Lively Aquarium

Remember the strange fish discovered by divers off the Indonesian coast in January 2008? This fish has now been scientifically described and given the official name Histiophryne psychedelica . Well, what else would you call a fish that that looks like this and moves like it was permanently and irrevocably under the influence? Histiophryne psychedelica , also known as the Psychedelic frogfish, was scientifically described by Ted Pietsch [1] and Rachel Arnold [2] of the University of Washington, together with wildlife photographer David Hall [3] . The University of Washington has released videos where you can see the Psychedelic frogfish swim, or rather hop, ... Read Full Story

The members of the genus Synodontis, commonly known as the squeaker catfishes of Lake Tanganyika, evolved from a single common ancestor according to a paper* published in a recent issue of the Journal of Evolutionary Biology. synodontis catfish Researchers Day, Bills and Friel** analysed 1697 base-pair sequences consisting of nuclear (ribosomal protein-codin gene S7), mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and transfer RNA gene fragments in 65 samples (representing about 40 species) of squeaker catfishes to study the evolutionary relationships of the group. Through their research, the authors were able to track down a single origin for the Lake Tanganyika species flock. The members of the genus ... Read Full Story

Description of Leporinus Fasciatus Not all Leporinus carry the distinctive yellow and black stripes seen in the species most fishowners are familiar with. However only the striped varieties Leporinus fasciatus and Leporinus affinis are usually offered for sale. L. affinis has rounded caudal fins and displays nine stripes. L. fasciatus has pointed caudal fins and ten vertical stripes. The Leporinus will nip at fins, jump out of the aquarium and grow to be as large as 8-12 inches in length. Like the rings of a tree will reveal its age, so will the bands of a Leporinus, but not quite as easily as a ... Read Full Story

Description of Polypterus Endlicheri Polypterus endlicheri live in swamps and rivers. Polypterus endlicheri is essentially piscivorous. Diet includes snails and crustaceans in the wild, and accept feederfishes, shrimps, market prawn in the tank . Polypterus endlicheri are very large, predatory fish distinguished by their armoured bodies, numerous dorsal fins, and lobed pectoral and pelvic fins, sandy grey above and paler below, with a few indistinct horizontal bands running over the back and onto the flanks. These bands may be forked or broken into little more than blotches. They have a very ancient look about them, and can make interesting and rewarding pets. Irregular vertical ... Read Full Story

Description of Bristlenose Ancistrus species show all the typical features of the Loricariidae. The feature of this fish most commonly associated with the genus are the fleshy tentacles found on the head in adult males; females may possess tentacles along the snout margin but they are smaller and they lack tentacles on the head. Males also have evertable cheek odontodes which are less developed or absent in females. While the female inspects the nest, the male keeps close contact. The female plays no role in parental care; the male takes care of its young. Males will clean the eggs and the cavity with its ... Read Full Story