Simple Aquascape: Tropical Fish

Ember Tetra

Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon Amandae)

The ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. It is native to the Araguaia River basin of Brazil and was discovered around 15 ago and named in honor of the fish explorer Heiko Bleher's mother (Amanda Bleher). This species is of typical tetra shape but grows to a maximum overall length of approximately 2 cm. Most exhibit striking orange and reddish coloration with mild translucency near the pelvic fin. The eye frequently mirrors the color of the fish and is outlined in black. The fish's natural diet consist of small invertebrates and plants.

Ember tetras should be kept in acidic water with a pH near 6.6, and although their native habitat has very soft water they have adapted quite well to a wide range of hardness (5-17 dGH). The recommended temperature range is between 23-29 C (73-84 F). Ideally their tank should contain live plants, a darker substrate, and open water for swimming. Ember tetras should be kept in groups of at least 4-6, in order to promote schooling. They appreciate a heavily planted aquarium, ideally with a small area shaded from direct light and will spend a lot of time swimming through planted areas, which also offer some protection for their fry.

Ember tetras will school with other tetras, such as the neon tetra, but may become stressed by the presence of significantly larger fish.

These fish swim at the middle level of the aquarium, and do not feed from the bottom of the tank. Therefore it is recommended that they are kept with other bottom dwelling fish (such as pygmy corydoras) so that leftover food is then eaten up off the substrate and not left to waste.

Ember tetras can be fed a variety of foods, including flake, frozen, and freeze dried food. Small live foods like worms and brine shrimp are also recommended as they bring out the fish's colors. In a well maintained heavily planted aquarium, Ember tetras have been known to live ten years or more.

Botia

Botia (Indian Loaches)

Botia (Indian loaches) is a genus of freshwater fish in the loach family (Botiidae). It was a large genus with about 20 species. The fish in these genera possess a pair of razor-sharp spines under their eye sockets. These spines normally lie flat, but may be extended when the loach feels threatened. This behavior is rarely observed when the fish is swimming, but care must be taken when catching botia in fishnets the projecting spines may become entangled, causing injury to the fish and/or damage to the net. Care must also be taken when transporting the larger botia, as their subocular spines may puncture the enclosing polyethylene bags that are normally used for this purpose. One special characteristic of this loach group is the ability to produce a loud "clicking" noise, which is commonly heard during feeding time. This noise stems from a special type of pharyngeal teeth that are used to extract snails from their shells. For aquarists, this gives the botia a practical application, as they can be used to fight a snail infestation. Another peculiarity of botia is that they are often seen resting on their side or in other strange positions. While this can be normal, healthy behaviour for botia, it is rarely observed in other types of fish. The unusual habit often causes needless panic for the inexperienced aquarist, who mistakenly assumes their fish is ill.

Clown Loach (Tiger Botia)

The clown loach (also tiger botia), Chromobotia macracanthus, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the botiid loach family. It is the sole member of the Chromobotia genus. It originates in inland waters in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatera and Borneo. It is a popular fish in the freshwater aquarium trade and is sold worldwide. The common name, "clown loach" comes from the fish's bright colors and stripes (many tropical fish with stripes that stand out are commonly called "clown") as well as from its habit of 'entertaining' aquarium owners with strange habits, such as swimming upside down, or 'playing dead'. Information about the maximum size of the clown loach varies, with some estimates ranging up to 40–50 cm, and with typical adult sizes ranging from 15–20 cm. The fish's body is long and laterally compressed, with an arched dorsal surface and a flat ventral surface. Its head is relatively large and its mouth faces downward with thick, fleshy lips, and four pairs of barbels. The barbels on the lower jaw are small and difficult to see. Clown loaches can make clicking sounds when they are happy, being territorial (used as a type of weapon/warning) or mating.

The body is whitish-orange to reddish-orange, with three thick, black, triangular, vertical bands. The anterior band runs from the top of the head and through the eye, the medial band lies between the head and the dorsal fin, and wraps around to the ventral surface, and the posterior band covers almost all of the caudal peduncle and extends to the anal fin. There is some regional color variation within the species; the pelvic fins on fish from Borneo are reddish orange and black, while the pelvic fins on fish from Sumatera are entirely reddish orange. The fish is sexually dimorphic, with females being slightly plumper than males. In addition, the tips of the tail on the male curve inwards slightly, whereas the females have straight tips. The fish has a movable spine that lies in a groove below the eye, which may be extended as a defense mechanism. The spine may cause a painful wound, but is not venomous. It also may be used as a predation tool as it is set close to the mouth.

A harmless, very active and sociable fish, clown loaches are best kept in groups of 5-6 or more. Due to their potentially large size, a 75 to 120 gallon (283 to 454 litre) aquarium should be the minimum size used. Sometimes clown loaches swim on their sides, or upside down, and appear ill, or lie on their sides on the bottom of the tank and appear to be dead. This is normal behaviour so the aquarist should be aware of it to avoid removing healthy fish from the aquarium. If clown loaches do not come out of hiding, there are some easy things to adjust so that they will be more comfortable. A good tank set-up for a clown loach should include ample shade, real plants, hiding places and other peaceful fishes. Make sure the environment is not too bright initially. Provide shade from tank lighting. The tank should not be next to a window unless ample shade is provided. Window tanks with ample sun will allow Chromobotia to warm themselves and do their dominant color dances with more splendor as they flash in and out of sunlight slicing through openings in natural cover. An example tank will have a powerhead to create a current for them to swim against as well as cover to stay under while doing so as in a mountain brook of clear water with current rushing down between boulders. In fact, clowns show a strong preference for larger rocks taken directly from mountain streams too swift to allow algae growth. They will peck at these rocks often and always sleep under and on them.

Black Ghost

Black Ghost

The black ghost knifefish, Apteronotus albifrons, is a tropical fish belonging to the ghost knifefish family (Apteronotidae).

They originate in South American in the Amazon Basin in Peru and from Venezuela through Paraguay in the Parana River. They are becoming popular in aquaria. The fish is all black except for two white rings on its tail, and a white blaze on its nose, which can occasionally extend into a stripe down its back. It moves mainly by undulating a long fin on its underside. It will grow to a maximum length of 20 in (50 cm). It does not have scales. Black ghost knife fish are nocturnal. They are a weakly electric fish which use an electric organ and receptors distributed over the length of their body in order to locate insect larvae. The black ghost knifefish natively lives in fast moving, sandy bottom creeks in a tropical climate. South American natives believe that the ghosts of the departed take up residence in these fish, hence the name.

Tetra

Cardinal Tetra

The cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi), is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. Growing to about 3 cm (1.25 in) total length, the cardinal tetra has the striking iridescent blue line characteristic of the Paracheirodon species laterally bisecting the fish, with the body below this line being vivid red in color, hence the name "cardinal tetra". The cardinal tetra's appearance is similar to that of the closely related neon tetra, with which it is often confused, the neon's red coloration extends only about halfway to the nose, and the neon's blue stripe is a less vibrant blue. The cardinal tetra is a very popular aquarium fish, but is less widespread than the neon tetra because until recently, it was difficult to breed in captivity. However, many breeders are now producing the fish in most cases one can determine if the cardinal tetra is bred or wild-caught due to damaged fins on wild caught specimens. Normally, aquarists prefer to buy tank-bred fish, but some Brazilian ichthyologists believe fishkeepers should continue to support the sustainable cardinal fishery of the Amazon basin, since thousands of people are employed in the region to capture fish for the aquarium trade. If those fishermen lost their livelihoods catching cardinals and other tropical fish, they might turn their attention to engaging in deforestation.

The fish might also be effectively an annual species with a lifespan of just a single year in nature. It lives for several years in captivity. Perhaps due to their wild-caught origins, cardinal tetras tend to be somewhat delicate in captivity. In the wild, these fish inhabit extremely soft, acidic waters, but seem to be tolerant of harder, more alkaline water conditions; a greater concern is probably polluted tank water (including high nitrate levels). They prefer warmer water temperatures [above 75°F (24°C) or warmer], and will readily accept most forms of dry food. Captive-bred cardinals tend to adapt to hard water better than wild-caught cardinals.

Silver Tip Tetra

Silvertip tetra (Hasemania nana) are freshwater tetra fish native to blackwater rivers in Brazil. Silvertip tetras are slightly more aggressive than other comparable smaller tetras, observed occasionally to nip other similarly sized tetras. The males have a copper color, the females are more pale and silvery. Both have white tips on the fins, hence the name. They differ from most other tetras by lacking a small second dorsal fin. Silvertip tetras have a black area at the base of their caudal fin. The fish are transparent except for that fact that their bodies have an overall copper sheen. During the night, the copper and black become silver as the fish rests — the color is reactivated once the fish becomes active in the morning. It grows to approximately 3 cm (1.25 in) in overall length. Other than coloration, sexual dimorphism is slight, the female having a very slightly larger belly. Silvertip tetras prefer a densely planted aquarium, with a dark substrate. They are a shoaling fish and prefer a space in the center for swimming room. It is recommended that a group of ten silvertips be kept in a 15 gallon tank. The fish come from very soft and acidic waters and when these conditions are met, their colors become more vivid. They tend to occupy the middle level of the aquarium. While tank-bred silvertips have adapted well to a wide range of water conditions, in the wild they inhabit very soft, acidic waters. Silvertips have a lifespan of about three years.

Neon Tetra

The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater or clearwater streams in southeastern Colombia, Eastern Peru and Western Brazil, including the tributaries of the Solimoes where the water is between 20 and 26°C (68 and 79°F). It is not found in the whitewater rivers of Andean origin. Its bright colouring makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among tropical fish hobbyists.

The neon tetra has a light-blue back over a silver-white abdomen. The fish is characterized by an iridescent blue horizontal stripe along each side of the fish from its nose to the base of the adipose fin, and an iridescent red stripe that begins at the middle of the body and extends posteriorly to the base of the caudal fin. Most, if not all, will develop an olive-green sheen lining their backs. The fish is completely transparent (including fins) except for these markings. During the night, the blue and red become silver as the fish rests—it reactivates once it becomes active in the morning. It grows to approximately 3 cm (1.2 in) in overall length. Sexual dimorphism is slight, with the female having a slightly larger belly, and a bent iridescent stripe rather than the male's straight stripe. They have recently become available in a long-fin variety.

While commercially bred neon tetras have adapted well to a wide range of water conditions, in the wild they inhabit very soft, acidic waters that are usually cooler than the 25°C (77°F) at which most tropical aquaria are maintained. They can have a lifespan of up to ten years, or normally about five in an aquarium.

Discus

Discus

Symphysodon, colloquially known as discus, is a genus of cichlids native to the Amazon River basin. Due to their distinctive shape and bright colors, discus are popular as freshwater aquarium fish, and their aquaculture in several countries in Asia is a major industry. They are sometimes referred to as pompadour fish. Like cichlids from the genus Pterophyllum, all Symphysodon species have a laterally compressed body shape. In contrast to Pterophyllum, however, extended finnage is absent giving Symphysodon a more rounded shape. It is this body shape from which their common name, "discus", is derived. The sides of the fish are frequently patterned in shades of green, red, brown, and blue. The height and length of the grown fish are both about 20–25 cm (8–10 in). There is no real sexual dimorphism for this fish. In breeding form varieties, solid red discus (red melon, red cover) females are generally more red then males. Another characteristic of Symphysodon species is their care for the larvae. As for most cichlids, brood care is highly developed with both the parents caring for the young. Additionally, adult discus produce a secretion through their skin, which the larvae live off during their first few days. This behavior has also been observed for Uaru species. However when bred in captivity the larvae will tend to live off their parents secretion for up to 2 weeks.

Guppy

Guppy (male)

Guppy (female)

Guppy Half-moon

The guppy (Poecilia reticulata), also known as million fish and rainbow fish, is one of the world's most widely distributed tropical fish, and is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium species. It is a member of the Poeciliidae family and, like all other members of the family, is live-bearing. Guppies, whose natural range is in northeast South America, were introduced to many habitats and are now found all over the world. They are highly adaptable and thrive in many different environmental and ecological conditions. Male guppies, which are smaller than females, have ornamental caudal and dorsal fins, while females are duller in colour. Wild guppies generally feed on a variety of food source including benthic algae and aquatic insect larvae Guppies are used as a model organism in the field of ecology, evolution, and behavioural studies. The guppy prefers a hard water aquarium with a temperature between 25.5 and 27.8 °C (78 and 82 °F) and salt levels equivalent to one tablespoon per 19 litres (5 US gal). They can withstand levels of salinity up to 150% that of normal seawater, which has led to them being occasionally included in marine tropical community tanks, as well as in freshwater tropical tanks. Guppies are generally peaceful, though nipping behaviour is sometimes exhibited between male guppies or towards other top swimmers like members of the Xiphophorus family (platies and swordtails), and occasionally other fish with prominent fins, such as angelfish. Guppys should not be kept as a single fish in an aquarium because both males and females show signs of shoaling, and are usually found in large groups in the wild. Its most famous characteristic is its propensity for breeding, and it can breed in both fresh water and marine aquariums. Guppies prefer water temperatures of about 22.2 to 26.1 °C (72 to 79 °F) for reproduction. Pregnant female guppies have enlarged and darkened gravid spots near the anal vent. Just before birth, the eyes of fry may be seen through the translucent skin in this area of the female's body. When birth occurs, individual offspring are dropped in sequence, typically over a period of one to six hours. The female guppy has drops of between 2 and 200 fry at a time, typically ranging between 30 and 60.

Molly

Molly Black

Molly Gold

Molly are members of Poecilia in family Poeciliidae of order Cryprinodontiformes. They are native to fresh, brackish and salt water in the Americas, and some species in the genus are euryhaline. They are often seen as live-bearing aquarium fish. Species in Poecilia are called mollies except for Endler's livebearer (P. wingei) and the famous guppy (P. reticulata). It has been proposed that the genus Micropoecilia should be included as a sub-genus of Poecilia. Along with their platy cousins, the mollies are part of a pivotal aquaculture group of livebearers, which can live in water from fresh to fully marine, and a wide range of other conditions. They feed on smaller insects, animals, and vegetation. Mollies need to live in water that is 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F). Mollies come in several different colors and spot patterns, such as black, white, black and white spots, orange, orange and white spots. Mollies have been kept successfully in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater conditions, although the last is not recommended for the novice aquarist.

Platy

Platy Mickey

Platy Santa

Platy is a common name for two related species of freshwater fish in the genus Xiphophorus. Both species are livebearers, similar to other fish of the family Poeciliidae, such as the guppy and molly. Platies are native to the east coast of Central American and Southern Mexico. The two species, the Southern platyfish and the variatus platy, have been interbred to the point where they are difficult to distinguish. Most platies now sold in aquariums are hybrids of both species. The southern platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) grows to a maximum overall length of 7.0 cm. Sexual dimorphism is slight, the male's caudal fin being more pointed. The anal fin of the male fish has evolved into a gonopodium, a stick-shaped organ used for reproduction. The female southern platyfish's anal fin is fan-shaped. Wild varieties are drab in coloration, lacking the distinctive dark lateral line common to many Xiphophorus species. This particular fish is widely used in tropical aquaria. There are several different colors of platy available. It is considered easy to care for, thus a good starting point for beginners. They are common in community tanks because of their hardiness and non-aggressive nature.