Synonyms Cynolebias myersi (Carvalho, 1971); Nematolebias myersi (Carvalho 1971) Etymology The genus Simpsonichthys was coined by Antenor Leitão de Carvalho in 1959, as a tribute to his friend Charles J. Simpson from California, U.S.A. The name is a combination of Simpson’s surname and the Ancient Greek word ἰχθύς (ikhthus), meaning ‘fish’. Similarly, the species myersi is named […]
This old favorite continues to hold its own against some of the more colorful killifishes of both the New and Old Worlds. It is a tough, easy-to- breed species in which mature males in peak condition constantly display toward each other as well as toward prospective mates.
These narrow-bodied, often highly colorful fish deserve to be far more popular. Their small size means that they do not need to be accommodated in a large, expensive tank.
[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – David Alderton (Photo by Max Gibbs)
Rainbow fishes have been known in the aquarium trade for many years but until recently only a few species have been commonly available. Of these only Telmatherina ladigesi (Celebes rainbowfish), Bedotia geayi (Madagascar rainbowfish), and Melanotaenia splendida (Eastern rainbowfish) have made any real impression. The last species is often referred to as Melanotaenia nigrans but the latter was probably not in the hobby until the end of the 1970s.
Despite their reputation for being difficult, it is possible to keep some killifishes in a community aquarium, and here three species spring readily to mind: Aplocheilus lineatus (Sparkling panchax) Pachypanchax playfairi (Playfair’s panchax), and Oryzias latipes (rice fish or medaka). These are surfacedwelling species, so they make a useful addition to the aquarium in that they occupy an area of the tank that is usually ignored when buying fishes.
The egglaying Cyprinodonts have always been regarded as difficult because they are believed to require special conditions, namely soft acid water, but while this is true for some species it certainly isn’t the rule for all of them. Many are exceptionally colourful and this alone makes them good aquarium fishes, but to see them at their best requires dedication on the part of the aquarist. It takes a lot of time and patience to maintain banks of small species aquaria, remove eggs from spawning mops, or dry out peat and then raise the fry. For those of us who have kept killifishes the work involved is worth it. If you haven’t very much space, then try with a single species tank.
Some of you may be tempted to keep Cyprinus carpio (Koi Carp) in an aquarium and we would like to advise against this. Koi are potentially large fishes best housed in large purpose-built ponds with powerful filtration systems.
[Ebook] The New Guide to Aquarium Fish – A comprehensive and authoritative guide to tropical freshwater, brackish, and marine fishes – Mary Bailey – Gina Sandford