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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

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How to look afterCorydoras paleatus

Peppered corydoras, Peppered catfish

(Jenyns, 1842)

(Other members of the genus Corydoras)

ADULT SIZE: 7 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 18-26 C

FOOD: Feed Corydoras paleatus small live-foods and fine grade dried foods. Will enjoy rooting around a sandy substrate searching for worms and other invertebrates.

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Argentina, Brazil

AQUARIUM CARE: A long-time aquarium favourite, and an easy, hardy bottom-dwelling species, ideal for the new aquarist. A sandy rather than gravel substrate is certainly preferred. Provide hiding places in the form of caves and or bogwood.

A great community fish if kept away from larger species. Maintain a group of 6-8 individuals to keep them happy. Widely available in the regular and albino forms in aquatic stores.

BREEDING: Not too hard to breed at all – C. paleatus is a substrate spawner (usually in mops, or the aquarium glass). A well conditioned pair will usually spawn after a large water change (50% or so) of somewhat cooler, well-oxygenated water. The fry will take newly hatched artemia once their yoke sacs are used up.

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

BREEDING: Not too hard to breed at all – C. paleatus is a substrate spawner (usually in mops, or the aquarium glass). A well conditioned pair will usually spawn after a large water change (50% or so) of somewhat cooler, well-oxygenated water. The fry will take newly hatched artemia once their yoke sacs are used up.

Have you bred Corydoras paleatus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterPapiliochromis altispinosus

Red-finned ram

Haseman, 1911 The red-finned ram does fine in a community setting
more images here

(Other members of the genus Papiliochromis)

ADULT SIZE: 8 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 22-27 C

FOOD: Feed Papiliochromis altispinosus live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Bolivia, Brazil

AQUARIUM CARE: An aquarium for these species should be well planted and include caves. This species is acceptable in a community tank with no overly sensitive species. P. altispinosus is less demanding than the more widely known ram P. ramirezi

BREEDING: This species usually spawns on a flat surface laying several hundred eggs.

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

The red-finned ram does fine in a community setting

Red finned Ram

BREEDING: This species usually spawns on a flat surface laying several hundred eggs.

Have you bred Papiliochromis altispinosus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterAphyosemion australe

Cape Lopez lyretail, Lyretailed killifish

(Rachow) 1921

(Other members of the genus Aphyosemion)

ADULT SIZE: 6 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-28 C

FOOD: Feed Aphyosemion australe small live-foods and fine grade dried foods. All killifish appreciate livefoods, either living or frozen.

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Congo (DRC), Gabon, Angola, Congo (Rep.)

SEXUAL DIFFERENCES: Males are brightly coloured with fin filaments. Females are a pale grey/brown.

AQUARIUM CARE: This is probably the worlds favourite killifish. It is easy to keep (if kept alone or with gentle fish), usually easy to breed, and a stunning addition to a dark well planted aquarium. The most common ‘gold’ or ‘orange’ strain is actually a line bred albino, and does not occur in the wild, but what a beautiful fish!

Killifish can be timid, and generally do best in a species tank

BREEDING: An easy mop spawner. This species will also breed in small numbers in a well-planted, well-fed tank. Failure to breed the species is usually a result of too-young parents, rather than environmental factors. Breeding may be easier in softer, more acidic water, but they will breed in most non-extreme conditions

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

The ‘gold’ strain of Aphyosemion australe

BREEDING: An easy mop spawner. This species will also breed in small numbers in a well-planted, well-fed tank. Failure to breed the species is usually a result of too-young parents, rather than environmental factors. Breeding may be easier in softer, more acidic water, but they will breed in most non-extreme conditions

Have you bred Aphyosemion australe? 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 Aphyosemion australe, 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

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How to look afterAulonocara jacobfreibergi

Freiberg’s Peacock Cichlid

Johnson 1974

(Other members of the genus Aulonocara)

ADULT SIZE: 12 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately hard and alkaline

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 25-28 C

FOOD: Feed Aulonocara jacobfreibergi live and dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Lake Malawi

AQUARIUM CARE: This species lives on the boundary between the rocky shore and the open sanded areas of Lake Malawi, typically at a deeper, darker level than the mbunas. It lives in groups often amongst caves. Peacock cichlids are sand sifters, feeding on invertebrates that dwell in the substrate, although in the aquarium they will eat most live and dried foods. Male fish are some of the most spectacularly coloured of all freshwater fish, and they are highly prized by hobbiests for this reason.

Peacock cichlids are not as robust as many other Malawi cichlids, and fish of this genus should certainly not be kept in a mbuna tank. They can be kept with other calmer Malawi cichlids. A tank of Aulonocara males of different species can be quite a site, although this obviously prevents breeding. Pairs of different species should not be kept, as interbreeding is common in captive examples of this genus.

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

BREEDING: A relatively easily bred cichlid; Aulonocara jacobfreibergi is a typical matriachal mouth brooder. The breeding display consists of prolonged body shaking – quite a sight. Males can be very persistent, and it is essential that there are adequate hiding places for females.

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

Eureka strain

A nice colourful male

BREEDING: A relatively easily bred cichlid; Aulonocara jacobfreibergi is a typical matriachal mouth brooder. The breeding display consists of prolonged body shaking – quite a sight. Males can be very persistent, and it is essential that there are adequate hiding places for females.

Have you bred Aulonocara jacobfreibergi? 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 Aulonocara jacobfreibergi, 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

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How to look afterHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Gery, 1961

(Other members of the genus Hyphessobrycon)

ADULT SIZE: 4 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Moderately soft and acidic

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-27 C

FOOD: Feed Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi live and dried foods. This species tends to inhabit the upper stratas of the tank, and although quite happy eating all manor of dried and frozen foods, certainly relishes free-swimming live foods (Daphnia, Artemia, Mosquito larvae) and, when available surface foods like fruit flies.

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Brazil

AQUARIUM CARE: A lively shoaling species, peaceful, and a good community fish. Although it’s common name is the Black Neon Tetra, it is actually unrelated to the Neon Tetra, Paracheirodon innesi. However, like the aforementioned, it does hail from similar environments in South America, most notably the Paraguay River drainage areas of Brazil. As such it prefers to live in a dark-bottomed tank, well planted, with soft water; although it will tolerate harder water.

Like all tetras it should be kept in a shoal of at least 6-8 individuals.

BREEDING: A typical egg scattering species. A special breeding tank with a substrate of marbles, as described here is ideal for breeding this species. Spawning takes place usually in the morning; eggs hatch 36 hours later. Use very soft acidic water.

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

LINKS:
fishbase

The black neon tetra is a great community fish

The colouration of the sexes is similar, however female fish are deeper bodied than the males

The Black Neon Tetra prefers a darker tank, with shading from floating plants and a dark substrate

Like all tetras, this species needs to be kept as part of a shoal of at least 6-8 fish

BREEDING: A typical egg scattering species. A special breeding tank with a substrate of marbles, as described here is ideal for breeding this species. Spawning takes place usually in the morning; eggs hatch 36 hours later. Use very soft acidic water.

Have you bred Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterTateurndina ocellicauda

Peacock goby, Rainbow gudgeon

(Nichols, 1955)

(Other members of the genus Tateurndina)

ADULT SIZE: 5 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 24-28 C

FOOD: Feed Tateurndina ocellicauda small live-foods and fine grade dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from New Guinea

AQUARIUM CARE: A stunning goby! This species does best in a well planted tank with lots of hiding places and sopme open water.

BREEDING: Males guard eggs which are laid together on the substrate. Fry should be raised separately on newly hatched artemia nauplii.

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

BREEDING: Males guard eggs which are laid together on the substrate. Fry should be raised separately on newly hatched artemia nauplii.

Have you bred Tateurndina ocellicauda? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.

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How to look afterScleropages formosus

Golden Arowana

(Müller & Schlegel, 1844)

(Other members of the genus Scleropages)

ADULT SIZE: 50 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-26 C

FOOD: Feed Scleropages formosus predominantly live foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines

AQUARIUM CARE: The Asian Arowana is a very large fish, reaching almost a meter in length, and therefore unsuitable for all but the largest of home aquaria. It is however a beautiful fish, and fetches very high prices when sold. It is highly prized in Asia, where it occurs over a vast range – usually prefering slow-moving blackwater streams. A highly predatory fish; in captivity only keep with large tankmates.

BREEDING: This species is a paternal mouth-brooder; the male fish looks after the eggs, and upon hatching, the fry, for up to two months.

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

A red-tailed golden Arowana

The arrowana is a large powerful fish with heavy scales as seen here

BREEDING: This species is a paternal mouth-brooder; the male fish looks after the eggs, and upon hatching, the fry, for up to two months.

Have you bred Scleropages formosus? 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 Scleropages formosus, 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

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How to look afterPoecilia reticulata

Guppy, Millions fish

Peters, 1859

(Other members of the genus Poecilia)

ADULT SIZE: 6 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 20-29 C

FOOD: Feed Poecilia reticulata small live-foods and fine grade dried foods

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Brazil, Barbados, Trinidad, Venezuela

AQUARIUM CARE: A terrific community fish that will breed easily in a community tank. Because of it’s bright colours, ease of keeping and mild temperament, the guppy is one of the all-time most popular aquarium species, probably the best first fish for a new aquarist.

BREEDING: This requires almost no attention. The live-borne fry can be raised on flake food. Remove fry to a separate rearing tank or provide a well-planted tank to improve numbers surviving to adulthood.

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

Gold cofre-tailed guppy

Females have less of the colouration of the males, and in some cases no colouration at all

Guppys come in many varieties!

BREEDING: This requires almost no attention. The live-borne fry can be raised on flake food. Remove fry to a separate rearing tank or provide a well-planted tank to improve numbers surviving to adulthood.

Have you bred Poecilia reticulata? 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! 10 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 Poecilia reticulata, 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

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How to look afterDermogenys pusillus

Half-beak

van Hasselt, 1823

(Other members of the genus Dermogenys)

ADULT SIZE: 10 cm

WATER CONDITIONS: Not critical

TEMPERATURE RANGE: 23-27 C

FOOD: Feed Dermogenys pusillus live and dried foods. As a surface feeder, live flightless fruit fly (drosophila) make an excellent treat for these fish.

DISTRIBUTION: This species comes from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

AQUARIUM CARE: The half beaks are charming surface dwelling fish that are prone to fight. They are difficult to keep as they will fight, jump, and damage themselves by slamming into tank sides if scared. They are best kept in a well planted tank with surface vegetation. A challenge even for the most experienced aquarist.

BREEDING: A difficult livebearer that often suffers in captivity. Good feeding is essential to sucessful breeding, including insects, fruit flies etc

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

Dermogenys pusillus male.

The female halfbeak (foreground) is noticeably larger than the male, and also paler in coloration

BREEDING: A difficult livebearer that often suffers in captivity. Good feeding is essential to sucessful breeding, including insects, fruit flies etc

Have you bred Dermogenys pusillus? Why not fill in a breeding questionaire?

Sorry no records.