Leiarius pictus (Sailfin Pim) is an exotic fish that can bring a unique and mesmerizing aquatic ambiance to any home. This beautiful creature is native to the waters of South America and has been captivating aquarists for many years with its vibrant colors, graceful swimming behavior, and charming personality. Its no wonder this species continues […]
This slender-bodied aquarium favorite is the only rainbowfish of African origin. It is a colorful species, the males being multicolored, and the females yellow. A large shoal kept under appropriate conditions creates an unforgettable sight.
This is by far the most frequently available of all the licorice gourami species. It has a long history in the hobby, having first been imported in 1914, but its rather demanding requirements mean that it is often not seen at its best in aquatic stores—a factor that has undoubtedly contributed to its somewhat limited occurrence in home aquaria.
Just like its famous relative, X. helleri (Swordtail), this species is inherently highly variable and has been developed into numerous color varieties. It has also been hybridized with both X. helleri and X. variatus (Sunset Platy). The best places to find true wild-type specimens are specialist livebearer societies.
Two subspecies of this delightful lampeye are now recognized: A. l. luxophthalmus (Lampeye Panchax itself), and A. l. hanncrzi (Hannerz’s Lampeye) from the lower Cross River drainage in Nigeria. To see either fish at its best, close attention must be paid to achieving optimum aquarium conditions.
This is an extremely variable species that, along with other members of the family, is becoming increasingly popular. Stingrays are most definitely not suitable for new aquarists and should in any case be treated with caution because of the dangers posed by the sting. Seek specialist advice and consult specialist literature before purchase.
Most sturgeons can grow to very large sizes—e.g. Huso huso (Beluga) can reach around 26ft (8m)—and are therefore totally unsuitable for aquaria. However, the Shovelnosed Sturgeon, along with Acipenser ruthenus (Sterlet) and A. stellatus (Stellate Sturgeon), are smaller and can be housed in aquaria as long as they are spacious enough. One of the reasons for their growth in popularity in certain countries — beginning in the late 1980s/early 1990s—has been the expansion of the pondkeeping/watergardening hobby in general, and that of Koi keeping in particular. Shovelnoses, Sterlets, and Stellate Sturgeons are transferred to outside ponds once they outgrow their aquaria.
This is the most widely available member of its genus. Although they have a number of characteristics in common with Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Ropefish), birchirs do not possess a snakelike body and do not lack a pelvic fin. Several other species are occasionally available: P. congicus (Congo Birchir), mainly from D. R. Congo; P. delhezi (Armored Birchir), also from D. R. Congo; P. palmas (Marbled Birchir) from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and D. R. Congo; and P. senegalus (Cuvier’s or Senegal Birchir) from Senegal, Gambia, the Niger, White Nile, and several major lakes, such as Lakes Albert, Chad, and Rudolf. All of these species have similar requirements.
Ropefish is closely related to the birchirs (Polypterus spp.), with which it shares several characteristics, such as the possession of a number of dorsal finlets (7-13) rather than a single fin, and the ability to use its swimbladder as an auxiliary respiratory organ. It is distinguished from its relatives by its extremely elongated snakelike body and the lack of pelvic fins. Ropefish can survive out of water for several hours, as long as the air is humid.
This tough large fish is, like all other lungfishes, able to tolerate a wide range of conditions. As their native pools dry up in the wild, all the African species bury into the substratum and secrete a mucous cocoon within which they estivate (undergo a period of summer dormancy) until the rains return. The pectoral and pelvic fins of African Lungfish are long and whiplike rather than finlike.