March 2025

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How to look afterEpiplatys annulatus

Rocket panchax

(Boulenger, 1915)

(Other members of the genus Epiplatys)

ADULT SIZE: 4 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-27 C

FOOD: Feed Epiplatys annulatus small live-foods and fine grade dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea

AQUARIUM CARE: Epiplatys annulatus (or Psuedoepiplatys annulatus is a very popular killifish, often seen in aquarium shops. This is a very small delicate species, that must live in a species tank. Being so small it requires the smallest foods, artemia, small daphnia and grindal worms.

BREEDING: Breeding is not difficult, the eggs, and fry are incredibly small though. Luckily the adults are not particularly carniverous, so a long term set up is probably the easiest way to go. If the fish are fed newly hatched artemia daily, fry will soon appear with the adults. Picking eggs seems to be a hit and miss affair, and may breeders simply do not bother.

Have you bred Epiplatys annulatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Epiplatys annulatus breeding reports

BREEDING: Breeding is not difficult, the eggs, and fry are incredibly small though. Luckily the adults are not particularly carniverous, so a long term set up is probably the easiest way to go. If the fish are fed newly hatched artemia daily, fry will soon appear with the adults. Picking eggs seems to be a hit and miss affair, and may breeders simply do not bother.

Have you bred Epiplatys annulatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience! 1 breeder has filled in a breeding report, a summary of which is shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here. To add details of your experiences of Epiplatys annulatus, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Species Profile | Images | Breeding Report | Similar Species

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How to look afterMetriaclima estherae

Red zebra

Konings, 1995

(Other members of the genus Metriaclima)

ADULT SIZE: 12 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately hard and alkaline

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 25-28 C

FOOD: Feed Metriaclima estherae a predominantly vegetarian diet

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Lake Malawi

AQUARIUM CARE: A moderately aggressive mbuna, that is best kept in a rocky tank with other Mbunas. It is a typical reef-dwelling plankton-feeder, that is both hardy and colourful; great for beginners. In the aquarium they will take most prepared foods. Males can be blue or pinky (see image), and females can be solid orange, or a blotchy pattern (see images below).

For more about a typical tank set-up see Setting up a Lake Malawi Cichlid Aquarium.

BREEDING: A typical maternal mouthbrooder, that breeds quite readily. Generally eggs are laid on a pre-cleaned stone, and are then gathered up and cared for in the females mouth. This is one of the easier species to spawn and maintain. If they do not breed, removing some of the more aggressive tank mates will often do the trick. Water changes also seem to stimulate breeding behaviour.

Have you bred Metriaclima estherae? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Metriaclima estherae breeding reports

A pair of males showing typical colouration

A typical female

An ‘orange-blotch’ female

BREEDING: A typical maternal mouthbrooder, that breeds quite readily. Generally eggs are laid on a pre-cleaned stone, and are then gathered up and cared for in the females mouth. This is one of the easier species to spawn and maintain. If they do not breed, removing some of the more aggressive tank mates will often do the trick. Water changes also seem to stimulate breeding behaviour.

Have you bred Metriaclima estherae? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterCarinotetraodon travancoricus

Dwarf puffer fish

(Hora & Nair, 1941)

(Other members of the genus Carinotetraodon)

ADULT SIZE: 2 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 22-26 C

FOOD: Feed Carinotetraodon travancoricus small live-foods and fine grade dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from India

AQUARIUM CARE: A very small freshwater puffer that does well in a smaller species aquarium with plants. They are delicate but also aggressive, fin-nipping tankmates. They enjoy most foods, but should be provided with small snails to feed on. Larger snails should be avoided, as they ay be killed and only partially eaten, fouling the tank.

BREEDING: Tank breeding is possible.

Have you bred Carinotetraodon travancoricus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Carinotetraodon travancoricus breeding reports

Despite their small size, dwarf puffers still nip the fins of other fish

BREEDING: Tank breeding is possible.

Have you bred Carinotetraodon travancoricus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterEpalzeorhynchos frenatum

Red-fin shark

(Fowler, 1934)

(Other members of the genus Epalzeorhynchos)

ADULT SIZE: 15 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-27 C

FOOD: Feed Epalzeorhynchos frenatum live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Cambodia, Thailand, Laos

AQUARIUM CARE: This is a close relative of the red-tailed black shark, though a little more peaceful. As well as eating all the standard prepared foods and livefoods, this species will graze on algae, but also enjoys vegetable matter such as lettuce.

Have you bred Epalzeorhynchos frenatum? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Epalzeorhynchos frenatum breeding reports

The red-fin shark is also known as the rainbow shark, and ruby shark

A considerably more peaceful fish than the red-tailed shark

BREEDING:

Have you bred Epalzeorhynchos frenatum? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterNematobrycon palmeri

Emperor tetra

Eigenmann, 1911

(Other members of the genus Nematobrycon)

ADULT SIZE: 4 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately soft and acidic

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-27 C

FOOD: Feed Nematobrycon palmeri small live-foods and fine grade dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Colombia

AQUARIUM CARE: A typical South American tetra, enjoying a well-planted dark tank. Males are spectacular. Not to be confused with the similar Inpaichthys kerri, also sometimes referred to as the Emperor tetra.

BREEDING: Breeds in soft acidic water. Fry should be fed initially on paramecia, and raised separately.

Have you bred Nematobrycon palmeri? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Nematobrycon palmeri breeding reports

BREEDING: Breeds in soft acidic water. Fry should be fed initially on paramecia, and raised separately.

Have you bred Nematobrycon palmeri? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterAplocheilus lineatus

Golden wonder panchax

(Valenciennes, 1846)

(Other members of the genus Aplocheilus)

ADULT SIZE: 12 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 22-28 C

FOOD: Feed Aplocheilus lineatus live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from India

AQUARIUM CARE: This stunning fish occurs in a wild-type red form, and the more commonly available golden form. This is a large and robust killifish that hangs under the water surface, waiting for surface insects. This little killi has a large mouth and will happily eat other fish! These panchax occur in shallow ponds, coastal mangrove swamps (though not too saline) and rice paddies.

BREEDING: Breeding is easy either using spawning mops, or the long term method. The fry are large and eat artemia and vinegar eels from the start.

Have you bred Aplocheilus lineatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Aplocheilus lineatus breeding reports

BREEDING: Breeding is easy either using spawning mops, or the long term method. The fry are large and eat artemia and vinegar eels from the start.

Have you bred Aplocheilus lineatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterHemigrammus armstrongi

Armstrongs tetra, Gold tetra, Brass tetra

Axelrod & Schultz 1955

(Other members of the genus Hemigrammus)

ADULT SIZE: 4 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately soft and acidic

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-28 C

FOOD: Feed Hemigrammus armstrongi small live-foods and fine grade dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Guyana

AQUARIUM CARE: An active shoaler that appeciates a planted tank. A dark set-up will show off the golden colouration of this species

Have you bred Hemigrammus armstrongi? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Hemigrammus armstrongi breeding reports

The golden, or brass tetra, Hemigrammus armstrongi

BREEDING:

Have you bred Hemigrammus armstrongi? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience! 1 breeder has filled in a breeding report, a summary of which is shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here. To add details of your experiences of Hemigrammus armstrongi, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Have a look at some of these related sites

Well planted aquariums are not only great looking, they are also very beneficial to the fish. They oxygenate the water, absorb nitrates, reduce algae and provide refuge for fry (and other timid species). Plants like Java fern, hornwort, Amazon sword, Vallisneria (eel grass), Cryptocoryne and Anubias can all do well in a typical home aquarium with the smallest amount of attention

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How to look afterVieja synspila

Redheaded cichlid

(Hubbs, 1935)

(Other members of the genus Vieja)

ADULT SIZE: 35 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately hard and alkaline

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 25-29 C

FOOD: Feed Vieja synspila live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Belize, Guatemala, Mexico

AQUARIUM CARE:

Have you bred Vieja synspila? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Vieja synspila breeding reports

BREEDING:

Have you bred Vieja synspila? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience! 2 breeders have filled in breeding reports, a summary of the results are shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here. To add details of your experiences of Vieja synspila, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences

Have a look at some of these related sites

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How to look afterHemigrammus caudovittatus

Buenos Aires Tetra

Ahl, 1923

(Other members of the genus Hemigrammus)

ADULT SIZE: 7 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-28 C

FOOD: Feed Hemigrammus caudovittatus live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Brazil, Argentina

AQUARIUM CARE: This is a very hardy species that will tolerate most conditions. Its main drawback is its ability to eat most aquarium plants. The only real exception is java fern which it will ignore. This species will thrive in a large tank, planted with java fern, and with rocks and wood as decoration. It is a good community fish, with fish of a similar size. It can be a fin nipper!

BREEDING: Prolific plant spawner. As most plants are eaten, spawning mops may be more appropriate. Ideal breeding temperature 22-24 deg C

Have you bred Hemigrammus caudovittatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?, or examine existing Hemigrammus caudovittatus breeding reports

LINKS:
fishbase

This species is a voracious plant eater, however it will not eat Java fern.

BREEDING: Prolific plant spawner. As most plants are eaten, spawning mops may be more appropriate. Ideal breeding temperature 22-24 deg C

Have you bred Hemigrammus caudovittatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

This page summarises breeding reports provided by visitors to this site, along with some statistical analysis. Please feel free to contribute – whatever your experience! 1 breeder has filled in a breeding report, a summary of which is shown in the graphs below. You can read the full reports here. To add details of your experiences of Hemigrammus caudovittatus, why not fill in a Breeding and maintenance Report.

Remember, each record represents only one persons experience; if you had different results, or used different methods, please share your experiences