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FreshWater Fishes in your Aquarium
Belontiidae • Characidae • Cichlidae • Cyprinidae • Poeciliidae • Catfishes Category
BELONTIIDAE FAMILY (Gouramies, or Labyrinth Fish)
• Ex: Honey Dwarf Gourami (Colisa chuna)
Belontiidae are resistant, calm and easy fishes to maintain in aquarium. Rather apprehensive - it can die of a simple crisis of terror or because stress -, this kind of fish likes to walk in the high plants, or in plants from surfaces. They accept all kinds of small foods. They are characterized by an appendix located on the top of the head, and which enables them to take oxygen on the surface. Originating from Asia, they live there in water low in oxygen such ponds and rice plantations. Amazing fact: those fishes are capable of breathing air. A certain number of species of Belontidae have on their pectoral fins two tactile filaments which are used by them to be directed. Some species of this family are often recommended as fish for the beginning aquariast. This family - Belontiidae or Gourami Family - includes fish of the genera Betta, Macropodus, Colisa, Sphaerichthys and Trichogaste.
CHARACIDAE FAMILY (Characins)
• Ex: Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
The Characidae - or Characin Family, commonly known as Tetras - are found in numerous types of water. These fish are generally sensitive to noise, and require lots of oxygen in the water. This family, including more than 1300 species - only some fifty species are of interest to amateur aquarists - living mainly in South America and Africa, are small omnivorous fishes with carnivorous tendency. They like to live in group: for this, so that they feel safe, it's better to introduce at least 10 individuals of them into an aquarium. They are sociable, gregarious and calm fishes. Their physical characteristics: they have a small fat fin, located between the dorsal and the caudal one. The fins are transparent on nearly all species. They have also solid teeth. In this family: Bloodfin Tetra, Discus Tetra, Blue Tetra, Black Molly, Silver hatchet, Sunset Wag Platy, Firehead Tetra, Black Neon, Silvertip Tetra, Bleeding Heart Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Black Phantom Tetra, Silver Dollar, Glass Bloodfin, etc.
CICHLIDAE FAMILY (Cichlids)
• Ex: Blue Turquoise Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus axelrodi - Wattley Turquoise)
In fresh waters of America, Africa and Asia Cichlids family counts some more than 1500 species; and except the dwarf species, they are very often of big size. They are carnivorous, turbulent and rather aggressive fishes: although there are also Cichlids calmer. The least we can say, it is that they have personality! At some, the couples are formed freely and remained together: occupying itself with devotion of their offspring; and even, sometimes, these couples are followed in death. Their physical characteristics: they have a single dorsal fin, and formed and lengthened odd fins; they have only one pair of nostrils instead of two; and they do not have teeth on the palate, but rather on the jaws.
Here some members of the Cichlids family: Discus - more than 30 varieties -, Oscar, Frontosa, Rainbow Cichlid, Uaru, Nigro, Meeki, Ramirezi, Agassizi, Maroni, Curviceps, Tilapia, Pulcher, Lifalili, Labidochromis, Moorii, Alhi, Duboisi, Compre, Lionhead Cichlid, Angelfish (scalare), Red Parrot, etc.
CYPRINIDAE FAMILY (Cyprinids, or Minnows or Carps)
• Ex: Danio Rerio, or Zebra Danio fish (Brachydanio Rerio)
Cyprinids family - which includes Sharks, Danios, Rasboras and Barbs - counts more than 2000 species. These fishes are characterized by an absence of teeth on the jaws. We know them in particular thanks to Barbs, Danios, Rasboras and Labeos: Eye Spot Rasbora, Zebra Danio, Harlequin Rasbora, Clown Barb, Red Tailed Black Shark (Labeo bicolor), etc.
GoldFishes (Carassius): Cyprinidae familly
• Ex: Ryukin Goldfish or fringetail/ribbontail ryukin (Carassius auratus - Japan)
The goldfish is the oldest variety of domesticated fish; since more than 1000 years, in fact. We currently know more than 100 varieties. While being well treated, a goldfish can reach the worthy age from 20 to 25 years! The Carassius species are peaceful: but may eat smaller fish on occasion. Among the principal varieties on the market: Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus), London shubunkins, Comet Shubunkin, Peacock-tail, Veiltail, Oranda, Broadtail Moor / Butterfly Moor, Globe Eye, Fantail, Pearlscale, Eggfish, Lionhead, Ranchu, Wakins, Celestial, Pompon, Bubble Eye, Man-yu, Tosakin, etc.
POECILIIDAE FAMILY (Poeciliids, or Livebearers)
• Ex: Guppy, or Millions Fish (Poecilia Reticulata)
Active, loving movement and good swimmers, Poeciliids are recommended for the beginners. Generally they are very coloured fish, which are not difficult on food. They like to live in bench, but they show sometimes a fighter behavior. However, many plants, including floating plants, are essential for the survival of the baby guppies: as the parents will try to eat their fry! Amazing fact: those fishes give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs (livebearers). They are known thanks to species like Guppy, Platys, Swordtail, Mollys: Guppy (yellow, red, green guppies), Mosquito fish, Gambusia, Formosa and Endlers livebearer, etc.
CATFISH CATEGORY (Bottom Feeders)
• Ex: Emerald Catfish (Brochis Splendens, Callichthyidae family)
• Ex: Glass Catfish (Ghostfish), or Sheatfishes (Kryptopterus bicirrhis, Silurideas family)
There are over 2000 species of catfish, belonging to 34 families. As their name lets imply, the "catfishes" category gathers fish which carry barbillons. But various families belong to the category of the Catfishes, or Bottom Feeders: Ariidae, Aspredinidae, Auchenipteridae, Callichthyidae, Chacidae, Corydoradinae, Doradidae, Loricariidae, Malapteruridae, Mochocidae, Pangassidae, Pimelodidae, Schilbeidae, Siluridae, etc. Not very demanding on quality water, they lives on the bottom of the aquarium: thus taking part in its balance since they nourish themselves with food fallen on the ground. They melt proof of activity during the evening and the night. They are calm and peaceful fishes living in groups. Some Catfishes specimens: Banjo catfish (Bunochephalus bicolor, coracoideus or amaurus: Aspredinidae family); Sea catfish (Ariidae family); Driftwood catfish (Auchenipteridae family); Armored catfish (Callichthyidae family); Squarehead catfish (Chacidae family); Thorny catfish (Doradidae family); Suckermouth armored catfish (Loricariidae family); Electric catfish (Malapteruridae family); Naked catfish (Mochocidae family); Flat-nosed catfish (Pimelodidae family); Glass catfish (Siluridae family); Panda Catfish (Corydoras panda, Callichthyidae); Emerald Catfish (Brochis Splendens, Callichthyidae family); Hypostomus niceforoi (Loricariidae family); Pretty Peckoltia (Peckoltia pulcher, Loricariidae); Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus, Pimelodidae family); Bumble Bee Catfish (Pseudopimelodus raninus, Pimelodidae family); Seven-spot Archerfish or Blowpipe fish (Toxotes chatareus, Toxotidae family); etc.
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