dae)

Kill ifi s h lay eg g s, tho u g h they be long to the same
order as l ive-bea ring fi s h (p. 1 1 8) . More tha n 200

species, m a ny of them col orfu l , occ u r i n tropica l a n d

wa r m waters o n a l i conti nents except Austra l i a .

K i l l ifi s h have a long body (from 1

V2 to 6 i nches)

a n d a flat h ea d . They do not have barbels or a n a d i

pose fi n . K i l l i fi s h a re not recom mended f o r co m m u

n i ty ta n ks o r for beg i n n i n g aq u a rists.

SPANISH KILLIFISH, na tive to Spa i n and Algeria, l ive

i n the upper water leve l s . They i n h a bit brackish to
m a r i n e waters. Keep two a d u l t fem a l es (o l ive-g reen)

for each mature m a l e (bl ue-g reen ) . They may spawn

i n the p l a nts. Feed them mostly l ive foods . If th e fish

a p pear to be s l u g g i sh gra d ua l ly a d d 1 - 2 teasp oo n s

o f sea sa l t f o r e a c h g a l lon o f water i n t h e ta n k.
,

SPAN ISH KILLI FISH

Aphanius iberus
to 2 ln.

R E D L Y R E TA I L
A p h yosemion b i v ittatun
to 21h in.

112

RED LYRETAILS a re one of more tha n 20 species of

Aphyosemion that a re i m ported fro m Africa's west

coast, east of Dahomey Ga p. Most of the s pecies a re

d iffi c u l t to d ifferentiate. They may i nterbreed, a n d
their offspring a re g e nera l ly steri le.

The Red Lyreta i l needs a d i m ly l it ta n k with wel l

p l a nted h i d i n g a rea s . Keep t h i s s pecies i n s m a l l

g roups

consist i n g

mainly

of

fe m a l es.

Hatch l i ng s

g row more s l o w l y t h a n do those of other m e m be rs

of the s a m e g e n u s . There a re n u m e ro u s a n d v a r i
o u s l y colored s u bspecies.

K i l l ifi s h a re m o re d i ffi c u l t to feed than a re m a ny

fi s h . Many w i l l a ccept o n l y l i ve foods, w h i c h a re

w h o l es o m e but i m p ractica l to p rov ide. Those that

become fussy a bo u t thei r ea t i n g may be pers u a d e d

to accept o t h e r foods by m a k i n g o n l y the a l te rnate

foods a va i l a b le. See basic d iet ( p . 2 8 ) .

LYRETAILS do best i n s l i g htly acid, a g ed water that

is treated with a tea spoon of sea sa l t p e r g a l l on . The
water te m perature shou l d not exceed
beca use

warmth

shortens

thei r

75 deg rees F .

l ifespa n .

L i g hts

sho u l d be fi ltered thro u g h dense cl u m ps of p l a nts.

For the botto m , where the fish w i l l l ive, use fi ne s a n d
o r cha rcoa l . Keep two o r th ree fe m a les f o r eac h
m a le. M a l e s m a y fi g ht. E g g s a d h e re to p l a nts. Lyre
ta i l s need p l e nty of l i ve foods. I n a d d ition to the o n e
shown, a g o l d e n va riety is ava i l a bl e
LYRETA I L

A . australe
2'12 i n .

to

1 13

STEEL-BLUE APHYOSEMION is a l ively, q ua rre lsome

botto m dwe l l e r that is best kept isolated-one a d u l t
per tank. T h e a q ua ri u m shou l d b e s h a ded, t h e water

aged and acid . A ye l l ow v a riety is a l so ava i la ble.

To prepa re b reed i n g ta n k, s i m mer peat ( n o ad

d itives) i n boi l ed water. P ress a nd cove r with soft

water.

Afte r

the

peat

sett l es,

i n trod uce

mature

a d u l ts . The m a l e cha ses h i s mate v i g o rously in cou rt

s h i p . Provide leafy p l a nts in wh ich she ca n rest, o r

s u p p l y m a l e w i t h two o r t h ree fe m a l es .

Remove fert i l e e g g s (not w h i te) with a g l ass tube

a n d p l a ce them in j a rs half fi l led with soft water to

which a drop of

5 pe rce nt methyl ene blue i s a dded .

Store them in a d a r k, cool (70 deg rees F.) p l a ce for

th ree to seven wee ks. To sti m u l ate hatch i n g , add a
p i n c h of d ried fl a ke food on w h i c h bacte ria feed a n d

a l so

beg i n t o deco m pose t h e eggshel ls.

Remove

hatc h l i ngs fro m co nta m i n a ted water a t o nce.

BLUE GULARIS a re q ua rrelsome, ha rdy eaters. Ma l e s

a re jewe l - l i ke . Color varieties a re com m o n . Give
them the same ca re as a bove. Cover the ta n k !

STEEL-BL U E APHYOS EMI O N

Aphyosemion gardneri
to 2 V2 in.

BLUE GULARIS

1 14

L I NED PANCHAX
Aplocheilus /ineatus

to 4 in.

ARGENT I N E PEARL FISH

Cynolebias bellotti

to 3 in.

F I R EMOUTH PANCHAX
Epiplatys dageti

E. chaperi)

(formerly
to 2Y2 in.

LINED PANCHAX

from

Ceylon

and

I nd i a ,

l ives

m a i n ly o n i n sect l a rvae in natu re, hence req u i re l i ve

foods i n a q u a r i u ms. It is a g g ressive. Keep o n l y with

l a rg e r fish. Cover the ta n k! This species l ives i n u p

p e r water strata a nd spawns i n floati n g p l a nts.

ARGENTINE PEARL FISH l ive i n ponds that d ry up in

s u m mer. The a d u lts d ie, but t h e i r e g g s, b u ried i n the

m ud, hatch when ra i ns come a g a i n . To cond ition

b reeders, feed them l ive foods. Prepa re peat (p.

1 1 4), a n d after the fi s h have spawned, remove them
and siphon off the water. Sea l the damp (not wet)
peat in a p l a stic bag a n d store it in d a r k ness for
th ree to five months. Then s u b merge the peat i n
water, a n d the eggs w i l l hatc h . The vora c i o u s hatch
l i n g s matu re i n a bo u t eight wee ks; they l ive only

a bout e i g ht months. Ma l es fi g ht.

FIREMOUTH PANCHAX shou ld be fed m a i n l y l ive

foods . Two to three fe m a l es a nd one m a l e will

school peacefu l l y i n a co m m u n ity ta n k .

115

GOLDEN EAR

FLORIDA BLU EFIN

(FLO RIDA BLU E DACE)
Lucania goodei
Ia

2 in.

GOLDEN EARS, native to so u theastern U n ited States,

a re a g g ressive, so shou ld not be kept with shy spe

cies. Mid-strata dwel lers, they spawn in p l a nts.

AMERICAN FLAGFISH a re stout, ha rdy Florida fish.

Ma l es kept in the same q u a rters beco m e a ntagon is

tic. After spa w n i ng, ma les protect a n d ca re for the

broo d . The you n g eat a l gae; a d u l ts a re o m n ivorous.

FLORIDA BLUEFINS do best i n roomy, wel l - p l a nted

ta n k s, the water not warmer than 70 deg rees F .

They l ive a n d spawn i n pla nts i n the top a n d m i d d l e

stra ta . Fem a l es m a y lay severa l e g g s d a i ly f o r more

tha n a month a n d w i l l eat them if they a re not re

moved . P rotected eggs hatch in a bo u t two weeks.

MEDAKAS a re pea cefu l , ha rdy fi s h - idea l for com

m u n ity ta n ks. In J a pa n , they l i ve i n padd ies and a re

va l ued for eati n g mosq u i to l a rvae. C l u sters of eggs

stick to the fe m a l e's vent a n d a re fert i l ized there .

They a re then r u b bed o ff onto p l a nts. S h i p ments of
deformed ( h u m pbacked) specimens, u n hea lthy a n d
usua l l y ster i l e, a re fo und occasiona l l y i n pet shops.

1 16

MEDAKA OR RICE FISH

Oryzias latipes
to Y2 in.

GOLDEN PH EASANT
RolofRa occidentalis
to 3Y2 in.

GOLDEN PHEASANT is rowdy, hence not a com m u n

ity fi s h . T h e water sho u l d b e a bo u t 72 deg rees F.
Bree d i n g i s t h e sa me as for Argentine Pea rl Fish ( p .

1 1 5), but d a m p periods l a st a m o n t h o r t w o l onger.

I t l ives i n l ower water strata . Feed i t l ive foods.

FOUR-EYED FISH (An a b l epid ae)

FOUR-EYED FISH a re d i ffi c u l t to keep in an a q u a ri u m .

They feed i n schoo l s a s t hey s k i m j ust beneath the

su rfa ce. With the i r b u l g i n g eyes, they ca n see either

in a i r o r i n water. A show-type ta n k of a t l e a st 5 0
ga l l o n s is needed . The water shou l d b e 72 t o 7 5 de

g rees F . Feed them a va ried d iet. The sex u a l o rg a n s

o f these fi s h a re t i l ted to the l eft o r to the rig ht. A
"l eft" fem a l e ca n cop u l ate o n l y with a "rig ht" m a le
a nd v ice versa . T hey a re l ive-bea rers.
FOUR-EYED FISH
Anab/eps anab/eps
to 1 2 in.

1 17

LIVEBEARERS (Poeci l l i dae)

livebearers a re native to North a n d South A merica

a n d the West I nd i es. They a re shoa lers that i n h a b i t

sha l l ow waters, usu a l l y cl ose e i t h e r t o d e e p water

or to dense p l a nts i n which they ca n ta ke refuge.

H a rdy a nd easy for beg i n n e rs to m a n a ge, l ivebea r

e rs a re the most pop u l a r of a l l aq u a ri u m fi s h except
Go l d fi s h . They ra rel y exceed t h ree inches i n l ength,

making them ideal fo r most home a q u a ri u ms. Their

l ifespa n i s o n l y two or t h ree yea rs, but these fi s h a re

so pro l i fi c that they prod uce ma ny generations i n

the i r l ifetime, t h u s perpetuating themsel ves.

Livebea rers bea r thei r young a l ive, the fertil ized

eggs devel oping i n the fe m a l e's ova ry. I nformation

on ca r i n g for l ivebea rers is on p.

1 20.

PIKE TOP MINNOW, from South and Centra l Amer

ica, is exception a l l y l a rge for a poeci l l i d . I t req u i res

a ta n k of

50 g a l l ons, with the water at 75 to 85 de

g rees F . and two o r th ree teaspoons of sea sa l t

ad ded p e r g a l l o n . Other l ivebea rers a re o m n ivoro u s,
but the P i ke Top Min now is ca rn ivorous. Its ra pacity

a n d l a rge-toothed mouth ma ke it a t h reat to de

fen seless neig h bo rs, pa rtic u l a rly you n g fi s h . Even

fe l l ow Pi kes may be a ssa u l ted . The species is pro

l i fic, but it w i l l gobble up i ts own u n p rotected
you n g . Pi kes a re an inch long at b i rt h . U n de r n o u r
ished mothers produce sti l l borns.

PIKE TOP MI NNOW

Belonesox belizanus
to 8

in.

All livebearing males develop

a "gonopodium." With this or
extension of the anal
deposits sperm in
females' oviducts.

GAMBUSIA
(MOSQU ITO FISH)
Gamb usia affinus
to 1 % in.
to
in.

male,
female, 2Y2

DWA R F TOPMINNOW
Heteran dria formosa
male, to 3f.l i n .
female, to 1 % in.

GAMBUSIAS, natives of southern U n i ted States, have

been i ntrod u ced throug hout the worl d to aid i n con
trol o f mosq u itoes, especia l ly w here m a l a ria a n d
yel low fever a re a threat. These t i n y fish ca n eat
d a i ly thei r own we i g ht in mosq uito l a rvae or p u pae.
Thou g h d ra b, Ga m busias a re i n teresting a n d easy to
keep in a n a q u a r i u m . There shou l d be at l east th ree
fem a l es for each m a l e . Fe m a l es a re s i m i l a r to the
fem a l e g u ppy but have d a r k specks on their ta i l .
Isolation i s necessa ry beca use these fi s h bite t h e fi n s
of other fi s h . Pa rents e a t the i r you n g . Ga m busias
were the fi rst of the l ivebea rers offered for sa l e to
hobbyists. A ma rbled va riety has been deve loped .
DWARF TOPMINNOWS, natives of southeastern
U n ited States, a re the s m a l l est of a l l l ivebea r i n g a n i
m a l s a n d a re a l so o n e o f the sma l lest o f a l l l iv i n g
vertebrates. These active fish a re s u i ta bl e f o r even
the sma l l est a q u a ri u m . The idea l water tempera t u re
is 70 deg rees F . but ca n ra nge from 5 5 to 95 . Be
ca use the e m b ryos devel op i n sepa rate stag es, o n ly
a few ba bies a re born each day for one or two
wee ks. A month after the l a st ba by is born, b i rths
may beg i n a g a i n . If wel l fed, the pa rents w i l l not
con s u me their offspring.
1 19

GUPPIES a re the favorites of a l l the tropical fi s h .

They a re peacefu l , friend ly, h a rdy, a n d so prol ific
that on e pa i r ca n fi l l an a q u a ri u m with offs p r i n g in

a short time. They a re va l u ed for mosq u ito control

a n d for l ive food for other fi s h . In a q u a r i u ms, a l

ways have a m a jo rity of fema les. Need basic d iet.

Ma l e g u ppies a re foreve r co u rt i n g . If a fem a l e
rem a i n s station a ry a n d h e r pa rtne r conta cts her vent

with h i s go nopod i u m, she is fe rti l ized . The sperm is

preserved i n the fem a l e's ov id uct, a n d so even a fter

m a l es a re re moved, a fe m a l e i s ca pa b l e of h a v i n g

six or more broods. Gesta tion a ve ra g es a month

b u t ca n be m u c h l onger, depend i n g on the ti me

of yea r, hea lth of the fe ma l e, a nd con d itions in

the ta n k.

A preg n a nt fema le can be identified by the g ra v i d

spot (da rkened a rea) behind her a n a l fi n j ust poste
rior to the be l ly. When viewed from a bove, her sides
a ppea r swo l l e n . To prepare her for del ivery, keep

the fe m a l e in sha l l ow (about 8 i n . ), aged water at

75 to 80 d e g rees F . P rovide floati n g p l a nts at l ea st
two i nches t h i c k i nto which the newborn ca n scu rry,

for even the mother wi l l eat the m . If other fish m u s t

b e kept i n the sa me ta n k, feed t h e m heavi l y t o s u p
press thei r h u nger. Distu rbing a preg n a n t fema l e
may resu l t i n p rem a t u re d e l iveries. O n e fem a l e may

have a s ma ny a s 200 ba bies; the average is 40 to

50. Yo u n g fe males have s m a l ler l itte rs. A l l of the
newborn a re a bout a q u a rte r of an i nc h long. Feed
them s ma l l mea ls a t least three ti mes d a i ly.
G u p pies l ive a bout two yea rs . B reeders have de
vel oped m u ltitudes of fi n colors and patte rns. Ma ny
c l u b s breed w h a t they bel i eve a re exce l l e n t speci
mens a nd then hol d g u ppy shows to d i s p l a y t h e m .

1 20

GUPPY
Poecilio reticuloto
(formerly Lebistes)
mole, to 1 % i n .
fe m e ,
2 % in.

al to

Cobra Robsontoil

Holfblock

Veiltail

Varicolored Fl gta i

TAI L SHAPES

. ... ,..-
. ,.-&.__
,--. .JC:
c
ro
und

Pin

robson

&'-

flag

top swo rd

spade

bottom word

spear

.,

lyre

delta

121

BLACK-BELLI ED LIMIA
Limia melanogaster
(also Poecilia me/anogaster)
to

2 in.

BLACK-BELLIED LIMIA'S name refers to the perma

nent black g ravid spot on the fema le. These peace
ful fish a re from J a m a ica. Ca re for them as for other
l ive-bea rers. They seldom have more than 40 ba bies
at once, and the young g row slowly.
MOLLIES, from Centra l and South Amer ica, a re often
sol d i nexpensively as fish for beg i n ners. T h i s is u n
fortunate, for u n less g iven specia l ca re, the fish w i l l
perish. T o ready a n a q u a r i u m for Mo l l ies, fi l l it with
s l i g htly a l ka l i ne, aged water, a d d i ng two to th ree
teaspoons of sea sa l t per g a l lon. Keep the tem pera
ture between 73 a n d 75 deg rees F . As with all l ive
bea rers, p rovide the basic d iet, but in a d d ition,
m a ke certa i n that vegeta ble matter is ava i la b l e
d a i ly. Without a lgae, t h e fish wil l b e u n hea l t hy. I f
d istu rbed, p reg nant fe m a l es wi l l m i sca rry or d ie.
The plastic bags i n which shi p ments of Moll ies a r
rive i n stores a re often pop u l a ted with newborn fry .
If the a d u lts a re wel l fed, they w i l l n o t e a t thei r
you n g . Mol l ies a re sensitive t o com mon fi s h disea ses
(p. 34), so treat new ly acq u i red fi s h with methylene
blue ton ic.
A l l of the many ava i l a b l e va rieties of mol l ies
wil l i nterbreed, but their offspring may be steri l e .
Co m mercia l ly ra ised va rieties usua l ly l ack t h e hig h
dorsa l fins of w i l d speci mens. Ma ny l ive for a bout
th ree yea rs.

122

GREEN SAILFIN MOLLY

Poecilio lotipinno
(formerly Mol/ienisio)
4 in.

to

BLACK MOLLY
to 2Y:z in.
P. sphenops

OTHER VARIETIES
OF THE
BLACK MOLLY

Marble
to 2 Y:z

Sphenop or
in.

in.

Orongetoil

to 2 V2

1 23

SWORDTAIL
Xiphophorus he/Jeri
to 5 i n .

SWORDTAILS were i m ported orig i n a l ly from Mexico.

They were the g reen va riety. Si nce then, their flashy
a ppea ra nce a nd many va riations have made them
one of the most popu l a r of a l l a q u a r i u m fi s h . P ro
vide one to two gal lons of water per fish. The water
shou l d be s l ig htly hard (pH of 7. 2), and its temper
atu re shou l d be m a i ntai ned between 72 a n d 78 de
grees F. Cover the ta nk, for these fish a re accom
pl ished j u m pers. Feed them the basic d iet at least
twice d a i l y . Usua l ly only m a l es have the extended
ta i l fin or "swo rd ." I ndivid u a l s va ry i n te m pera ment,
but ma l es freq uently fi g ht. Keep one m a l e with more
tha n two fema les i n each ta n k .
B reed i n g is t h e same as for g u ppies ( p . 1 2 0).
Broods of more tha n a h u n d red a re not u ncom mon,
but pa rents may q u ickly red uce this n u m ber by eat
ing their you n g . A lack of hormones may ca use some
a d u l t females to revert to m a l es.
New va rieties a ppea r on the ma rket reg u la r ly.
Hybrids a re developed by crossing with other
Sword ta i l s and a l so with Platys (p. 1 2 6). Sha des of
red, as one exa mple, may va ry from a true red to a
velvet red or a brick red .

124

VARIETIES OF SWORDTAILS

PLATY
to 3 in.

Xiphophorus macu/atus

PLATYS, from Mexico and Guate ma la, a re peaceful

com m u n ity fish. Ca re a nd breed i n g i s the sa me as
for other l ivebea rers . Selective breed i n g has pro
d uced many va rieties. Those i l l ustrated a re only a
few of the most common . The sha des of the col ors
may va ry as wel l as the markings.
VARIATUS, from the same reg ion as the Platy, has
a longer do rsa l fi n and a more elongated body. Ca re
and breed ing a re the same as for other l i vebea rers.
VARIATUS

VARIETIES OF VARIATUS

1 26

VARIETIES OF PLATYS
(others ore possible)

Gold Wag

Albino

1 27

GLASSFISH (Centropo m i dae)

INDIAN GLASSFISH o re nu merous i n fresh waters of
I n d i a and nea rby reg ions . I n a q u a r i u ms, use me
d i u m - h a rd water, wel l aged with two to th ree tea
spoons of sa lt per gal lon of water. I n itia l ly these fish
o re t i m id, but they become q u i te ta me. Hatch l i ngs
a re so t i ny they a re d i ffi c u l t to feed . On ly m a l es have
the bl ue edging on the rays of their fi ns. The g ray
orga n v i si b l e i nside the fish is the sw i m b l a dder.
T I G E R F I S H (Thera pon i d ae)

TIGER FISH a re a rece nt i m portation . You n g speci

mens (a bOut 3 i n ches) a re expensive. Given ade
q u a te space (a 50 gal lon to n k) a nd p l enty of food,
they g row q u ick ly. Keep them with fish of equal size.
Tigers that a re not co mforta b l e a n d we l l fed lose
the i r color, beco m i n g fa ded-out b l a c k fi s h . A 1 5 - i nch
Tiger Fish may eat severa l th ree- i nch Gol d fi s h da i ly
a n d be a l ways h u n g ry fo r more.
SU NFISH (Centra rchidae)
SUNFISH a re col lected i n q u iet waters of No rth
America . Once secu re, with h i d i n g p l a ces nea rby,
they lose their s hyness. Note the l a rge g i l l covers.
These fish have the u n u s u a l habit of wa d d l i ng a l o n g
t h e bottom on t h e i r pectora l fi ns. Keep t h e m w i t h
s u n fi s h o f t h e sa me size. I n esta b l ished ta n ks, new
m e m bers a re not tolera ted . Eggs hatch in l ess tha n a
week. Ma l es protect both the eggs a n d the you ng .
Water kept at room te m perature i s s u i ta b l e . It s h o u l d
b e nea r neutra l i n p H .
1 28

INDIAN GLASS FISH

Chanda ranga
2 in.

to

S I AMESE TIGER FISH

Datnioides microlepis
to 16 i n .

Elassoma evergladei
to l lf i n .

BLACKBAND E D S U N F I S H

Mesogonistius chaetodon
to 3 i n .

1 29

MONO

Monodactylus argenteus
to 5 in.

ARCHER
Toxotes ;aculator
to 4 in.

FI NGERFISH (Monodactyl idae)

MONOS, from the brackish coa sta l waters of east
ern Africa to Ma laysia, req u i re a spacious ta n k con
ta i n i n g aged water to which th ree tea spoons of sa l t
per g a l lon have been added. These fi s h do best
in schoo ls. Q u i c k move ments outside the ta n k may
ca u se them to pa nic and i n j u re themselves. They ca n
be kept with other brackish-water fi s h . Feed them
a n a b u nda nce of l ive foods, and keep the te m pera
ture of the wate r a t 75 deg rees F.
ARCHERFISH (Toxoti dae)
ARCHERS, natives of brackish waters i n the I ndo
Austra l i a n reg ion, ca nnot be provided with con d i
t i o n s i n a nor m a l ta n k t o perm it watch i n g them
"spit" down insects from a bove the water. They a re
accu ra te to a d i sta nce of a bout fi ve feet a n d even
a l l ow for the reflection of l i g ht in water a s they
m a ke the i r a i m . Keep them i n aged water to which
two tea spoons of sa l t per gallon have been a dded .
The te mpera t u re of the water sho u l d be 78 to 80
deg rees F .

130

ARGUS FISH (Scatophag idae)

SCATS come from tropica l I ndo-Pacific estua ries.
Keep them in water that has a te m peratu re of about
75 degrees F. Buy a t lea st two yo u n g . Ask a t what
sa l i n ity they have been l iv i ng and d u p l icate it. For
every i nch of g rowth thereafte r add a h a l f to a fu l l
teaspooon o f sea sa l t u n t i l a mea s u rement o f 1 . 0 1 8
density is reached. ( A hydrometer, ava i l a b l e at pet
shops, g i ves this mea s u re ment.)
Sca ts a re peacefu l a n d beco me q u ite ta me. Feed
them the ba sic d i et, a d d i n g da i l y doses of vegeta b l e
matter. U nsatisfactory co nditions often resu l t i n lch
d i sease ( p . 3 5 ) . Ma rkings on this fish a re varia ble.
The fi n s p i nes a re venomous.
LEAF FISH (Na ndidae)
LEAF FISH, from So uth America, looks re ma rka bly
l i ke a dead l eaf floati ng slowly i n the water. Tho u g h
t h e fi s h a p pears del icate a nd h a r m l ess, it is a ctu a l ly
pred a tory a n d m ust be fed enormous a mo u nts of
l ive foods. A Leaf Fish ca n eat i ts own wei g h t i n
G u p pies d a i ly. Keep the tem peratu re of t h e water
at 72 to 76 deg rees F. Yo ung have wh ite s pecks.

131

CICHLIDS (C ichl idae)

C i c h l i d s usua l ly fro m either South o r Centra l Amer
i ca, have wel l -deve l o ped l i ps a n d on ly one nost r i l
on e a c h s i d e o f t h e head. T h e head, eyes, a n d sca les
a re l a rge, and the l a tera l l i ne is d i v i ded in the m i d
d l e . The a n terior rays of the dorsa l a nd a n a l fi ns a re
spi ny. Older fish develop a s p i n a l h u m p a n d ro u g h
sca l es; they do n o t close the i r m o u t h i n resp i ratio n .
F o r most cich l i d s, a ta n k s m a l l e r t h a n 1 5 ga l l ons
is c ra m pi n g . Grave l sho u l d be med i u m to coa rse.
For decoration, use we l l -a nchored,- heavy ob jects.
la rge cich l i ds w i l l brea k heaters .
Cichl ids a re be l i eved by many to be the most i n
te l l igent of a l l fi s h . The i r beha vior va ries with the
species and the i n d i v i d u a l . A breed i n g pa i r tests
thei r com pati b i l ity by l ocking jaws a n d tugg i n g a t
each other. If o n e partner brea ks t h i s test, i t m a y be
attacked by the other. If the "ki ss" is favo ra b l e, the
pa i r esta b l ishes a spawning territory. For seve ra l
days they scra pe a spawn i n g site to clean it.
In both sexes, sma l l tu bes devel o p at the vent.
The fe ma le deposits a l ayer of eggs o n the clea ned
- su rface, and the m a l e promptly fert i l izes the m . Both
pa rents fa n the eggs, remov i n g a ny that a re i nfe r
ti le or i n fested with fungus. At 80 deg rees F., hatch
ing occ u rs i n five days. The pa rents pick up the
hatc h l i ngs in their mouths and move them to pits in
the g ravel. In the process, they sco u r the yo u n g by a
chewi n g action. The free-sw i m m i ng ba b ies l a ter
school a ro u n d thei r pa rents . If a ba by wa nders
away, a parent sucks it up at once a nd sq u i rts it ba ck
i nto the school . Cichlids do not mate fo r l ife, but
i n a q u a r i u m s, co m p a ti b l e p a i rs mate repeatedly
1 32

BLUE ACARA
Aequidens pulch e r
(formerly A. /otifrons)
to 6 in.

A. maronii
to 4 i n .

fro m South America,

oy g r u bbing
i n the g rave l . This kicks u p l a rge a mo u nts of d i rt, so
keep the water fi ltered with an a u xi l i a ry outside o r
corner fi l ter. Add a bout a t h i rd fresh water b i
monthly. Except when they a re excited, the o l der
fish do not have the dark vertica l ba rs that a re
promi nent i n the yo u n g .
BLUE ACARAS,

K EYHOLE C I (:HLIDS l ive i n strea ms i n northern South

America . They ca n be kept i n com m u n ity ta n ks, for
they sel dom d i g in g ravel or u p root p l a nts. These a re
shy fish that need h i d i n g pl aces. The "keyhole"
b lotch may or may not be conspicuous. C l ea n water
is req u i red; ideal te m perature 80 deg rees F.
PORTS a re na med fo r the loca l ity where they were
fi rst fo u nd- Porto Aleg re, Brazi l . Their orig i n a l pop
u l a rity cl i m bed beca use of their ease in breedi n g
a n d their devotion i n pa renthood . Ports d i g , espe
cia l l y at breed i n g ti me. Tempera t u re of the water
sho u l d be 70 to 80 deg rees F .
1 33

AGASSIZ'S DWARF CICHLIDS a re shy fi s h of streams

of tropica l South America. I n a q u a r i u ms, they
ra rel y u p root p l a n ts, which p rov ide idea l hiding
p l a ces for them . The water shou l d be soft-sl ig htly
acid. Fema l es lay red eggs i n caves or in dense
g rowths of p l a nts. After he fert i l izes the eggs, the
male is ban ished by h is partner. Remove h i m from
the ta n k. Fem a l es may eat their fi rst spawn but care
for s u bseq uent broods . Species easi ly contracts lch
d i sease (p. 35). Add medications g ra d ua l ly.
YELLOW DWARF CICHLIDS, a lso from South Amer
ica, a re a rel a tively peaceful fish, hence ca n be
kept i n a com m u nity ta nk. They p refer soft, sl i g htly
acid water at 80 deg rees F. Of a l l the dwa rf cich
l ids, they a re the best pa rents . The male is often
a l l owed to sha re in the domestic chores-the rea r
ing of the you n g .
AGASSI Z'S DWARF C I C H L I D
Apistogramm a agassizi
ma le, to 3 i n .
female, t o 2 i n .

..;;;=::-:.....

CICHLID

YELLOW DWARF
pertense
mole, to 2 i n .
female, t o 1 % in.

A.

1 34

RAM O R RAMIREZ'S DWARF

CICHLID

Oscars are n o t fou n d

nature.

Astronotus ace/latus
1 2 in.

to

Man- bred

Thailand
even

are

brighter

i m ports

bright,
when

in

from

beco m i n g
fed

small

Goldfish.

RAMS, sti l l a nother South American cich l i d, a re un

tun ately often as anxious to eat the i r eggs a s they
a re to lay t h e m . Remove spawn-eating pa rents, a nd
rea r the eggs a rtificia l l y by a l lowi ng a i r bu bbles
to c i rcu late water (not bubbles!) over the m . Remove
wh ite eggs. Hatc h i n g occurs in t h ree days. Ra ms
usu a l l y l ive only two yea rs. They a re sensitive to
lch disease (p. 35).
OSCAR, fro m the l a rge rivers of the South Ameri
ca n tropics, has cl i m bed i n popu l a rity i n recent
years. The breed ing of new color and pattern vari
eties has p u t them more i n dema n d . Owners com
mon ly boast of t h e i ntel l igence and i n d ivid u a l ity of
these pets. Osca rs a re heavy eaters a n d g row fast
on a d i et of l a rge morse l s of prepa red food and
s m a l ler l ive food. They breed i n the usual cichl i d
m a n ner a nd a re model pa rents. Water con d i tions
a re not too critica l , but a ba by a n i nch l ong w i l l
req u i re at l ea st 5 0 g a l l ons i n a yea r, w h e n he i s
g rown. Heaters a re not necessary for a d u l ts.

135

JACK DEMPSEY
Cichlasoma octofasciatum
(formerly C. bioce//atum)
8 in.

to

CHOCOLATE CICHLID
C. coryphaenoides
to 10 ln.

JACK DEMPSEYS, from Centra l America, were

na med after the heavyweight boxing cham pion.
The i r a g g ressiveness d i m i n ishes in ta n ks exceeding
2 5 g a l l ons, but these fish a re defi n itely not for
com m u n i ty ta n ks . With watchf u l ness, they ca n be
kept with Dem pseys of eq ual size . J a c k Dem pseys
a re fond of d i g g i n g a nd destroying p l a nts. Their
g ravel ca n be leve led in the morn i ng, but by eve
n i n g it is a g a i n mounta i nous. Colors i ntensify at
breed i n g or feed i n g ti mes. Pets become q u ite ta me
a nd may l ive as long as ten yea rs.
CHOCOLATE CICHLIDS, from the Amazon reg ion of
South America, a re a mong the most q ua rre l some of
a l l the cichl ids. Amateurs a re shocked when their
shy inch-long ba by g rows (if space a l l ows) i nto a
ten-i nch monste r that does not even get a l ong with
its own kind. One pa rtner may be k i l led d u ring
cou rts h i p . Feed l a rge morse l s of food, such as
ea rthworms, c h u n ks of beef hea rt, a n d sma l l l ive
fish . The water temperature sho u l d be 78 to 80 de
g rees F. These fish q u ickly deepen or fade in color.

136

RED DEVILS a re not for the average fi s h hobbyist.

Grown a d u l ts need 1 00-ga l l on ta n ks and a con
sta nt supply of l ive foods. They a re occa siona l l y
seen i n p u b l ic a q u a ri u ms. Natura l l i g h t e n h a nces
the i r contra sting black and red, which in some va
rieties may tend to be a fa ded ora nge. Some v a
rieties a l so lack the l a rge l i ps cha racteristic of the
species. Their range is Centra l America.
FESTJVUMS a re preva lent i n their native h a bitat in
the Amazon River. They a re often fou n d school i ng
with A n g e l fi s h (p. 1 4 2), and the two ca n a l so be
m ixed in captivity. P l a n t their a q u a r i u m heavi l y
a nd keep it we l l aerated with clea n water at 8 0
deg rees F. The s hy, fl i g hty a d u l ts m a ke u n satisfac
tory parents. Eggs shou l d be rea red a rtificia l l y (p.
1 3 5). Hatc h l i ngs a re del icate.

F ESTIVUM
C. festivum
to 6 in.

1 37

FIREMOUTH i nd iv i d u a l s va ry i n te m pera ment from

p u g nacious to peacefu l . It is d ifficu l t to pa i r com
patibl e breeders, but once esta bl ished, they a re
good parents. If they become excited, they may
d istend a bright red membra nous a rea of skin be
l ow the t h roat. F i remouths a re from Centra l Amer
ica a n d Mexico.
CONVICTS, from Central America, a re typica l
scra ppy c i c h l ids. Their d i g g i ng a n d m a u l i ng of
pla nts q u ickly u psets a nicely a rra nged a q u a ri u m .
Sma l ler fi s h a re a ttacked . I n natu re, Convicts a re
stri ped . Com merci a l breeders propa gate a l bi nos.
SEVERUMS, natives of northern South America, a re
peacefu l when you ng, rese m b l ing Discus (p. 1 44).
On a ha rdy d iet, you n g Severums g row q u ickly i nto
powerfu l a d u l ts . Native a d u lts are g ray with red
spots. An a l bi n o va ri ety is now com m o n l y sold i n pet
shops.
F I R EMOUTH
Cichlasoma meelci
to 5 in.

CONVICT

S EVERUM
C. severum
to 8 in.

1 38

C H E C K E RBOA R D C I C H L I D
Cren icara maculata

!IIi

;,

to 4 i n .

PIKE CICHLID
Crenicichla lepidota
to 8 i n .

O RA N G E
Etrop/us maculatus
to 3 i n .

CHROMADE

CHECKERBOARD CICHLIDS a re not com monl y fou n d

i n stores. Pa i rs spawn i n caves, a n d broods a re suc
cessfu l l y rea red now and then. These fish a re d ra b
i n bad ly ma naged ta n ks that a re spa rsely p l a nted .
PIKE CICHLID is one of the ma ny elongated cich l ids
from tropica l South America . I t eng u l fs u nsuspect
i n g prey swiftly . The ta i l of a n oversized vict i m
eventu a l ly d isa ppea rs a s t h e mea l i s downed i n
g u l ps. P i kes spawn i n p i ts, a n d m a l es assume rea r
ing responsibil ities. Cover the ta n k .
ORANGE CHROMADES a re na tives o f I n d i a . Com
mercia l b reeders use one teaspoon of sa l t per g a l
l o n o f water, which is ma inta i ned a t 8 0 deg rees F .
E g g s a re l a i d on concea led s u rfaces i n t h e usual
cich l i d m a n ner, a n d the non -swi m m i ng fry a re at
tached on s hort threads. The you ng feed on pa renta l
sl i me (p. 1 44).
1 39

D I RTEAT E R
Geophagus jurupari
to 10 i n .

EGYPT IAN MOUTHBRO O D E R

Hemihap/ochromis mu/tico/or
(fo r m e r ly Haplo chro m is
m u /tico /o r)
to 3 in.

DIRTEATERS, natives of the tropics of northern South

America, ha bitua l l y p l u nge the i r pointed snout i nto
the bottom a n d scoop up a mouthful of g ravel .
They sift out food pa rticles i n the g ravel, which i s
then spewed from the g i l l covers. Beca use o f this,
prov i s i o n the a q u a r i u m with smooth, rou n d peb
bles. Su bstrate fi l ters a re u ndes i ra b le. These peace
ful mouth brooders occa siona l l y breed in ca ptivi t}t .
EGYPTIAN MOUTHBROODERS do not breed i n the
usual cich l id ma n ner. A prospective ma le digs a pit
a n d then forcef u l l y coaxes his m a te i nto it. Afte r
her eggs a re l a i d, the fe ma l e gobbl es them u p a n d
stores t h e m i n h e r throat s a c . Decoyed b y "egg
s pots" on the m a l e's a n a l fl n , the fema l e comes
cl ose to the m a l e to suck up a ny overlooked "eggs."
He then re l eases sperm and fert i l izes the eggs. Afte r
this .o ccu rs, remove the m a l e . For two weeks the fe
m a l e i n c u bates the eg gs in her mouth, and d u ri n g
this ti me, s he does n o t e a t . B y a chew i n g action,
she cleans and aerates the eggs. For a bo u t a week
afte r hatching, the free-sw i m m i n g fry use the fe
m a l e's mouth as a pl ace of refuge.
1 40

a re p u g n a cious cich l i d s that at

tack othe r fish. They a lso d i g i n the bottom . Typ i ca l
of the g ro u p, however, they a re model pa rents.
They breed easily in a q u a r i u ms and in the usua l
cichl id m a n n e r . At breed i n g ti me, they change from
a drab g reen to a strawberry red . Over-a nxious
m a l es may a ttack a n d k i l l u nwi l l i n g fe ma les. By
the t i m e the ba bies from a brood a re two months
old, they a re assa u l ti n g each other. Water com posi
tion is not critica l , b u t its te mperatu re s h o u l d be
a bout 78 deg rees F .

AFRICAN J EWELFISH

AF R I CAN P U R P L E

C I C H L I D S req u i r e a n esta b l i s h e d

s l i g htly acid
at 80 deg rees F. A tea spoon of sea sa l t per g a l l o n
is recommen ded f o r the i r wel l -be i n g . Spawn i n g is
cich l i d - l i ke, with the eggs be ing placed on shady
su rfa ces-such as the i n side of a p l a nt pot . The fa
male protects her young a n d may beco me so u pset
by her mate's presence that he must be removed
before she h u rts h i m . The yo ung a re very d e l icate.
a q u a r i u m with w a t e r that i s soft a n d

A F R I CAN J EW E L F I S H
He michromis b imaculatus
to 5 i n .

A F R I CAN PU R P L E C I C H L I D
Pelm atochromis p ulcher
to 4 i n .

141

ANGELFISH

Pterophyllum sea/ora
to 5 in.

ANGELFISH a re known to a nyone who has owned

a n a q ua r i u m . These cich l ids a re peace- loving and
non-destructive. Occasiona l ly a l a rge Angelfish be
comes aggressive. They th rive i n the normal con
ditions of a we l l -ma naged tropica l fi s h com m u n i ty
ta n k i n which there a re other q u iet fish. The water
shou l d be 75 to 8 5 deg rees F. a nd ba rel y acid.
Thousa nds of Ange lfish a re b red a n n u a l l y by
commercial fi s h dealers. In a home a q ua r i u m , it is
a rewa rd ing experience to watch two wel l -pa i red
Angels spawn on a n Amazon P l a nt or on a stri p of
slate that is s l i g htly a n g l ed a g a i nst the g lass. The
rea ring of the fa m i l y by the pa rents can a l so be
o bserved. Some a re poor pa rents, however.
Eggs can be rea red a rtificia l l y by placing the leaf
or the egg -covered slate in fresh ta p water that has
1 42

been a l lowed to reach the same temperature as the

spawning ta n k . Air b u b b l es shou l d circulate water
past the eggs but not touch the m . Hatc h i n g wil l
occ u r i n two or t h ree days. As soon as their yol k
sac i s d issolved, the newl y hatched, free-swi m m i ng
fry s ho u l d be fed brine shri m p a n d other fi n e foods .
It is n o t u n usua l for two fem a l e cich l i d s t o b reed
s i m p l y to rid themsel ves of eggs. If i nferti l e eggs
a re prod uced repeated ly, try rep lacing a pa rtner.
One of the pa i r may be steri l e .
Angels ti re o f repetitious d iets a n d may q u it eat
i n g . Feed them a 1 va ried menu from the basic d iet.
Newly a cq u i red speci mens a re shy, b u t they soon
become ta me e n o u g h to acce pt food from the fi n g
ers. Ma ny va rieties o f Angelfi s h h a v e been devel
oped from t h e orig i n a l S i l ver stra i n .
1 43

DISCUS, from the Amazon reg ion, a re for the a d

vanced a q u a ri u m hobbyist. T h e wate r must be soft,
acid i n pH, a n d 80 deg rees F. Ha rd, a l ka l ine water
wi l l k i l l these fi s h . Freshen a t h i rd of the water with
new, a ged water t h ree ti mes a month. One tea
spoon of sea sa l t per g a l l o n h e l ps prevent s ickness.
If new specimens a re i nfected with "worms" (pro
tozoa ns) a ro u n d head, trea t with a n t i b iotics (p. 33).
Pla nts provide secu r ity . Ad u l ts need a ta n k of 5 0
g a l lons o r more. Feed a va ried d iet with ple nty of
l ive foods in freq uent sma l l mea l s .
Discus a re peaceful fi s h , b u t pa i rs shou l d b e iso
l a ted a t breed i n g . They spawn l i ke other cich l id s
a n d ca re for their broods. Artificia l rea r i n g is un
wise, for a s soon a s the young a re free-sw i m m i n g ,
they feed on a sl ime secreted from the pa rents'
s k i n, browsing off fi rst one parent a n d then the
other. After a bout a week, beg i n feed i n g newly
hatched brine s h r i m p, rinsed i n fres h water.

BROWN SCH U LTZ

_

Symphysodon
o equifosciata
to 8 i n .

BLUE SCHULTZ
(va riety

RAINBOW SCHULTZ
(variety of

S.

of S.

aeq uifasciata)

aeq uifasciata)

RED HECKLE DISCUS ),)

1 44

S . discus

to 8 in.

BLACKCHIN MOUTHBROODER
Tilopio me/onotheron
7 in.

to

MUDSKIPPER
Periophthalmus barbarus
in.

to 1 2

BLACKCHIN MOUTHBROODERS a re a b u ndant in

l a kes a nd rivers of Africa . This species is often
tra nspla nted for rea ring i n ponds as a food fi s h .
I n a q u a r i u ms, a u g ment their diet with a mple
a mou nts of p l a nt matter. Eggs a re fe rtil ized where
they a re l a i d, then incu bated a nd ca red for a s i n
the Egyptia n Mouthbroode r (p. 1 40)-except the
m a l e i ncu bates the eggs.
MUDSKIPPERS (Periophthal midae)
MUDSKIPPERS have b u l g i n g eyes that emerge fi rst
when these fish come out of the water of the
m a n g rove swa mps where they l ive. They wa l k or
j u m p on the i r pectora l fi n s-"ski pping" across the
m udflats . They pa use i n m u ddy pools to wet their
g i l l s . They may even climb onto logs o r rocks to
bask b u t j u m p back into poo ls when a l a rmed. Ta n ks
shou l d be covered a nd pa rtly terrestria l , with poo l s
o f water fou r t o six i nches d e e p . A d d two teaspoons
of sea sa l t per g a l l o n of water.
1 45

CLIMBING PERCH
A nobos testudineus
to 8 in.

LABYRINTHFISHES
Fish in this fa m i l y g u l p atmospheric a i r into a l a by
rinth of storage cha mbers a bove the g i l l s . The oxy
gen i n this stored a i r s u pplements that a bsorbed by
the g i l ls i n respiration. Ol der fish rely wholly on
this a i r a nd w i l l d rown if they do not have surface
a i r to breathe. If the a i r is much colder than the
water, the fish develop respi ratory i l l nesses. Cover
the ta nk. Labyrinthfishes a re ava i lable at a ny fish
store. They a re idea l for beg i n ners. I n a wel l-man
aged com m u n ity ta n k, they com monly l ive for more
than five yea rs. They a re peacefu l, thoug h two
a d u lt m a l es of the same species w i l l fi g ht. They
a re o m nivorous. Most species in this fa m i l y b u i l d
b u b b l e nests for breed i n g .

CLIMBING PERCHES (not t r u e perches) a re a food

fish in Asi a . I n captivity, these predators ca n leap
throug h sma l l g a ps. Propel l ing themselves on thei r
g i l l plates and pectoral fi ns, they w i l l then "wa l k"
away. Eggs float ra ndom ly until hatchi n g .
BETTA, o r Fig hting Fish, m a l es a re u n m a n ne r ly only
towa rd other mal e Bettes . Condition these fish with
a basic diet that i s high in l ive food. The tempera
ture of the water sho u l d be 80 deg rees F . Do not put
a male and a fe m a l e together unl ess they a re ready
to breed. In sha l low, sti l l water, a m a l e w i l l pre
pare a foa my bubble nest. A d i sten ded, rea dy
fem a l e w i l l fol low her flamboya nt m a l e to this nest.
1 46

bubble nest

FIGHTING FISH
Betta splendens
to 2'12 in.

Some Asian peoples stage pub

lic fighting contests between
male Bettas. Over the years
of selective breeding, many
va rieties of fins and colors
have been ach ieved for this
species. D o not mistake a

short-fin ned immatu re male for

a female. Males only a few
weeks old will fight each other.
Females never fight. Males keep
their bubble nest in repair
and fry in place until they
leave the nest.

After a spawning e m b race, which may l a st to

ta l l y for hou rs, the fem a l e re leases eggs, w h i c h the
m a l e i m med i a tely ferti l izes . Before the eggs s i n k,
the ma l e catches them i n h i s mouth a nd "b lows"
them i nto the nest. After spawn i ng is com p l eted, re
move fe ma le. P l a ce her in med icated water to hea l
a ny torn fi n s . Ma les care for spawn a n d a l so for
young u n t i l they a re free-sw i m m i ng . Then remove
ma le. You n g fis h's fi rst food is i nfusoria. Feed often .
Bettas a re o l d at two yea rs.

147

native to northea stern

I nd i a, have g a i ned popu l a rity recen tly. They a re
peacef u l but shy, need ing h i d i ng p l a ces to escape
rea l or i m a g i ned da ngers. Ma les ofte n rei nforce
the i r b u b b l e nest w ith bits of p l a n t materia l . Both
sexes norma l l y have a dark stripe a l o n g t h e i r
fl a n ks. A t spawn i n g t i m e, t h e fema le's stripe fades,
and the m a le's deepens i n color.

DWARF HO NEY GOURAM IS,

a re by no mea ns the "g i a n ts" of

the go u ra m i world, fo r Kiss i n g Goura m i s g row to
twice t h e i r length. Tho u g h p rol ific, m a ny males a re
poor nest b u i l ders. B u b bles a re scattered i n floating
p l a nts. Eggs usua l ly float u p i n to the nest from the
pa rents spawn ing be l ow. Ma l es s p ray a strea m of
fine b u bbles over the nest period ical l y .

G IANT GOURAMIS

DWA R F H O N EY G O U RAM I
Colisa c h u n a
to 2 i n .

C. fasciata
to 5 in.

148

THICKL I P GO U RAMI
Colisa labiosa
to J V2 in.

DWARF GOURAMI
C. /alia
to 2 in.

occasiona l ly show up with oth

er goura m i s h i pme nts but a re not u s u a l ly for s a l e
i n l a rge n u m bers. T h e na rrow d a rk b a n d a ro u n d
the i r l i ps ma kes the i r l i ps a ppea r hea v i e r than they
a re. In a co m m u n ity ta n k of 1 5 g a l l o n s or l a rger
and kept we l l fed on a basic d iet, these a re peace
fu l fi s h . Ma l es a nchor their b u b b l e nest haphaz
a rd l y i n s u rface p l a nts. D u r i n g spawn i n g , eggs float
u p i nto o r a re spit i nto the nest.

T H I C K L I P GOURAMI S

a re shy but peacef u l a n d desir

a bl e . The m a l e constructs his b u b b l e nest pa i ns
ta k i n g l y, wea v i ng i n to it p ieces of lea ves, a l gae,
a n d twi g s for rei nforcement. Nests of other species
cover a l a rger s u rface a rea a n d fa l l a p a rt after the
eggs h a tch, but the m a l e Dwa rf Gou ra m i 's nest has
a sma l l d ia mete r, is deep, and re ma i n s i ntact l ong
afte r the you n g depart. The basic d iet m u st be a u g
mented with vegetation .

DWARF GOURAMIS

1 49

K I SS I NG GOU RAMI
Helostoma femmincki
to 1 2 i n .

PARAD I S E F I S H
Macropodus opercularis
to 4 in.

KISSING GOURAMIS a re known for t h e i r habit of

exte n d i n g thei r thick fleshy l i ps and kiss i n g . T h i s
k i s s i n g is n o t bel ieved t o b e l i n ked with sex, for
eve n i m m a t u re K i ssi n g Gou ra mis see m to e n joy
"kiss i ng . " Keep these flsh in ta nks of a t l east 20
g a l lons, a n d satisfy their h u g e a p petites by serv
ing mea l s a t least twice d a i ly. Vegeta ble matter
shou l d be a d ded as a s u pp lement a t least one mea l .
Kiss i n g Goura m i s engage i n t h e typica l spawn i n g
em bra ces of l a byrinthfls hes, but t h e y do n o t bu i l d
a b u b b l e nest. large flsh may prod uce a thousa nd
eggs that float ra ndomly u n t i l hatch i n g .
PARADISE FISH have s u c h u n des i ra b l e tem pera ments
that the i r popu l a rity has g reatly d i m i n ished . The
te m perature of the water m u st not exceed 7 5 de
g rees F . Meaty foods a re a n essentia l i n their basic
d i et. Pa rad ise Fish fight either by loc k i n g jaws in
the usua l cichl i d fas h ion or by biting the i r op
ponent's fl a n ks. Ma l es attack other flsh and g u a rd
the i r nest viciously. An a l bino variety of this species
is a lso ava i l a b le.
1 50

PEARL GOURAMIS a re pl easing pets . Thou g h shy a t

fi rst, they become q u ite t a m e a n d easy t o keep i n
m ed u i m -sized com m u nity ta n ks . T h ey wi l l sel dom
attack other fi s h . The ma le is a gentl e m a n d u ring
cou rts h i p, not d riving the fe m a l e too h a rd a n d not
n i pping her fi ns. Re move the fe m a l e a nd other fish
afte r spawn ing is com p leted so that the male can
g u a rd h i s l a rge bubble nest i n peace . This species
i s also c a l l e d Lace Goura m i o r Mosa i c Gou ra m i . Pri m e
m a l e s have red c h ests.

MOONLIGHT GOURAMIS a re a food fish i n their

na tive Tha i l a n d . Ca re a nd disposition a re the sa m e
as f o r t h e previous species, but l a rg e speci mens
may pick on s m a l l e r more docile species. Th e se
fish a re a l most ful l g rown before they reach sexua l
matu rity a n d b reed. Their s h i m mering, meta l l ic
s i l ve r color resu lts from the reflection of l ig ht from
their nu merous t i ny sca les.

P E A R L G O U RAMI
Trich ogaster leeri
to 4 i n .

MOO N L I GH T GOU RAMI

T. m icrolepis
to 6 i n .

151

SNAKESKIN GOURAMI

SNAKESKIN GOURAMIS, a mong the l a rgest of the

g o u ra m is, a re considered to be the most pea cefu l
and gentle of the g roup. A fa m i ly of these fish ca n
be ra ised i n a ta n k without worry of ca n n i ba l ism .
They a re b u b b l e nest b u i l ders. The mod ified pel v i c
fi n s, or fee lers, a re com mon t o a l l g o u ra m is. T hey
ca n be moved in a ny d i rection to hel p the fi s h test
a n d sense his envi ronment.
BLUE GOURAMIS, the most pop u l a r of a l l the gour
a m is, a re h a rdy, inexpensive, pro l i fi c, a n d easy to
ra ise. They a re someti mes kept in l a rge schoo l s of
predom i na ntly fe ma les. Encounters may occ u r be
tween m a l es, but usua lly no harm res u l ts. Ad u l t
m a l es have a long, poi n ted dorsa l fi n ; i n fe ma les,
the dorsa l fin is rou nded . Bl ue Gou ra m i s b reed by
producing a l a rge b u bb l e nest and then spawn i n g
i n t h e u s u a l l a byrinthfish fas h i o n . T h e bu bble nest
g ives the fry an adeq uate s u p p l y of oxyge n .
B l u e Goura m i s a r e often p u t i n a q u a r i u m s t o eat
Hydra, w h i ch m a y be d a n gerous to a l l of t h e yo u n g fish .

Goura m i s a l so red u ce an overpopulation of s n a i ls.

They m ust be p rovi ded with the basi c d i et, how
ever. Of the severa l color and pattern v a r i eties, t h e
most co m m o n is the O p a l i n e Goura m i .
1 52

BLUE GOURAMI
T. trichopterus

to 6

in.

O PA L I N E G O U R A M I

(a vari ety of t h e B l u e
Goura m i )

. '

" C ROAKING" GOU RAMI

Trich opsis vittatus

to 3 i n .

is the n a m e earned by the

male of this s pecies. D u r i n g courts h i p or when con
fronted by a nother m a l e, he ma kes a croa k i n g o r
p u rr i n g so u n d b y g u l p i n g i n a i r. T h e m a l e often
constructs h i s b u b b l e nest u nder l eaves. After
spawn i n g , fe m a l e may be permitted to hel p gather
s i n k i n g eggs for placing them i n the nest.

"CROA K I N G" GOURAMI

153

SILVERSIDES (Antherin idae)

DWARF AUSTRALIAN RAINBOW FISH a re peacef u l ,
active schoo lers o f com m u n ity ta nks. O n e tea spoon
of sea sa l t per ga l l o n of water is benefici a l . Eggs
a re l a i d i n p l a nts on severa l consecutive morni ngs,
a nd if not eaten, they hatch in one o r two weeks.
SOLES (Soleidae)
DWARF FLOUNDERS a re i n a ctive, bottom-dwe l l ing
fl atfi sh. You n g flou nders a re norma l i n shape, but
a s they g row, they turn onto the i r side, their eye
a l so m i g rating so that it is on top . T h e i r mouth a l so
twists. Feed these fish the basic d iet. P rovide them
with sand i n which they can d i g and ca mouflage
themselves. Use one tea spoon of sea sa l t per g a l l o n
o f water t o p rovide proper sa l i n ity.
DWA R F A U ST R A L I A N
RA I N BOWF I S H
M e la n otae n io
macculochi

to 3 i n .

DWA R F FLO U N D E R
Achirus fasciatus
to 6 in.

1 54

SPINY EEL
Macragnathus acu/eatus
to 8 in.

---.-Ql:-=.o;:
GREEN PUFFER

normal

SPINY EELS (Mastocem bel idae}

SPINY EELS have a n e longated, rou nded body, but
they a re not true eels. They a re noctu rna l . I n brig ht
l i g ht, they hide under the g ravel with j u st their
snout protrud i n g . Feed m ixed foods. Their favorites
a re worms and tiny fi shes. Cover the ta n k com
pl etely, for these fi s h ca n s l i t h e r out of a ny gaps.
PUFFERS (Tetraodontidae}
PUFFERS become n i ppy towa rd other fi s h as they
g row o l d e r, hence they shou l d be kept i n isolated
ta n ks. The i r water s h ou l d be sa lty-a teaspoon of
sea sa l t for each g a l lon of water. A flower pot cov
ered with a lgae a nd set on its side wi l l p rovide a
secu re home a s wel l as some vegetation on which
to n i bble. Feed them such l ive foods a s s na i l s, mea l
worms, tu bifex worms, a nd ea rthworms.

155

FOR

M O R E I N F O R M A T I ON

San Fra ncisco Aq uari u m Soci ety, Stei n h a rt Aquar

i u m , San Fra n c i sco, C a l i f.

Aq u a r i u m J o u r n a l ,

Aq u a r i u m M a g a z i n e,

Lil

&

Len R u b i n , Maywood, N.J.

Axelrod, E m m e n s, Scuttherpe, Vorderw i n k l er, Pron e k , Exot i c T ro p i c a l

F i s h e s, T F H Pu b l i cations, I n c., E n g l ewood C l i ffs, N.J., 1 96 1 .
Axel rod , Herbert R. a n d Leonard Schu ltz, Ha n d b o o k o f
A q u a r i u m F i s h es, McGraw- H i l l Book Co., I nc., N.Y., 1 955.

Tro p i c a l

The Complete Aq u a r i s t ' s Guide to Freshwater Trop i c a l F i s h es,

by John G i l bert, Gol d e n Press , N.Y., 1 970.

Conroy, D.A. a n d R.L. Hermon , Textbook of

tions, I nc., E n g l ewood C l i ffs, N.J., 1 970.
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F i s h Diseases,

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Gol dstein , Robert J ., Ana bantoids Gouramis a n d

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Jacobs, Kurt,

ed ited

Livebearing Aq uarium Fishes,

Related

Fishes,

TFH P u b l i cations ,

T F H Publ ications, I n c.,

The MacMi l l a n Co., N.Y.,

1 97 1 .

Langl er, Ka rl F., John Ba rda c h, and Robert Miller, I c h t h yo l og y , Joh n

W i l ey

&

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Scheel, Jorgen , Rivu l i n s o f t h e

E n g l ewood C l i ffs, N.J., 1 96 8 .

S c h n e ider, Earl, A l l About B reed i n g

I n c. , E n g l ewood C l i ffs, N.J., 1 966.
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TFH Publications,

and Inve rtebrate C u l t u re,

Joh n Wiley

&

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Stu d i o V i sta Ltd. & E.P. Dutton & Co., I n c., Nexo lei pzig, 1 967.

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Lon gacre Press Ltd ., London, 1 963.
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1 56

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Gol den Press, N.Y., 1 955.

I N D EX
A bramites m i cro
cep h a l u s , 61
A canthodoras
spinosiss i m u s , 94
A ca n t h o p h t h a l m u s

Aq uari um c o n t ' d

Barb us cant' d

cond i t i oned, 3 6

cummingi, 7 1

d e c o r a t i o n s , 1 6 - 2 .4

evere t t i , 7 1

f i l ters , 1 0 , 1 1 , 27

fasc i a t u s , 7 1

g al l on vol ume, 7

hexozono, 7 1

g rovel , 1 3 , 27

lateristrigo, 7 2

k . s u m a tranus, 9 1

heater, 2 6 , 27

n i grofasciatus, 7 2

m yersi, 9 1

l ea k a g e , testing for, 9

oligolepis, 7 3

s e m i c i n ctes, 9 1

l ids, 25

phutunio, 7 3

l i g h ts , 2 5

schuberti, 7 3

kuhli, 9 1

sh elfordi, 9 1
Accra, bl ue, 1 3 3

l o cat i o n , 8

sch wanenfeldi, 74

A c h irus fasciatus, 1 54

ornamen t s , 24

sem ifosc iolotus, 7 4

A e q u idens p u lcher, 1 3 3

plants, 1 7- 2 3

tetrozono, 7 5

moron i i , 1 3 3

seal i n g , 6

t i t t e ya , 7 5

portolegrensis, 1 3 3

selec t i n q , 6

B a s i c d i et , 2 8

Air pump, 1 2

s h a pes , 7

B e lonesox b e l i z o n u s , 1 1 8

Alg ae, 1 5 , 3 3 , 3 7

s h o p p i n g l i st, 27

Betta, 1 46 , 1 47

A l g a e eater, 89

s i p h on , 9, 2 7

A m p u llario, 3 7

s i zes, 7

Ano bantidae, 1 46

tempera t u re, 26

B e t t a splendens, 1 4 7

A n abas test udineus, 1 .4 6

t h ermometer, 2 6 , 2 7

B i tterl i n g , 8 7

Ana b l e p i dae, 1 1 7

water, 1 4 , 1 5 , 3 6

B l o o d f i n , 44, 4 5

Com bod i a , 1 47
g reen, 1 .47

Bl uefi n , Fl ori d a , 1 1 6

A n a b leps a n a b leps, 1 1 7

Archer, 1 30

A n cistrus dolichopterus,

Arc herf i s h , 1 3 0

Bony-tong u ed f i s h e s , .4 0

Arg u s f i s h , 1 3 1

Sofia horae, 92

1 04
Angel f i s h , 1 4 2 - 1 4 3

Arowono, 40

A n opt i c h t h ys ;orda n i , 43

A stonotus oce lfatus, 1 3 5

An t h er i n i d o e , 1 5.4

Bacopo coro l i n iona, 2 1

Ape ltes q uodrocus, 1 1 1

B o g r i d ae, 1 07

A p h a n i u s iberus, 1 1 2

Barb, 6 8

A p h y ochorox rubrip i n n i s ,
44
Aphyose m i o n oustrole,
1 1 3

A f r i c a n s t r i ped , 70

B unocep h a l i d o e , 1 0 5
B u nocep h o l u s

gordn e r i , 1 1 4

clown, 70, 7 1

114
A p istogra m m a agassiz,

80
n i g r ofasciatus, 8 0
rerio, 8 1

block ruby, 72
c h erry, 7 5
C h ino , 7 4

A p h yosem i o n , steel - bl u e,

m a croca n t h u s , 9 2
Brach ydon io o lb o l i n e a t u s ,

c h e c k erboard, 73

bivittatum, 1 1 2
sjoested t i , 1 1 4

h y m e nophysa, 93
m odesto, 93

A n ostom u s anosto m u s , 6 2

C umming ' s , 70, 7 1

coracoideus, 1 0 5
B u tterfl y f i s h , 4 1
Cobombo coro l i n ia n o , 2 1

dwarf, 7 3

Col l i c h t h y i d ae, 9 5

f l y i ng , 8 3

Carassius o urotus, 7 6 , 7 9

h a l f- banded , 74

carassi us, 7 9

rosy, 69

Corn e g i e l lo strigato, 64

pertense, 1 3 4

S c h u bert ' s , 73

Carp, 6 8

ramirezi, 1 3 5

s i x - banded , 70, 7 1

1 34

A p loc h e i l u s l i n e a t u s, 1 1 5

spotted, 6 9

Aponogetum fenestra / i s ,

stri ped , 7 0 , 7 1

17
Aq u a r i u m , genera l , .4
aera t i on , 1 2
air pump, 1 2
b a l anced, 1 6 , 3 6

t o o t h ed , 1 1 2
C a tf i s h , African
p o l k a- d o t , 1 09

"T," 72

a d i pose f i n , 1 0 6

t i g er, 75

aen e u s , 96

t i n fo i l , 7.4

A g a s s i z ' s , 97

B o r b u s b i n otatus , 69
conchon i us , 69

armored cal l i c h t h y i d ,
95

1 57

Catf i s h co n t ' d
b a g r i d , 1 07

"'
... w
...
;
;:

.., u
"
z
..
"'
... :
...
;
j
i
..,

w
J

..

A f r i c a n p u r p l e , 1 .4 1

ba n j o, 1 05

A g a s s i z dwarf, 1 3 .4

b r i s t l e - m o u t h e d , 1 04

c h e c kerboard, 1 3 9

b u m b l e bee, 1 07

c h o c o late, 1 3 6

dwa rf, 99

key h o l e , 1 3 3

electric, 1 1 0

pike, 1 39

1 8
tenellus, 1 8
E co l og y , 2, 4
E e l , 66, 6 7
e l ec t r i c , 67

R a m i rez ' s dwarf, 1 3 5

k n i fe , 6 7

g l ass, 1 05

ye l l ow dwarf, 1 3 4

spiny, 1 55

l a b y r i n t h , 1 08

C i c h l idae, 1 3 2

Elassema evergla de i , 1 29

leopard, 1 00

Clarios b o troch us, 1 0 8

E l ec t r o p h o r i dae, 67

m a s ked, 9 8

C l a r i idae, 1 08

Myer' s , 9 8

C l o u d , w h ite, 88

o t o c i n c l u s , 1 03

C o b i ti d o e , 9 0

Electrophorus electricus,
67
Eleoch oris acicularis, 1 8

pepperd, 1 0 1

C o l isa lotio, 1 48

p i m e l o i d , 1 06

foscioto, 1 .4 8

p l ecosto m u s , 1 0.4

lobioso, 1 .49

p o l ka-dot, 1 06 , 1 07

/aHa, 1 4 9

Robout's, 1 01

Convict, 1 38

sadd l e b a c k , 1 00

Cope ino ornoldi, 4 5

s h ov e l n o s e , 1 06 , 1 07

Corydoros, 95

skunk, 98

oene us, 96

s l e nder, 1 0 6 , 1 07

agass iz, 97

s p i n y , 9.4

arcuotus, 9 8

s u c k e r- m o u thed
a r m ored, 1 0 2

e legons, 99

t a l k i n g , 94

j u / i i , 1 00

twi g , 1 02

m e lo n istius, 1 00

u p s i d e - d o w n , 1 09

metoe, 98

hostotus, 99

w a l k i n g , 1 08

myers i , 98

w h i pta i l , 1 03

paleatus, 1 0 1

Cavefi s h , b l i nd , 4 3
Centropo m i doe, 1 2 8
Ceratop h y l l u m demers u m ,

23

robouti, 1 0 1
Corydoros, e l e g a n t , 99
Corynopoma riisei, 4 6
Cren icara macu latta, 1 3 9
Crenicich lo lepidoto, 1 3 9
Cryptacoryne alfinis, 1 8

Cha nda r o n g a , 1 29

Cynoleb ias b e l /otti, 1 1 5

C h o ro c i n , 4 3

Cyprinodontidae, 1 1 2

2 C h o racidoe, 43

Cyp r i n idae, 68

h a l f - ba n d e d , 5 1
swordta i l , 46
Cheirodon axe lrod i , 44

Ears, g o l d e n , 1 1 6
Ech i n odorus p a n i c u latus,

e l e g a n t , 99

I)
21
z
iii Cerotopteris t h o lic troides,

... :!

C i c h l id , 1 3 2

Dace, F l o rida b l u e, 1 1 6
D o n i a m o lboricus, 8 1

C h i lodus p u nctotus, 6 1

Da n i os , 80 - 8 1

C h l o r i n e , i n water, 1 4

Datn ioides m icrolepis,

1 29
Dermogenys pussillus,
1 10
DH, 1 5

Ch romode, orange, 1 39
Cich lasoma
coryph aenoides, 1 3 6
eryth roe u m , 1 37
fes t i v u m , 1 3 7
meeki, 1 3 8
n i grofoscio t u m , 1 3 8
octofascio t u m , 1 3 6
seve r u m , 1 3 8

1 58

D i rteoter, 1 40

E l e p h o n t fi s h , 4 2
Elodea c a l l i t r i c h o ides, 2 1
denso, 2 1
Epa lzeor h y n c h us
kallopterus, 82
Ep iplatys dogeti, 1 1 5
Esom us donrica, 8 3
Etrop lus m a c u la t u s, 1 3 9
Forlo w e l la a c u s , 1 0 2
Festi v u m , 1 37
F i g h t i n g f i s h , 1 46 , 1 47
F i l t rat i o n , 1 0 , 1 1
Fingerfish, 1 30
F i re m o u t h , 1 3 8
Fish, anatomy, 3 1
catch i n g , 3 1
d i e t , 2 8 , 29
d i seases, 34, 3 5
drugs, 3 3
food, 2 8 , 29
h y g i e n e , 30, 3 1
pests, 3 3
prev e n t i v e care, 33
s e l e c t i n g , 30, 3 1
s o u rces of, 3 6
tails, 1 21
F l o g f i s h , A m e ri c a n , 1 1 6
F l o u nder, dwa rf, 1 54
F l y i n g fox, 8 2
Fontina lis gracilis, 21
F o u r- eyed f i s h , 1 1 7
Fres h water b u tterf lyf i s h ,
41
Frog , A f r i c a n a q u a t i c , 3 8
F u n d u l us chrysotus, 1 1 6

D i s c u s , 1 44
Di seases, 34, 3 5

Gombusia, 1 1 9

Do l l a r , s i l ver, 5 6 , 5 7

G o m b usio offinus, 1 1 9

Ooradidae, 94

G o m m orus, 38

Gosteropel ecidae, 6.4

Gasterosteidae, 1 1 1
Gastrop e lecus levis, 6 5
Geophagus j urupari,
1 40
G lassfi s h , 1 2 8
Glowlight, 49
G n a t h o n e m u s petersi, .4 2
G o l den ear, 1 1 6
G o l den p h easan t , 1 1 7
G o l dfis h ,
4 , 26, 76, 77, 78
G o n o p od i u m , 1 1 8 , 1 2 1
G o u rami, b l u e , 1 5 2
" c roaking , " 1 5 3

Hem iodus sem itaeniatus,

51

Marsilea h irsute, 2 2
Mostocem be l i dae, 1 5 5

Hemiramp h i dae, 1 1 0

Medaka, 1 1 6 , 1 1 7

Hetrondria formosa, 1 1 9

M e l a n o ides t u b erculata,

Hygrop h i la polyspermo,
18
Hyphessobrycon
callistus, 51

f l a m m e u s , 52

37
Melanotaenia
maccu lloch i , 1 54
Mesogn i s t i us chaetodon,
1 29

imnesi, 52

M e t , red h o o k , 5 6 , 5 7

p u lchripinnis, 54

M e t y n n is schre i t m u e l leri,

rossceous, 54
r u b rost i g m a , 55
Hyposto m u s p lecosto m u s ,
1 04

56
Mi l f o i l , 2 2
Minnows, 6 8 , 1 1 8 , 1 1 9
M o c h o kidae, 1 09
M o l g e pyrrhogastro, 3 8

d warf, 1 4 8
dwarf h oney, 1 4 8

Jack Dempsey, 1 3 6

M o l l i e s , 1 22 , 1 23

giant, 1 .4 8

Jew e l f i s h , African , 1 4 1

Mono, 1 30

kissing , 1 50

Jorda n e l la f loridae, 1 1 6

M o n ocirrh us

K i l l ifish, 1 1 2

Monodact y l i do e , 1 3 0

Knife ee l , 67

M o n odactyfus argenteus,

polvaca n t h u s , 1 3 1

moonlig h t , 1 5 1
o pa l i ne , 1 5 2 , 1 5 3
pear l , 1 5 1
snakesk i n , 1 5 2

Knifefis h , bande d , 6 6

t h i c k l i p, 1 49

Kryptop tereus bicirrhis,

G u l aris , b l u e , 1 1 A

1 05

t e r n e t z i , 46
Gymnotid e e l s , 6 6

Morulius
chrysophekadion, 8 5

G u ppies, 1 20 - 1 2 1
G y m n ocorym b u s

1 30
M o rmyridae, 4 2

labeo b i color, 8 5

Mosq uitofi s h , 1 1 9

labyrinth f i s h , 1 46

M o u t h b rooder, b \ ac k c hin,

leof f i s h , 1 3 1

Gymnotidae, 66

l e i ocass is siamensis, 1 07

Gymnotus carapo , 6 6

l e m n o m i nor, 2 3

1 45
E g yptia n , 1 .40
M u d s k i p p e r , 1 .45

Gyri n o c h eilidae, 89

l e p o rin u s , 6 2 , 6 3

M y l o p u s arnoldi, 5 6

G y rino c h eilids, 8 9

leporin u s fascia t u s ,

Myriop h y l l u m spica t u m , 2 2

G y r i n och e i l u s a y m o n i e r i ,
89
Ho l f b e o k , 1 1 0
w rest lin g , 1 1 0
Hatc h e tl i s h , 64, 6 5

62, 63
l i mia, b l a c k b e l lied, 1 2 2

Nand i dae, 1 3 1

L i m io m e l a nogaster, 1 2 2

N a n n o s t o m u s beckfordi,

L i m noph ila sess i l i f lora,

21
live bearers, 1 1 8

eques, 60
m a r g i n a t u s , 60
trifasciatus, 60

N e m a tobrycon p a l m e r i , 5 6

Head and tail l i g h t, 5 0

leaches, 90, 9 1 , 9 2 , 93

Head stan d e r , 6 1 , 6 2 , 6 3

l oricario parva, 1 03

He lastom u s t e m m incki,

l o r i cariidae, 1 0 2

N i t e l la gracilis, 2 3

l u cania goode i, 1 1 6

Nitrogen c y c l e , 3 6

1 50
H e m i ch r o m is b i m o c u lo t u s
141
Hem igram m us ormstron g i ,

l ud w i g i a natans, 2 2

N e w t , Japanese, 3 8

N otropis l u trensis, 8 5

L y m naea ovata, 3 7

N up h a r s a g i t t i f o l i a , 1 8

l y retai l s , 1 1 2 , 1 1 3

N y m p h o ides aquatica, 1 9

48
caudov ittatus, .4 9
graci l i s , 49
nanus, 4 8
oce llifer, 50
rh odas t o m u s , 5 0
H e m ihaplochrom i s
m u lticolor, 1 .40

Macrogn a t h u s aculeatus,
1 55
Macropodus opercularis,
1 50
Malapte r u r i dae, 1 1 0
Ma lapte rurus electricus
1 10

Oryzias l a t ipes, 1 1 7
Oscar, tig e r , 1 3 5
Osteog l o s s i dae, .40
Osteogloss u m
b icirrhos u m , 40
Otocinc l u s , 1 03
Otocinclus off i n u s , 1 03

1 59

Po n c h o x , 1 1 5

'"

Poecilia reticulate c o n t ' d

Panchox l i n ea t u s , 1 1 5

latipinna, 1 2 3

Pan todon b u c h olzi, 4 1

sph e n ops, 1 23

Pon tod o n t i d a e , .4 1

Poecillidoe, 1 1 8

P o r a d i sefi s h , 1 5 0

Port, 1 3 3

Peo r l f i s h , A r g e n t i n e , 1 1 5

Pterop h y l l u m scolara, 1 .4 2

Pe l v i c a c h ro m i s p u l c h e r ,

P u ffers, 1 5 5

Pen c i l f i s h , 6 0

..

..

.,

... iii

;:

:1

b l e ed i n g h eart, 55
B u e n o s A i re s , 4 9

R a s b o r o , h a r l eq u i n , 86

em peror, 5 6 , 5 7

'Ph ysa acuto, 37

:.:

A ustralian, 1 54

Perio p h t h a l m i d a e , 1 4 5

Pheasa nt, g o l d e n , 1 1 7

::

R a i n bowfish, dwarf

c a rd i n a l , 44, 4 5

borborus, 1 4 5

.., c
..
0
..

Tan i c h t h y s a l b o n u b e s , 8 8
T e m p e ra t u re , 26

Rom, 1 35

pH, 1 5

nigrivantris, 1 09

Tadpo l e s , 3 8

Perc h , c l i m b i n g , 1 46
Periop h th a l m us

z
u

Synodo n t i s a n g e l icus, 109

Tetro b l o c k , 46, 4 7

1 41
Pe n g u i n f i s h , 59

S y n n e m a trifloru m , 1 9

s c i ssorto i l , 86

flame, 52

trilineata, 86

golden, 48

R osbora h e teromorpha, 86
Red dev i l , 1 3 7
Red hook met, 5 6

g l o w l i g M , 49
jewe l , 5 1
lemon, 54

P i m e lode llo gracilis, 1 07

R h odeus serice us, 87

n eo n , 5 2 , 5 3

P i m e lodus ciorios, 1 0 7

R iccio l l u tons, 23

rosy, 5.4, 5 5
serpae, 5 1

P i m e l o d i d a e , 1 06

Rice fish, 1 1 7

P i pefi s h , 1 1 1

R o loffio occide n t a l i s , 1 1 7

s i l ve r t i p , .4 8

Piran ha, 58, 59

R ooseve l t i e l lo nottere r i , 5 8

Planorbis cor n e u s , 3 7

R u by, b l o c k , 72

Te traodon f l u v i o t i l i s , 1 5 5

Plants, 1 6

R u m m yn o s e , 50

Tetro d o n t i d o e , 1 5 5

a b u l ia , 20, 2 1

s p l a s h , 44, 4 5

Thoyerio o b l i q u o , 5 9

Amazon sword, 1 8

Sagi ttario s u b u lata, 1 9

bocopo, 2 0 , 2 1

Scot, 1 3 1

banana p l a n t, 1 9

Scotophogidoe, 1 3 1

T h e ro p o n i d o e , 1 2 8
T i g e rf i s h , 1 2 8 , 1 2 9

Ti lapio m e lanotheron, 1 45

b u n c h e d , 20

Scopfophogus argus, 1 3 1

c a b o m b a , 20, 2 1

Sea h orse, 1 1 1

Cryptocoryne, 1 8

Serpae, 5 1

Toxotes jacu lator, 1 3 0

crysto l w o r t , 2 3

Serraso l m o notterer i , 59

Toxot i d o e , 1 3 0

d u c k weed, 2 3

Seve r u m , 1 3 8

Trichogoster leari, 1 5 1

d w a rf f o u r . leaf c l ov e r ,

" S h a r k , " b l o c k , 84, 8 5

22

redto i l ed , 8 4 , 8 5

e e l g ross, 1 9

S h i ner, redfi n n e d , 8 .4 , 8 5

E l od e a , 2 0 , 2 1

S h r i m p , freshwater g h os t ,

float i n g , 23

38

Topm i n n o w , d w a r f , 1 1 9
pike, 1 1 8

m i crolepis, 1 5 1
pectora l i s , 1 5 2
trichopterus, 1 5 3
Trichopsis v i t totus, 1 5 3
T u r t l e s , 39

h a i r g ro s s , 1 8

S i l u ri d a e , 1 0 5

h o r n wo rt, 2 0 , 2 1

Si lver d o l lar, 5 6

Vollisnerio spira l i s , 1 9

h y g roph i l a , 1 8

Si l v e r s i d e s , 1 5 4

Var iatus, 1 2 6

Ludwigio, 22

Snails, 37

marigold, 1 26

Madagascar lace, 1 7

S o l e , 1 54

s u n set, 1 2 6

Nitello, 23

S o l e i doe, 1 54

rooted, 1 7

Sor u b i m l i m a , 1 07

Water, 1 4 , 1 5

Sog i tt o r i o , 1 9

Stick lebacks, 1 1 1

White c l o u d , 88

sporterd o c k , 1 8

S u nfish, 1 28

Vo l l i s n e r i o , 1 9
water sprite, 2 3

b l ock- bonded, 1 29

Xenopus l o e u i s , 3 8

Everg l a des pyg m y , 1 2 9

Xiphop h orus h e l le r i , 1 24 ,

wi l lowmoss, 20, 2 1

Swordta i l , 1 2 4 , 1 2 5

wisteria, 1 9

Symphysodon

P l atys, 1 2 6 , 1 2 7

oequ ifosciato, 1 4 .4

P l ecostom u s , 1 04

Syngnath idae, 1 1 1

Poeci l i a r e t i c u lato, 1 2 1

S y n g n a t h u s spicifer, 1 1 1

160

1 25
maculatus, 1 2 h , 1 2 7
variatus, 1 26
Z e b ro f i s h , 8 1

H I J

TROPICAL FISH
A GOLDEN GUIDE

B R U CE W. H A LSTEAD, M . D ., D i recto r of t h e I n te r n at i o n a l

B i otox i co l o g i ca l Cen te r a n d Wo r l d L i fe Research I n s t i t u te,

i s a n a u t h o r i ty o n t h e tox i c p l ants and a n i m a l s of the
wo r l d . H e s e rves as a co n s u l ta n t to i n te r n at i o n a l , n at i o n a l ,
i nd u s t r i a l , e d u ca t i o n a l , a n d p r i vate o rga n i z a t i o n s t h ro u gh
o u t t h e w o r l d , a n d i s a m e m b e r o f t h e j o i n t I M C O / F AO/
U N ESCO/WMO/ W H O / I A EA Group of Experts o n t h e S c i
e n t i f i c Aspects of M a r i n e Po l l u t i o n . D r. H a l stead h a s
ove r a h u n d red p u b l i ca t i o n s to h i s c red i t i n c l u d i n g a
th ree vo l u m e work, P O I S O N O U S A N D V E N OM O U S
MA R I N E A N I MA LS, p u b l i s h e d by the U . S . Gove r n m e n t
P r i n t i n g Off i ce .
BO N N I E L. LA N D A i s associ ated w i th t h e Wo r l d L i fe Re
search I n st i t u te w h e re s h e h a s a wet l a b o rato ry. M o s t of
her e a r l y work was done w i t h p o i s o n o u s and ve n o m o u s
m a r i n e a n i m a l s , b u t i s n o w c o n c e n t rated o n s a l t - a n d
f reshwater f i s h . S h e rece i ved h e r B .A . d e g r e e i n b i o l ogy
from the U n i v e rs i ty of Cal i fo r n i a . H e r h o b by is ra i s i n g
t u rt l e s from hatch l i ngs a n d h e r co l l ec t i o n s i n c l u d e a b o u t
500 t u rt l e a r t i facts f r o m a l l ove r t h e wo r l d .
GEORGE F . SA N D ST R O M

i s a we l l - k nown a n d p ro l i fi c
a r t i s t i n the f i e l d of nat u ra l h i sto ry. B o r n i n A rgen t i n a ,
a n d a g r a d u ate of the U n i v e rs i ty of L i to ra l i n Rosa r i o , h e
i l l u strated t h e fa u n a of h i s n a t i ve co u n t ry before com i n g
to A m e r i ca i n 1 950. H i s c o n c h o l o g i ca l w o r k s i n c l u d e t h e
po p u l a r G o l d e n Books, SEAS H E LLS O F T H E WO R L D a n d
S E AS H E LLS O F N O RT H AM E R I CA.

G O L D E N PR ESS N EW YO RK

24361 -1

A . GOLDEN G U I DE

TROPICAL FISH
TROPICAL FISH, A Golden Guide, was written to help

hobbyists with one of the most exciting of a l l spare

time pursuits : studying a closed ecological system i n
an aquari u m _ T h e fish and other organisms described
and i l l u strated i n this book were sel ected largely
on the basis of their availab i l ity, beauty, and general
i nterest. I l l u strations are i n fu l l color.

I S B N 0-307-2436 1 -3