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TROPICAL FISH
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GOLDEN GUIDES
BIRDS BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS CACTI
CASINO GAMES FAMILIES OF BIRDS FISHES
FISHING FLOWERS FOSSILS GEOLOGY
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POND LIFE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
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JJJJL
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A guide for setting up and maintaining
`
an aquarium for tropical fish and other animals
by BRUCE W. HALSTEAD
and BONNIE L. LANDA
illustrated by GEORGE SANDSTROM
GOLDEN PRESS NEW YORK
Ye8lern |ub8hng LOmOny, |nc.
KOcne, Y8cOn8n
FOREWORD
Few animals provide the profusion of colors, diversity
of form, and beauty of movement offered by aquatic
life, particularly tropical fish. Establishing and main
taining an aquarium offers an insight into the complex
ities of the natural world-an exciting and rewarding
opportunity to observe ecological principles in opera
tion. Ecology is the scieFce that deals with the relation
ship of animals and plants to their environment and to
each other, and these dynamic environmental forces can
be seen clearly in an aquarium. On a larger scale, simi
lar environmental factors control mankind's destiny, for
today's world faces unprecedented problems and chal
lenges in maintaining a balance of nature.
This book was written to help hobbyists with one of
the most exciting and educational of all sparetime pur
suits: studying a closed ecological system in an aquari
um. The fish and other organisms described and illus
trated in this book were selected largely on the basis
of their availability, beauty, and general interest. Those
who master the basic principles of maintaining aquari
ums will probably find it challenging to experiment with
animals (and plants) not included in this brief manual.
The aquarium hobby truly has no limits.
b.Y.M.
b. L. L.
Lred!s: Mel Venti, Chester County Aqua- Pet, Inc., Paoli, Po., and John R. Pox
son, Exton Hardware Store in Exton, Po., for providing speci mens for t he art i st.
Copyright 1 by Western Publishing Company, Inc. All rights re
served, including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any
means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by any
electronic or mechanical device, printed or written or oral, or recording
for sound or visual reproduction or for use in any knowledge retrieval
system or device, unless permission in writing is obtained from the copy
right proprietor. Produced in the U.S.A. Published by Golden Press, New
York, N.Y. Library of Congress Catalog Card Numbe" 4-.
ISBN --Z4-
L1WWb
TROPICAL FISH o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 4
SELECTING THE AQUARIUM o o e o o o o o e o 6
FILTRATION o e o o o o o o o o o e e o o e o I0
GRAVEL o o e o e o o e o e o o e o o o e o o o I3
WATER o o e o o e a o o e o e o e e o o e e e e I 4
DECORATIONS o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o I6
LIDS AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS o o e o e o e 25
TEMPERATURE o o e o o o o e e o o e e e e 2
SHOPPING LIST e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 27
BASIC DIET e e o o o o e e o o e e e o o 2S
FISH HYGIENE e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 30
HEALTH CHART e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e 34
SOURCES OF TROPICAL FISH o o o o o e e o 36
FRESHWATER SNAILS o e e o o e o o e o 37
OTHER AQUARIUM INHABITANTS e o o e 3S
TROPICAL FISH FAMILIES o o o e e e 40
Bony-tongued Fish Freshwater
Butterflyfish Elephontfish Characins
Hatchetfish Gymnotid Eels or Knifefish
Electric Eels or Knife Eels Carps and
Minnows Gyrinocheilids loaches

Spiny Catfish Callicht hyid Armored

Catfish Sucker-mouthed Armored
Catfish Banjo Catfish Glass Catfish
Pimelodid or Adipose Fin Catfish

Bagrid Catfish labyrinth Catfish

Upside-down Catfish Electric Catfish
Halfbeaks Sticklebacks, Seahorses,
and Pipefishes Killifish or Toothed
Carp Fou r-eyed Fish livebearers
Glassfish Tigerfish Sunfish
Fingerfish

Archerfish Argus Fish

leaf Fish Cichlids Mudskippers
labyrint hfishes Silversides Soles
Spiny Eels Puffers
MORE INFORMATION o o o o o e e e I 56
INDEX e I 57
TROPI CAL F I S H
Ever si nce the frst Gol dfsh was kept capti ve i n
Chi na, more t han a thousand years ago, t he keep
i ng of fsh has grown steadi l y i n popul ari ty. T:.e de
mands and curi osi ty on the part of enthusi asts dur
i ng the l ast few decades has resul ted i n more i nfor
mati on and equi pment becomi ng avai l abl e for the
mi l l i ons of hobbyists al l over the wor l d.
Stresses and probl ems of everyday l i vi ng are
easi l y forgotten as you watch underwater spectacl es
i n your own l i vi ng room. An aquar i um stocked wi th
fsh and pl ants provi des lasti ng and cont i nuous en
tertai nment, and the grati fcat i on that comes from
creati ng your own mi ni ature underwater wor l d i s
wi thout compare.
Fi sh are uni que pets. They do not make noi ses, run
away, eat l arge amounts of food, or chew up your
favori te pai r of sl i ppers. For the pri ce of only one
or two cans of pet food, you can buy a beautiful
tropi cal fi sh. Landlords who prohi bi t other pets gen
eral l y al l ow aquari ums. Many owners have taught
thei r pets to eat from thei r fngers or to swi m to the
surface to rest i n thei r hand or to be petted. I f thei r
ofspri ng are rai sed and sol d, pets can more than
pay for thei r room and board.
An aquar i um adds to a home's decor, and i ts
mai ntenance is not difcul t. The aquar i u m shoul d be
arranged wi th care pri or to purchasi ng any fsh.
When ecol ogical pri nci pl es are bei ng consi dered
seri ousl y, establ i shi ng and mai ntai ni ng an aquar
i um becomes much more than a si mpl e hobby. Ordi
nari l y onl y qual ifed techni ci ans can study these
4
An aquari um adds live entertainment to a room's decor.
closed systems and then apply thei r fi ndi ngs to the
outsi de worl d. Experienced, professi onal aquacultur
i sts rai se fi sh by the mi l l i ons in l arge outsi de tanks
as a source of food for humans. Thi s is a possi bl e
way to i ncrease the avai l able protein for under
nouri shed peoples.
5
SELECT I NG T HE AQUAR I UM
Buy the l argest tank possi bl e. I n general , the more
space fsh have, the better they do. Al so, it is much
easi er t o keep a l arge tank cl ean. Di ferent speci es
vary i n thei r acti vi ties, growth, and space demands.
As exampl es, ten baby Guppi es requi re consi der
abl y less space than ten of the smal l est Gol dfsh.
Keep i n mi nd, too, that it is al most i mpossi bl e to
resi st addi ng new i nhabi tants to the tank, and so
extra vol ume i s soon uti l i zed.
The smal l est tank i n whi ch one shoul d i nvest i s
ten gal l ons. I f a new tank i s too expensi ve for the
budget, l ook for a bargai n i n newspaper ads or at
aucti ons. An i nexpensi ve or second- hand aquar i um
may l eak, but i t can be reseal ed.
NON-TOXIC SEALANT shoul d be
used to prevent or stop l eaks.
Often the seepage may be i n
the i n si de top corner, but the
water l eak s out the opposi te
bottom outside seam. Excess
seal ant can be trimmed off wi th
a razor bl ade. Be careful not
to scratch the gl ass or pl asti c.
6
Put t he aquarium in a dry,
cl ean pl ace and al l ow the
seal er to dry and set for at
l east two weeks. Then age the
aquari um in aerated water for
another week before using it.
leaks in an ol d aquarium con
someti mes be seal ed by f i l l i ng
the tan k sl owl y with hot water.
Seal al l seams of aquari um with
seal ant that can be bought in
a pet shop.
AQUARIUMS
SIZES AND SHAPES of aquari ums vary. Rectangul ar
tanks wi th stai nl ess-steel frames and gl ass si des are
the ki nd most recommended. These are rel ati vel y
shal l ow tanks, provi di ng the greatest surface area
per vol ume of water for the exchange of oxygen
and carbon di oxi de. I f a gl ass pane i s broken, i t can
be repl qced. Tanks made of al l gl ass cannot be re
pai red. Pl asti c aquar i ums are easi l y scratched, and
with age the panes sometimes become di scolored.
Wooden tanks must be emptied, dried, and re
coated wi th resi n from time to time.
GALLON VOLUME of a rectan
gular tank i s determined by the
formula (in i nches) below:
width X length X hei ght
231
This volume must be known
when it i s necessary to add
medicines to the water. Orna
ments and gravel take up
space. If they are already in
place, it may be easiest to mea
sure the volume of water as
the tank i s being flled. Note
this fgure and keep it where it
will not be lost.
7
LOCATI ON must be deci ded before selecti ng the ki nd
and si ze of aquar i um. Keep i n mi nd t hat each gal
l on of water wei ghs approxi matel y 813 pounds, so
the stand must be sturdy. I ts l ocati on must be per
manent, the surface l evel . Movi ng or ti l t i ng a tank
that i s even parti al l y fu l l of water or gravel often
resul ts i n l eaks.
5 teaspoons of salt to 1 gal
lon of water di si nfects and
cleans

AVOID having to use extension

cords. Put the aquari um near
an electrical outlet. Do not
place the aquarium on top of
a television set or a hi-f, where
the water may overheat and
kill the plants and animals. I n
too much l i ght, green algae
thrive on the glass and in the
water. The algae do not harm
the fsh but are not attractive.
Controlling algae can be a con
stant struggle, so locate tank
away from windows.
The temperature of the room
should be constant, and there
should be no drafts. The air
must be cl ean. I nsecticides,
household sprays, paint fumes,
and tobacco smoke can be dan
gerous to fsh and plants.
BE SANITARY. Before working
with the aquarium, wash your
hands with soap. Rinse repeat
edly. Scrub the soap and di rt
from under your fngernails
with a stif brush. Rinse all the
way up your arm if it will be
submerged. Then rinse your
hands and equipment in a
strong sal t sol ution, which both
cl eans and di sinfects. Finally,
rinse again with fresh water.
Never al low cleansers or hand
lotions near tanks.
TO SIPHON, f i l l t he tube (ol d
hose or pl asti c tube) ful l of
water. Hol d a t humb over each
end of the tube. Put one end i n
t h e aquari um water and make
sure t he ot her end i s bel ow the
l evel of the tu be in the aquar
i um. Now remove the thumbs,
and the water shoul d fl ow
freel y. A s i phoni ng t ube made
es peci al l y f or aquari ums can be
purchased at O pet store.
TEST A NEW TANK FOR LEAKAGE before you put i t i n
pl ace. Thi s test wi l l prevent t he soaki ng of val uabl e
furni ture and r ugs. The guarantee on a new tank
may be honored, but a warped pi ece of furni t ure or
a stai ned rug are not covered by t he guarantee.
Sel ect a waterproof surface where cool water can
be hosed or poured i nto the tank. Be s ure the bottom
of the tank i s dry before fl l i ng i t, or you wi l l not be
abl e to determi ne i f the tank i s real l y l eaki ng. Al l ow
the tank to si t for at l east twel ve hours.
After the test, scoop or si phon the water from the
tank. Do not l i ft the tank wi th wei ght i nsi de i t. Ri nse
with a sal t sol uti on. Even though tank does not l eak,
aquar i um may sweat at frst. Put waterproof ma
teri al under aquar i um t o catch t hi s moi sture.
9
FI LTRAT I ON
Filtrati on, if the uni t i s properl y operated, saves
hours of cl eani ng. By provi di ng a greater surface
area for oxygen to enter the tank, fl teri ng al so i n
creases fsh capaci ty. There are two basi c types of
fl ters: charcoal -foss and undergravel .
A CORNER FILTER, located in
side the aquarium, is a pl astic
box contai ni ng aquari um char
coal (also called carbon) on the
lower hal f and flter foss on
the top. The charcoal cleans the
water and absorbs many i mpur
ities; the foss removes debris.
Water i s ci rculated through
these two, which become soil ed
and must be changed every
two weeks.
Always rinse new charcoal
thoroughl y. Store unused dry
carbon i n an ai rtight contai ner
where it cannot absorb poisons
from the ai r. Activated hi gh
qual ity charcoal s may be
cleaned and reused several
times by simply ri nsi ng and
dryi ng them i n a clean place.
Buy flter foss, not glass
wool. Particles of gl ass can
lodge in and i nj ure the fsh's
gi lls or can be transferred to
people's eyes from thei r hands.
Never pack the foss into a
flter. This reduces the operat
ing efciency of the fl ter and
puts a strain on the pump.
OUTSI DE FI LTER
Screen
charcoal
cartridge
AN OUTSIDE FILTER i s also a
plastic box, with foss in the
upper half and charcoal in the
lower half. Water i s sucked up
one or more siphon tubes,
dropped into the box hangi ng
outside the aquarium, and
passed through the charcoal
and the foss before returni ng
to the tank. One si phon tube
must reach almost to the bot
tom to pick up any settled
wastes. The s;:hon tube should
have a pinched or screened end
so thot fsh are not sucked up.
Compared to the corner flter,
this type i s easier to clean,
does not take up space i nsi de
the tank, and i s not li kely to
lose particles of foss i nside.
undergravel
fller
UNDERGRAVEL OR SUBSTRATA
FILTERS come i n a variety of
models. These are hi ghly desir
able flters, consi sti ng of plates
IOI fi t on entire floor of lank
ond are covered by one or two
inches of gravel. Water and
debris are sucked through the
gravel. Oxygen-loving bac
teria that grow on the plate
decompose the debris, reduc
ing it to a harmless silt that
stays under the plate. This
cleans and somewhat puri fes
the water. A di sposable char
coal cartridge fts where bub
bles are released.
Be sure not to use fine gravel
in the filter. I t will si ft through
slits of plastic plates of filter.
1 1
THE AI R PUMP is the companion of the fl ter. It is l o
cated above the water l evel , outsi de the tank.
Aquar i um tubi ng connects the fl ter to the pump. Be
tween them there shoul d be an oi l and dust f l ter
that prevents back pressure i nto the pump. Air trav
el s t hrough the t ubi ng to the fl ter. Outsi de fl ters
may come wi th thei r own magneti c-drive motors and
not need pumps.
Many types of pumps are avai l abl e. Before buy
i ng a pump, check to make certai n it can handl e the
gal l on vol ume of you r tank. Remember that the
pump wi l l be worki ng 24 hours a day. I t i s wi ser to
i nvest i n a hi gh-qual i ty pump, whi ch shoul d have
a guarantee for a mi ni mum of a year. A good pump
wi l l outl ast several of t he i nexpensi ve ones.
A METHOD OF FILTRATION
for tanks of more than 25 gal
lons involves a combination of
outside and undergravel flters.
This eliminates the charcoal
cartridge on the undergravel
post. Siphon out about a fourth
of the water every month and
outside
flter
charcoal
undergravel
tller
replace with fresh. Before pour
ing gravel over the flter, cover
bottom of tank with an i nch of
water and shake the submerged
plate to remove air bubbles.
Cover flter wi th gravel and
sweep your fngers through it
to release air pockets.
loops
undergravel
tller
si phon
-
plug
s em of
undergravel
tller
12

Gravel
fine lsandl
medium
best gravel for sub
strata fi lter i s i rregu
lar i n s hape and
about ' i nch i n si ze
GRAVE L
Put the tank i n i ts permanent l ocati on before addi ng
gravel or water. The tank cannot be moved after
these are added. Use natural gravel . Thi s i s the usual
and fami l i a r foor coveri ng for most freshwater fsh.
Col ored gravel s are attracti ve but ore not recom
mended because t hey may fade or cl oud t he water.
Buy ster i l i zed, washed aquar i um gravel wi thout
l i me or metal s. As a precauti on, wash the gravel
agai n. Use a cl ean pl asti c, gl ass, or enamel con
tai ner. A newl y purchased pl asti c pai l i s just ri ght
for aquar i um use. Ri nse gravel i n hot tapwater.
Cont i nue to ri nse unti l the water runs from the pai l
crystal cl ear. For good measure, wash the gravel
fve more ti mes. Fi nal l y, ri nse the gravel i n col d
water before pouri ng i t i nto t he tank. Sl ope the
gravel upward toward the back of the tank-from
one to two i nches. I n t hi s way, any debri s fal l i ng to
the bottom wi l l sett l e in the front where i t can be
seen and easi l y si phoned or netted. Sl opi ng al so
gi ves depth and i nterest to the aquari um.
13
WATE R
Aged tapwater i s usual l y best. Al l ow the water to
aerate for several days in the t ank. Thi s wi l l age or
season i t . Tapwater i s general l y treated wi t h chl or
i ne, whi ch i rri tates a fsh's gi l l s. If the gi l l s are badly
damaged, they may be unabl e to assi mi l ate enough
oxygen, and the fsh wi l l di e. Fort unatel y, chl ori ne
and a few ot her harmful gases wi l l escape t he water
duri ng the agi ng peri od. Mi neral compounds, how
ever, wi l l i ncrease i n concentrati on as water evapo
rates. Many aquari sts keep a suppl y of aged water
stored for use in emergenci es.
TO FILL A TANK, al l ow the wa
ter to dri bbl e sl owl y dawn the
front pane of gl ass. Do nat
dump i n al l the water at once.
Fil l the tank halfway, then add
the decorations (p. 16). Then
add water to within one or
two i nches of the top.
UNFIT WATERS for use in an
aquarium:
Rainwater, which is often con
laminated with atmospheric
poisons.
Lake or stream water that
may be poisonous or harbor
harmful bacteria and parasites.
Demineralized water, because
it lacks the essential mi neral s
fsh need.
Water that has been stored
in iron, zi nc, copper, or lead
vessels is poisonous to fsh.
Yellowish water i n establ ished
tanks i ndicates overcrowdi ng
and overfeedi ng. To remedy,
si phon the tank parti al l y and
14
replace with fresh water; add
new charcoal to the flters.
Cloudy water the frst day
after setting up a new tank is
probably due to bacteria.
Never i ntroduce fsh i nto such
water. If the water is not crys
tal clear i n two weeks, remove
water and start over.
In an ol d tank, cloudy water
may be due to a fl ter not func
tioni ng properl y. I t i s most
often caused by a dense growth
of microorgani sms that are de
composing debris i n the tank.
Make certain the fsh are not
fed too much and that they are
not overcrowded. Less than a
gallon of water per inch of fsh
is crowding. Cloudi ness af thi s
sort cannot be removed by or
di nary flters, though O diatom
fl ter will do so. Siphon of half
the water; el i mi nate the excess
food and/ or fsh. Add new
water and then check to see if
probl em has been remedied.
GREEN WATER is caused by
blooms of microscopic plants
(algae). The algae are not
harmful but are not attractive
in large amounts. I f all of the
algae die and decay, they foul
the water, util izi ng the oxygen
needed by the fsh. I f the water
has become opaque, make a
complete change of water and
clean the gravel. I f the water
i s just beginni ng to turn green,
the excessive growth of algae
can be di scouraged by reduc
ing the amount of li ght. Algae
eating fsh can be introduced
and also larger plants that will
compete with the algae for
nutrients i n the water.
FETID WATER i s generally a
sign of decay. An odor is a
danger signal. Find its source
and eli mi nate it.
CONCENTRATION OF HYDRO
GEN IONS, called pH, i ndicates
whether the water i s acid, neu
tral, or alkaline. Hard water is
alkaline; soft water i s neutral
to acid. Knowi ng the pH o.f the
water i s especially i mportant
when breedi ng fsh.
A sudden change of pH i m
plies that somethi ng is wrong
in the tank, such as overcrowd
ing or overfeeding. Slight daily
fuctuations are normal.
Kits are available for mea
suri ng and setti ng the pH. Do
not change to the desired pH
quickly. Wait several hours for
water to stabilize to get new,
accurate readi ng. Activated
carbon keeps water neutral.
Resin charcoals bufer the
woter to a specifc pH.
DH
kit
DH, degree of hardness, in
creases due to calcium and
magnesium compounds, possi
bly from dead snail shells or
some kinds of ornaments. Ex
cessively hard-150 ppm or
more-can be softened by dilut
i ng it with di stilled water (no
more than 60 percent).
CIRCULATION OF WATER is
i mportant to the aquarium in
habitants. Bubbl es from flters
do not add oxygen to the
water. The oxygen i s absorbed
at the surface, then ci rculated
through the tan k.
to outside flter

1 5
DECORATI ONS
A bal anced aquar i um-contai ni ng onl y fsh, water,
gravel , and pl ants-i s a chal l engi ng project for the
advanced or experi enced hobbyi st: For begi nners,
the resul t is often dead, decayi ng pl ants that mess
up the tank.
Pl ants are i mportant in the theoreti cal l y bal anced
aquari um. As they grow, they uti l i ze the wastes
from the fsh, but because the water is ci rcu l ated by
a pump and fl ter, the amount of oxygen s uppl i ed by
the pl ants becomes i nsi gni fcant. I f the fsh are fed
greens, the l i ve pl ants can be el i mi nated from an
aquari um wi thout harm.
Arti fci al aquar i um pl ants l ook authenti c and are
l ong- l ast i ng. Check for exposed wi res that may rust
and contami nate the water. If possi bl e, buy pl ants
that are constructed enti rel y of non-toxi c pl ast i c,
such as pol yethyl ene.
A creati ve arrangement of l i ve pl ants or a mi xture
of l i ve and arti fci al pl ants is pl easi ng and al so pro
vi des fsh with food and with a pl ace to spawn. The
aquari um pl ants themsel ves are a growi ng hobby,
wi th more t han 1 50 species from whi ch to sel ect.
Aquascapi ng i nvol ves bl endi ng col ors, shades, tex
ture, and si ze. larger, fast-growi ng pl ants are an
chored at t he back of t he tank; smal l er ones at t he
si des, center, and front. Rocks can be bl ended wi th
the pl ants to achi eve a natural - l ooki ng underwater
worl d. J ust make certai n to l eave space for the fsh
t o swi m. Diggi ng or pl ant-eati ng fsh can r ui n an
aquascape i n onl y a few hours. I n addi ti on, fsh
medi cati ons such as methyl ene bl ue or sal t ( more
than 1 teaspoon per gal l on) can ki l l pl ants.
16
Pl ants are sol d rooted, bunched, or foati ng. Buy
onl y cri sp pl ants, wi th no brown, dead parts. Keep
them moist unti l you get them to your aquari um.
Avoi d usi ng pl anti ng sti cks; fngers are best. Pl ants
need d to l 0 hours of l i ght dai l y.
ROOTED PLANTS are often most beauti ful . Locate
each pl ant by di ggi ng a wi de, shall ow hol e in the
gravel . Hol d the pl ant by i ts top and fan out the
roots i n the hol e before refl l i ng i t. Anchor the pl ant
i f necessary. The swol l en base of t he stem shoul d be
j ust above the surface of the gravel . Cut the l i ght i n
hal f a few days to al l ow pl ant t o root.
The pl ants obtai n nouri shment from the gravel , so
in ol der tan ks pl ace the pl ants where the gravel has
been ferti l i zed by the fsh. Rooted pl ants grow wel l
in tanks wi th undergravel fl ters, but the roots be
come tangl ed in the fl ter pl ate. When the tank is
di smantl ed for cl eani ng, the pl ants may be i nj ured,
resul ti ng i n thei r stunti ng or death. Cl i p of ol d,
brown l eaves.
MADAGASCAR LACE PLANTS
are expensive and hard to keep
al i ve. Live pl ants are propa
gated from bul bs pl anted just
under the gravel . The tough,
brittle l eaves grow sl owl y but
may become 212 feet l ong.
Rub of al gae or dirt that may
col l ect on the leaves. A mid
winter drop of 1 0 degrees is
benefci al for thi s pl ant but not
for del icate fsh. The plant i s
used best as a somewhat i so
l ated centerpiece. I t requires at
l east 1 0 hours of subdued l ight
per doy.
MADAGASCAR LACE PLANT
Aponogeton fenestra/is
to 211 ft.
1 7
CRYPTOCORYNE
Cryptocoryne afnis
to 8 in.
PI GMY AMAZON SWORD
E. tenellus
to 4 in.
18
HAI R GRASS OR
NEEDlE GRASS
Eleocharis acicularis
to 1 ft.
CRYPTOCORYNE does wel l
without great amounts of bri ght
l i ght, as i n tanks with foati ng
pl ants. Sl i ghtl y acid, soft aged
water is best. Many speci es are
avai l abl e. Some pl ants produce
red leaves that grow above the
surface of the water.
AMAZON SWORD, a typical
rooted pl ant, grows new pl ants
by sendi ng out runners. These
shoul d be pushed bel ow the
gravel . Amazons are an efec
live decor. As soon as young
pl ants devel op roots, they can
be snipped from runners and
transpl anted.
The Pi gmy Amazon (to 4 i n.)
wi l l carpet a 10-gal l on tank.
The regul ar Amazon (to 24 i n.)
shoul d have at l east 25 gal l ons
in which to spread. One pl ant
may have as many as 40 l eaves.
I n new tank setups with hard
water, Amazons are delicate.
I f the l eaves di scol or, i ncrease
the dai l y l ight duration.
HAIR GRASS grows i n thickets
6 to 12 i nches high. It spreads
by runners. Hair Grass has onl y
stems, no l eaves. I t survives i n
war m or cool water.
HYGROPHILA is a rooted pl ant
that does best when pl anted i n
smal l bunches. I n good l ight, it
grows well. Hygrophi l a may be
propagated ei ther by cutti ngs
or by l eaves.
CAPE FEAR SPATERDOCK
grows 6 to 8 inches tall, i n
sl i ghtl y aci d water with pl enty
of light. But only pl ants that
have a good root system.
BANANA PlANT
Nymphoides oquatica
leoves 2 or more i n.
across
CORKSCREW VAlLI SNERIA
OR EEL GRASS
Vallisneria spira/is
to 2 H.
WATER WI STERI A
Synnema triforum
to 1 0 in.
BROADl EAF SAGI TTARI A
Sagittaria subulata
to 10 in.
BANANA PLANT produces ba
nana shaped tuberous roots
that lie on top of the gravel.
A few stems grow from the
roots, with leaves unfolding as
the stems approach the surface.
Plant-eating fsh like to eat both
the stems and the leaves. For
this pl ant, native to ponds and
sl ow waters of southeastern
U. S., the water temperature
should be 70 to 82 degrees F.
WATER WISTERIA grows to 1 0
inches tal l i n sl i ghtl y acid water.
It requires l ittl e l i ght. The bri ght
green leaves may grow right
out of the aquari um.
CORKSCREW VALLISNERIA, a
popular aquari um pl ant, is a
tape-l eafed grass that forms a
dense underwater forest i n
ei ther warm or coal water.
Note the dark green stripe
that runs down the middle o!
each l eaf. The l eaves wi l l grow
to the surface of a tank o!
practically any size.
SAGITTARIA thri ves i n warm or
cool water. I t resembl es Vallis
nerio but difers in having a
striped l eaf. Some species are as
short as 2 i nches; others grow
much tal l er. All do best in fer
tile gravel i n hard water.
1 9
BUNCHED PLNTS are more popular than either
rooted or foati ng plants. They are propagated from
cuttings, many of them later produci ng roots. Re
move the band securi ng the bunch and sni p of the
bottom ti ps of the stems. Stri p the l eaves from the
lower i nch of the stem and anchor them i n bunches
of two to four stems on top of the gravel . They wi ll
grow fast and need tri mmi ng regularl y. Use the
upper cutt i ng-the top, growi ng part of the pl ant
and throw away the bottom part. I n new water, add
an aquar i um pl ant vi tami n and mi neral suppl ement,
available at pet shops.
CABOMBA, its fne leaves ar
ranged in a fan-shape pattern,
requires water cooler than 72
degrees F. Without sufcient
light and aeration, it fal l s apart
and sheds its l eaves over the
bottom. Gol dfsh can ni bble it
down to stubs.
A sudden change in water
conditions wil l also ki l l this sen
sitive pl ant. Locate it at the
back of the tank, for heal thy
pl ants grow quickly-to a
l ength of three feet. Several
species of Cabomba are stocked
in most pet shops.
ELODEA, or Anacharis, is a
hardy, popul ar pl ant that does
not demand critical water con
ditions. fF. callitrichoides does
require water at 72 to 85 de
grees F.) Fish may ni bbl e on it,
but general l y it grows fast
enough to repl enish itself and
may add an inch or more to Its
l ength dai ly. Locate it at the
back of the tank, and prune
the fol i age often.
20
BACOPA has thick, feshy
leaves, spaced far apart on the
stem. It is a slow grower and
needs at l east 10 hours of l i ght
dail y. Fl oati ng does not show
of this pl ant at its best.
HORNWORT is fragile and
crumbl es easily. In nature, it
foats just below the surface In
cold water. In an aquarium, it
can be anchored. A few pieces
provide refuge for baby fsh.
Hornwort does not develop
rot.
WILLOWMOSS is a col d-water
pl ant, doing well in water be
l ow 72 degrees F. The water
shoul d be well aged. I f an
chored with a porous rock, it
wi l l attach to surface.
AMBULIA, its l eaves in swirl s
around the stems, grows fast in
soft water. It needs 8 to 10
hours of l ight dai l y. Remove it
routinely and rinse in fresh
water. This results in bushy
plants.
CABOMBA OR FANWORT
Cabomba caroliniana
3 or 4 ft. long
BACOPA
Sacopa caroliniana
WI LLOW MOSS
Fontinalis gracilis
AMBULI A
ELODEA OR ANACHARI S
Elodea densa
(also Egeria densa)
to 1 0
f
t. long
E. callitrichoides
to 10
f
t. long
HORNWOR
Ceratophyllum demersum
Limnophila sessilifora
leO1 wDOtl8 J-4 D. OctO88
21
DWARF FOUR-LEAFED CLOVER
Marsilea hirsuta
MILFOIL OR FOXTAIL
Myriophyllum spicatum
22
LUDWIG lA
Ludwigia natans
leaves to I/j in. long
LUDWIGIA survives at most
water temperatures in aquar
iums, from cool to warm. At
lower temperatures-60 to 70
degrees F.-the underside of
the leaves of the species illus
trated turn a pretty red. Some
of the leaves are adapted for
growth above the surface
(emersible), others far below
the surface (submersible).
Given adequate space, these
plants become quite bushy.
They produce yellow fowers.
New plants are started from
cuttings planted in soil fer
tilized with fsh wastes. Several
species of this bog plant are
available in pet shops.
DWARF FOUR-LEAFED CLOVER
is O small, hardy plant that
does well at most tempera
tures. It is showy, hence attrac
tive when planted at the front
of the aquarium. The leaves are
on long stems.
MILFOIL turns light green and
becomes brittle in inadequate
light. If it receives 8 hours of
light per day, it is fast-growing
and turns a deep, bright green.
Several species of Milfoil are
available in shops. They prefer
cool waters and are easily
choked by the debris stirred 0Q
by rooting fsh. Compare Milfoil
with Cabomba, Hornwort, and
Ambulia and note the difer
ences.
FLOATING PLANTS reduce the amount of l i ght that
can enter the water, hence are desi rabl e where i t i s
i mportant t o have a di ml y l i t tank. I t i s wise to
grow them in patches so that some l i ght can reach
the pl ants bel ow. If the aquari um has j ust been set
up, add some aquari um- pl ant vi tami ns to the
water. Fl oati ng pl ants are general l y rel ished by
herbi vorous fsh.
WATER SPRITE is a foating
plant sold in bunches. Even if
anchored in the grovel, it will
stretch its leaves to the sur
face and produce new plants
that multiply as they foat. Wa
ter Sprite does well in most
aquariums, as its demands are
not critical.
NITELLA has no roots. The wa
ter should be neutral to alka
line. Most fsh eat Nite/la, and
they also seem to enjoy
swimming around it.
WATER SPRI TE
DUCKWEED is very popular for
shading an aquarium from
strong light. Large fsh espe
cially like to eat Duckweed,
which can quickly cover the
whole surface of a tank with its
tiny leaves. In large tanks or
in outside pools, it may become
a nuisance.
CRYSTALWORT grows fast. It
requires a minimum of six hours
of light daily. Keep it thinned
inch in thickness. Fish
spawn in this plant.
Lemna minor
leaves about l in. across
Riccio fuitans
NIT ELLA
Nite/la gracilis
23
sandstone slate
quartz petrifed wood
Some Safe Aquarium Ornaments
volcanic rock
glass
marble
ORNAENTS are second on the l i st of decorati ons.
Thousands of pl asti c or cerami c decorati ons can be
bought, rangi ng from mi ni ature sunken shi ps to
di vers and treasure chests. Most of them are safe,
though unnatural . Avoi d usi ng seashel l s and coral s,
for unl ess properl y treated, they can poison the
water. Coi ns are al so dangerous.
Nei ghborhood rocks may be the best. They can be
used to create natural -l ooki ng caves, arches, houses,
and mountai ns. Chi l dren enjoy hel pi ng wi th these
creati ons. Al l stones are not safe, of course. Soft
rocks, such as cement or l i mestone, make the water
al kal i ne as they di ssol ve. Rocks contai ni ng metal s
wi l l poison fsh. I f you are i n doubt, ask t he advice
of a geol ogy i nstructor. Remember, too, that orna
ments subtract from the vol ume of water, so take
them i nto account when stocki ng the tank or addi ng
medications to the water.
24
L I DS AND ART I F I C I AL L I GHTS
To prevent fsh from l eapi ng out, aquari ums shoul d
have a l i d that stretches al l the way across the top.
A pane of glass may be used, but do not pl ace i t di
rectl y on t he aquari um frame. Leave about a fourth
of an i nch of ai r space by putti ng a small rock under
the gl ass at each corner.
I f the tank i s away from wi ndows, as i t shoul d be
(p. 8), the room's l i ght i s not adequate for the
growth of most pl ants. An aquari um refector hood
i s general l y used to provi de overhead l i ghti ng.
Fl uorescent l i ghts cost more i ni ti all y than do i ncan
descent l i ghts, but they use l ess el ectri ci ty and l ast
l onger. Further, they do not heat up, while i ncandes
cent l i ghts (normal flament bul bs) can overheat
small tanks. Be sure to purchase tubes that are made
especi al l y for aquari um refectors. Do not buy bul bs
in hardware stores. Those that are made to produce
natural l i ght for the tank are best. Too much l i ght
causes green al gae to grow abundantl y. Most pl ants
need 8 to 10 hours of l i ght per day.
fuorescent light
__ * J
incandescent light
side view
of aquarium
showing position

25
T E MP E RAT UR E
Gol dfsh and some other ki nds of aquar i um fsh do
not requi re water warmer than room temperat ure.
I f tropical s are the choice, however, an aquar i um
heater i s necessary. These heaters are equi pped wi th
thermostats so that the water i s kept at a constant
temperat ure. When the heater i s operati ng, a smal l
l i ght bul b gl ows. To set the unit, heat the water to
the correct temperature, then t urn the adjustment
knob unti l the l i ght bl i nks. Pl ug i n the heater onl y
when i t i s properl y submerged. Before si phoni ng,
unpl ug t he heater.
A heater wi l l mel t pl asti c, so secure i t wel l away
from the si des of a pl asti c tank. Large fsh, l i ke
ci chl i ds, wi l l bump heaters and break them. Thei r
tanks must be equi pped wi th the unbreakabl e type
of heater that i s now on the market.
The temperat ure of the water shoul d be checked
dai l y with a thermometer. Because the temperature
is cri ti cal for many tropical s, it is wi se to buy an
i nexpensi ve second thermometer s o that t he accuracy
of one can be checked agai nst the other.
26
round
I


e;
,

Thermometers
hongi ng
S HOP P I NG L I ST
Thi s shoppi ng l i st wi l l hel p i n est i mati ng the total
cost of your aquari um setup. Wri te down the pri ce
besi de each i tem. Usi ng thi s l i st shoul d al so el i mi
nate the need for extra tri ps to the store to pi ck up
forgotten i tems. To t hi s l i st you can fnal l y add t he
fsh and thei r assortment of foods, whi ch shoul d be
purchased about two weeks l ater.
feeding ring
with sucti on cup
oquorium and stand
flter
charcoal and foss
airline tubing
valves (if needed)
dust and oil flter
air pump
gravel
pH kit
water hardness testing
kit (optional)
plants and weights
ornaments
refector
light bulbs
heater
thermometer
siphon
pail and sponge
feeding ring
fsh net
emergency tonic (p. 30)
27
BAS I C D I ET
An aquari u m ani mal 's wel l - bei ng depends not onl y
on the qual i ty of i ts envi ronment but al so on the
food it eats.
VARYING THE DIET is impor
tant for any animal. Few foods
contain all the essentials of a
balanced diet, and sa do not
feed the same food more than
a few times consecutively, even
if the fsh obviously like it.
Many commercial and live
foods ore available, and hun
dreds of types of packaged
foods can be found on store
shelves. Choose those with the
highest percentages of proteins,
fats, minerals, and vitamins.
Today there is no excuse for
not having a variety of foods
-even as many as a dozen.
OVERFEEDING is the most com
mon mistake of beginners. Feed
fsh frequently, at least two
times daily, but feed small
amounts. Make certain that ab
solutely all of the food is con
sumed at each feeding-say,
within ten minutes. Leftover
food fouls and spoils the water.
Unless the bottom feeders be
gin to eat it, this food should
be removed by siphoning.
Never shake a container of
food over the water unless the
fow can be controlled perfectly.
Sprinkle pinches of food over
the surface.
LL FI SH A VARIETY OF FOODS.
28
LIVE FOODS white
Daphnia
worm

tubifex

worms
mosquito nt
larvae arvae
IN THE KITCHEN are many
foods that are fne for fsh.
Shredded canned spinach is a
good vegetable supplement.
Fine baby cereals are also ex
cellent. Lean beef heart or liver
and fsh or shrimp can be
shredded to the proper consis
tency. For baby or tiny fsh,
wrap a small piece of hard
boiled egg yolk in wet linen.
Squeeze one or two drops
through the linen into the tank.
Pieces of food should be no
greater than half the size of
the fsh's mouth.
FEEDING BABY FISH moy be
an inconvenience but is reward
ing. Mony can be raised on
commercial baby foods, but
they grow slowly. The growth
of newly hatched fsh is
speeded by feeding them in
fusoria-a broth of micro
scopic plants and animals. Most
pet shops carry infusoria. An
alternate is using the legg yolk
already described above.
Older fry are fed newly
hatched brine shrimp. Eggs of
brine shrimp and directions for
hatching them can be bought
at the pet shop.
ADULT FISH are usually fed at
least twice daily. One meal con
sists of a high-quality staple
food. The ather can be one of
the following:
live tubifex worms
thawed sea lettuce
shrimp meal
meal pellets
baby guppies or mollies
vegetable fakes and
tablet foods
conditioner daily food
live brine shrimp
commercial liquid tube
food
shredded white fsh
canned spinach or cereal food
chopped or shredded
beef heart
chopped earthworms
Live foods are now frozen or
freeze-dried for convenient
feeding. They con be substituted
occasionally for the real thing.
Thaw frozen foods to room
temperature; do not refreeze.
If you go on vacation, put
a "vacation feeder11 into the
tank. Healthy fsh can survive
for more than O week without
food. If friends volunteer to
feed your fsh, caution them
not to overfeed.
29
FI S H HYGI E NE
Onl y heal thy fsh shoul d be purchased, and their
good heal th shoul d be mai ntai ned. I t i s i mportant to
be abl e to recogni ze W heal thy fsh's appearance.
Know the anatomy and behavi or of the vari ous spe
ci es kept. Study the di agram and al so the charts on
pp. 34-35. Check each pet once every day for any
changes that may i ndi cate an i l l ness.
Even in the best cared-for aquar i um, probl ems
may appear suddenl y. Si ck fsh must be treated i m
medi atel y. A day's del ay may mean the death of
the fsh. Keep on hand some good emergency gen
eral toni cs to treat the most common fsh di sorders.
Ask a rel i abl e deal er t o assi st you i n sel ecti ng these
broad-spectrum medi ci nes, of whi ch there are many.
IN HEALTHY FISH, the fns
stand straight aut. They are not
frayed or held close to the
body. Select active fsh that
have clear eyes, bright colors,
and a smooth skin end no dis
colorations. Distended or red
gills indicate infection. Do not
pick the fsh that lingers shyly
behind decorations when oth
ers of the same species are in
clear view begging to be fed.
Even such shy types as Gour
amis are alert and dash about
madly when disturbed.
NEVER TAP on the aquarium
glass when window shopping
for fsh. Tapping confuses and
frightens the fsh, causing them
to dash into objects and injur
ing themselves. Vibrations can
also result in internal disorders.
30
The advice commonly given
not to buy from a tank contain
ing even one dead fsh is mis
leading. The dealer may have
gone through all of his aquar
iums scooping out many dead
fsh just ten minutes before you
walked into his store. Those re
maining may be ill. One or two
dead fsh in a tank does not
necessarily mean that all of the
inhabitants are ill. If
.
the dead
fsh have clearly visible signs of
disease, the water may be con
taminated. If a dead fsh looks
as though it was healthy and
other fsh in the aquarium are
nibbling at its body, chances
are that it died of old age or
perhaps as a result of shipping.
During their long journey from
their source (p. 35), fsh may
be bruised or go into shock.
!st dorsal
fn
2nd
|
barbel
spiny
rays
dorsal
fn
caudal
caudal
(tail) fn
line
PARTS OF FISH (idealized)
BEFORE MAKING SELECTIONS
give the dealer a list of the
kinds of fsh you have.
The dealer should be gentle
with the fsh as he catches them
so that they are not harmed or
unnecessarily frightened. If a
fsh jumps and lands on the
foor, wet your hands before
picking it up. Dry hands will
rub of some of the fsh's pro
tective slime and leave it sus
ceptible to disease.
The water in which the fsh
travel from the shop to your
home must be taken from the
tank in which they were liv
ing. If the fsh you select are
from six tanks, then you should
have at least six containers.
Too many fsh in one results in
nipped fns, especially if aggres
sive species are mixed with shy.
The net used for catching the
fsh should be clean. If the deal
er does not have a separate net
for each tank, have it dipped in
a disinfecting solution, such as
salt or methylene blue, to re
move any harmful microorgan
isms. This disinfecting should be
done between each catch.
USE PLASTIC BAGS for shipping
fsh. Make certain that plenty
of air is trapped above the
water in each bag, which
should look like a blown-up
balloon. Do not allow the sales
man to fll the bag by breathing
into it. His respired air is full
of carbon dioxide, and the fsh
may sufocate before they reach
their destination. The air should
come either from an air tank or
from the room.
3 1
WITH THE PLSTIC BAG IN POSSESSION, make one
l ast check for si gns of di sease before taki ng the fsh
from the store. Be careful not to j i ggl e the bag. Do
not al l ow young children to carry i t, for they may
drop or sway the capti ves and harm them. As soon
as possi bl e, pl ace the pl asti c bag in a brown paper
bag. The darkness wi l l hel p cal m the fri ghtened
creatures. Hurry home. Remember, the fsh have a
l i mi ted amount of oxygen.
AT HOME, foat t he pl asti c bag(s) i n t he seasoned
aquar i um to equal ize the temperat ures of the two
waters and al so to al l ow the fsh to become ec
quai nted wi th thei r new surroundi ngs. After ffteen
mi nutes, open the bags and sl owl y (over a peri od
of about ten mi nutes) di p water from the tank i nto
the bags. After the bags contai n mostl y aquar i um
water, net t he fsh and free t hem i nto t hei r new
home. Di spose of the water from whi ch t hey were
j ust removed. Some aquari sts recommend i sol at i ng
new speci mens for a week or two before i nt roduci ng
them i nto an establ i shed communi ty tank. I f a spare
tank and equi pment are avai l abl e, t hi s is a good
precauti onary step agai nst i ntroduci ng a di sease.
32
foat bags in aquarium
to equalize temperature
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT
CATCHING A DI SEASE from
pet fsh. The few diseases that
are transmittable to man are
rare and can be contracted
only by eating the infected fsh.
PREVENTIVE CARE is easier
than treating diseases. Take
extra time to keep the tank
clean, at a constant tempera
ture, and the fsh well fed. On
the same day that fsh are pur
chased, buy some broad-spec
trum medicines for treating the
most common diseases.
SALT AND DYES used in treat
ing fsh diseases may kill plants.
I solate diseased fsh in a plant
less aquarium or use al ternative
medicines, such as antibiotics.
AQUARI UM PESTS are:
Diatoms, which form a brown
coating on gl ass, gravel , and
decor. They are often incor
rectly cal led brown al gae. An
infestati on can be kil led by in
creasing the amount of light.
Algae can be dangerous (p.
! 5) in l arge amounts. Both
green and blue- green al gae
may coat gl ass, gravel , and
decorati ons. To el i mi nate them,
reduce the amount of l i ght
and/ or introduce kinds of fsh
that eat al gae.
Hydras may farm a white coat
ing on the gl ass. They are car
ni vorous, hence a threat to fry.
Gouramis eat them.
Dugesia or Planaria are free
li ving fatworms that are found
in many freshwaters. In an
aquari um, they eat fsh eggs
and fry. Bettes eat them.
NO TREATMENTS are recom
mended in the disease section
of the heal th chart (pp. 34-35).
For each il lness there is also a
large selection of cures.
Diagnosis of the disease is
most important. After determin
ing the ail ment, go immedi
atel y to the l ocal pet store and
buy the medicine that cl aims to
be efective in treating it. Read
and follow the directions on
the package.
Before buying the medicine,
describe the symptoms to the
fsh speci al ist in the stare to
make certain your diagnosis is
correct. If in doubt, consul t
books that have detailed ac
counts and prescriptions. Ex
ternal symptoms of diseases
often overl ap. For any disease,
microscopic examination is the
fnal diagnosis.
DRUGS that are commonly used
to treat the various kinds of
diseases of aquarium fsh are:
AoIbotcs erythromycin,
chloramphenicol (chloromyce-
tin), chlorotetracycline (auteo
myci n), oxytetracycline (terra
mycin), penicillin, streptomysin,
and tetrocycli ne.
Dyes - acrifavine, brilliant
green, malachite green, and
methylene blue.
Othors castor oil, copper,
formalin (37-40
%
formalde
hyde), mepacrine hydrochlor
ide (mepaci ne), merbromin
(mercurochrome), po cro c acid,
potassium dichromate, potas
sium permanganate, quinine
hydrochloride (quinine), silver
nitrate, and sodium chloride
(common salt).
33
HEALTH CHART
Dl5OkDbk5
I nherited
Tumors
Deformities
5TMFTOM5
growths on body
especial l y tail
usual l y in spine
TkEATMEN5
no cure known
no cure known
bnvronmenfol (often l eadi ng to secondary infections):
Constipation
(from i mproper diet;
not enough exercise}
Stomach or I ntesti nal
(from monotonous
diet)
Shock (due to
changes i n water
temperature or
chemistry)
Swim Bl adder Disease
(a temperature shock)
Sufocation (from
overheating,
overcrowding, decay)
Chlorine Shock
(form of sufocation)
Torn Fins, Wounds
Deformities
DI 5EA5b5
Vrol Dseoses
Caul ifower Di sease,
Lymphocystis (a pox virus)
Bacterial Dseoses
34
Col umnaris, Body
Fungus, Mouth
Fungus |Chondrococcusl
Fin-rot, Tail-rot, Black Molly
Di sease, Fin Congestion
(from i nvasion of bacteria)
appetite dwindl es;
bel l y swel l s sl i ghtly;
feces may trai l
sl uggi sh; belly area
usually dark or
l i ght
l oss of color and
appetite: may gasp,
fns hel d close
gasp at surface
and gulp air
gasp at surface
same as above
fns split or frayed,
scales missing
abnormal spi ne or
fn development
feed fake food
saturated wi th castor
oil, or shreds of
earthworms; vary
diet
starve fsh for
several days, then
feed varied diet
heat water to 8-8
degrees F. ; add Z tsp.
sea sal t per gal l on
as above
el i mi nate cause
age water before use
warm water to
degrees F.; give salt
treatment and a
bal anced diet
from i mproper diet;
may be i nherited
5YMFOm5
caul ifower-shaped growths may
be whi te, gray, red
not a fungus; fns degenerate,
spl it; white patches turn sl imy;
fsh may shi mmy; contagious
fns ore red and streaked with
veins; may degenerate
Bacterial Gi l l Disease
Pop-eye, Exopht hal mus
Dropsy
(Pseudomonas, AeromonasJ
Tuberculosis lMyxobacterium)
Furunculosis CAeromonasJ
Fungal Diseases
Fungus (SaprolegniaJ
Eye Fungus
l ch, White Spot llchthyopthirius)
Frofozoon D| teo8e8
Velvet, Rust (Qodinium)
Sl i my Skin Di sease
(caused by Chi loonel la,
Cydochoeto, Costio,
TrichoinaJ, and others
Neon Tetra Disease tPiistophoraJ
Whi rl i ng Disease tMyxosomaJ
Di scus Disease
Helminth Diseases
Ski n and Gi l l Fl ukes
IGyrodoctylusJ
Gill Fl ukes IDactylogyrusJ
leeches (Piscicolo)
Bl ock Spot teoe
(Diploslomiasis, Neoiploslomum)
Eye Cataract
CHemistomumJ
Crustacean Diseases
Anchor Worm (LernaeoJ
Fish "louse"
(ArgulusJ
fsh ride around in currents of
water; sl uggish; loss of appetite;
gi l l s become infamed
eye(s) bulge; may be clouded
fsh swel l s; scales may stand out;
fsh lies on bottom; eyes may
protrude; ulcers
loss of weight, appetite, color;
ulcers, eyes may protrude; lou
of equilibrium; yellow spots on
caudal peduncle
open ulcers, mainl y dorsal
white or gray blotches, usually
on wounded areas or weak fsh;
contagious and common
as above but in eye
white fecks, spreading from
fns; common and contagious
yel low or rust-colored patches
color lost; white, gray, bl uish
white or of-white slime ex
creted from skin and covers
body
color fades; equil ibrium is lost:
afects other species
same symptoms as obove
looks like tiny worms on head
fsh dash about, rub against
objects; exhaustion; contagious
same as above but restricted
to gi l ls, whi ch become lnfamed1
fsh have difculty breathing;
fex gill covers frequently
heart-shaped grayish worms
brown to black cysts cover
body; carried by snail s
eyes get cl oudy
common on Goldfsh; fsh rb
on gravel and objeds
attaches externally; dark brown
to pole green

S OU RCE S OF TROP I CAL F I S H

Every year mi l l i ons of fsh are shi pped to markets
from breedi ng houses and fsh farms. As soon as
the baby fsh reach a si ze sui tabl e for sel l i ng, they
are packed i n l arge, heavy-gauge pl asti c bags fl l ed
wi th water and oxygen. These are pl aced i n card
board cartons, i nsul ated wi th styrofoam and hur
ried to thei r desti nati ons by truck or by ai r pl ane.
The fsh descriptions i n thi s book refer to the na
ti ve ranges of the speci es. Most of the fsh bought i n
stores probabl y came from commerci al breedi ng
houses or fsh farms. Fi sh t hat are not prol i fc i n
captivity, however, are best col l ected i n t he wi l d.
Rapi d ai r transport has greatl y reduced the ri sk of
getti ng these fsh to markets. It has al so made it pos
si bl e to i ntroduce new, unusual species. Thi s i s espe
ci al l y appeal i ng to the hobbyist and makes it worth
whi l e to hi re natives to net fsh i n the wi l d.
CONDITION TANK BEFORE UTl N lbH
bom (p. I 6}t00
00 |ltI| isdi1f|cultl0
o oquorivm m0tI f|rr|
be ont |t, l m0t|
pm0000 lf1y0g -
tmm lho w0l0r
pov svrh cs cm-
coovetl Ibem | of
tubsIcoces, v0h O5
01t0u oxide,
|e
cqvori 0m 0O be $UC
tvl 85 Ih|v n|0go0 cyc|e
pe roper|y. |t roo do
3
to 0l 00 0pl mvm |n -
grovel fiher 0d
5DI lw0
tank |v set 0p.
M0 d0lcu! 0D m06
g ucod 0 the oq0ori 0m
yrl or cO0d| lon ng begIot.
rIcb|!|zot|oo ccn be
0dU hg 80me gf0Y0 Of
ftom O0 et|ob||thed
lnlt0du0 0g tome
| mcl 8 dvfng le firtt
wh| | e lh cyrle |s g0fl g 0
woy l0w0td 0l0ng Q bo|onc.
F RES HWATER S NAI L S
Snai l s were once consi dered to be the best scaven
gers for an aquar i um. Today, al gae-eat i ng fsh and
catfsh are used i n tropi cal aquari ums because of the
di sadvantages of snai l s. Even wi th no speci al food or
care, one snai l can i n a short ti me produce numerous
ofspri ng. Soon there are l i teral l y hundreds of snai l s.
Though they do consume uneaten foods, they al so
contri bute t hei r own wastes, and they al so eat fsh
eggs. Wi l d or pool -bred snai l s may carry dangerous
fsh di seases. Despi te these negati ve features, snai l s
can add i nterest t o t he aquari um. They hel p keep
the gl ass and decorati ons cl ean.
MYSTERY SNAILS are desirable
and not prolifc. They need an
abundance of food. They will
not harm aquatic plants if
given an occasional lettuce leaf
or some cooked spinach.
RAMSHORN SNAILS, very pop
ular for either warm ar cold
water aquariums, are bright
red. Fish eat hatchlings.
WANDERING SNAIL should be
avoided. It eats plants and
produces a poison fatal to fsh.
BLADDER SNAIL
Physa acuta
to Y in.
RAMSHORN SNAIL
Planorbis corneus
to 1 % in.
MALAYAN BURROWING SNAIL
plows in search of food, pre
venting gravel from packing.
Water should not drop below
70 degrees F.
ACUTE BLADDER SNAILS are
exceptionally prolifc in most
aquariums-to the point of be
ing considered pests. Fish can
not eat the hard-shelled babies.
MYSTERY SNAILS
Ampul/aria
to 2% in.
/
WANDERING SNAIL
Lymnaea ovata peregra
to 1 in.
MALAYAN SNAIL
Melanoides tuberculata
to 1 in.
37
OTHER AQUARIUM I NHABITANTS
AFRICAN AQUATIC FROG lives
its entire life under water. It
will not hop out of the tank.
Needs varied diet of fsh foods,
both dry and live. Arrange the
aquarium as for any tropical
fsh, using foating plants. This
animal i s . sed in laboratories
for pregnanc
r
tests.
SALAMANDERS and newts need
damp land areas, fr they
leave the water occasionally.
They eat fsh eggs, insects,
worms, snails, and unwary
small fshes. These amphibians
are quiet and quite tame,
accepting food from fngers.
SMALL TADPOLES are safe ta
add to an aquarium
.
They eat
infusoria. As adults, however,
they will eat fsh if they can
catch them. Most frogs must get
out of the water to bask and
will jump out of tanks. In es
tablished tanks, they can also
stir up O mes OS they kick.
FRESHWATER GHOST SHRIMP
are not true shrimp. I n the wild,
they eat algae and debris. Cap
five speci mens will eat most
fsh foods. Their home is on the
tank's foor, but they will not
uproot or eat plants. Large fsh
will gobbl e them up.
( many ki nds
are s uitable I
AFRICAN AQUATIC FROG
Xenopus /aeuis
JAPANESE NEWT
OR SALAMANDER
Mo/ge pyrrhogastra
38
FRESHWATER
GHOST SHRIMP
Gammarus spp.
TURTLE
AQUARIUM
BABY TURTLES are probabl y the most mistreated
pets sol d in pet shops and variety stores because
their needs are so poorl y understood. I f treated wel l ,
they may l i ve for more than ten years.
DO NOT put them in shallow,
plastic "turtle bowls." In these
lowls, they are too cramped,
and the water fouls quickly. Do
not feed them commercial tur
tle foods ar raw hamburger.
Commercial foods are usually
dried ant eggs and fies, ofer
little or no nutrition. The raw
hamburger contains too much
fat, which bloats the turtles.
PUT THE TURlLE in an aquar
ium in which the water is deep
enough for it to exercise. Hang
turtle rafts, available in pet
stores, several inches below the
refector lights. Allow the turtle
about 8 hours af light each day
for basking. If the water is not
heated, leave a light on all
night on cool evenings. The
water temperature should be
72 to 80 degrees F.
Feed the turtle a balanced
diet; fsh foods, dog food, lean
beef, raw fsh, cottage cheese,
row shri mp, freshwater snails,
worms, fruits, hardboiled eggs,
and lelluce. A turtle will eat
beller if it is in company with
other turtl es. If fed daily, it
will not bother fish, though the
long, flowing fins of a slow
moving fish may be too much
to resist.
Turtles become unbelievably
tame. They will swim to fngers
to grab morsels of food.
Given basking lights and a
proper diet, they rarely become
ill. Swollen eyes or soft shells
are a result of mistreatment.
For swollen eyes, place the tur
tle in an antibiotic or sulpha
bath two times daily. Feed it
as much as it will eat of its
favorite foods. Soft shells are
hardened by giving the turtle
large amounts of sunshine and
calcium supplements in the diet.
The cruel practice of painting
shells will eventually kill the
poor victims.
39
AROWANA
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
to 20 in.
1 K L LPL b H PN L b
BONY-TONGUED FISHES (Osteogl ossi dae)
Thi s fami l y of freshwater fshes, bel ongi ng to the
same order as herri ngs, i s di stri buted over South
Ameri ca, Southeast Asi a, Borneo, Sumatra, Aus
tral i a, and Africa. Al l of the members ore l arge.
AROWANAS are sometimes imported from South
Ameri ca as j uveni les, onl y 3 to 4 i nches l ong. I f you
are wi l l i ng to provi de for a fi sh that wi l l grow to
20 i nches l ong in capti vi ty, the Arowana makes an
unus ual pet t hat may l i ve more than t en years. Thei r
relationshi p to prehi stori c fi sh makes them especially
i nteresti ng and unusual aquari um pets.
Young speci mens are peaceful ; ol der ones must
be i sol ated. Pl an ahead . A tank of at l east 75 to 1 00
gal l ons wi l l be needed when the youngster grows
up. In a roomy tan k the speci es shows off i ts grace-
. ful , sl eek movements. Temperature of the water
shoul d be 75 to 78 degrees F. Arowanas prefer l arge
l i ve foods, such as Goldfi sh, but they can be taught
to take chunks of raw fi sh or beef. Parents are sai d
to carry thei r eggs and babies i n thei r mouth .
40
FRESHWATER BUTTERFLYFI SH (Pantodonti dae)
Thi s fami l y contai ns onl y one genus and one speci es,
occurri ng in western Afri ca.
FRESHWATER BUTTERFLYFI SH i s a l eaper. Spreadi ng
i t s l arge pectoral fns, i t can gl i de over the s urface of
the water. I f the l i d is l eft of an aquari um, t hi s fsh
i s l i kel y t o "fy" out.
Note the l arge, upturned mouth. Thi s i s a feat ure
characteri sti c of fsh that l i ve i n the upper strata and
feed at the surface.
The tank shoul d be spaci ous (20 gal l ons or more),
di ml y l i t, and moderatel y pl anted, especi al l y wi th
a few foati ng pl ants. The water shoul d be sl i ghtl y
aci d, soft, and 75 to 85 degrees F. Feed these fsh
by spri nkl i ng food on the surface. Chunks of raw
beef or fsh, fyi ng i nsects, earthworms, meal worms,
and l ive fsh are rel i shed. Because they are car
ni vorous, Butterfyfsh shoul d be kept onl y wi th thei r
own speci es.
FRESHWATER BUTERFLYFI SH
Pantodon bucholzi
to 5 i n.
4
ELEPHANTFI SH
Gnathonemus petersi
to 9 i n.
ELEPHANTFI SH (Mormyri dae)
ELEPHANTFI SH, nat ive to the warm, freshwaters of
tropi cal Afri ca, are not bred commerci al l y but are
occasi onal l y i mported for sal e i n pet shops. Though
they are expensi ve, thei r oddi ty makes them of i n
terest. One of t he several species i s i l l ustrated here.
An El ephantfsh may show pl ayful behavi or. Wi th
i ts surpri si ngl y fexi bl e, l ong nose, i t wi l l di g and
feel around i n search of food. I t general l y i gnores
prepared dry foods, hence l ive foods must be pro
vi ded. Because of its smal l mouth, an El ephantfsh
can swal l ow onl y smal l bi ts.
House the El ephantfsh i n a l arge tank wi th aged
water at a temperature of 75 to 80 degrees F. , i n a
normal pH and wi th some pl ants. Si nce the fsh i s
noct urnal , provi de dark areas i n whi ch i t can hi de.
Because of i ts shy, del icate nature and i ts occa
si onal aggressive behavi or, the El ephantfsh is not
a good communi ty fsh and i s not recommended for
amateur aquari sts.
42
CHARACI NS (Characi dae)
Characi ns, found i n South and Central America and
i n Afri ca, compri se one of the l argest fami l i es of
freshwater aquar i um fshes. Most of them have an
adi pose fn and teeth. Al l l ack barbel s.
Characi ns scatter eggs t hroughout the tank; they
are not l i ve- bearers. Wi th few excepti ons, they do
not care for ei ther the eggs or the ofspri ng. The
smal l school i ng, or shoal i ng, speci es are among t he
most popul ar aquar i um fsh because of t hei r col or,
peaceful temperament, hardi ness, and ease of
handl i ng. Members of the fami l y usual l y do best i n
semi - l i t aquar i ums wi t h soft, s l i ghtl y aci d water.
BLI ND CAVEFISH, natives of caves i n the regi on of
San lui s Potosi , Mexico, have such hi ghl y devel oped
senses of smel l and touch that they rarel y bump i nto
anythi ng. They swi m wi th thei r head ti l ted sl i ght l y
downward, eat i ng any food contacted. Bl i nd Cave
fsh scavenge, but provi de a vari ed di et of foods
that wi l l si nk to the bottom. Though sui tabl e com
muni ty fsh whi l e young, adul ts may become ag
gressi ve. The water temperat ure i n the aquari um
may range from 70 t o 85 degrees F.
43
BLOODFINS show of thei r bri l l i ant red fns best
when they are i n l arge school s in a roomy tank.
They l ay non-adhesi ve eggs and wi l l eat them i f
they are not removed after spawni ng. For thi s spe
ci es, the opti mum water temperat ure i s 75 degrees
F. , but temperat ures. from as low as 65 and to as
hi gh as 85 tol erated.
CARDI NAL TETRAS are bel i eved by many aquari sts
to compare in bri l l i ance with the sal twater tropi cal s.
They resembl e the smal l er Neon Tetra (p. 52), but i n
thi s s pecies, the red extends down the ventral si de
of the body. Cardi nal s are l ess common, hence more
expensive than Neons.
SPLASH TETRAS di spl ay a courtshi p behavi or unl i ke
any other characi ns. After much pl ayi ng and chas
i ng, the mal e l eads his femal e to the spawni ng pl ace
he has chosen. Thi s is l ocated about two i nches
above the surface of the water. I n nature, the pai r
may s pawn on an overhangi ng l eaf or C rock. I n
capti vity, a smal l pane of sanded gl ass angl ed
across the aquar i um wi l l sufce. The gl ass must be
sanded so that the eggs wi l l adhere.
The pai r frst j ump out of the water and cl i ng
t o the surface a number of ti mes wi thout spawni ng.
After these prel i mi nary j umps, t he actual spawni ng
j umps are made, wi th eggs deposi ted and ferti l i zed
in smal l groups. About 50 to 1 75 eggs are l ai d over
a peri od of an hour or so. As many as a dozen l eaps
are made i n t hi s ti me.
The femal e then swi ms away and shows no
more i nterest i n the eggs, but the mal e returns pe
ri odi cal l y and spl ashes water on the eggs wi th hi s
44
BLOODFI N
Aphyocharax rubropinnis
to 2 in.
SPLASH TERAS
Copeina ornoldi
to 3 ln.
egg
CARDI NAL TERA
Cheirodon axelrodi
to l Y2 in.
tai l . This prevents them from dehydrat i ng. The eggs
hatch i n three days, and the young ei ther fal l or are
spl ashed i nto t he water. Hatchl i ngs shoul d be sepa
rated from the parents.
Spl ash Tetras do best i n neutral water at 75 de
grees. F. Cover the tank so that the fsh do not j ump
out. "Ri pe" femal es-t hat i s, fl l ed wi t h eggs-are
pl umper and shorter than the mal es.
SWORDTAIL CHARACI NS, native to Tri ni dad and
Venezuela, should be purchased when they are ma
ture, because they are then l ess suscept i bl e to dis
ease. A mature mal e has a t hreadl i ke extensi on
from the gi l l pl ate and at the end of the extensi on a
shovel - l i ke appendage cal l ed a "corynopoma. " Dur
i ng courtshi p, the mal e shows of thi s extraordi nary
feat ure to his partner. Ol der mal es al so have ex
tended rays i n the ventral fns.
I n mat i ng, a capsul e, or spermatophore, i s de
posited i n the femal e's ovi duct. I nsi de thi s capsul e
are sperm that can l ive for an extended period of
ti me. They can ferti l ize eggs expel l ed by the femal e
l ong after the mal e i s removed.
Because these fsh are not obsessed wi th eati ng
thei r eggs or young, they are easi er to rai se than
are most. Swordtai l Characi ns do wel l i n pai rs and
are qui te peaceful i n a community tank, wi t h the
water mai ntai ned at 70 to 80 degrees F. and with
pl ants. They shoul d be fed a vari ed diet.
BLACK TETRS, from Paraguay, are peaceful when
young but may become aggressive wi th age, ni p
pi ng other l ess active, l ess aggressi ve fsh. By the
ti me the fsh mature, the bl ack fades to a l i ght gray.
Col or fadi ng al so occurs i n younger fsh when they
become i l l or are fri ghtened.
Femal es are noti ceabl y distended when ri pe. Pro
' vi de pl enty of space for these active egg scatterers
in water that i s 72 to 85 degrees F. School s of these
fsh can move wi th amazi ng speed to snatch up bi ts
of food i n thei r varied di et. They requi re the same
care as other tetras (p . .8). Longfnned Bl ack Tetras,
a new strai n, are gai ni ng in popul ari ty.
4
SWORDTAI L CHARACI N
Corynopoma riisei
to 3 in.
BLACK TETRA
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
to 2Y2 in.
LONGFINNED
BLACK TETRA
ripe femal e
GOLDEN TETRAS have an i ntense gol d shi ne, di fcul t
to show i n an i l l ustrati on. Requi rements for Gol den
Tetras, a peaceful school i ng species from Bri ti sh
Gui ana, are the same as for other tetras. They do
best in groups of four to ei ght kept in l arge, roomy
tanks in whi ch they can school . A nat ural envi ron
ment i s provi ded by dense cl usters of pl ants pl aced
at random. Both bri ght (sunny) and dark (caves)
areas shoul d be avai l abl e. The water shoul d be
sl i ghtl y acid, soft and l ow in l i me. Opti mum tem
peratures range from 70 to 80 degrees F. Gi ve them
a vari ed di et.
Al l of the tetras are from South and Central Amer
i ca. Members of the genus Hemigrammus have
scal es at the base of the caudal fn. Most members
of the genus Hyphessobrycon do not.
SI LVERTI P TETRA, a peaceful shoal er from southeast
ern Brazi l , l ooks handsome agai nst a dark back
ground, wi th overhead l i ghti ng to emphasi ze its
si l ver-ti pped fns. A red strai n i s al so avai l abl e.
48
GOLDEN TETR
Hemigrammus armstrongi
to @ in.
SI LVERTI P TERA
Hemigrommus nanus
to 2% in
.
BUENOS AIRES TETR, from the La Pl ata Basi n
around Buenos Ai res, grows t o 4 i nches l ong, hence
shoul d be kept i n a l arge tank. Thi s species is fre
quentl y housed in school s whi l e young, but ol der
fsh may ni p the fns of any fsh kept i n the tank
wi th them. Femal es i n particul ar become qui te ag
gressi ve. The temperature of the water shoul d range
from 68 to 78 degrees F. Pl ant the tank spari ngl y,
for this tetra l i kes to ni bbl e on pl ants and uproot
them. I t has a good appetite and wi l l gobbl e l arge
pi eces of food. Feedi ngs shoul d be frequent.
GLOWLIGHT i s a mi d-strata swi mmer that l ooks very
i mpressi ve i n l arge school s in an aquari um wi th a
dark bottom and spri nkl ed wi th pl ants. I ts beauty
approaches that of the Cardi nal Tetra ( p. 44) . I n
spawni ng, t he partners l ock fns and rol l from si de to
side in thi ckets of pl ants. Opti mum water tempera
ture i s 75 to 80 degrees F. The Gl owl i ght shoul d be
fed the basi c di et. Thi s speci es i s sensi ti ve to Neon
Tetra Di sease ( p. 35) .
GLOWL I GHT TETRA
Hemi grammus gracilis
to ! '/ i n.
Hemigrommus coudovittotus
to 4 i n.
49
HEAD AND TAI L LIGHT, al so cal l ed Beacon, occurs
throughout the Gui anas, especi al l y i n the Amazon
regi on. A peaceful communi ty fsh, i t l i kes a wi de
vari ety of foods. I t i s a shoal i ng fsh, a mi d-strata
swi mmer, and needs pl ants i n whi ch to reti re. The
water shoul d be soft and sl i ghtl y aci d, kept at 75
to 80 degrees F. Because of i ts i ri descence, thi s fsh
l ives wel l i n the company of Neons, Cardi nal s,
Gl owl i ghts, and other such shoal ers . The ri pe femal e
i s more pl ump than t he mal e. Mal es someti mes have
a smal l whi te spot on the anal fn. They devel op a
hooked anal fn that can easi l y snag i n a net.
RUMYNOSE, from the l ower Amazon, i s gai ni ng i n
popul ari ty. I n proper condi ti ons, whi ch are a di ml y
l i t tank and soft water at 78 t o 80 degrees F. , the
red nose, si ngl e dark horizontal l i ne, and bl ack
striped tai l stand out magni fcentl y. Thi s species
does best in school s.
RUMMYNOSE
Hemigrammus rno,oSom,s
to yg ln.
50
EAD AND TAI L LIGHT
SERPAE OR JEWEL TETRA is vari abl e i n i ts col ors.
Studi ed extensi vel y, thi s species i s di vi ded i nto si x
subspeci es by some authori ti es. Most of them have
a red t i nt over thei r body. Some have a bl ack spot
on the shou l der regi on. Serpaes school from the
mi ddl e to the l ower strata. The water shoul d be soft,
neutral , and 70 to 80 degrees F. Feed them the
standard vari ed di et. They may ni p fns.
HALF-BANDED CHARACI NS are rarel y found i n
aquari a because they do not breed successful l y i n
capti vi ty. I f obtai ned, however, thi s speci es i s peace
ful i n a community tank of at l east 20 gal l ons. The
school s wi l l hover i n the l ower strata, but they are
capabl e of rapi d movements, j umpi ng out of the
tank and ski l l ful l y dodgi ng or l eapi ng from nets.
Keep them i n neutral water at about 75 degrees F.
and feed t hem a basi c diet, i ncl udi ng pl ants on
whi ch t hey can ni bbl e.
5
FLE TETRA i s al so cal l ed Red Tet from Ri o, the
Rio referri ng to Ri o de Janei ro where t hi s speci es i s
bel ieved to have ori gi nated. The Fl ame Tetra l i kes
an aquari um with pl enty of hi di ng pl aces, because
i t i s easi l y fri ghtened and wi l l l ose i ts bri l l i ant col ors
duri ng such sessi ons. I t i s a peaceful shoal er, or
school i ng fsh, requi ri ng neutral water at 70 to 75
degrees .
NEON TETRAS come from the Peruvi an Amazon
where they l ive in shaded j ungl e waters. Neons
shoul d therefore be housed i n a semi - dark aquar i um
wi t h t he bottom and si des i n dar k col ors. Bl ack ti s
sue can be taped to the si des of the aquari um to
si mul ate the natural envi ronment, but keep the ti s
sue at l east hal f an i nch from the water l evel at the
top of the tank because the dye i n the paper can
ki l l fsh. Li ght the aquari um di ml y from above. I f
necessary, use patches of a foati ng pl ant to reduce
the i ntensi ty of the l i ght.
52
NEON TERA
Hyphessobrycon innesi
to 1 V ln.
mal e
female
In the Neon's j ungl e habi tat, the water i s repl en
i shed frequentl y by soft, fresh rai n. To provi de com
parabl e condi ti ons i n the aquari um, add boi l ed rai n
water or tap water weekl y, mai ntai ni ng i ts temper
ature at 72 to 78 degrees F. and i ts pH at 6. 5.
Viewed from above, a ri pe femal e Neon i s broader
than the mal e. She i s an egg-scatterer.
Neons are shoal ers, the school s swi mmi ng i n t he
mi ddl e t o l ower strata. The fsh i s peaceful wi t h oth
ers of the same si ze. Feed a varied di et. Neons are
suscepti bl e to Neon Tetra Di sease (p. 35).
53
LEMON TETRA
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
to J Y i n.
mal e
female
LEMON TETRA has a l emon-col ored bel l y, sel dom
seen i n aquari um fsh. I n a tank, a school of Lemon
Tetras l ooks especi al l y stri ki ng with a school of Bl ack
Tetras. The Lemon Tetra i s a cal m but acti ve com
muni ty fsh that needs a bi t more care than do most
tetras. I t i s hi ghl y sensi tive to changes in the pH, tem
perature, and hardness of the water. I f these are
abrupt, the fsh may go i nto shock, l osi ng its col or or
even dyi ng. Water changes must be made grad
ual l y, watchi ng the fsh careful l y t o make certai n
they are not reacti ng unfavorabl y.
ROSY TETR, from the Amazon Basi n, i s col orul
when young but fades wi th age. Some authori ti es
consi der the Rosy Tetra to be a subspecies of the Ser
pae Tetra (p. 5 1 ), diferent onl y i n havi ng a bl ack
spot on its shou l der. Adul t mal es have l ong, al most
hooked dorsal fns. Be careful not to break these
fns when handl i ng the mal es with a net. The tem
perature of the water shoul d be 72 to 82 degrees F.
Var the di et.
54
ROSY TETRA
H. rosaceus
to 1 11 i n.
BLEEDING HER TER
H. rubrostigma
to 3Y2 l n.

BLEEDING HEART TETRA is a l arger, more aggressive

species than most members of the genus. Keep i t i n
school s of fou r to ten fsh. The tank shoul d be s up
pl i ed wi th soft, sl i ghtly aci d water at 72 to 78 de
grees F. Pl ace dense cl usters of pl ants at random
throughout the tank to provi de a natural envi ron
ment of both bri ght and shady areas. Be careful i n
handl i ng mature mal es, whi ch have si ckl e-shaped
dorsal fns. Young are sensi tive to water changes.
55
SILVER DOLLARS have a feroci ous appearance
whi ch, coupl ed wi th thei r l arge si ze, cou l d gi ve the
i mpression that thi s species is undesi rabl e for a com
muni ty tank. Actual l y, Si l ver Dol l ars are shy. They
wi l l not bother fsh l arger than 1 to 2 i nches. Mi x
them wi th other species i n the begi nni ng, or they
wi l l become possessive of thei r terri tory and ni p the
tns of i ntruders.
Si l ver Dol l ars wi l l feed on spi nach, frui ts, l ettuce,
and aquati c pl ants i n addi ti on to thei r dai l y vari ed
diet. They seem to enjoy uprooti ng pl ants, hence i t
i s best to decorate wi th rocks and arti fci al pl ants.
Shoal s of two to fve fsh wi l l dash from one hi di ng
pl ace t o another i n t he l ower strata. The water tem
perat ure shoul d range from 75 t o 85 degrees F. With
age, Si l ver Dol l ars l ose any dark spots or stripes.
RED HOOK METS not onl y l i ve in harmony wi th the
Si l ver Dol l ar but al so have i denti cal requi rements.
I n size and shape, they are si mi l ar to the Si l ver Dol
l ar, but thei r bri ght red anal fn i s si ckl e-shaped.
They have not been bred i n great numbers i n cap
tivi ty and are rarel y seen i n aquari ums.
EMPEROR TETRAS are beauti ful fsh that are qui te
sui tabl e for a communi ty tank wi th fsh of the same
si ze. Mal es are i denti fed by thei r extended caudal
fn and by t hei r spl endi d col orati on, whi ch becomes
especi al l y vivid when they are courti ng the femal es.
A pai r of Emperor Tetras does best i n a spacious
tank, but si nce thei r growth i s sl ow, i t may be best
to keep them temporari l y i n l i mi ted-si ze areas. Feed
them a varied di et. The opti mum temperat ure for
these fsh i s 72 to 78 degrees F.
56
SI LVER DOLLAR
Metynnis schreitmuelleri
to 6 ln.
RED HOOK MET
Mylop/us arnoldi
to 6 i n.
EMPEROR TETRA
Nematobrycon pa/meri
to 2 in.
mal e
femal e
57
PI RANHAS al ways create i nterest, for everyone
seems to have heard tal es about how school s of
these South Ameri can fsh skel etoni ze even the l arg
est of vi cti ms i n a matter of mi nutes by sl i ci ng out
l arge bi tes wi th thei r razor-sharp teet h. Owners who
t i re of watchi ng thei r Pi ranha tear apart other fsh
for di nner someti mes set them free i n the nearest
pond, l ake, or canal . In the wi l d, the Pi ranha be
comes a threat to nati ve speci es, and authori ti es are
j usti fabl y concerned in warmer states that it mi ght
become establ i shed. For thi s reason, a permi t may
be requi red t o keep t hi s fsh i n your state. Check
wi th state ofci al s before you obtai n a speci men.
Pi ranhas are not advi sed pets for most hobbyi sts.
Pi ranhas travel i n school s i n the wi l d, but i n con
fnement, t hey may turn on thei r own ki nd. I n one
i nstance, two Pi ranhas of the same speci es l i ved i n
the same tank peaceful l y for more than a year and
a hal f. Then one morni ng the head and gi l l s of one
of them were found foati ng on the surface. Keep
onl y one Pi ranha in a tank!
Provi de a Pi ranha wi t h a pl ace t o hi de and feel
secure, for oddl y, t hi s fsh wi l l eat onl y when i t
senses no danger. Try feedi ng chunks of non-fatty
beef, such as heart, ki dney, and l i vers. Raw fsh i s
someti mes accepted. If t he pet does not consume
dead matter, try l i vi ng earthworms, meal worms,
t ubi fex worms, or gol dfsh (a favori te) . Keep the
water temperature at about 78 degrees F.
When catchi ng a Pi ranha, remember that i t can
easi l y bi te hol es i n nets and fngers. I t may be i ndi f
ferent to human fesh and not attack hands sub
merged i n the tank for a weekl y cl eani ng but t hi s
practi ce i s not recommended.
58
PI RANHA
Rooseveltiella nattereri
to ! ! - ! 2 i n.
(also known as
Serrasalmo
nattereri}
PENGUI NFI SH are named for thei r bl ack-and-white
marki ngs and for thei r characteri sti c tai l -down rest
ing posi ti on. Al though del i cate duri ng shi ppi ng,
these fsh become qui te hardy after they are estab
l i shed i n an aquari um. A school of Pengui nfi sh adds
character t o the mi d-strata of a l arge tank. House
them wi th fi sh of the same si ze or l arger, for Pengui n
fi sh have a tendency t o pi ck on the s mal l er fel l ows.
The water shoul d be soft, sl i ghtl y aci d, and 72 to
78 degrees F. The aquari um shoul d i ncl ude pl ants for
ni bbl i ng. Pengui nfi sh wi l l sel dom bottom-feed.
PENGUI NFI SH
5
PENCI LFI SH
Nannostomus eques
to 2 in.
THREE-BANDED PENCI LFI SH
N. trifasciatus
to 2 i n
.
DWARF PENCI LFI SH
N. marginatus
to i n.
PENCI LFI SH are nati ve to South Ameri ca, where they
i nhabi t qui et freshwater streams and l akes. For
keepi ng these fsh, the aquari um water shoul d be
aged and i ts temperature mai ntai ned at 72 to 78
degrees F. The aquar i um shoul d be wel l suppl i ed
wi th pl ants.
These torpedo-shaped fsh swi m i n spurts. Some
speci es rest i n a head- up posi ti on, others i n a hori
zontal posi ti on. At ni ght the stri pes on thei r si des
fade i nto i ndi sti nct bl otches. Do not mi x the diferent
speci es i n the same aquari um, for they may become
quarrel some. Keep each speci es separate and i n
groups of three or more.
60
NORMAN'S HEADSTANDER, from the l ower Amazon
regi on, l ives up t o i t s name by rest i ng and swi m
mi ng i n a characteri sti c 45-degree head-down posi
ti on. I t dwel l s i n t he l ower strata of t he tank and wi l l
isol ate i tsel f i n a terri tory whi ch i t i ncreases i n si ze
as it establ i shes i tsel f and grows l arger. Smal l er, l ess
aggressi ve nei ghbors wi l l be chased from thi s terri
tory. Thi s headstander i s a j umper, so t he tank must
be covered. The best water temperat ure i s 7 5 t o 85
degrees F. Watch at feedi ng t i me t o make certai n
enough food i s eaten from the vari ed di et provi ded.
Vegetabl e matter i s rel i shed.
SPOTTED HEADSTANDERS are among the most del i
cate and shy of the aquari um tropi cal s. Care must be
taken to make certai n they get enough food. Smal l er
bi ts of food are preferred t o l arger chunks . Aged
water and pl enty of rooted pl ants are necessary for
success wi th these fsh, and the temperature of the
water shoul d be mai ntai ned between 72 and 82 de
grees F. I n groups of two to four, the contrasti ng
bl ack-and-whi te checkered pattern of the l arge
scal es i s di spl ayed qui te efectivel y.
SPOTTED HEADSTANDER
Chilodus punctatus
'
to 4 i n.
NORMAN'S HEADSTANDER
61
RED OR STRI PED HEADSTANDER is one of a speci al
group of characi ns that i nhabi t fresh waters of Cen
tral and South Ameri ca and Afri ca. Because of thei r
i nteresti ng shape and stri ki ng marki ngs, they are
favori tes of aquari sts. Thei r name comes from thei r
pecul i ar habi t of resti ng and al so swi mmi ng i n C
head-down posi ti on.
The Red Headstander posi ti ons i ts penci l - shaped
body, with its three dark brown or bl ack stri pes,
head down in the water when rel axed. It thri ves
best i n groups of two to four and i s peaceful i f kept
wi th other fsh of the same si ze. Si nce i t i s fond of
vegetati on, encourage the growth of al gae by keep
i ng the tank wel l l i t. lettuce, spi nach, and water
pl ants may be substi tuted for al gae. Augment the
di et wi th other foods.
Note the posi ti on of the Red Headstander's mouth
whi ch i s di rected upward l i ke a surface-feeder's.
Thi s afects the eati ng behavi or, for when the fsh
feeds on t he bottom, i t must i nvert itsel f.
LEPORI NUS eats vegetati on, so provi si on i t s tank
sparsel y wi th vertical pl ants on whi ch i t wi l l ni bbl e.
I t wi l l al so graze i n the l ower strata, pi cki ng up
choi ce morsel s or l i ve and dry foods. The verti cal
stri pes al ong i ts si des i ncrease in number by di vi d
i ng i n two as the fsh grows.
Thi s fsh is C j umper, hence the tank must be
kept covered. Some i ndi vi dual s may become pesky,
ni ppi ng to shreds the fns of other speci es. School s
of both speci es of handstanders kept i n the same
aquari um are i mpressive. The fsh are about t he
same si ze and are compati bl e, and t he contrast of
t he hori zontal and vertical stri pes i s stri ki ng.
62
RED OR STRI PED HEADSTANDER
Anostomus anostomus
to 7 i n.
LEPORI NUS
Lepori nus fasciatus
to 6 i n.
63
HATCHETFISH (Gasteropel eci dae)
These fsh are nati ve to South Ameri ca, where they
l i ve i n the upper strata of soft, s l i ghtl y aci d water.
I f al armed, the fsh wi l l ei ther hi de or use thei r
strong wi ngl i ke pectoral fns to rai se themsel ves
hal fway out of the water whi l e gl i di ng qui ckl y
a l ong t he surface. Keep t he aquari um covered so
that they do not "fy" out of the tank. Hatchetfsh
need pl enty of surface water i n a l ong tank wi thout
obstructi ons. One area of the tank shoul d provi de
shade-gi vi ng pl ants i n whi ch the fsh can hi de. Wi th
out t hi s refuge, a fri ghtened Hatchetfsh may fy
i nto the gl ass and i nj ure itsel f.
Hatchetfsh are peaceful , but they do not l i ve l ong
i n capti vi ty. Communi ty tanks are not recommended
because these fsh are shy and wi l l not get enough
food. They do best i n groups of from three to si x i n
water at a temperat ure of 75 t o 85 degrees F. Feed
them foods that foat or remai n in the top strata, i n
cl udi ng pl enty of l i ve food. Adul t mal es appear thi n
ner than adul t femal es when vi ewed from above.
These fsh are suscept i bl e to the common l ch Di sease,
descri bed i n the chart on p. 35.
MARBLED HATCHETFISH are t he most commonl y en
countered of the hatchetfsh. I n t he shade of a cl ump
of pl ants, thei r si l ver or gol d hi ghl i ghts become
pear l - l i ke, and the dark i rregul ar streaks al ong the
si des of the body are qui te di sti nct. I n an unfavor
abl e envi ronment, the fsh become drab and faded
out. Thi s i s the most hardy speci es of the i mported
hatchets, and it al so has a l onger l i fe span than do
other species in the group.
64
SI LVER HATCHETFISH are not as durabl e as are the
smal l er Marbl ed Hatchets. Some i ndi vi dual s wi l l ac
cept dry fsh foods, but many demand l i ve meal s.
I n the wi l d, they uti l i ze thei r "fyi ng" abi l i ty to catch
passi ng i nsects. I n capti vi ty, they can be fed frui t
fi es that are frst a l most drowned i n a j ar of water
to prevent thei r escape and then spri nkl ed on the
surface for the fsh to pi ck them up. They wi l l al so
eat t ubifex worms, bri ne shri mp, and a vari ety of
fsh foods . Si l ver Hatchetfsh are known to l i ve more
than a year and a hal f. They shoul d be kept i n
sl i ghtl y al kal i ne water.
MARBLED HATCHETFI SH
Carnegiel/a strigata
to 2v i n.

SI LVER HATCHEFI SH
Gastropelecus levis
to 21 i n.
65
GYMNOTID EELS OR KNI FEFISH (Gymnot i dae)
Gymnoti d eel s, from South and Central Ameri ca, tre
cl osel y rel ated to characi ns (p. 43) . Afri can and Asi
ati c "Knifefsh" are si mi l ar i n appearance but are
not rel ated, bel ongi ng to the fami l y Notopteri dae.
Members of both fami l i es, cared for i n the same
way, are nocturnal and are vi ci ous predators. By
wavi ng thei r hi ghl y devel oped el ongated anal fn,
gymnoti d eel s can move ei ther backwards or for
wards wi th equal ease.
BANDED KNI FEFI SH l ack dorsal , pel vi c, and caudal
fns, and the pectoral fns are smal l and transparent.
The anal fn i s promi nent and hi ghl y devel oped. The
anus i s l ocated under the head. El ectri c organs en
abl e the fsh to s urvi ve i n the muddy, dark waters of
i ts natural habi tat. I f the tank i s darkened, the
Banded Knifefsh wi l l adj ust to eati ng duri ng the
day rather than at ni ght. Feed l i ve meal s and
chunks of food. Banded Kni fefsh are canni bal i sti c,
hence it is wi se to keep the speci es i sol ated. The
temperature of the water shoul d be 72 to 85 degrees
F. The l i fe span of a wel l cared-for Banded Kni fe
fsh often extends over ten years.
BANDED KNI FEFI SH
Gymnotus carapo
to 1 2 i n.
66
EL ECTRI C EEL
Electrophorus electricus
to 7 ft.
ELECTRIC EELS OR KNI FE EELS ( Ei ectrophori dae)
El ectri c eel s l ack dorsal and ventral fns. They pro
pel themsel ves wi th thei r l arge anal fn i n the same
manner as gymnoti d eel s (p. 66) . Thei r el ectri c or
gans, studi ed extensi vel y, are l ocated over about 80
percent of t hei r body. The ti ssues formi ng t hese or
gans are posi ti oned one behi nd the other i n col
umns, l i ke the pl ates i n a battery. El ectri cal i mpul ses,
each l asti ng onl y a fracti on of a second, are di s
charged i n waves that move from one end of the
fsh to the other. The amount of vol tage generated
depends on the total number of pl ates or "el ectro
pl asts" in the eel 's body. Receptors on the fsh's head
recei ve refected i mpu l ses and ai d the fsh i n fndi ng
food or i n sensi ng danger.
ELECTRIC EELS, from South Ameri ca, are not reco
mended for the pri vate col l ector. Each eel requi res a
tank of a hundred gal l ons or more. Because they
l ack scal es and have a sl i my ski n, handl i ng t hem i s
not easy. Heavy rubber gl oves must be worn, for
thi s fsh has about 6,000 pl ates and can generate up
t o 800 vol ts. I n a l arge aquar i um wi t h a fne-gravel
bottom, hi di ng pl aces, and soft, sl i ghtl y aci d water,
the El ectri c Eel i s l ong- l i ved. Usual l y onl y l i ve food
i s accepted, but i f the fsh i s hungry, i t wi l l eat
chunks of raw beef or fsh.
67
CARPS AND MI NNOWS (Cypri ni dae)
Cypri ni ds compri se the l argest fami l y of freshwater
fsh. They are native to Asi a, Afri ca, Europe, and
North Ameri ca and have been i ntroduced to Aus
tral i a and other areas by man.
A typi cal cypri ni d has an el ongate, oval t o round
body. The caudal fn is usual l y forked, and there i s
no adi pose fn. Scal es are absent on the head, but
those on the body are di sti nct and often are si l very.
Barbel s are frequentl y present, but they are l i mi ted
to two pai rs . Cypri ni ds do not have teeth in thei r
j aws; they chew wi th pharyngeal teeth, whi ch are
toothed pl ates l ocated i n thei r throat.
After bei ng chased by her mate, a ri pe femal e
scatters her eggs. The courti ng mal e t hen ferti l i zes
them. If not i mmedi atel y separated from thei r
spawn, the coupl e wi l l gobbl e thei r eggs. Fert i l e
eggs wi l l hatch i n two t o four days. Fry can s urvi ve
on i nfusori a (p. 29) for one to two weeks. Thereafter
they shoul d be fed commerci al l y prepared food for
baby fsh.
BARBS may or may not possess barbel s. The genus
i s commonl y di vi ded i nto t hree groups: those wi th
no barbel s, those that have two barbel s, and t hose
with fou r barbel s. Regardl ess of thei r groupi ng, al l
barbs are acti ve school i ng fsh. Someti mes t he l arger
i ndivi dual s i n a school are aggressi ve toward smal l
er fs h. Barbs prefer a wel l - l i ghted aquar i um i n
whi ch there are at l east several pl ants. The water
shou l d be wel l -aerated and kept at 70 to 80 degrees
F. Onl y a few of the most avai l abl e speci es in thi s
l arge genus are treated here.
68
SPOTTED BARB
ROSY BARB
8. conchonius
lo 3 | o.
SPOTTED BARBS are difcul t to i denti fy because thei r
spots vary i n number, si ze, i ntensi ty, and arrange
ment dependi ng on the i ndi vi dual ' s age anc ori gi n.
For these fsh to attai n thei r ful l or maxi mum si ze, C
roomy tank wi t h water at 75 to 78 degrees F. and
pl enty of food are needed.
ROSY BARBS i nhabi t cool (64 to 74 degrees F. ), sl ow
movi ng waters of streams in northern I ndi a. I n t hei r
natural habi tat, t hey attai n a l engt h of si x i nches or
l onger but rarel y exceed hal f thi s si ze i n an aquar
i um. Mal es di spl ay a bri l l i ant red or rosy col or i n
the spri ng spawni ng season. The femal e i s compara
ti vel y dr ab. Feed these fsh t he standard basi c di et.
They l i ve for t hree to fou r years .
69
CUMI NG'S BARBS are hardy, acti ve fsh from Cey
lon. hey eat a wide variety of foods and often j oi n
scavengers on the bottom to pi ck up food mi ssed by
other fsh. Shady spots shoul d be provi ded i n the
tank i n whi ch the water i s kept at 72 to 78 degrees
F. In some shi pments of thi s speci es, the fsh displ ay
yel l owi sh i nstead of bri ght orange fns. Onl y the
mal es exhi bi t bri ght col ors.
CLOWN BRBS, among the l argest of the barbs, got
thei r name from thei r col or pattern. Two pai rs of
barbel s are evi dent. Thi s speci es does best i n tanks
of more than ten gal l ons. The water shoul d be 72 to
75 degrees F. and shou l d contai n some pl ants.
STRIPED BARBS are al so l arge, equal i ng the si ze of
the Cl own Barb. Even the young of thi s speci es re
qui re pl enty of space for school i ng. Keep the water
temperat ure at 72 to 78 degrees F. These Afri can
barbs are sensi ti ve to the condi tions of thei r envi ron
ment and requi re more attenti on than do most spe
ci es of the genus.
SI X-BANDED BARBS are deli cate when young, hence
t hey are often i n a weakened condi ti on by t he t i me
they reach thei r desti nati on. Add the recommended
dosage of a general toni c (p. 30) before they are i n
troduced t o thei r new home. Feed t hem an abun
dance of l i ve foods at frst t o bui l d up t hei r resi st
ance. The water shou l d be 72 to 78 degrees F., soft,
and barel y aci d. Once establ i shed, these shoal ers
from Sumatra are peaceful communi ty fsh. Thei r
beauty i ncreases. Note the si x bands, one r unni ng
through the eye and the l ast at the base of the tai l .
70
CUMMI NG' S BARB
Barbus cummingi
Io2 i n.
CLOWN BARB
B. everetti
to 4 in.
STRI PED BARB
SI X-BANDED BARB
B. hexazana
to 2y in.
71
''T" BARBS are cal l ed Spanner Barbs by the Bri ti sh.
hey are native to the Mal ay Peni nsul a and I ndo
nesi a. Some i ndi vi dual s have red-ti nted fns. I n
young T Barbs, verti cal and hori zontal bars are
di sti nct, but at maturi ty, these bars are not usual l y
wel l defi ned. T Barbs are acti ve fsh and requi re
s pace. School s of two to four fsh are i deal for the
the l arger communi ty aquar i um.
BLACK RUBY BARB mal es i n good condi ti on wi l l peri
odi cal l y di spl ay thei r strawberry red bodi es and purpl e
head. For most of thei r l i fe, unfortunatel y, they
show l i ttl e or no col or and resembl e the drab fe
mal es. A maj ori ty of mal es in a tank resul ts i n more
frequent di spl ays of col or but may al so gi ve rise to
fght i ng and to ni pped fns. Keep t hi s speci es i n
water 70 to 80 degrees F. , wi t h cl umps of foati ng
pl ants. Bl ack Rubi es are suscepti bl e to fungus
di seases descr i bed on p. 35.
"T" BARB
Barbus /ateristriga
to i n.
BLACK RUBY BARB
B. nigrofasciatus
to 2'/r in.
CHECKERBOARD BARB
8. oligolepis
to 2 in.
DWARF BARB
8. phutunio
to I _in.
SCHUBERT'S BARB
8. schuberti
to 2_ in.
CHECKERBOARD BRBS are peaceful shoal ers t hat
wi l l eat a vari ed di et and al so often graze at t he
bottom of the tank. A bi t of vegetati on added to
thei r di et enhances thei r checkerboard pattern. Keep
the l i ght i ng subdued and the temperat ure of the
water at 65 to 75 degrees F. These barbs are sus
cepti bl e to Oodinium ( p. 35) .
DWARF BARBS may be pl aced i n smal l er tanks than
other barbs, but make certai n the water i s ade
quatel y aerated. Pl ant the tank sparsel y to gi ve the
fsh school i ng space. Mai ntai n the water tempera
t ure at 78 to 80 degrees F . Dwarf Barbs are nati ve
to I ndi a and to Ceyl on.
SCHUBERT'S BARBS are not found i n the wi l d. They
are a vari ety devel oped by a professi onal breeder
and now sol d commerci al l y i n great numbers. They
are hardy, peaceful communi ty fsh.
73
TI NFOI L BARBS are among the l argest of the barbs.
I n an aquar i um of 30 gal l ons or more, a young Ti n
foi l Barb may attai n a l ength of 9 i nches i n about
si x months. Ti nfoi l Barbs are l ong- l i ved and acti ve.
The ol der they get, the more col orful they become.
The basi c d i et must be augmented wi th vegetabl e
matter every day. Avi d j umpers, these fsh manage
to escape by j umpi ng through the smal l est crevi ce
i n a tank l i d. As wi th most barbs, extremes of tem
perat ure resul t i n unheal thy fsh t hat have faded or
often l i ttl e col or. Keep t he water temperat ure at 7 4
to 80 degrees F.
HALF-BANDED OR CHI NA BARBS are peaceful , hardy
shoal ers from Chi na. They wi l l s urvi ve in water from
1 IC o degrees F. Schubert's BLrbb (p. 73) U
devel oped from t hi s speci es.
B. semifasciolatus
to 3 i n.
74
TI NFOI L BARB
Barbus schwanenfeldi
to 1 2 i n.
TI GER BARB
8. tetrozona
to 2% i n.
CHERRY BARB
8. tiHeyo
to 2 in.
TIGER OR SUMATRAN BARBS are the most popul ar
of al l t he barbs for aquari ums. They are hardy and
retai n t hei r col or al l year. Keep them i n l arge
school s. Often one or two of the l arger i ndi vi dual s
i n a school become fn ni ppers. The onl y remedy for
thi s i s to i sol ate them. These fsh wi l l di spl ay thei r
ful l est col ori ng i f t hey are provi ded wi th a good
basi c diet, soft water and pl enty of aerati on. An
al bi no form i s al so avai l abl e.
CHERRY BARBS, from Ceyl on, vary i n t he hues of
thei r stri ki ng cherry col or. Al though hardy, they can
al so become qui te shy' if pl aced wi th aggressi ve
speci es. Thi s reti ri ng behavi or can be suppressed by
keepi ng them in l arge school s and al l owi ng onl y fsh
of t he same si ze to mi ngl e wi th them. Keep the water
at 75 to 80 degrees F. i n a wel l -pl anted tank.
75
GOLDFISH requi re l i vi ng condi ti ons diferent from
al l other cypri ni ds descri bed in this book. Not
true tropi cal s, they do best i n water at l ower tem
peratures, survi vi ng in condi ti ons that a Neon Tetra,
for exampl e, coul d not. Gol dfsh can be found i n
backyard ponds or i n pi nt-si ze bowl s.
A two-i nch Gol dfsh requi res at l east two gal l ons
of water. I n l ess water, i ts growth wi l l be stunted
and i ts l i fe span shortened. I n a favorabl e envi ron
ment, however, a Gol dfsh wi l l l i ve for as l ong as
1 5 years.
If there are too many Gol dfsh i n an aquari um,
they wi l l be seen gaspi ng at the surface for ai r. I f
the fsh must be kept i n an unaerated contai ner,
sel ect the one that has the l argest s urface area. More
oxygen wi l l be absorbed through t hi s greater area.
A bowl wi th no aerati on must be cl eaned at l east
once a week. Even i n aerated fl tered tanks, Gol d
fsh are messy. There shoul d be onl y two or three
76
GOLDFI SH
Carauius aurafus
!0-gal lon
aquarium
VARI ETI ES OF GOLDFI SH
Bubbl e- eye
fsh per fve gal l ons of water. I f onl y an undergravel
fl ter i s used, i t wi l l cl og rather qui ckl y. A corner
fl ter i s better, and an outsi de fl ter i s sti l l more desi r
abl e. An undergravel fl ter may be uti l ized in con
j uncti on wi th ei t her a corner or an outsi de fl ter.
Gol dfsh shoul d al ways be pl aced i n water that
has been aged at l east twenty-four hours. Putti ng
them i n fresh tapwater may resul t i n a chemi cal or
temperature shock. Cl ean, uncapped gl ass j ui ce or
mi l k bott l es can be used for agi ng t he water. Gol d
fsh are sensi tive t o extremes of aci d or al kal i ne
water composi ti on. Never use a heater, for Gol d
fsh do best at room temperat ures. Water at a tem
perat ure above 85 degrees F. wi l l , i n fact, encourage
i nfecti ons, especi al l y fungus di seases.
Gol dfsh t hat begi n to l ose thei r col or probabl y
need more vegetati on and l i ght. Di rect sunl i ght i s
best. These fsh commonl y l ose some of t hei r col or
wi th age, however.
77
VAR I ET I ES OF GOL DFI SH (cont ' d )
Veiltail
Al l owed to eat thei r fl l , Gol dfsh wi l l overeat to
obesi ty. Keep i n mi nd t hat a Gol dfsh's stomach i s
normal l y onl y sl i ghtl y l arger than i ts eye. Feed i t
onl y enough to fl l about "1 V eyes. " Gol dfsh l i ke to
ni bbl e on pl ants, so keep them suppl i ed wi th a ki nd
they cannot pi ck t o pi eces. Anarchis i s a good pl ant
for Gol dfsh. Do not feed them excl usi vel y on one
ki nd of boxed food. Fol l ow the basi c di et recom
mended i n thi s book (p. 28) .
Gol dfsh can become terri tori al . A newcomer
pl aced where others have become establ i shed may
get al l of hi s fns ni pped of or be chased to deat h.
Al l of t he Gol dfsh t hat are t o co- i nhabi t each tank
shoul d be pl aced together wi thi n one month-before
thei r terri tori es are too fr ml y establ i shed.
78
8e|
|C. auratus X C. carassius)
Pl aced in outsi de pool s, Gol dfsh do quite wel l , ex
i sti ng on i nsects, al gae, water pl ants, or the food you
suppl y them. Unl ess the water gets too hot or
freezes, is pol l uted, or is i n some other way extreme,
the fsh usual l y survi ve. Gol dfsh thri ve si ngl y i n
aquari ums, but outsi de, they do best i n school s.
Despi te thei r great vari ety of col or and form, al l
Gol dfsh bel ong to the same speci esCarassius au
ratus auratus. They wi l l grow to a si ze deter mi ned
by thei r envi ronment. I n l arge pool s, they may reach
a l engt h of two feet .
Al l of the vari eti es were devel oped ei t her by t he
Chi nese or Japanese except t he Comet. I ts ori gi n i s
Ameri ca. Devel opi ng new vari eti es of Gol dfsh has
become a hi ghl y speci al ized fel d.
79
DANIOS are a group of acti ve, hardy, undemandi ng
cypri ni ds. They are sl i m and streaml i ned, but ri pe
femal es are a bi t l arger than mal es and have di s
tended bel l i es. Dani os shoul d be kept i n l arge
school s. The opti mum water temperature for them
is 72 to 80 degrees F.
PERL DANIOS are nati ve to streams and ri vers of
Burma. They enj oy sunshi ne, and in a wel l - l i ghted
aquar i um, they refect a rai nbow of col ors from thei r
fns and body. Thei r pearl y sheen may vary from
shades of si l ver to gol d, pi nk, or bl ue. Keep the
tank near a wi ndow where i t recei ves sunshi ne
dai l y, but control the i ncomi ng l i ght enough to re
stri ct the growth of al gae. The l arge school s shoul d
be predomi nantl y femal es.
SPOTTED DANIOS are somewhat del i cate and do not
breed as easi l y i n capti vi ty as do other members of
the group. For thi s reason, they are found onl y occa
si onal l y i n stores.
80
SPOTED DANI O
8. nigrofasciatus
to 1 V in.
PEARL DANI O
Brachydanio albolineafus
to 2_ i n.
GI ANT DANI O
Danio malabaricus
to 4' l n.
ZEBRAFISH
8rachydanio rerio
lo 2 i n.
ZEBRAFISH, or Zebra Dani o, i s bol dl y stri ped. Note
how the stri pes conti nue down the anal fn. From
eastern I ndia, thi s acti ve shoal er is one of the most
popul ar of the aquar i um fsh, and because of its
abundance, i t i s i nexpensi ve. Zebrafsh may l i ve for
two to three years. They are very hardy i f kept i n
school s of about si x fsh i n a roomy tank. Zebrafsh
are sensi ti ve to sudden changes i n the water, but
otherwise, they are remarkabl y tol erant. Keep the
temperature of the water at 72 to 80 degrees F. , and
feed them t he basi c diet for aquar i um fsh. Duri ng
the breedi ng season, mal es may acqui re a hand
some gol den sheen. Femal es l ay non-adhesi ve eggs.
GIANT DANI OS are peaceful , hardy community fsh,
but because of thei r si ze, do not mi x them wi th
smal l er, mouth-sized speci es. A l arge tank, ni cel y
pl anted, i s mandatory. Femal es l ay adhesi ve eggs.
81
FIY| HG FOX
fpa/zeorhynchu1
ka//opterua
to " ln.
FLYI NG FOX is al so cal led Trunk Fish because of its
strong, protrudi ng snout, whi ch i t uses to root food
out of the gravel on the bottom. To prevent the fsh
from brui si ng its snout, a soft bottom i n the aquar
i um is necessary.
The Fl yi ng Fox is omnivorous-that i s, i t wi l l
graze on al gae but al so readi l y accepts l ive foods.
I t rests on rocks, l eaves, or the bottom by supporti ng
i ts sl ender body on its pectoral fns. Note the hi gh,
curved, dorsal fn.
Because i t has not yet been bred commerci al l y
and is rarely i mported from its ndti ve Sumatra, thi s
species i s not common i n aquari ums. One speci men
per tank wi l l be peaceful with other speci es. Two i n
the same tank wi l l fght each other. The opti mum
water temperature i s 75 degrees F.
82
FLYING BARBS, from southern Asi a, are adapted to
l ife in the upper water strata. Note that the smal l
mouth openi ng i s angl ed upward, enabl i ng the fsh
to pi ck up food from t he surface. Fl yi ng Barbs al so
breed at the top of the water. Then, if the water i s
not shal l ow, t hey wi l l di p deeper swi ftl y t o gobbl e
up thei r own eggs as they si nk. Marbl es on the bot
tom of the tank wi l l prevent fsh from reachi ng thei r
eggs and eati ng them.
I n thei r natural habi tat, Fl yi ng Barbs swi m i n
smal l school s, a few i ndi vi dual s often l aggi ng be
hi nd to search for food. As thei r name suggests,
these fsh are l i kel y to "fy" out of the water. It is
therefore i mportant to keep the tank covered. They
are hardy and wi l l l i ve for several years i n a wel l
mai ntai ned aquari um.
FLYING BARB
Esomus danrica
to 3yg ln.
83
RED-TAI LED "SHARKS" are nati ve to Thai l and. They
have a bl ack, shar kl i ke body wi th bri ght orange- red
caudal and pectoral fns when they a re young and
heal thy. Thei r two pai rs of barbel s and strong l i ps,
wi th an i nternal sucki ng organ, ai d them in scoop
i ng up thei r favori te food-al gae, whi ch i n aquari
ums shoul d be provi ded i n addi ti on to thei r basi c
di et. Soaked green l ettuce may be s ubsti tuted for the
al gae if necessary. These and other si mi l ar "sharks"
l ive in the l ower strata, hence they need rocks or caves
i n whi ch to hide i n an aquari um. Keep them in soft,
neutral water at a temperature of 72 to 75 degrees F.
I ndi vi dual s may be quarrel some toward others of the
same or diferent speci es.
These "sharks" are cypri ni ds or members of the
mi nnow fami l y and are not rel ated to true sharks,
whi ch are cart i l agi nous fshes.
BLACK "SHARKS" kept i n tanks of 1 00 gal l ons or
more may grow to a l ength of nearl y 20 i nches. I n
smal l er aquari ums, they rarel y exceed 1 2 i nches.
They are very hardy and wi l l eat most foods. Al gae
i s an essenti al for keepi ng them i n good heal t h.
Bl ack "Sharks" are aggressi ve even when young
and must be kept wi th fsh of equal si ze and tem
perament. Ol der speci mens may be a faded bl ack.
RED-FI NNED SHI NERS are acti ve mi nnows that l ive
in streams in mi dwestern and southern Uni ted States.
They are members of a l arge genus of mi nnows that
are hardy and a conveni ent si ze for a l arge home
aquari um. Red-fnned Shi ners requi re cool (65 to 72
degrees F.), wel l -aerated water. They wi l l eat most
foods ofered.
84
kD-IA| ID "5HAk8"
Labeo bico/or
to 4% In.
Morulius chrysophekadion
to 20 In.
RED-FI NNED SHI NER
Notropis /utrensis
to 3 I o.
85
HARLEQUI N RASBORAS, native to the Mal ay Peni n
sul a, are the most popul ar of the numerous rasboras
avai l abl e for aquari ums. They are peaceful shoal ers
and become shy if kept wi th aggressive species. Sup
pl y the tank wi th thi ckl y rooted pl ants i n soft, neu
tral water at 74 to 80 degrees F. Feed them the basi c
diet. Thi s species easi ly becomes i nfected wi th l ch
disease (p. 35).
SCISSORTAIL RSBORS have a habi t of fexi ng thei r
forked caudal fns i n a sci ssorl i ke fashi on when
resti ng or when begi nni ng to move. The moti on i s
emphasized by thei r col ori ng. Thi s hardy species,
needs water of about 72 degrees F. The young fsh
have an al most transparent body.
HARLEQUI N RASBORA
Rasbora heteromorpha
to 2 ln.
86
SCI SSORTAI L RASBORA
Rasbora tri/ineata
to 5 ln.
male
8|I6kI|HG
Rhodeus sericeus
to 3 in.
female
with ovipositor
extended
BITTERLINGS do poorl y i n water above 72 or bel ow
60 degrees F. They are not recommended for tropi
cal fsh tanks. They are commonl y kept i n aquari ums
i n Europe, where they are nati ve, but they are rare
in the United States.
Bi tterl i ngs and thei r cl ose rel atives in Asi a have
uni que breedi ng habits. About Apri l , the mal e
changes from si l ver t o red, and t he femal e's ovi posi
tor extends. The mal e sel ects a sui tabl e heal t hy
mussel , and hi s mate i nserts her ovi posi tor i nto the
mussel 's i ncurrent si phon, deposi ti ng several eggs.
She may repeat thi s several ti mes over a peri od of
a few days. After each l ayi ng, the mal e saturates
the water around the mussel wi th sperm. Eggs
caught i n the mussel 's gi l l s are ferti l i zed by the mi l t
in t
h
e water that is drawn over them. Mussel s respire
by drawi ng water i nto the i ncurrent sip
h
on, passing it
over the gi l l s, then out the excurrent si phon.
The eggs devel op and hatch in the gi l l s. After
about 30 days, hatchl i ngs have absorbed the food
in thei r yol k sacs. Then they emerge, l eavi ng the
mussel s unharmed. Both the young and the adults
shoul d be fed heavi l y with l ive foods.
87
WHITE CLOUD
Tanichthys a/bonubes
to 1 Y2 ln.
WHITE CLOUDS are hardy cypri ni ds. The speci es was
di scovered i n 1 932 i n a fast-movi ng stream on Whi te
Cl oud Mountai n near Canton, Chi na. The Chi nese
Boy Sout who found the fsh presented his l ive catch
to hi s emperor, Li n-Shu-Yen. Bi ol ogi sts l ater named
the new species Tanichthys (tan, meani ng boy, and
ichthys, fsh) albonubes (meani ng whi te cl oud) . Whi te
Cl ouds do best in l arge school s. They can tol erate W
temperature range from 60 to 90 degrees F. but
shoul d be kept at as nearl y 72 degrees as possi bl e.
Mature mal es have a l onger dorsal fn and are sl i m
mer and more col orful than the femal es. Feed them
l ive food i n addi ti on to the basi c di et to bri ng out
thei r ri chest col ors.
88
GYRI NOCHEILIDS (Gyri nochei l i dae)
The Al gae Eater, from Thai l and, is the onl y popul ar
aquari um fsh i n t he si ngl e genus i n thi s fami l y.
ALGAE EATER i s a sucki ng catfsh, usi ng its sucki ng
disc i n the eati ng process and al so for anchorage i n
the rapi dl y fowi ng water of the streams i n whi ch i t
l i ves. Most fsh breathe by taki ng water i n through
thei r mouth. The Al gae Eater takes water i n through
a sl i t between t he edge and t he base of its l i ps al l
around its mouth.
Al gae Eaters are vegetari ans. They are general l y
kept i n aquari ums to eat al gae of the gl ass si des
and of the decorati ons. They may al so feed as scav
engers on the dead bodi es of other fsh. When
young, Al gae Eaters are peaceful ; ol der ones may
fght each other and al so attack any other fsh that
moves sl owl y. About one out of fve devel ops thi s
habi t. If they rel ease thei r hol d on another fsh, W
ci rcul ar red spot is l eft where the di sc was attached.
Thi s may become i nfected. I sol ate these undesi rabl e
Al gae Eaters, or try feedi ng them more. I ncreasi ng
the amount of l i ght i n the aquari um wi l l encourage
the growth of more al gae. Keep the water sl i ghtl y
basi c and at about 77 degrees F.
ALGAE EATER
Gyrinocheilus oymonierl
to 8 l n.
LOACHES (Cobi ti dae)
Cobi ti ds compri se an Ol d Worl d fami l y of fsh. Al l
of t he members have three or more pai rs of barbel s
and no j aw teeth; t he fns and scal es are smal l . Cobi
ti ds are adapted to l i fe on the bottom; many are
burrowers. Some are obl e to l i ve i n oxygen-depl eted
waters by ri si ng to the surface and gul pi ng ai r. The
i ntesti ne i s uti l ized as an accessory respi ratory or
gan. Thi s does not mean that aerati on and cl ean
water are unnecessary, however.
Loaches hi de duri ng the day. Provi de shel l s, cave
l i ke rocks, or si mi l ar shel teri ng decorati ons under
whi ch they can reti re. An extremel y domestic pet
may abandon its nocturnal habi ts, but unt i l thi s de
parture from the normal i s cl earl y establ i shed, i t i s
wi se to spri nkl e o bi t of food i n the water before
turni ng out the aquari um l i ghts at ni ght. Loaches
have a wel l -devel oped sense of smel l and can easi l y
fnd thei r food i n the dark.
KUHLI LOACHES have worml i ke bodies and move
through the water l i ke snakes. Because of thei r un
usuol shape and marki ngs, they are popul ar aquar
i um fsh. Near the eye is a stif spi ne that can punc
t ure the s ki n, or it may catch in nets. Wi th thi s spi ne,
the fsh can dig in the bottom. I ts eyes are protected
by a transparent coveri ng. The head i s not protected
from i nj ury by sharp objects, however, and so i t is
best to provi de a soft bottom, such as sand. I f fungus
appears on fsh's body, treat wi th tri pl e sul pha. Get
advi ce of fsh speci al i st i f growth persists.
Kuhl is do best i n groups of at l east t hree. They
wi l l crowd together under one rock or ornament. I f
90
KUHLI LOACH
Acanthophthalmus kuhli kuhli
lo 3 in.
MYERSI KUHLI
HALF-BANDED KUHLI
SHELFORD'S PRI CKLY EE KUHLI
A. shelfordi
to 3 in.
thi s hi di ng pl ace i s l i fted, the fsh expl ode in every
di rection. Keep the temperature of the water at 72
to 76 degrees F. Feed the basi c di et.
Note the di ferences in the fve Kuhl i s i l l ustrated.
Al l are cared for i n the same way.
91
SKUNK LOACH
8otia horae
lo 4 1n.
CLOWN LOACH
B. macracanthus
to 6 i n.
SKUNK LOACHES, from Thai l and, become active at
the end of the day. I n a bri ghtl y l i t aquari um, they
keep hi dden under objects or stay in the shadows. A
refuge of thei r own is recommended. Large curved
pi eces of cl eaned coconut shel l have been used suc
cessful l y. Fee
d
them the basi c di et, wi th pl enty of
l ive food and chunks of meat.
CLOWN LOACHES, the most col orful and most popu
l ar of the l eaches, are i mported from Sumatra and
Borneo. I n di spl ay tanks, they often swi m peaceful l y
i n school s of barbs that are si mi l arl y marked and
about the same si ze or sl i ghtl y l arger. Cl own Leaches
s hy from l i ghts at frst but usual l y l ose this tendency.
92
STRI PED LOACH
8. hymenophysa
to 5 i n.
ORANGE-FI NNED LOACH
8. modesto
to 5 i n.
STRIPED LOACHES are rarel y i mported. When they
are, they sel l fast and are expensi ve. Li ke other
members of thei r genus, they prefer soft, sl i ghtl y
aci d, crystal -cl ear water at 72 to 75 degrees F. They
do wel l in groups. At ni ght they can be seen dart
i ng excitedl y up and down and back and forth al ong
the gl ass. Some i ndivi dual s become fn ni ppers.
ORANGE-FI NNED LOACHES, onl y recentl y avai l abl e,
are sensi ti ve to many toni cs, parti cul arl y dyes (p.
33) . Ol der i ndi vi dual s are not friendl y to most other
fsh. These fsh l ack the typical snakel i ke body of
most l oaches, but thei r l ateral l y compressed shape
and other body features i denti fy them as cobi ti ds
.
3
SPI NY CATFI SH (Doradi dae)
TALKING CATFISH are seen rarel y-both because
they are not common and because they hi de under
the gravel duri ng the day. They come out to search
acti vel y for food at ni ght. Provi de a soft bottom so
that the catfsh can bury itsel f easi l y.
Al l of the catfsh i n thi s fami l y from South America
have bony pl ates al ong the l ateral l i nes of thei r
thi ck body. A spi ne protrudes from each pl ate. On
the frst ray of the dorsal and pectoral fns are stif
spi nes that can i nfict a pai nful pri ck. Handl e these
fsh wi th carel These catfsh sometimes emi t a croak
i ng sound when captured. They apparentl y use thei r
modi fed ai r bl adder t o make these noi ses.
Tal ki ng Catfsh wi l l attack smal l er fsh and eat
them. They wi l l al so scavenge, as do other catfsh.
Provi de them wi th the basic di et.
TALKING CATFI SH
Acanthooras spinosissimus
to 6 i n.
94
CALLICHTHYI D ARMORED CATFISH (Cal l i chthyi dae)
O the armored catfsh, Corydoras is the predomi nant
genus. The diferent species i n the genus are so si mi
l ar that they are di fcul t to i dentify.
Even the cl eanest aquari um can beneft from hav
i ng at l east two peace-lovi ng Corydoras that busy
themsel ves most of the ti me di ggi ng in the gravel i n
search of food. They wi l l not thrive wel l on j ust l eft
overs, however. A varied, bal anced di et shoul d be
provided, and they are especi al l y fond of l ive foods.
Be sure the food si nks to the bottom, past the fsh
that are l i vi ng i n the upper strata. Sharp stones wi l l
i nj ure t he mouths of these probi ng catfsh, so cover
the bottom wi th smooth, rounded gravel .
I n thei r native South America, these catfsh l i ve
i n waters l ow in oxygen and wi th muddy bottoms.
They have evol ved the trai t of dashi ng suddenl y to
the surface to take i n a gul p of ai r and then hurry
ing back to the bottom. The ai r i s forced t hrough
t he i ntesti ne, respi rati on occurri ng i n t he heavi l y
vascul arized tissues of the hi ndgut. A proper en
vi ronment for them consi sts of water that i s neutral ,
soft, aged, and 65 to 80 degrees F. I n cl ean water,
the fsh are heal thi er and al so more energeti c.
A sharp spi ne is l ocated on the dorsal fn of many
species. Be careful not to snag thi s spi ne in nets.
Al so, a pri ck from one of these spi nes i s pai nful , the
hurt l asti ng for an hour or more.
95
AENEUS CATFISH, al so cal l ed Bronze Catfsh, are the
most popul ar of the Corydoras. Older speci mens are
extremel y hardy, i deal for any aquari um. If a
l arger fsh tries to make a meal of one, the catfsh's
spi ked fns snag i n the predator's mouth. Usual l y, the
catfsh i s spi t out. Occasi onal l y, a catfsh becomes
permanentl y hooked i n the attacker's throat. In such
cases, both the predator and the prey di e.
Adu l t femal e Aeneus Catfsh are ful l er-bodi ed
than the mal es. A smal l er al bi no vari ety of thi s spe
ci es is often avai l abl e. The al bi nos general l y pur
chased are j uveni l es about hal f an i nch l ong. Their
pi nk bodies show cl earl y i n most aquari a.
AENEUS CATFISH
Corydoras aeneus
to 3 in.
al bino variet
to 2 i n.
96
AGASSIZ' S CATFISH
Corydoras agassizi
lo 3 in.

^
AGASSIZ'S CATFI SH is smal l and stout. The fsh was
named for louis Agassiz ( 1 807 - 1 873), who was a
professor of bi ol ogy at Harvard University. Agassiz
was known for his work wi th both recent and exti nct
types of fshes. He bel ieved frml y i n studyi ng ani
mal s i n t hei r natural envi ronment.
Agassi z's Catfsh enjoys the company of other cat
fsh of the same genus. Al though not typi cal school
i ng fsh, they may search for food on t he bottom i n
groups, or l oose school s. I f they are not overcrowded
and are well fed, all of the diferent species of Cor
doras are peaceful .
97
SKUNK OR ARCHED CATFISH
Corydoras arcuatus
to 2 ln.
MYER' S CATFI SH
C. myersi
to 2% in.
MASKED CATFISH
C. metae
to 212 ln.
SKUNK CATFI SH, MSKED CATFI SH, MYER'S CATFISH
-these three species confuse amateurs attempti ng to
i denti fy thei r pets. Further, retai l ers may l abel them
i ncorrectl y. Thei r di ferences are shown cl early i n the
i l l ustrations above, howeve'r. Al l three are cared for
i dentical l y.
A pai r of Corydoras of the same species and
someti mes of di ferent speci es soon become i nti mate
fri ends in an aquari um. One al ways checks to see if
the other is in si ght. As one exampl e of thei r desi re
for companionshi p, onl y one Skunk Catfsh was kept
in a community tank for about six months. Then an
other was added t o t he aquari um. I t was greeted
wi th great enthusiasm by the ori gi nal catfsh. Al l
day i t ci rcled t he newcomer excitedl y and was there
after al ways at the side of its companion.
98
ELEGANT CATFI SH are not real l y as el egant as
many other Corydoras. I n fact, they are rather pl ai n.
I nteresti ngly, the two i dentifyi ng, i rregul ar, dark
bands on each si de may fade or ' darken accordi ng
t o t he fsh's mood. Unl i ke most catfsh i n t hi s genus,
thi s species may l eave the l ower water strata to
search above for food on pl ants and rocks.
ELEGANT CATFISH
C.elegans
to 22 ln.
DWARF CATFI SH
C. hastatus
to 1 % ln.
DWARF CATFISH are ideal for the fve-gal l on fsh
tank. Because of thei r smal l size, they are not
cramped in these smal l er quarters. Be sure to keep
at l east two in each tank.
Dwarf Catfsh l eave the bottom strata i n smal l
groups t o frol i c i n the mi d-strata. Other fsh t hat are
extremel y aggressive may pi ck on these smal l cat
fsh, so keep them with mi l d- mannered fsh.
99
LEOPARD CATFI SH are stri ki ngl y spotted, hence thei r
name. Try pressi ng a smal l square of dry, frozen
tubifex worms agai nst the front pane of gl ass i nsi de,
about hal f an i nch above the gravel . At the same
ti me, suppl y any other fsh w,i th enough to keep
them occupied above. You wi l l di scover that al l or
nearl y al l members of the Corydoras communi ty j oi n
i n the feast.
SADDLEBACK CATFI SH, l i ke all of the Corydoras,
have an outer "armor" that hel ps prevent many ex
ternal di seases. Every other occupant in a tank may
be i nficted wi th l ch (p. 35), but the catfsh wi l l re
mai n heal thy. They are not total l y i mmune to di s
ease, however, and once si ck, they seem to be more
di fcul t to cure than most other fsh.
lEOPARD CATFI SH
Corydoras iulii
to 2'/| o.
C. melanistius
to 2V2 ln.
1 00
RABAUT'S CATFI SH
C. rabaufi
ta 1 3, i n.
PEPPERED CATFISH
C. pa/eafus
to 3 ln.
PEPPERED CATFI SH have a spri nkl i ng of smal l , dar k
spots over thei r body. Before breedi ng, mal es swi m
excitedl y around in one area. A mal e and a femal e
then pai r of. Wi th thei r mouths, they cl ean any
possi bl e spawni ng si tes. Duri ng spawni ng, the two
j oi n-breast to breast. The femal e l ays eggs in a
pocket formed wi th her ventral fns, and there they
are ferti l ized by sperm ej ected by the mal e. The fe
mal e then sti cks the eggs to cl ean surfaces that were
previ ousl y sel ected.
RBAUT'S CATFI SH i s a dwarf speci es that may be
easi l y snagged i n a net. I f thi s happens, turn the net
i nsi de-out careful l y and submerge i t i n the water
where the catfsh i s to be pl aced. I f the catfsh must
be handl ed, keep in mi nd that the spi nes can cause
a pai nful puncture.
1 01
SUCKER-MOUTHED ARMORED CATFISH (lori cari i dae)
Several di verse forms comprise thi s fami l y of ar
mored catfsh that l i ve in smal l , swift-fowi ng
streams of northern South Ameri ca. They use thei r
"sucker" mouths for attachi ng t o or hol di ng onto
stati onary obj ects and al so for feedi ng. The "suck
i ng" mouth is subtermi nal or proj ected downward
for feedi ng on vegetation on the bottom. As they
feed on pl ants in thei r natural envi ronment, these
catfsh al so consume many tiny ani mal s. For thi s
reason, the vegetabl e di et of those i n capti vi ty must
be suppl emented wi th other foods. I n al l members
of the fami l y, three or more rows of bony scutes or
pl ates extend from the head al ong the l ength of
the body. Pl ace these fsh i n tanks of aged water
that i s ri chl y pl anted and i s 65 to 78 degrees F.
TWIG CATFISH are unfortunatel y short-l i ved and shy
i n captivity. To avoi d obtai ni ng a half-starved speci
men, purchase onl y from tanks that have an obvi ous
growth of green al gae. I f al gae are not abundant i n
your tank, add soft peas or chopped l ettuce or spi n
ach (boi l ed about one mi nute) to the water regul arl y
unti l a growth i s obtai ned.
TWI G CATFI SH
Farlowe//a acus
to 6 i n.
1 02
WHI PAJ L CATFISH
Loricaria parva
to 4 in.
DWARF OTOCI NCLUS
Otocinclus afnus
to 2 i n.
WHIPTAIL CATFISH are easi l y camoufaged i n the
gravel on the bottom of an aquari um. Keep thei r
water wel l aerated and cl ean. Do not house these
fsh wi th messy ani mal s, such as Gol dfsh, that de
mand a cl eani ng of the tank frequentl y. I f i t i s neces
sary to do a compl ete cl eani ng, save hal f the water.
Submerge any al gae-covered rocks or pl ants so that
they do not dry whi l e the aquari um i s being cl eaned.
Do not scr ub the si des or bottom of the tank com
pl etel y cl ean of al gae. After the aquari um i s
cl eaned, l eave the l i ghts on l onger than usual to en
courage a rapi d regrowth of the al gae and other
pl ants i n the tank.
OTOCINCLUS are t he smal lest common aquar i um
sucker catfsh. They remai n smal l , harml ess scaven
gers and are not destructive-that is, they wi l l not
eat pl ants or di g up the bottom. These l i ttl e catfsh
speci al ize i n cl eani ng al gae of pl ants. Keep them i n
smal l groups of at l east four. Thi s i s a del i cate spe
cies, and if there i s not sufci ent vegetabl e food, i t
wi l l di e qui ckl y.
03
PLECOSTOMUS CATFISH grow l arge. They shoul d
not be kept i n tanks smal l er than 25 gal l ons. Because
they become aggressive, onl y one per tank i s recom
mended. I t can be put i n a tank wi th communi ti es of
l arger fsh. Petri fed wood is often used in the aquar
i um's decor because i ts surface is i deal for support
ing mats of soft al gae and al so because thi s fsh l i kes
to camoufage i tsel f on the "woody" surface whi l e
eati ng or resti ng. Use water that has been aged at
l east one month.
These fsh are difcul t to catch. They wi l l dart from
one hi di ng pl ace to another, and even i f cornered
agai nst the gl ass, they wi l l attach themselves to it
fr mly wi th thei r sucker mouth and wi l l not swi m
into the net. They must be s l i d al ong the gl ass to
get them out of the water. Use a soft l eaf to break
thei r sucti on and get them i nto the net. Once in the
net, the catfsh commonl y snags its hi gh dorsal fn.
Be careful not t o i nj ure t he fsh i n removi ng i t.
The Bri stl e-mouthed Catfsh i s cl osel y rel ated to
Pl ecostomus but is easi l y di sti ngui shed by its promi
nent "whi skers."
PLECOSTOMUS
Hypostomus plecostomus
to 8 in.


BRISTLE-MOUTHED CATFI SH
Ancsrus dolichopterus
to 6 i n.

/"
->\underside

}howing mouth
and whiskers
"
BANJO CATFISH
Bunoephalus coracoideus
to 7 in.
BANJO CATFISH {Bunocephal i dae)
BANJO CATFISH are unarmored catfsh from South
America. Thei r head i s wi de and fat. The name of
the genus, Bunocephalus, means "hi l l y head," re
ferri ng to the bumps that extend al so down the
si des. A soft, sparsel y pl anted bottom i s essenti al be
cause of the fsh's di ggi ng behavi or. Banjo Catfsh
are nocturnal , so provi de pl enty of dayti me hi di ng
pl aces. They are omnivorous feeders. Keep the tem
perature of t he water at 70 t o 75 degrees F.
GLASS CATFISH (Si l uri dae)
GLASS CATFISH stay i n the mi d-strata, suspended i n
smal l school s. Peaceful and sl ow-movi ng, they do
poorl y if mixed wi th active species. They snatch thei r
food as it si nks by on i ts way to the bottom. They
rel i sh l ive foods. Tubifex worms encl osed i n steri l e
gauze or cheesecl oth and dangled i n the water al
l ows them to feed freel y. I n appropri ate l i ghti ng,
Gl ass Catfsh refect rai nbows of col or.
GLASS CATFI SH
Kryptoptereus bicirrhis
to 4 i n.
10
PIMELODI D OR ADI POSE FI N CATFISH (Pi mel odi dae)
Pi mel odi d catfsh range through southern Mexico,
Central America, and South America. Al l mem
bers of the fami l y have a l ong, sl i m body. The
caudal fn i s forked, and the dorsal fn, which has
at l east one erect spi ne, i s set far forward on
the body. The adi pose fn is l arge. Pi mel odi ds usual
ly possess three pai rs of barbel s that sweep back
al ong the body.
SLENDER CATFI SH are nocturnal , whi ch i s typi cal for
members of the fami l y. The l arger and more cl ut
tered thei r tank is, the more they enjoy i t. Roots,
pl ants, rock pi l es, and decorati ons are i deal pl aces
for hi di ng duri ng the day. These catfsh do best i n
water that i s neutral , aged, and 70 t o 80 degrees F.
I n ol der fsh, the stri pes di sappear.
POLK-DOT CATFI SH are parti cul arl y fond of worms
but wi l l gobbl e up most meaty foods. They wi l l over
eat so much that thei r stomachs bul ge, rai si ng thei r
whol e body wel l above the gravel . I f not fed wel l
enough, however, they may attack other fsh. Ma
ture speci mens lose thei r spots and become bl ui sh
gray. Some young have no spots.
SHOVELNOSE CATFI SH are oddi ties. If you have a
spare shal l ow tank (30 gallons or more), thi s may
be precisel y the fsh to pl ease you. Note the fat
tened head and the duckl i ke snout. The mouth,
under the snout, i s l arge enough to engul f chunks
of food of consi derabl e si ze. Gi ve thi s species the
same care as other members of this fami l y.
1 06
SL ENDER ( OR GRACEFUL)
CATFI SH
Pimelodella gracilis
to 5 i n.
POLKA-DOT CATFI SH
Pimelodus clarias
M 1 0 i n.
SHOVELNOSE CATFI SH
Sorubim lima
to 1 8 i n.
BUMBLEBEE CATFISH
Leiocassis siamensis
to 7 in.
BAGRI D CATFISH (Bagri dae)
BUMBLEBEE CATFISH, from the Ol d Worl d, are si mi
l ar t o the pi mel odi ds ( p. 1 06), but thei r ski n i s
naked, wi th no scal es or bony pl ates. Peaceful and
l ong- l ived i n a communi ty tank, these catfsh wi l l
make a meal of a nei ghbor's fns i f hungry.
1 07
LBYRI NTH CATFI SH (Ci ari i dae)
''WALKI NG" CATFISH were i mported from Suth
east Asia several years ago. Those that escaped
or were set free by thei r owners now pose a threat
to the envi ronments they have i nvaded.
These unusual fsh have both gi l l s and pri mitive
l ungl i ke organs. Swi shi ng their tai l and usi ng thei r
stout pectoral fns as "l egs" to propel themsel ves,
they can l i teral l y "wal k" on l and. In thi s way they
escape when the waters they i nhabi t become unsuit
abl e. Duri ng droughts, they stay moist by di ggi ng
i nto mud and breathi ng atmospheri c ai r. I n or out of
the water, thei r ei ght barbel s ai d in l ocati ng prey,
whether eggs, i nsects, or fsh twice thei r own si ze.
They soon domi nate whatever water they i nhabit.
I n community tanks, these catfsh wi l l attack and
eat other fsh, hence they must be kept i sol ated. They
have ravenous appetites. The temperature of the
water can be 50 to 95 degrees F. Cover the aquar
i um, but l eave sufci ent ai r space above to permi t
the fsh to surface for breathi ng.
I n many states, i t i s now i l l egal t o possess these
fsh, so note thei r appearance. Thei r col or vari ati ons
i ncl ude grays and browns.
1 08
"WALKI NG" CATFISH
Clarias balrachus
to 8 ln.
UPSI DE-DOWN CATFISH (Mochoki dae)
AFRICAN POLKA-DOT CATFISH are rare and expen
sive, but they are desi rabl e for a l arge communi ty
tank. They are hardy and peaceful , but they shoul d
be provi ded wi th hi di ng pl aces. The water tempera
ture shoul d range from 72 to 80 degrees F. Thi s spe
cies occasi onal l y swi ms i nverted or upsi de down.
UPSIDE-DOWN CATFISH have a dark bel l y and W
l i ght-col ored back, opposite the usual col ori ng of W
fsh. Thi s is an adaptati on to thei r habi t of swi m
mi ng upsi de down. As the fsh mature, they swi m
i nverted more frequentl y. I n a di ml y l i t, wel l -pl anted
aquari um, W school of these fsh wi l l graze on al gae
and scavenge over surfaces. Note the l arge eyes of
thi s species and al so of the one above.
AFRI CAN POLKA-DOT CATFISH
Synodontis onge/icus
to 8 i n.
UPSI DE-DOWN CATFI SH
5. nlgriventris
to 3@ i n.
ELECTRI C CATFISH (Mal apteruri dae)
ELECTRIC CATFISH, the onl y species in i ts fami ly, has
el ectri c organs si mi l ar to but weaker than those of
el ectri c eel s (p. 67) . The shock is strong enough to
el ectrocute ti ny fsh, to numb l arge ones, and to
startl e an unwary handl er. These fsh are vi ci ous
and wi l l attack al l other fsh. They must be i sol ated.
The water shoul d be neutral and 72 to 80 degrees
F. Provi de l eafy pl ants for greens; al so meaty and
l i ve foods.
WRESTLI NG HALFBEAK
Dermogenys pussillus
to 3 1n.
HALFBEAKS (Hemi ramphi dae)
WRESTLING HALFBEAKS, l i ve-bearers i mported from
Southeast Asi a, are not bred commerci al l y. I n Thai
l and, mal es are bred sel ectivel y for "fghti ng" con
tests i n whi ch a fghter l ocks hi s j aws around an
opponent-a member of the same speci es. I n home
aquari ums, keep the water at 0d to 72 degrees F. ;
add three fourths of a tabl espoon of sea sal t per
gal l on of water. These surface feeders must be
gi ven l i ve foods. The "beak" i s easi l y i nj ured, so be
careful i n handl i ng. These fsh are short- l i ved.
1 1 0
STICKLEBACKS (Gasterostei dae)
FOUR-SPI NED STICKLEBACKS are bracki sh-water fsh
that l i ve i n estuari es of t he Atl anti c al ong the north
ern coast of North Ameri ca. The water shoul d be
condi ti oned wi th 1 tabl espoon of sea sal t per gal l on
of water. I ts temperature shoul d be 65 to 68 degrees
F. At the breedi ng season, the col orful mal e bui l ds
a tunnel - nest of vegetati on hl d together wi th sti cky
secreti ons. He and hi s mate enter the t unnel repeat
edl y. Each visit she l ays eggs, and he fert i l izes them.
The mal e protects the eggs and then the young. Thi s
species i s quarrel some, so keep i t i sol ated.
SEAHORSES AND PI PEFISHES (Syngnathi dae)
PIPEFISH are in the same fami l y as seahorses and
often are consi dered mari ne fsh. Li ke seahorses,
they are covered with bony pl ates. Mal es cradl e the
eggs and the young in fol ds on thei r bel l y.
Sea sal t must be added t o t he water i n the tank.
Fol l ow the di recti ons on the bag to get a sal i ni ty of
about 1 . 01 8. Pi pefsh eat onl y l i ve food, such as
bri ne shri mp, Daphnia, and young l i ve-bearers. The
fsh suck the food i nto thei r sl i m snout. Pi pefsh often
swi m vertical l y and may al so j ump out of the water.
Syngnothus spicifer
to 6 i n.
1 1 1
KI LLIFISH OR TOOTHED CARPS (Cypri nodonti dae)
Ki l l ifsh l ay eggs, though they bel ong to the same
order as l i ve-beari ng fsh (p. 1 1 8) . More than 200
speci es, many of them col orful , occur i n tropi cal and
warm waters on al i conti nents except Austral i a.
Ki l l ifsh have a l ong body (from 1 V2 to 6 i nches)
and a fat head. They do not have barbel s or an adi
pose fn. Ki l l i fsh are not recommended for commu
ni ty tanks or for begi nni ng aquarists.
SPANI SH KILLIFISH, native to Spai n and Al geri a, l i ve
i n the upper water l evel s. They i nhabi t bracki sh to
mari ne waters. Keep two adul t femal es (ol i ve-green)
for each mature mal e (bl ue-green). They may spawn
i n the pl ants. Feed them mostl y l ive foods. I f the fsh
appear to be sl uggi sh gradual l y add 1 - 2 teaspoons
of sea sal t for each gal l on of water i n t he tank.
SPANI SH KI LLI FISH
Aphanius iberus
to 2 ln.
RED L YRET AI L
Aphyosemion bi vittatun
to 2' Ai n.
2
RED LYRETAI LS are one of more than 20 species of
Aphyosemion that are i mported from Africa's west
coast, east of Dahomey Gap. Most of the speci es are
difcul t to diferenti ate. They may i nterbreed, and
thei r ofspri ng are general l y steri l e.
The Red Lyretai l needs a di ml y l i t tank wi th wel l
pl anted hi di ng areas. Keep t hi s species i n smal l
groups consi sti ng mai nl y of femal es. Hatchl i ngs
grow more sl owl y than do those of other members
of the same genus. There are numerous and vari
ousl y col ored subspeci es.
Ki l l i fsh are more di fcul t to feed than are many
fsh. Many wi l l accept onl y l i ve foods, whi ch are
whol esome but i mpracti cal to provi de. Those that
become fussy about thei r eati ng may be persuaded
to accept other foods by maki ng onl y the al ternate
foods avai l abl e. See basi c di et (p. 28) .
LYRETAI LS do best i n sl i ghtl y aci d, aged water that
i s treated wi th a teaspoon of sea sal t per gal l on. The
water temperature shoul d not exceed 75 degrees F.
because warmth shortens thei r l ifespan. Li ghts
shoul d be fl tered through dense cl umps of pl ants.
For the bottom, where the fsh wi l l l i ve, use fne sand
or charcoal . Keep two or three femal es for each
mal e. Mal es may fght. Eggs adhere to pl ants. Lyre
tai l s need pl enty of l i ve foods. I n addi ti on to the one
shown, a gol den variety i s avai l abl e
LYREAI L
A. australe
to 2 i n.
3
STEEL-BLUE APHYOSEMION is a l ivel y, quarrel some
bottom dwel l er that i s best kept i sol ated-one adul t
per tank. The aquari um shoul d be shaded, t he water
aged and aci d. A yel l ow variety i s al so avai l able.
To prepare breedi ng tank, si mmer peat (no ad
diti ves) i n boi l ed water. Press and cover wi th soft
water. After the peat settl es, i ntroduce mature
adul ts. The mal e chases hi s mate vi gorousl y in court
shi p. Provi de l eafy pl ants in whi ch she can rest, or
suppl y mal e wi t h two or three femal es.
Remove ferti l e eggs (not whi te) wi th a gl ass tube
and pl ace them i n j ars hal f fl l ed wi th soft water to
whi ch a drop of 5 percent methyl ene bl ue i s added.
Store them in a dark, cool (70 degrees F. ) pl ace for
three to seven weeks. To sti mul ate hatchi ng, add a
pi nch of dried fake food on whi ch bacteri a feed and
al so begi n t o decompose t he eggshel l s. Remove
hatchl i ngs from contami nated water at once.
BLUE GULARIS are quarrel some, hardy eaters. Mal es
are jewel - l i ke. Col or vari eties are common. Give
them the same care as above. Cover the tank!
STEEL-BLUE APHYOSEMI ON
Aphyosemion gardneri
to 2V2 i n.
BLUE GULARI S
4
LI NED PANCHAX
Aplocheilus /ineatus
to 4 i n.
ARGENTI NE PEARL FI SH
Cynolebias bellotti
to 3 i n.
FI REMOUTH PANCHAX
Epiplatys dageti
(formerly E. chaperi)
to 2Y2 i n.
LI NED PANCHAX g from Ceyl on and I ndi a, l i ves
mai nl y on i nsect l arvae in nature, hence requi re l i ve
foods i n aquari ums. It is aggressive. Keep onl y wi th
l arger fsh. Cover the tank! Thi s speci es l i ves i n up
per water strata and spawns i n foati ng pl ants.
ARGENTI NE PEARL FISH l i ve i n ponds that dry up in
summer. The adul ts die, but thei r eggs, buri ed i n the
mud, hatch when rai ns come agai n. To condi ti on
breeders, feed them l i ve foods. Prepare peat (p.
1 1 4), and after the fsh have spawned, remove them
and si phon of the water. Seal the damp (not wet)
peat in a pl asti c bag and store i t in darkness for
three to fve months. Then submerge the peat i n
water, and the eggs wi l l hatch. The voraci ous hatch
l i ngs mature i n about ei ght weeks; they l i ve onl y
about ei ght months. Mal es fght.
FI REMOUTH PANCHAX shoul d be fed mai nl y l ive
foods. Two to three femal es and one mal e wi l l
school peaceful l y i n a community tank.
1 1 5
GOLDEN ER
FLORI DA BLUEFI N
( FLORI DA BLUE DACE
Lucania godei
Ia 2 i n.
GOLDEN EARS, nati ve to southeastern Uni ted States,
are aggressi ve, so shoul d not be kept wi th shy spe
ci es. Mi d-strata dwel l ers, they spawn in pl ants.
AMERICAN FLAGFISH are stout, hardy Fl orida fsh.
Mal es kept i n the same quarters become antagonis
ti c. After spawni ng, mal es protect and care for the
brood. The young eat al gae; adul ts are omni vorous.
FLORIDA BLUEFI NS do best i n roomy, wel l -pl anted
tanks, the water not warmer than 70 degrees F.
They l ive and spawn i n pl ants i n the top and mi ddl e
strata. Femal es may l ay several eggs dai l y for more
than a month and wi l l eat them if they are not re
moved. Protected eggs hatch in about two weeks.
MEDAKAS are peaceful , hardy fsh-ideal for com
muni ty tanks. I n Japan, they l i ve i n paddies and are
val ued for eati ng mosqui to l arvae. Cl usters of eggs
stick to the femal e's vent and are fert i l ized there.
They are then rubbed of onto pl ants. Shi pments of
deformed ( humpbacked) speci mens, unheal thy and
usual l y steri l e, are found occasi onal l y i n pet shops.
1 1 6
MEDAKA OR RI CE FISH
Oryzias laipes
to 1
Y
2
in.
GOLDEN PHEASANT
Rolofa occidentalis
to 3Y
2
in.
GOLDEN PHEASANT is rowdy, hence not a commun
i ty fsh. The water shoul d be about 72 degrees F.
Breedi ng i s the same as for Argenti ne Pearl Fi sh ( p.
1 1 5), but damp peri ods l ast a month or two l onger.
I t l i ves i n l ower water strata. Feed i t l ive foods.
FOUR-EYED FI SH (Anabl epi dae)
FOUR-EYED FISH are di fcul t to keep in an aquari um.
They feed i n school s as they s ki m j ust beneath the
surface. Wi th thei r bul gi ng eyes, they can see ei ther
i n ai r or i n water. A show-type tank of at l east 50
gal l ons i s needed. The water shoul d be 72 t o 75 de
grees F. Feed them a varied di et. The sexual organs
of these fsh are ti l ted to the l eft or to the ri ght. A
"l eft" femal e can copul ate onl y wi th a "ri ght" mal e
and vice versa. They are l ive-bearers.
FOUR-EYED FI SH
Anab/eps anab/eps
to 1 2 in.
1 1 7
LIVEBERERS (Poeci l l i dae)
livebearers are native to North and South America
and the West I ndi es. They are shoal ers that i nhabi t
shal l ow waters, usual l y cl ose ei ther to deep water
or to dense pl ants i n whi ch they can take refuge.
Hardy and easy for begi nners to manage, l ivebear
ers are the most popul ar of al l aquari um fsh except
Gol dfsh. They rarel y exceed three i nches i n l ength,
maki ng them i deal for most home aquari ums. Thei r
l ifespan i s onl y two or three years, but these fsh are
so prol i fc that they produce many generati ons i n
thei r l ifeti me, t hus perpetuati ng themsel ves.
Livebearers bear thei r young al i ve, the ferti l ized
eggs devel opi ng i n the femal e's ovary. I nformati on
on cari ng for l ivebearers i s on p. 1 20.
PI KE TOP MI NNOW, from South and Central Amer
ica, i s exceptional l y l arge for a poeci l l i d. I t requi res
a tank of 50 gal l ons, wi th the water at 75 to 85 de
grees F. and two or three teaspoons of sea sal t
added per gal l on. Other l ivebearers are omni vorous,
but the Pi ke Top Mi nnow i s carnivorous. Its rapacity
and l arge-toothed mouth make i t a threat to de
fensel ess neighbors, parti cul arl y young fsh. Even
fel l ow Pi kes may be assaul ted. The species i s pro
l i fc, but i t wi l l gobbl e up i ts own unprotected
young. Pi kes are an i nch l ong at bi rth. Undernour
ished mothers produce sti l l borns.
PI KE TOP MI NNOW
Belonesox belizanus
to 8 in.
All livebearing males develop
a "gonopodium." With this or
extension of the anal
deposits sperm in
females' oviducts.
GAMBUSI A
(MOSQUITO FI SH)
Gambusia afnus
male, to yIn.
femal e, to 2Y2 In.
DWARF TOPMI NNOW
Heterandria formosa
mal e, to i n.
femal e, to I _ i n.
GAMBUSIAS, natives of southern Uni ted States, have
been i ntroduced throughout the worl d to ai d i n con
trol of mosqui toes, especial l y where mal ari a and
yel l ow fever are a threat. These t i ny fsh can eat
dai l y thei r own wei ght i n mosqui to l arvae or pupae.
Though drab, Gambusi as are i nteresti ng and easy to
keep in an aquar i um. There shoul d be at l east three
femal es for each mal e. Femal es are si mi l ar to the
femal e guppy but have dark specks on thei r tai l .
I sol ati on i s necessary because these fs h bi te t he fns
of other fs h. Parents eat thei r young. Gambusi as
were the frst of the l i vebearers ofered for sal e to
hobbyi sts. A marbl ed vari ety has been devel oped.
DWARF TOPMI NNOWS, nati ves of southeastern
Uni ted States, are the smal l est of al l l i vebeari ng ani
mal s and are al so one of the smal l est of al l l i vi ng
vertebrates. These acti ve fsh are sui tabl e for even
the smal l est aquari um. The i deal water temperat ure
is 70 degrees F . but can range from 55 to 95. Be
cause the embryos devel op i n separate stages, onl y
a few babi es are born each day for one or two
weeks. A month after the l ast baby is born, bi rths
may begi n agai n. I f wel l fed, the parents wi l l not
consume thei r ofspri ng.
9
GUPPIES are the favorites of al l the tropi cal fsh.
They are peaceful , fri endl y, hardy, and so prol i fc
that one pai r can fl l an aquari um wi th ofspri ng i n
a short ti me. They are val ued for mosquito control
and for l i ve food for other fsh. In aquar i ums, al
ways have a maj ori ty of femal es. Need basi c diet.
Mal e guppi es are forever courti ng. I f a femal e
remai ns stati onary and her partner contacts her vent
wi th hi s gonopodi um, she i s ferti l i zed. The sperm i s
preserved i n the femal e's ovi duct, and so even after
mal es are removed, a femal e i s capabl e of havi ng
si x or more broods. Gestati on averages a month
but can be much l onger, dependi ng on the ti me
of year, heal th of the femal e, and condi ti ons i n
the tank.
A pregnant femal e can be i denti fed by the gravi d
spot (darkened area) behi nd her anal fn j ust poste
ri or to the bel l y. When vi ewed from above, her sides
appear swol l en. To prepare her for del i very, keep
the femal e in shal l ow (about 8 i n. ), aged water at
75 to 80 degrees F. Provi de foati ng pl ants at l east
two i nches thi ck i nto whi ch the newborn can scurry,
for even the mother wi l l eat them. I f other fsh must
be kept i n the same tank, feed them heavi l y to sup
press thei r hunger. Di sturbi ng a pregnant femal e
may resul t i n premature del i veri es. One femal e may
have as many as 200 babi es; the average i s 40 to
50. Young femal es have smal l er l i tters. Al l of the
newborn are about a quarter of an i nch l ong. Feed
them smal l meal s at l east three ti mes dai l y.
Guppi es l i ve about two years. Breeders have de
vel oped mul ti tudes of fn col ors and patterns. Many
cl ubs breed what they bel i eve are excel l ent speci
mens and then hol d guppy shows to di spl ay them.
1 20
GUPPY
Poecilio reticuloto
(formerly Lebistes)
mole, to 1 % i n.
female@ t o 2% in.
Cobra Robsontoi l
Hol fbl ock Veiltail
Varicolored Flagtail
-
TAI L SHAPES

rond
Pi n
fag

robson
top sword
W

spade
bottom sword

.JC
spear
R

delta lyre
1 21
BLACK-BELLI ED LIMIA
Limia melanogaster
(also Poecilia me/anogaser)
to 2 i n.
BLACK-BELLI ED LIMIA'S name refers to the perma
nent bl ack gravi d spot on the femal e. These peace
ful fsh are from Jamai ca. Care for them as for other
l i ve-bearers. They sel dom have more than 40 babies
at once, and the young grow sl owl y.
MOLLI ES, from Central and South Amer ica, are often
sol d i nexpensi vel y as fsh for begi nners. Thi s is un
fortunate, for unl ess gi ven speci al care, the fsh wi l l
peri sh. To ready an aquar i um for Mol l i es, fl l i t wi th
sl i ghtl y al kal i ne, aged water, addi ng two to three
teaspoons of sea sal t per gal l on. Keep the tempera
ture between 73 and 75 degrees F. As wi th al l l i ve
bearers, provi de the basic di et, but in addi ti on,
make certai n that vegetabl e matter i s avai l abl e
dai l y. Wi thout al gae, the fsh wi l l be unheal t hy. I f
di sturbed, pregnant femal es wi l l mi scarry or di e.
The pl asti c bags i n whi ch shi pments of Mol l ies ar
ri ve i n stores are often popul ated wi th newborn fry.
If the adul ts are wel l fed, they wi l l not eat thei r
young. Mol l i es are sensi ti ve t o common fs h di seases
(p. 34), so treat newl y acqui red fsh wi th methyl ene
bl ue toni c.
Al l of the many avai l abl e vari eti es of mol l i es
wi l l i nterbreed, but thei r ofspri ng may be steri l e.
Commerci al l y rai sed vari eti es usual l y l ack t he hi gh
dorsal fns of wi l d speci mens. Many l i ve for about
three years.
1 22
GREEN SAI LFI N MOLLY
Poecilio lotipinno
(formerly Mol/ienisio)
to 4 i n.
OTHER VARI ETI ES
OF THE
BLACK MOLLY
Sphenop or Orongetoi l
to 2V2 i n.
BLACK MOLLY
P. sphenops
to 2Y i n.
Marble
to 2Y i n.
1 23
SWORDTAI L
Xiphophorus he/Jeri
to5 i n.
SWORDTAI LS were i mported ori gi nal l y from Mexi co.
They were the green vari ety. Si nce then, thei r fashy
appearance and many vari ati ons have made them
one of the most popul ar of al l aquari um fsh. Pro
vi de one to two gal l ons of water per fsh. The water
shoul d be sl i ghtl y hard (pH of 7. 2), and i ts temper
ature shoul d be mai ntai ned between 72 and 78 de
grees F. Cover the tank, for these fsh are accom
pl i shed j umpers. Feed them the basi c di et at l east
twi ce dai l y. Usual l y onl y mal es have the extended
tai l fn or "sword. " I ndi vi dual s vary i n temperament,
but mal es frequentl y fght. Keep one mal e wi th more
than two femal es i n each tank.
Breedi ng i s t he same as for guppi es ( p. 1 20).
Broods of more than a hundred are not uncommon,
but parents may qui ckl y reduce thi s number by eat
i ng thei r young. A l ack of hormones may cause some
adul t femal es to revert to mal es.
New vari eti es appear on the market regul ar ly.
Hybri ds a re devel oped by crossi ng wi th other
Swordtai l s and al so wi th Pl atys (p. 1 26). Shades of
red, as one exampl e, may vary from a true red to a
vel vet red or a bri ck red.
1 24
VARI ETI ES OF SWORDTAI LS
PLATY
Xiphophorus macu/atus
to 3 i n.
PLATYS, from Mexi co and Guatemal a, are peaceful
community fsh. Care and breedi ng i s the same as
for other l i vebearers. Sel ective breedi ng has pro
duced many vari eti es. Those i l l ustrated are onl y a
few of the most common. The shades of the col ors
may vary as wel l as the marki ngs.
VARIATUS, from the same regi on as the Pl aty, has
a l onger dorsal fn and a more el ongated body. Care
and breedi ng are the same as for other l i vebearers.
VARI ATUS
VARI ETI ES OF VARI ATUS
1 26
Gold Wag
Al bino
VARI ETI ES OF PLATYS
(others ore possible)
1 27
GLASSFI SH (Centropomi dae)
I NDIAN GLASSFI SH ore numerous i n fresh waters of
I ndi a and nearby regi ons . I n aquari ums, use me
di u m- hard water, wel l aged wi th two to three tea
spoons of sal t per gal l on of water. I ni ti al l y these fsh
ore t i mi d, but they become qui te tame. Hatchl i ngs
are so t i ny they are di fcul t to feed. Onl y mal es have
the bl ue edgi ng on the rays of thei r fns. The gray
organ vi si bl e i nsi de the fsh i s the swi m bl adder.
1 bk bH |!herOpOni OOe}
TI GER FISH are a recent i mportati on. Young speci
mens (abOut 3 i nches) are expensi ve. Gi ven ade
quate space (a 50 gal l on tonk) and pl enty of food,
they grow qui ckl y. Keep them wi th fsh of equal si ze.
Ti gers that are not comfortabl e and wel l fed l ose
thei r col or, becomi ng faded-out bl ack fsh. A 1 5- i nch
Ti ger Fi sh may eat several three- i nch Gol dfsh dai l y
and be al ways hungry for more.
SUNFISH (Centrarchi dae)
SUNFI SH are col l ected i n qui et waters of North
Ameri ca. Once secure, wi t h hi di ng pl aces nearby,
they l ose t hei r shyness. Note the l arge gi l l covers.
These fsh have the unusual habi t of waddl i ng al ong
t he bottom on t hei r pectoral fns. Keep t hem wi t h
sunfsh of t he same si ze. I n establ i shed tanks, new
members are not tol erated. Eggs hatch in l ess than a
week. Mal es protect both the eggs and the you ng.
Water kept at room temperature i s sui tabl e. I t shoul d
be near neutral i n pH.
28
I NDI AN GLASSFI SH
Chanda ranga
to 2 i n.
SI AMESE TI GER FI SH
Datnioides microlepis
to 16 i n.
Elassoma evergladei
to l l i n.
BLACKBANDED SUNFI SH
Mesogonistius chaetodon
to 3 i n.
1 29
MONO
Monodactylus argenteus
to 5 in.
ARCHER
Toxotes ;aculator
to 4 i n.
FI NGERFI SH (Monodactyl i dae)
MONOS, from the bracki sh coastal waters of east
ern Afri ca to Mal aysi a, requi re a spaci ous tank con
tai ni ng aged water to whi ch three teaspoons of sal t
per gal l on have been added. These fs h do best
in school s. Qui ck movements outsi de the tank may
cause them to pani c and i nj ure themsel ves. They can
be kept wi th other bracki sh-water fs h. Feed them
an abundance of l i ve foods, and keep the tempera
t ure of the water at 75 degrees F.
ARCHERFISH (Toxoti dae)
ARCHERS, nati ves of bracki sh waters i n the I ndo
Austral i an regi on, cannot be provi ded wi th condi
ti ons i n a normal tank t o permi t watchi ng them
"spi t" down i nsects from above the water. They are
accurate to a di stance of about fve feet and even
al l ow for the refecti on of l i ght in water as they
make thei r ai m. Keep them i n aged water to whi ch
two teaspoons of sal t per gal l on have been added.
The temperat ure of the water shoul d be 78 to 80
degrees F.
1 30
ARGUS FISH (Scatophagi dae)
SCATS come from tropi cal I ndo-Paci fc estuari es.
Keep them i n water that has a temperature of about
75 degrees F. Buy at l east two young. Ask at what
sal i ni ty t hey have been l i vi ng and dupl i cate i t . For
every i nch of growth thereafter add a hal f t o a fu l l
teaspooon of sea sal t unt i l a measurement of 1 . 0 1 8
densi ty is reached. ( A hydrometer, avai l abl e at pet
shops, gi ves thi s measurement. )
Scats are peaceful and become qui te tame. Feed
them the basi c di et, addi ng dai l y doses of vegetabl e
matter. Unsati sfactory condi ti ons often resu l t i n l ch
di sease ( p. 35) . Marki ngs on thi s fsh are vari abl e.
The fn spi nes are venomous.
LEAF FI SH (Nandi dae)
LEAF FI SH, from South Ameri ca, l ooks remarkabl y
l i ke a dead l eaf foati ng sl owl y i n the water. Though
t he fsh appears del i cate and harml ess, i t i s actual l y
predatory and must be fed enormous amounts of
l i ve foods. A Leaf Fi sh can eat i ts own wei ght i n
Guppi es dai l y. Keep the temperatu re of t he water
at 72 to 76 degrees F. Young have whi te s pecks.
1 31
CI CHLIDS (Ci chl i dae)
Ci chl i ds usual l y from ei ther South or Central Amer
i ca, have wel l -devel oped l i ps and on l y one nost r i l
on each si de of t he head. The head, eyes, and scal es
are l arge, and the l ateral l i ne i s di vi ded i n the mi d
dl e. The anteri or rays of the dorsal and anal f ns are
spi ny. Ol der fsh devel op a spi nal hump and rough
scal es; they do not cl ose thei r mout h i n respi rati on.
For most ci chl i ds, a tank smal l er t han 1 5 gal l ons
i s crampi ng. Gravel shoul d be medi um to coarse.
For decorati on, use wel l -anchored,- heavy objects.
large ci chl i ds wi l l break heaters .
Ci chl i ds are bel i eved by many to be the most i n
tel l i gent of al l fsh. Thei r behavi or vari es wi th the
speci es and the i ndi vi dual . A breedi ng pai r tests
thei r compat i bi l i ty by l ocki ng jaws and tuggi ng at
each other. I f one partner breaks t hi s test, i t may be
attacked by the other. I f the "ki ss" is favorabl e, the
pai r establ i shes a spawni ng terri tory. For several
days they scrape a spawni ng si te to cl ean i t.
I n both sexes, smal l tubes devel op at the vent.
The femal e deposi ts a l ayer of eggs on the cl eaned
- surface, and the mal e promptl y fert i l i zes them. Both
parents fan the eggs, removi ng any that are i nfer
ti l e or i nfested wi th fungus. At 80 degrees F. , hatch
i ng occurs i n fve days. The parents pi ck up the
hatchl i ngs i n thei r mouths and move them to pi ts i n
the gravel . I n the process, they scour the young by C
chewi ng acti on. The free-swi mmi ng babi es l ater
school around thei r parents. I f a baby wanders
away, a parent sucks it up at once and squi rts it back
i nto the school . Ci chl i ds do not mate for l i fe, but
i n aquar i ums, compati bl e pai rs mate repeatedl y
1 32
A. maronii
t o 4 i n.
BLUE ACARA
Aequidens pulcher
(formerl y A. /otifrons)
to 6 in.
BLUE ACARAS, from South Ameri ca, oy grubbi ng
i n the gravel . Thi s ki cks up l arge amounts of di rt, so
keep the water fl tered wi th an auxi l i ary outsi de or
corner fl ter. Add about a t hi rd fresh water bi
monthl y. Except when they are exci ted, the ol der
fsh do not have the dark verti cal bars that are
promi nent i n the young.
KEYHOLE CI (HLI DS l i ve i n streams i n northern South
Ameri ca. They can be kept i n communi ty tanks, for
they sel dom di g in gravel or uproot pl ants. These are
shy fsh that need hi di ng pl aces. The "keyhol e"
bl otch may or may not be conspi cuous. Cl ean water
i s requi red; i deal temperat ure 80 degrees F.
PORTS are named for the local i ty where they were
frst found-Porto Al egre, Brazi l . Thei r ori gi nal pop
ul ari ty cl i mbed because of t hei r ease in breedi ng
and thei r devoti on i n parenthood. Ports di g, espe
ci al l y at breedi ng ti me. Temperat ure of the water
shoul d be 70 to 80 degrees F.
33
AGASSIZ'S DWARF CI CHLIDS are shy fsh of streams
of tropi cal South Ameri ca. I n aquar i ums, they
rarel y uproot pl ants, whi ch provi de i dea l hi di ng
pl aces for them. The water shoul d be soft-sl i ghtl y
aci d. Femal es l ay red eggs i n caves or i n dense
growths of pl ants. After he fert i l izes the eggs, the
mal e i s bani shed by hi s partner. Remove hi m from
the tank. Femal es may eat thei r frst spawn but care
for subsequent broods. Species easi l y contracts l ch
di sease ( p. 35) . Add medi cati ons gradual l y.
YELLOW DWARF CI CHLIDS, al so from South Amer
i ca, are a rel ati vel y peaceful fsh, hence can be
kept i n a communi ty tank. They prefer soft, sl i ghtl y
aci d water at 80 degrees F. Of al l the dwarf ci ch
l i ds, they are the best parents. The mal e i s often
al l owed to share in the domestic chores-the rear
ing of the young.
34
AGASSI Z'S DWARF CI CHL I D
Apistogramma agassizi
male, to 3 i n.
femal e, O2 i n.
YELLOW DWARF CI CHLI D
A. pertense
mole, to 2 i n.
femal e, t o 1 % i n.
Astronotus ace/latus
to 1 2 i n.
RAM OR RAMI REZ'S DWARF
CI CHLI D
Oscars are not found i n
nature. Man-bred i mports from
Thai l and are bri ght, becomi ng
even brighter when fed smal l
Gol dfi sh.
RAMS, sti l l another South Ameri can ci chl i d, are un
t unatel y often as anxi ous to eat thei r eggs as they
are to l ay t hem. Remove spawn-eati ng parents, and
rear the eggs arti fci al l y by al l owi ng ai r bubbl es
to ci rcul ate water (not bubbl es!) over them. Remove
whi te eggs. Hatchi ng occurs i n t hree days. Rams
usual l y l ive onl y two years. They are sensi ti ve to
l ch di sease (p. 35).
OSCAR, from the l arge rivers of the South Ameri
can tropi cs, has cl i mbed i n popul ari ty i n recent
years. The breedi ng of new col or and pattern vari
eti es has put them more i n demand. Owners com
monl y boast of t he i ntel l i gence and i ndi vi dual ity of
these pets. Oscars are heavy eaters and grow fast
on a di et of l arge morsel s of prepared food and
smal l er l i ve food. They breed i n the usual ci chl i d
manner and are model parents. Water condi ti ons
are not too cri tical , but a baby an i nch l ong wi l l
requi re at l east 50 gal l ons i n a year, when he i s
grown. Heaters are not necessary for adul ts.
1 35
JACK DEPSE
Cichlasoma octofasciatum
(formerly C. bioce//atum)
to 8 i o.
CHOCOLATE CI CHL I D
C. coryphaenoides
to 0 in.
JACK DEMPSEYS, from Central Ameri ca, were
named after the heavywei ght boxi ng champion.
Thei r aggressiveness di mi nishes in tanks exceedi ng
25 gal l ons, but these fsh are defni tel y not for
communi ty tan ks. With watchful ness, they can be
kept wi th Dempseys of equal si ze. Jack Dempseys
are fond of di ggi ng and destroyi ng pl ants. Thei r
gravel can be l evel ed i n the morni ng, but by eve
ni ng i t i s agai n mountai nous. Col ors i ntensify at
breedi ng or feedi ng ti mes. Pets become qui te tame
and may l i ve as l ong as ten years.
CHOCOLATE CI CHLI DS, from the Amazon regi on of
South America, are among the most quarrel some of
al l the ci chl i ds. Amateurs are shocked when thei r
shy i nch- l ong baby grows ( i f space al l ows) i nto a
ten- i nch monster that does not even get al ong wi th
its own ki nd. One partner may be ki l l ed duri ng
courtshi p. Feed l arge morsel s of food, such as
earthworms, chunks of beef heart, and smal l l ive
fsh. The water temperature shoul d be 78 to 80 de
grees F. These fsh qui ckl y deepen or fade in col or.
1 36
RED DEVI LS are not for the average fsh hobbyist.
Grown adul ts need 1 00-gal l on tanks and a con
stant suppl y of l i ve foods. They are occasional l y
seen i n publ i c aquari ums. Natural l i ght enhances
thei r contrasti ng bl ack and red, whi ch in some va
ri eti es may tend to be a faded orange. Some NW*
ri eti es al so l ack the l arge l i ps characteri sti c of the
speci es. Thei r range i s Central Ameri ca.
FESTJVUMS are preval ent i n thei r nati ve habi tat i n
the Amazon Ri ver. They are often found school i ng
wi t h Angel fsh (p. 1 42), and the two can al so be
mi xed in capti vi ty. Pl ant thei r aquar i um heavi l y
and keep i t wel l aerated wi th cl ean water at 80
degrees F. The shy, fi ghty adul ts make unsati sfac
tory parents. Eggs shoul d be reared arti fci al l y ( p.
1 35) . Hatchl i ngs are del icate.
FESTI VUM
C. festivum
to 6 in.
1 37
FIREMOUTH i ndi vi dual s vary i n temperament from
pugnaci ous to peaceful . I t i s di fcul t to pai r com
pati bl e breeders, but once establ i shed, they are
good parents. If they become exci ted, they may
di stend a bri ght red membranous area of ski n be
l ow the t hroat. Fi remouths are from Central Amer
ica and Mexico.
CONVICTS, from Central Ameri ca, are typi cal
scrappy ci chl i ds. Thei r di ggi ng and maul i ng of
pl ants qui ckl y upsets a ni cel y arranged aquari um.
Smal l er fs h are attacked. I n nature, Convi cts are
stri ped. Commerci al breeders propagate al bi nos.
SEVERUMS, natives of northern South Ameri ca, are
peacefu l when young, resembl i ng Di scus (p. 1 44) .
On a hardy di et, young Severums grow qui ckl y i nto
powerful adul ts . Native adul ts are gray wi th red
spots. An al bi no vari ety i s now commonl y sol d i n pet
shops.
1 38
FI REMOUTH
Cichlasoma meeli
to 5 i n.
SEVERUM
C. severum
to S | o.
CONVI CT
CHECKERBOARD CI CHL I D

Crenicara maculata

to 4 i n.
ORNGE CHRMADE
Etrop/us maculatus
to 3 i n.
PI KE CI CHLI D
Crenicichla lepidota
to 8 i n.
CHECKERBOARD CI CHLIDS are not commonl y found
i n stores. Pai rs spawn i n caves, and broods are suc
cessful l y reared now and then. These fsh are drab
i n badl y managed tanks that are sparsel y pl anted.
PI KE CI CHLI D is one of the many el ongated ci chl i ds
from tropi cal South Ameri ca. I t engul fs unsuspect
i ng prey swi ftl y. The tai l of an oversi zed vi ct i m
eventual l y di sappears as t he meal i s downed i n
gul ps. Pi kes spawn i n pi ts, and mal es assume rear
i ng responsi bi l i ti es. Cover the tank.
ORANGE CHROMADES are nati ves of I ndi a. Com
merci al breeders use one teaspoon of sal t per gal
l on of water, whi ch i s mai ntai ned at 80 degrees F.
Eggs are l ai d on conceal ed surfaces i n t he usual
ci chl i d manner, and the non-swi mmi ng fry are at
tached on short threads. The young feed on parental
sl i me (p. 1 44).
1 39
DI RTEATER
Geophagus jurupari
to I0 i o .
EGYPTI AN MOUTHBROODER
Hemihap/ochromis mu/tico/or
(formerl y Haplochromis
mu/tico/or)
to 3 | n.
DI RTETERS, nati ves of the tropi cs of northern South
Ameri ca, habi tual l y pl unge thei r poi nted snout i nto
the bottom and scoop up a mouthful of gravel .
They si ft out food parti cl es i n the gravel , whi ch i s
then spewed from the gi l l covers. Because of thi s,
provi si on the aquar i um wi th smooth, round peb
bl es. Su bstrate fl ters are undesi rabl e. These peace
ful mout hbrooders occasi onal l y breed in capti vi t.
EGYPTIAN MOUTHBROODERS do not breed i n the
usual ci chl i d manner. A prospect i ve mal e di gs a pi t
and then forceful l y coaxes hi s mate i nto i t. After
her eggs are l ai d, the femal e gobbl es them up and
stores t hem i n her t hroat sac. Decoyed by "egg
spots" on the mal e's anal fn, the femal e comes
cl ose to the mal e to suck up any overl ooked "eggs. "
He then rel eases sperm and fert i l i zes the eggs. After
thi s .occurs, remove the mal e. For two weeks the fe
mal e i ncubates the eggs i n her mouth, and duri ng
thi s ti me, s he does not eat . By a chewi ng acti on,
she cl eans and aerates the eggs. For about a week
after hatchi ng, the free-swi mmi ng fry use the fe
mal e's mouth as a pl ace of refuge.
1 4
AFRICAN J EWELFI SH are pugnaci ous ci chl i ds that at
tack other fsh. They al so di g i n the bottom. Typi cal
of the group, however, t hey are model parents.
They breed easi l y i n aquar i ums and i n the usual
ci chl i d manner. At breedi ng ti me, they change from
a drab green to a strawberry red. Over-anxi ous
mal es may attack and ki l l unwi l l i ng femal es. By
t he t i me the babi es from a brood are two months
ol d, they are assaul ti ng each other. Water composi
ti on is not cri ti cal , but i ts temperatu re shoul d be
about 78 degrees F.
AFRI CAN PURPLE CI CHLI DS requi re an establ i shed
aquari um wi th wat er that i s soft and sl i ghtl y aci d
at 80 degrees F. A teaspoon of sea sal t per gal l on
i s recommended for thei r wel l - bei ng. Spawni ng i s
ci chl i d- l i ke, wi t h the eggs bei ng pl aced on shady
su rfaces-such as the i nsi de of a pl ant pot . The fa
mal e protects her young and may become so upset
by her mate's presence that he must be removed
before she hurts hi m. The young are very del i cate.
AFRI CAN J EWELFI SH
Hemichromis bimaculatus
to 5 i n.
AFRI CAN PURPL E CI CHL I D
Pelmatochromis pulcher
to 4 i n.
1 41
ANGELFI SH
PterephyI|om sea/ora
Ie 5 i n.
ANGELFISH are known to anyone who has owned
an aquar i um. These ci chl i ds are peace- l ovi ng and
non-destructi ve. Occasi onal l y a l arge Angel fsh be
comes aggressi ve. They thri ve i n the normal con
di ti ons of a wel l -managed tropi cal fsh communi ty
tan k i n whi ch there are other qui et fsh. The water
shoul d be 75 to 85 degrees F. and barel y aci d.
Thousands of Angel fsh are bred annual l y by
commerci al fsh deal ers. In a home aquar i um, it is
a rewardi ng experi ence to watch two wel l - pai red
Angel s spawn on an Amazon Pl ant or on a stri p of
sl ate that is sl i ghtl y angl ed agai nst the gl ass. The
reari ng of the fami l y by the parents can al so be
observed. Some are poor parents, however.
Eggs can be reared arti fci al l y by pl aci ng the l eaf
or the egg-covered sl ate in fresh tap water t hat has
142
been al lowed to reach the same temperature as the
spawni ng tank. Ai r bubbl es shoul d ci rcul ate water
past the eggs but not touch them. Hatchi ng wi l l
occur i n two or t hree days. As soon as thei r yol k
sac i s dissol ved, the newl y hatched, free-swi mmi ng
fry shoul d be fed bri ne shri mp and other fne foods.
I t i s not unusual for two femal e ci chl i ds t o breed
si mpl y to ri d themsel ves of eggs. I f i nferti l e eggs
are produced repeatedl y, try repl aci ng a partner.
One of the pai r may be steri l e.
Angel s ti re of repeti ti ous di ets and may qui t eat
i ng. Feed them a _varied menu from the basic di et.
Newl y acqui red speci mens are shy, but they soon
become tame enough to accept food from the fng
ers. Many vari eti es of Angel fsh have been devel
oped from t he ori gi nal Si l ver strai n.
1 4
DISCUS, from the Amazon regi on, are for the ad
vanced aquari um hobbyi st. The water must be soft,
aci d i n pH, and 80 degrees F. Hard, al kal i ne water
wi l l ki l l these fsh. Freshen a t hi rd of the water wi th
new, aged water t hree ti mes a month. One tea
spoon of sea sal t per gal l on hel ps prevent si ckness.
I f new speci mens are i nfected wi th "worms" (pro
tozoans) around head, treat wi th ant i bi otics (p. 33) .
Plants provi de securi ty. Adul ts need a tank of 50
gal l ons or more. Feed a vari ed di et wi th pl enty of
l i ve foods in frequent smal l meal s.
Di scus are peaceful fsh, but pai rs shou l d be iso
l ated at breedi ng. They spawn l i ke other ci chl i ds
and care for thei r broods. Artifci al reari ng i s un
wi se, for as soon as the young are free-swi mmi ng,
t hey feed on a sl i me secreted from the parents'
ski n, browsi ng of frst one parent and then the
other. After about a week, begi n feedi ng newl y
hatched bri ne shri mp, ri nsed i n fresh water.
BROWN SCHULTZ
Symphysodon
oequifosciata
to 8 i n.

RAI NBOW SCHULTZ
(variety of S. aequifasciata)
BLUE SCHULTZ
(variet of S. aequifasciata)
RED HECKLE DI SCUS
4
S. discus
to 8 |n.
BLACKCHI N MOUTHBROODER
Tilopio me/onotheron
to 7 i n.
MUDSKI PPER
Periophthalmus barbarus
to 1 2 i n.
BLCKCHI N MOUTHBROODERS are abundant i n
l akes and ri vers of Afri ca. Thi s speci es i s often
transpl anted for reari ng i n ponds as a food fsh.
I n aquar i ums, augment thei r di et wi th ampl e
amounts of pl ant matter. Eggs are ferti l i zed where
t hey are l ai d, then i ncubated and cared for as i n
the Egypti an Mouthbrooder (p. 1 40)-except the
mal e i ncubates the eggs.
MUDSKI PPERS (Peri ophthal mi dae)
MUDSKI PPERS have bul gi ng eyes that emerge frst
when these fsh come out of the water of the
mangrove swamps where they l i ve. They wal k or
j ump on thei r pectoral fns-"ski ppi ng" across the
mudfats. They pause i n muddy pool s to wet thei r
gi l l s. They may even cl i mb onto l ogs or rocks to
bask but j ump back i nto pool s when al armed. Tanks
shoul d be covered and partl y terrestri al , wi th pool s
of water four t o si x i nches deep. Add two teaspoons
of sea sal t per gal l on of water.

CLI MBI NG PERCH
Anobos tesudineus
to 8 i n.
LBYRINTHFISHES
Fi sh in this fami l y gul p atmospheri c ai r i nto a l aby
ri nth of storage chambers above the gi l l s. The oxy
gen i n thi s stored ai r suppl ements that absorbed by
the gi l l s i n respi rati on. Ol der fsh rel y whol l y on
thi s ai r and wi l l drown if they do not have surface
ai r to breathe. I f the ai r i s much col der than the
water, the fsh devel op respi ratory i l l nesses. Cover
the tank. Labyri nthfshes are avai l abl e at any fsh
store. They are ideal for begi nners. I n a wel l -man
aged communi ty tank, they commonl y l i ve for more
than fve years. They are peaceful , though two
adul t mal es of the same speci es wi l l fght. They
are omni vorous. Most speci es i n thi s fami l y bui l d
bubbl e nests for breedi ng.
CLIMBING PERCHES (not t rue perches) are a food
fsh in Asi a. I n capti vi ty, these predators can l eap
through smal l gaps. Propel l i ng themsel ves on thei r
gi l l pl ates and pectoral fns, they wi l l then "wal k"
away. Eggs foat randoml y unti l hatchi ng.
BETTA, or Fi ghti ng Fi sh, mal es are unmannerly onl y
toward other mal e Bettes. Condi ti on these fsh wi th
a basi c di et that i s hi gh i n l i ve food. The tempera
ture of the water shoul d be 80 degrees F. Do not put
a mal e and a femal e together unl ess they are ready
to breed. In shal l ow, sti l l water, a mal e wi l l pre
pare a foamy bubbl e nest. A di stended, ready
femal e wi l l fol low her famboyant mal e to thi s nest.

bubbl e nest
FI GHTI NG FI SH
Betta splendens
to 2' in.
Some Asian peoples stage pub
l ic fghting contests between
mal e Bettas. Over the years
of sel ective breedi ng, many
varieties of fns and col ors
have been achieved for this
species. Do not mi stake a
short-fnned i mmature mal e for
a femal e. Mal es onl y a few
weeks ol d wil l fght each other.
Femal es never fght. Mal es keep
thei r bubbl e nest i n repai r
and fry i n pl ace unti l they
l eave the nest.
After a spawni ng embrace, whi ch may l ast to
tal l y for hours, the femal e rel eases eggs, whi ch the
mal e i mmedi atel y ferti l izes. Before the eggs s i nk,
the mal e catches them i n hi s mouth and "bl ows"
them i nto the nest. After spawni ng i s compl eted, re
move femal e. Pl ace her in medicated water to heal
any torn fns. Mal es care for spawn and al so for
young unt i l t hey are free-swi mmi ng. Then remove
mal e. Young fsh's frst food i s i nfusori a. Feed often.
Bettas are ol d at two years.
1 47
DWARF HONEY GOURAMI S, nat i ve to northeastern
I ndi a, have gai ned popul ari ty recentl y. They are
peaceful but shy, needi ng hi di ng pl aces to escape
real or i magi ned dangers. Mal es often rei nforce
thei r bubbl e nest wi th bits of pl ant materi al . Both
sexes normal l y have a dark st ri pe al ong t hei r
fanks. At spawni ng t i me, t he femal e's stri pe fades,
and the mal e's deepens i n col or.
GI ANT GOURAMIS are by no means the "gi ants" of
the gourami worl d, for Ki ssi ng Gourami s grow to
twice t hei r l engt h. Though prol i fc, many mal es are
poor nest bui l ders. Bubbl es are scattered i n foat i ng
pl ants. Eggs usual l y foat up i nto the nest from the
parents spawni ng bel ow. Mal es spray a stream of
fne bu bbl es over the nest peri odi cal l y.
DWARF HONEY GOURAMI
Colisa chuna
to 2 i n.
1 48
C. fasciata
to 5 in.
THI CKL I P GOURAI
Colisa labiosa
to JV2 in.
DWARF GOURAI
C. /alia
to 2 in.
THI CKLI P GOURAMI S occasi onal l y show up wi th oth
er gourami shi pments but are not usual l y for sal e
i n l arge numbers. The narrow dark band around
thei r l i ps makes thei r l i ps appear heavi er t han they
are. I n a communi ty tank of 1 5 gal l ons or l arger
and kept wel l fed on a basi c di et, these are peace
fu l fsh. Mal es anchor thei r bubbl e nest haphaz
ardl y i n s urface pl ants. Dur i ng spawni ng, eggs foat
up i nto or are spi t i nto the nest.
DWARF GOURAMIS are shy but peaceful and desi r
abl e. The mal e constructs hi s bubbl e nest pai ns
ta ki ngl y, weavi ng i nto i t pi eces of l eaves, al gae,
and twi gs for rei nforcement. Nests of other speci es
cover a l arger surface area and fal l apart after the
eggs hatch, but the mal e Dwarf Gourami 's nest has
a sma l l d i ameter, i s deep, and remai ns i ntact l ong
after the young depart. The basi c di et must be aug
mented wi th vegetati on.
1 49
KI SSI NG GOURAMI
Helostoma femmincki
to I 2 i o.
PARADI SE FI SH
Macropodus opercularis
to 4 i n.
KI SSI NG GOURAMI S are known for t hei r habi t of
extendi ng thei r thi ck feshy l i ps and ki ssi ng. Thi s
ki ssi ng i s not bel ieved t o be l i nked wi t h sex, for
even i mmat ure Ki ssi ng Gourami s seem to enjoy
"ki ssi ng. " Keep t hese fsh in tanks of at l east 20
gal l ons, and sati sfy their huge appeti tes by serv
ing meal s at l east twice dai l y. Vegetabl e matter
shoul d be added as a suppl ement at l east one meal .
Ki ssi ng Gourami s engage i n t he typi ca l spawni ng
embraces of l abyri nthfshes, but t hey do not bui l d
a bubbl e nest. large fsh may produce a thousand
eggs that foat randoml y unt i l hatchi ng.
PARADI SE FI SH have such undesi rabl e temperaments
that thei r popul ari ty has greatl y di mi ni shed. The
temperat ure of the water must not exceed 75 de
grees F. Meaty foods are an essent i al i n thei r basi c
di et. Paradi se Fi sh fght ei ther by l ocki ng j aws i n
the usual ci chl i d fashi on or by bi ti ng thei r op
ponent's fanks. Mal es attack other fsh and guard
t hei r nest vi ci ousl y. An al bi no variety of t hi s speci es
i s a l so avai l abl e.
1 50
PEARL GOURMIS are pl easi ng pets. Though shy at
frst, they become quite t ame and easy t o keep i n
medui m-si zed community tanks. They wi l l sel dom
attack other fsh. The mal e i s a gentl eman duri ng
courtshi p, not dri vi ng the femal e too hard and not
ni ppi ng her fns. Remove the femal e and other fsh
after spawni ng i s compl eted so t hat the mal e can
guard hi s l arge bubbl e nest i n peace. Thi s speci es
i s al so cal l ed Lace Gourami or Mosai c Gourami . Pri me
mal es have red chests.
MOONLIGHT GOURAMIS are a food fsh i n thei r
nati ve Thai l and. Care and di sposi ti on are the same
as for t he prvi ous speci es, but l arge speci mens
may pi ck on smal l er more doci l e speci es. These
fsh are al most ful l grown before they reach sexual
maturi ty and breed. Thei r shi mmeri ng, metal l i c
si l ver col or resul ts from the refecti on of l i ght from
thei r numerous t i ny scal es.
MOONL I GHT GOURAMI
T. microlepis
to 6 i n.
PEARL GOURAMI
Trichogaster l eeri
to 4 i n.

SNAKESKI N GOURAI
SNAKESKI N GOURAMIS, among the l argest of the
gourami s, are consi dered to be the most peaceful
and gentl e of the group. A fami l y of these fsh can
be rai sed i n a tank wi thout worry of canni bal i sm.
They are bubbl e nest bui l ders. The modi fed pel vi c
fns, or feel ers, are common t o al l gourami s. They
can be moved in any di recti on to hel p the fsh test
and sense hi s envi ronment.
BLUE GOURAMI S, the most popul ar of al l the gour
ami s, are hardy, i nexpensi ve, prol i fc, and easy to
rai se. They are someti mes kept in l arge school s of
predomi nantl y femal es. Encounters may occur be
tween mal es, but usual l y no harm resul ts. Adul t
mal es have a l ong, poi nted dorsal fn; i n femal es,
the dorsal fn i s rounded. Bl ue Gourami s breed by
produci ng a l arge bubbl e nest and then spawni ng
i n t he usual l abyri nthfsh fashi on. The bubbl e nest
gi ves the fry an adequate suppl y of oxygen.
Bl ue Gourami s are often put i n aquar i ums t o eat
Hydra, whi ch may be dangerous to al l of t he young fish.
Gourami s al so reduce an overpopul ati on of snai l s.
They must be provi ded wi th the basi c di et, how
ever. Of the several col or and pattern vari eti es, t he
most common i s the Opal i ne Gourami .
1 52
BLUE GOURAMI
T. trichopterus
to 6 i n.
OPAL I NE GOURAMI
(a vari ety of t he Bl ue
Gourami )
"CROAKI NG" GOURAMI
Trichopsis vittatus
to 3 i n.

"CROAKI NG" GOURAMI i s the name earned by the
mal e of thi s speci es. Dur i ng courtshi p or when con
fronted by another mal e, he makes a croaki ng or
purri ng sound by gu l pi ng i n ai r. The mal e often
constructs hi s bubbl e nest under l eaves. After
spawn i ng, femal e may be permi tted to hel p gather
s i nki ng eggs for pl aci ng them i n the nest.
1 53
SI LVERSI DES (Antheri ni dae)
DWARF AUSTRALIAN RAI NBOW FI SH are peaceful ,
acti ve school ers of communi ty tanks. One teaspoon
of sea sal t per gal l on of water i s benefci al . Eggs
are l ai d i n pl ants on several consecuti ve morni ngs,
and i f not eaten, they hatch i n one or two weeks.
SOLES (Sol ei dae)
DWARF FLOUNDERS are i nacti ve, bottom- dwel l i ng
fatfsh. Young founders are normal i n shape, but
as they grow, they turn onto thei r si de, thei r eye
al so mi grati ng so that it is on top. Thei r mouth al so
twi sts. Feed these fsh the basi c di et. Provi de them
wi th sand i n whi ch they can di g and camoufage
themsel ves. Use one teaspoon of sea sal t per gal l on
of water t o provi de proper sal i ni ty.
1 54
DWARF AUSTRAL I AN
RAI NBOWFI SH
Melanotaenio
macculochi
to 3 i n.
DWARF FLOUNDER
Achirus fasciatus
to 6 i n.
SPI NY EEL
Macragnathus acu/eatus
to 8 in.

GREEN PUFFER
normal
SPINY EELS (Mastocembel i dae}
SPINY EELS have an el ongated, rounded body, but
they are not true eel s. They are nocturnal . I n bri ght
l i ght, they hi de under the gravel wi th j ust thei r
snout protrudi ng. Feed mi xed foods. Thei r favorites
are worms and ti ny fshes. Cover the tank com
pl etel y, for t hese fsh can sl i t her out of any gaps.
PUFFERS (Tetraodonti dae}
PUFFERS become ni ppy toward other fsh as they
grow ol der, hence they shoul d be kept i n i sol ated
tanks. Thei r water shoul d be sal ty-a teaspoon of
sea sal t for each gal l on of water. A fower pot cov
ered with al gae and set on i ts side wi l l provide a
secu re home as wel l as some vegetati on on whi ch
to ni bbl e. Feed them such l ive foods as snai l s, meal
worms, tubi fex worms, and earthworms.
1 55
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Axel rod, Herbert R. a n d Leonard Schul tz, Handbook o f Tropi cal
Aquari um Fi shes, McGraw- Hi l l Book Co. , I nc. , N. Y. , 1 955.
The Compl ete Aquari st' s Gui de to Freshwater Tropi cal Fi shes, edi ted
by John Gi l bert, Gol den Press , N.Y., 1 970.
Conroy, D. A. and R. L. Hermon
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Textbook of Fi sh Di seases, TFH Publ i ca
ti ons, I nc. , Engl ewood Cl i ffs, N. J. , 1 970.
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Scheel , Jorgen , Rivul i ns of the Ol d Worl d, TFH Publ i cati ons, I nc. ,
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I nc. , Engl ewood Cl i ffs, N. J. , 1 966.
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Abrami tes mi cro
cephal us, 61
Acanthodoras
spinosissi mus, 94
Acanthophthal mus
kuhl i , 91
k. sumatranus, 91
myersi, 91
semi ci nctes, 91
shelfordi, 91
Accra, bl ue, 1 33
Ac hirus fasciatus, 1 54
Aequidens pulcher, 1 33
moroni i , 1 33
portolegrensis, 1 33
Ai r pump, 1 2
Algae, 1 5, 33, 37
Al gae eater, 89
Ampullari o, 37
Anobanti dae, 1 46
Anabas test udi neus, 1 .6
Anabl epi dae, 1 1 7
Anableps anableps, 1 1 7
Ancistrus dolichopterus,
1 04
Angel f i s h, 1 42 - 1 43
Anopt i chthys ;ordani , 43
Anostomus anostomus, 62
Antheri ni doe, 1 5.
Apeltes quodrocus, 1 1 1
Aphani us i berus, 1 1 2
Aphyochorox rubri pi nni s,
44
Aphyosemi on oustrole,
1 1 3
bi vi t t at um, 1 1 2
gordneri , 1 1 4
sjoestedti , 1 1 4
Aphyosemi on, steel - bl ue,
1 1 4
Apistogramma agassiz,
1 34
pertense, 1 34
rami rezi , 1 35
Aplochei l us l i neatus, 1 1 5
Aponogetum fenestra/ i s,
1 7
Aq uari um, genera l , .
aerat i on, 1 2
ai r pump, 1 2
bal anced, 1 6, 36
I N D E X
Aq uari um cont' d
condi t i oned, 36
decorati ons, 1 6- 2.
fi l ters , 1 0, 1 1 , 27
gal l on vol ume, 7
grovel , 1 3, 27
heater, 26, 27
l eakage, testi ng for, 9
l i ds, 25
l i gh ts , 25
l ocati on, 8
ornaments, 24
plants, 1 7- 23
seal i ng, 6
selecti nq , 6
s hapes , 7
s hoppi ng l i st, 27
s i phon, 9, 27
s i zes, 7
temperat ure, 26
t hermometer, 26, 27
water, 1 4, 1 5, 36
Ar cher , 1 30
Arc herf i s h, 1 30
Arg us f i s h, 1 3 1
Arowono, 40
Astonotus ocelfatus, 1 35
Bacopo corol i niona, 2 1
Bogri dae, 1 07
Barb, 68
Afri can stri ped, 70
block ruby, 72
checkerboard, 73
cherry, 75
Ch ino, 74
cl own, 70, 71
Cummi ng ' s , 70, 71
dwarf, 73
f l yi ng , 83
hal f- banded, 74
rosy, 69
Sc hu bert ' s , 73
si x- banded, 70, 71
spotted, 69
stri ped, 70, 71
`1, ' 72
t i ger, 75
ti nfoi l , 7.
Borbus bi notatus, 69
conchon i us, 69
Barb us cant' d
cummi ngi , 71
everet t i , 71
fasci atus, 71
hexozono, 71
lateristrigo, 72
ni grofasci atus, 72
oli golepi s, 73
phut uni o, 73
schuberti , 73
sch wanenfeldi , 74
semifosci olotus, 74
tetrozono, 75
ti tteya, 75
Bas i c di et , 28
Belonesox bel i zonus, 1 1 8
Betta, 1 46, 1 47
Com bodi a, 1 47
green, 1 .7
Bet ta splendens, 1 47
Bi tterl i ng , 87
Bl oodfi n, 44, 45
Bl uefi n, Fl ori da, 1 1 6
Bony-tong ued fi shes, .0
Sof i a horae, 92
hymenophysa, 93
macrocant hus, 92
modesto, 93
Brachydoni o olboli neatus,
80
ni grofasciatus, 80
reri o, 81
B unocephal i doe, 1 05
Bunocephol us
coracoideus, 1 05
Butterfl y f i s h, 4 1
Cobombo corol i niano, 21
Col l i c ht hyi dae, 95
Carassi us ourotus, 76, 79
carassi us, 79
Cornegi el lo stri gato, 64
Carp, 68
toothed, 1 1 2
Catf i s h, Afri can
pol ka- dot, 1 09
adi pose fi n, 1 06
aeneus, 96
Agas s i z' s , 97
armored cal l i cht hyi d,
95
1 57
T
c
o
m
~
<
w
T
Catfi sh cont ' d
bagri d, 1 07
banj o, 1 05
bri stl e- mouthed, 1 04
bu mbl ebee, 1 07
dwarf, 99
el ectri c, 1 1 0
el egant, 99
g l ass, 1 05
l abyri nt h, 1 08
l eopard, 1 00
masked, 98
Myer' s, 98
otoci nc l us , 1 03
pepperd, 1 01
pi mel oi d, 1 06
.
pl ecostomus, 1 0.
a
pol ka-dot, 1 06, 1 07 W
=
Robout ' s, 1 01
I

sadd l eback, 1 00

s hovel nose, 1 06, 1 07

O
s kunk, 98
o
s l ender, 1 06, 1 07
z

spi ny, 9.
.
sucker- mouthed
I
~
armored, 1 02
I
t al ki ng, 94
d
twi g, 1 02
x
upsi de-down , 1 09

wal ki ng, 1 08
whi ptai l , 1 03
W
Cavefi s h, b l i nd, 43

Centropomi doe, 1 28

Ceratophyl l um demersum,
O
2 1
z
Cerotopteris tholictroides,
23
J Chanda ronga, 1 29
Choraci doe, 43
Choroci n, 43
hal f - banded, 51
swordtai l , 46
Cheirodon axelrodi , 44
Chi lodus punctotus, 61
Chl or i ne, i n water, 1 4
Ch romode, orange, 1 39
Cichlasoma
coryphaenoides, 1 36
erythroeum, 1 37
festi vum, 1 37
meeki , 1 38
ni grofosciot um, 1 38
octofasciot um, 1 36
severum, 1 38
1 5 8
Ci ch l i d, 1 32
Ears, gol den, 1 1 6
Afri can purpl e, 1 .1
Echi nodorus pani culatus,
Agassi z dwarf, 1 3.
1 8
checkerboard, 1 39 tenellus, 1 8
chocol ate, 1 36 Ecol ogy, 2, 4
keyhol e, 1 33 Eel , 66, 67
pi ke, 1 39 el ectri c, 67
Rami rez' s dwarf, 1 35
k ni fe, 67
yel l ow dwarf, 1 34
spi ny, 1 55
Ci ch l i dae, 1 32 Elassema evergladei , 1 29
Clarios botrochus, 1 08
El ectrophori dae, 67
Cl ar i i dae, 1 08 Electrophorus electricus,
Cl oud, whi te, 88
67
Cobi ti doe, 90
Eleochoris aci cularis, 1 8
Col isa lotio, 1 48
El ephontfi s h, 42
foscioto, 1 .8
Elodea calli tri choides, 21
lobioso, 1 .9
denso, 2 1
/aHa, 1 49
Epalzeorhynchus
Convi ct, 1 38
kallopterus, 82
Copeino ornoldi, 45
Epiplatys dogeti, 1 1 5
Corydoros, 95
Esomus donrica, 83
oeneus, 96
Etroplus maculatus, 1 39
agassiz, 97
arcuotus, 98
Forlowel la acus, 1 02
elegons, 99
Festi v u m, 1 37
hostotus, 99
Fi ght i ngfi sh, 1 46, 1 47
j u/ i i , 1 00
F i l trat i on, 1 0, 1 1
melonistius, 1 00
Fi ngerfi sh, 1 30
metoe, 98
Fi remout h, 1 38
myersi , 98
Fi s h, anatomy, 3 1
paleatus, 1 01
catch i n g, 3 1
robouti , 1 01
di et , 28, 29
Corydoros, el egant, 99
di seases, 34, 3 5
Corynopoma riisei, 4 6
drugs, 33
Crenicara maculatta, 1 39
food, 28, 29
Crenicichlo lepidoto, 1 39
hygi ene, 30, 3 1
Cryptacoryne alfinis, 1 8
pests, 33
Cynolebias bel /otti, 1 1 5
preventi ve care, 33
Cypr i ni dae, 68
sel ecti ng, 30, 3 1
Cypri nodonti dae, 1 1 2
sources of, 3 6
t ai l s , 1 21
Dace, Fl ori da bl ue, 1 1 6
Fl ogf i s h, Ameri can, 1 1 6
Doni a molboricus, 81
Fl ounder, dwarf, 1 54
Dani os, 80- 81
Fl yi ng fox, 82
Datnioides microlepis,
Fonti nalis gracilis, 21
1 29
Four- eyed f i s h, 1 1 7
Dermogenys pussillus,
Freshwater butterf l yfi sh,
1 1 0
4 1
DH , 1 5
Frog, Afri can aquati c, 38
Di rteoter, 1 40
Fundul us chrysotus, 1 1 6
Di scus, 1 44
Di seases, 34, 35
Gombus i a, 1 1 9
Dol l ar, s i l ver, 56, 57
Gombusio offinus, 1 1 9
Ooradi dae, 94 Gommorus, 38
Gosteropel ecidae, 6.
Gasterosteidae, 1 1 1
Gastropelecus levis, 65
Geophagus j urupari,
1 40
Gl assfi s h, 1 28
Gl owl i ght , 49
Gnathonemus petersi, .2
Gol den ear, 1 1 6
Gol den pheasant , 1 1 7
Gol dfis h,
4, 26, 76, 77, 78
Gonopodi u m, 1 1 8, 1 2 1
Gourami, b l ue, 1 52
"croaking , " 1 53
dwarf, 1 48
dwarf honey, 1 48
giant, 1 .8
kissing , 1 50
moonl ig ht , 1 5 1
opal i ne, 1 52, 1 53
pear l , 1 5 1
snakeski n, 1 52
t h i c k l i p, 1 49
Gu l aris, bl ue, 1 1 4
Guppies, 1 20- 1 21
Gymnocorymbus
ternetzi , 46
Gymnotid eel s, 66
Gymnotidae, 66
Gymnotus carapo, 66
Gyrinocheil idae, 89
Gyrinocheil ids, 89
Gyri nochei l us aymoni eri ,
89
Hol fbeok, 1 1 0
wrest l ing, 1 1 0
Hatchetl i sh, 64, 65
Head and tail l i g h t, 50
Headstander, 61 , 62, 63
Helastomus t emmi ncki ,
1 50
Hemi chromis bi moculotus
1 4 1
Hemigrammus ormstrongi ,
48
caudovittatus, .9
graci l i s, 49
nanus, 48
ocellifer, 50
rhodastomus, 50
Hemihaplochromi s
mu lticolor, 1 .0
Hemiodus semitaeniatus,
5 1
Hemiramph i dae, 1 1 0
Hetrondria formosa, 1 1 9
Hygrophi la polyspermo,
1 8
Hyphessobrycon
callistus, 51
fl ammeus, 2
i mnesi , 52
pulchri pi nni s, 54
rossceous, 54
rubrost i gma, 55
Hypostomus plecostomus,
1 04
Jack Dempsey, 1 36
Jewel f i sh, African, 1 4 1
Jordanel la floridae, 1 1 6
Ki l l i f i sh, 1 1 2
Knife eel , 67
Knifefish, banded, 66
Kryptoptereus bicirrhis,
1 05
labeo bi color, 85
labyrinth f i sh, 1 46
leof f i sh, 1 3 1
lei ocass is siamensis, 1 07
lemno mi nor, 23
leporinus, 62, 63
leporinus fasciatus,
62, 63
li mia, bl ack bel l ied, 1 22
L i mio mel anogaster, 1 22
Li mnoph ila sessi l i flora,
2 1
livebearers, 1 1 8
leaches, 90, 91 , 92, 93
l oricario parva, 1 03
lori carii dae, 1 02
l ucania goodei, 1 1 6
l udwi gi a natans, 22
Lymnaea ovata, 37
lyretai l s, 1 1 2, 1 1 3
Macrognathus aculeatus,
1 55
Macropodus opercularis,
1 50
Mal apter ur i dae, 1 1 0
Malapterurus electricus
1 1 0
Marsilea hirsute, 22
Mostocembel i dae, 1 55
Medaka, 1 1 6, 1 1 7
Mel anoides t uberculata,
37
Melanotaenia
maccullochi , 1 54
Mesogni sti us chaetodon,
1 29
Met, red hook, 56, 57
Met ynnis schrei t muel leri,
56
Mil foi l , 2 2
Minnows, 6 8 , 1 1 8, 1 1 9
Mochokidae, 1 09
Mol ge pyrrhogastro, 38
Mol l i es , 1 22, 1 23
Mono, 1 30
Monocirrh us
polvacant hus, 1 3 1
Monodact yl i doe, 1 30
Monodactyfus argenteus,
1 30
Mormyri dae, 42
Morul i us
chrysophekadion, 85
Mosquitofish, 1 1 9
Mout hbrooder, b\ ackchin,
1 45
Egyptian, 1 .0
Mudski pper, 1 .5
Mylopus arnoldi, 56
Myri ophyl l um spicat um, 2 2
Nandi dae, 1 3 1
Nannostomus beckfordi,
eques, 60
margi natus, 60
trifasciatus, 60
Nematobrycon palmeri ,
Newt, Japanese, 38
Ni t el la gracilis, 23
Nitrogen c yc l e, 36
Notropis l utrensis, 85
Nuphar sagi tti foli a, 1 8
Nymphoides aquati ca, 1 9
Oryzias l atipes, 1 1 7
Oscar, tiger, 1 35
Osteog l ossi dae, .0
Osteoglossum
bicirrhosum, 40
Otocinc l us , 1 03
Otocinclus offi nus, 1 03
1 59
Ponchox, 1 1 5 Poecilia reti culate cont ' d Synnema triflorum, 1 9
m
Panchox l i neatus, 1 1 5 lati pi nna, 1 23
Synodonti s angel icus,
Pantodon bucholzi , 41 sphenops, 1 23 nigrivantris, 1 09
Pon todont i dae, .1 Poecillidoe, 1 1 8
Poradi sefi s h , 1 50 Port, 1 33 Tadpol es, 38
Peor l f i s h, Argent i ne, 1 1 5 Pterophyl l um scolara, 1 .2 Tani chthys al bonubes, 88
Pel vi cachromi s pu l cher, Puffers, 1 55 Temperat ure, 26
1 41 Tetro bl ock, 46, 47
Penc i l f i s h, 60 Rai nbowfish, dwarf bl eedi n gh eart, 55
Pen gu i nf i s h, 59 Australian, 1 54 Buenos Ai res, 49
Perc h , c l i mbi n g, 1 46 Rom, 1 35 cardi n al , 44, 45
<
Peri opht hal mi dae, 1 45 Rasboro, har l equ i n , 86 emperor, 56, 57
Periophthal mus s ci ssortoi l , 86 f l ame, 52
borborus, 1 45 Rosbora heteromorpha, b gl owl i gM, 49
pH, 1 5 trilineata, 86 gol den, 48
Pheasant , gol den, 1 1 7 Red dev i l , 1 37 j ewel , 5 1
' Ph ysa acuto, 37 Red hook met, 56 l emon, 54
Pi melodello graci li s, 1 07 Rhodeus sericeus, 87 neon, 52, 53
Pi melodus ciorios, 1 07 R iccio ll utons, 23 rosy, 5., 55
z
Pi mel odi dae, 1 06 Ri ce f i s h, 1 1 7 serpae, 5 1
u
I
Pi pefi s h, 1 1 1 Roloffio occidental i s, 1 1 7 s i l verti p, .8
m

Pi ran ha, 58, 59 Roosevel ti el lo nottereri , 58 spl ash, 44, 45

4
Planorbis corneus, 37 R u by, bl ock, 72 Tetraodon fl uvi oti l i s, 1 55
u
0 Pl ant s, 1 6 Ru mmynose, 50 Tetrodont i doe, 1 55
m
ab u l i a, 20, 21 Thoyerio obl i quo, 59

Amazon sword, 1 8
Sagi ttario subulata, 1 9 Theroponi doe, 1 28

bocopo, 20, 21
Scot, 1 3 1 Ti gerf i s h, 1 28, 1 29
I
banana pl ant, 1 9
Scotophogi doe, 1 3 1 Ti lapio melanotheron, I 4
bunc hed, 20 Scopfophogus argus, 1 3 1 Topmi n now, dwarf, 1 1 9
cabomba, 20, 2 1 Seahorse, 1 1 1 pi ke, 1 1 8

Cryptocoryne, 1 8 Serpae, 5 1 Toxotes jaculator, 1 30

0
crysto l wort, 23 Serrasol mo nottereri , 59 Toxoti doe, 1 30

duc kweed, 23 Sever um, 1 38 Trichogoster leari, 1 5 1

J dwarf four. l eaf c l over, "Shark, " bl ock, 84, 85 mi crolepis, 1 51
22 redtoi l ed, 84, 85 pectoral i s, 1 52
X
eel g ross, 1 9
Shi ner, redfi nned, 8., 85 trichopterus, 1 53
El odea, 20, 21
Shr i mp, freshwater g h ost, Trichopsis vi t totus, 1 53
fl oat i ng, 23
38 Tur t l es , 39
hai r gros s , 1 8
Si l u ri dae, 1 05
hornwort, 20, 21
Si l ver dol l ar, 56 Vollisnerio spiral i s, 1 9
hyg roph i l a, 1 8 Si l versi des, 1 54 Vari atus, 1 26
L udwi gi o, 22 Snai l s , 37 mar i gol d, 1 26
Madagascar l ace, 1 7 Sol e, 1 54 s unset, 1 26
Ni t el l o, 23 Sol ei doe, 1 54
rooted, 1 7 Sorubi m l i ma, 1 07 Water, 1 4, 1 5
Sog i tt ori o, 1 9 St i ck l ebacks, 1 1 1 Whi t e c l oud, 88
sporterdock, 1 8 Su nfi s h, 1 28
Vol l i sner i o, 1 9 b l ock- bonded, 1 29 Xenopus loeui s, 3 8
water spri te, 2 3 Everg l ades pyg my, 1 29 Xi phophorus hel leri , 1 24,
wi l l owmoss, 20, 21 Swordtai l , 1 24, 1 25 1 25
wi st eri a, 1 9 Symphysodon maculatus, 1 2h, 1 27
Pl atys, 1 26, 1 27 oequifosciato, 1 4. variatus, 1 26
Pl ecostomus , 1 04 Syngnath idae, 1 1 1
Poeci li a reti culato, 1 2 1 Syngnathus spicifer, 1 1 1 Zebrofi s h , 8 1
I60
H | J
TROPICAL FI SH
A GOLDEN GUIDE

BRUCE W. HALSTEAD, M. D., Di rector of t he I nter nat i onal
Bi otoxi col ogi cal Center and Wor l d Li fe Research I nst i t ute,
i s an aut hor i ty on the toxi c pl ants and ani mal s of the
wor l d. He serves as a consu l tant to i nter nat i onal , nat i onal ,
i ndus t r i al , educat i onal , and pr i vate organ i zati ons t hrough
out the wor l d, and i s a member of t he j oi nt I MCO/FAO/
UNESCO/WMO/WHO/ I AEA Group of Experts on t he Sci
ent i f i c Aspects of Mar i ne Pol l ut i on. Dr. Hal stead has
over a hundred publ i cat i ons to hi s credi t i ncl udi ng a
th ree vol ume work, POI SONOUS AND VENOMOUS
MARI NE ANI MALS, publ i shed by the U. S. Gover nment
Pr i nt i ng Off i ce.
BONNI E L. LANDA i s associ ated wi th the Wor l d Li fe Re
search I nst i t ute where she has a wet l aboratory. Most of
her ear l y work was done wi t h poi sonous and venomous
mar i ne ani mal s, but i s now concentrated on sal t - and
f reshwater f i sh. She recei ved her B. A. degr ee i n bi ol ogy
from the Uni vers i ty of Cal i for ni a. Her hobby i s rai s i ng
t urt l es from hatch l i ngs and her col l ect i ons i ncl ude about
500 t urt l e ar t i facts f r om al l over t he wor l d.
GEORGE f. SANDSTROM i s a wel l - known and prol i fi c
ar t i st i n the f i el d of nat ural hi story. Bor n i n Argent i na,
and a graduate of the Un i vers i ty of Li toral i n Rosar i o, he
i l l ustrated t he fauna of hi s nat i ve count ry before comi ng
to Amer i ca i n T 50. Hi s conchol ogi cal works i ncl ude t he
popul ar Gol den Books, SEASHE LLS OF THE WORLD and
SEASHE LLS OF NORTH AMERI CA.
GOLDEN PRESS NEW YORK
24361 -1
A. GOLDEN GUI DE

TROPICAL FISH
1KL LPL FI SH, P Gol den Gui de, was written to hel p
hobbyists with one of the most exci ti ng of al l spare
ti me pursuits : studying a closed ecological system i n
an aquari um_ The fish and other organi sms described
and i l l ustrated i n thi s book were sel ected largely
on the basis of their avai l abi l ity, beauty, and general
i nterest. I l l ustrati ons are i n ful l color.

N -d-Z4bT -d