Author Archives: Paul_

Boraras maculatus

24. June 2009

The Dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus, formerly known as Rasbora maculata) is the species of genus Boraras (which currently comprises five species, all of them will become presented in the upcoming days) that is known for the longest time in the hobby. None of these species grows bigger than 2-3 cm and thus they are perfect candidates for the so-called nano-aquaria. All like to be kept in soft and acidic water, rather dark tanks, that should nevertheless be well planted (best use swimming plants), fine live food (although they also take readily dried food) and company of their own kind.

The Dwarf rasbora inhabits the malayian peninsula, southern Thailand and Sumatra. Initially it was often thought to represent the juvenile of the much larger growing species Rasbora kalochroma, but observations of the fish in aquaria and their successful breeding left no doubt on the validity of the species.

There do exist lots of varieties of the Dwarf rasbora which may proof to be different species one day. Typical for all of them is the large shoulder spot, which is in any cases bigger than the eye. The ground coloration of the body depends on the variety and can be light orange up to deep red. Some populations have an additional black spot (all Dwarf rasboras have three black blotches: one on the shoulder, one on the origin of the anal fin, and one on the caudal fin base) on the beginning of the caudal peduncle right above the anal fin.

For our customers: the species has code 452702 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale market.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Malaysia
Verfügbare Größe in cm 1-2

Laetacara araguaiae, Laetacara fulvipinnis

23. June 2009

Laetacara sp. „Buckelkopf“ described scientifically

Laetacara sp. „Buckelkopf“ is known in the hobby for many years already. The somewhat unusal common name (the German word „Buckelkopf“ means „humphead“) derives from the feature developed by some very old males, but this happens rather seldom. It is a typical dwarf cichlid, the males grow to a length of about 8, the females of about 6 cm. The typical open brooders with biparental care are easy to keep and breed.

Now the species has been formally described by F. P. Ortoni and W. J. E. M. Costa as Laetacara araguaiae. According to the authors the species comes from the Rio Verde in the Rio Araguaia drainage. However, aquarium literature gives a much wider distrubition, namely the southeastern tributaries of the Amzon river from the Tapajos to the mouth of the Amazon and also the Xingu river.

So finally the second species of Laetacara that had to be named provisionally by aquarists (Laetacara sp. „Orangefin“ has been described already in 2007 by W. Staeck and I. Schindler as L. fulvipinnis from Venezuela) has valid a scientific name.

Interstingly the authors obviously inteded to describe a further species of Laetacara and by mistake in two occasions this species is mentioned under the name L. minuatacara (pp. 45 and 46) in the paper. However, this name remains a nomen nudum without any validity, but clearly shows that we can expect more new species in this interesting genus.

The original papers can be downloaded for free as pdf-files from http://globiz.sachsen.de/snsd/publikationen/vertebrate-zoology/vz57-1/57-1_Staeck_63-71.pdf for L. fulvipinnis and http://globiz.sachsen.de/snsd/publikationen/vertebrate-zoology/vz59-1/05_Vertebrate_Zoology_59-1_Costa_03.pdf for L. araguaiae.

For our customers: Laetacara araguaiae has code 603001, L. fulvipinnis 683302 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

All Laetacara species are illustrated in Aqualog Southamerican Cichlids III, which can be ordered here: http://www.animal-book.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p4_Southamerican-Cichlids-III.html

Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: H. J. Mayland, Aqualog archieves

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien / Brazil, Venezuela
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-5

Nannostomus sp. „Purple“ has been scientifically decribed as N. rubrocaudatus!

19. June 2009

A strikingly beautiful Nannostomus species from Peru, known in the trade under the names Nannostomus marginatus „Purple“ or N. marginatus „Red“ for some time already, has now been described scientifically by Axel Zarske from Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, Museum für Tierkunde as Nannostomus rubrocaudatus. The type specimens originated from Peru and were imported by our company.

At the first glimpse the species reminds one on the popular N. mortenthaleri, but a closer look shows clear differences. For example, in N. mortenthaleri the belly is always white, in N. rubrocaudatus never.

Both species have a well developed sexual dimorphism and dichromatism. Although only the males show red colours over the whole body, the intensity of this coloration depends much on the mood of the fish. However, the females´ ventral fins have a different shape from the males´ ones, so it is always possible to distunguish the sexes.

The maximum length of N. rubrocaudatus is 3 – 3.5 cm, but they should not be kept in small aquaria. The males fight quite fiercly and without enough space for the looser to flee there might occur even injuries. Otherwise the keeping of the fish is complication free.

The natural distribution is in Peru, Prov. Loreto. Here the fish is collected commercially in the small village Saramirisa at the banks of the Maranon (the upper Amazon river) between the rivers Morona and Santiago. The fish live beween twigs and can be collected only piece by piece, thus the realtive high price in the trade. Mass-collecting like in many other species of Nannostomus, where thousands of specimens can be cought with only one netting, are not possible in N. rubrocaudatus and N. mortenthaleri.

The scientific paper can be downloaded for free under http://globiz.sachsen.de/snsd/publikationen/vertebrate-zoology/vz59-1/02_Vertebrate_Zoology_59-1_Zarske.pdf

For our customers: Nannostomus mortenthaleri has code 272256, N. rubrocaudatus 272264 on our stocklist.Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: Frank Schäfer and Erwin Schraml/Aqualog archieves

Axelrodia riesei – Ruby tetra

17. June 2009

Once more we were able to import a good number of beautiful Axelrodia riesei from Colombia. These tiny little fish – wild collected animals are sexually mature at a size of 1.5-2 cm, in aquaria they can reach a size up to 3 cm – fully deserve their popular name – they are brillant ruby red. The species is endemic in the upper Rio Meta region.

One should keep these fish in a one-species tank. If necessary, only small, peaceful species should be added as tankmates. Ruby tetras are not schooling fish, but should nevertheless be kept in groups, for they build up a hierarchy and this species-specific behaviour can not be lived out when congeneers are missing.

The beautiful ruby red coloration is in part differing individually – among a shipment of ruby red ones are also always some more yellowish specimens. In part it is also a consequence of the aquarium settlement. Ideally the tank for Ruby tetras is only slightly illuminated, has dark ground, many hiding places, the surface is covered with floating plants and the water has a deep brown-black colour due to alder“cones“ (female catkins of Alnus glutinosa). The water should be soft and acidic (less than 10°GH, pH between 4.5 and 6.5), the temperature can be between 20 and 26°C. Ruby tetras feed on any usual fishfood, but feeding them with Cyclops will intensify the red colours.

For our customers: the fish have code 209912 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale market.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Kolumbien / Colombia
Verfügbare Größe in cm 1-2

Colorful Great Ramshorn snails

16. June 2009

The Great Ramshorn snail (Planorbarius corneus, formerly known as Planorbis corneus) is kept in aquaria and garden ponds since the beginning of the hobby. They grow to a relatively large size (maximum 4 cm) and do not touch living plants. They feed exclusively on algae and detritus. This snail has a red blood that contains hemoglobin. Thus albinos have a bright red body.

The wild type of the Great Ramshorn is imported each year from eastern Europe for pond keepers. Now and then these shipments contain also albinos.

Now breeders in Singapore were successful in breeding full red and blue sports of this snail. For the first time we are now able to offer these attractive animals.

Keeping and breeding of the Great Ramshorn is extremely easy. As they are hermaphrodites, two animals are in any case a pair. They breath through lungs and so at least a part of the oxygen they need is taken from the air. The maximum age they can reach is about 3 years, but in the wild only very few specimens get that old. The water temperature should be between 12 and 25°, hardness should be at least 10°KH (more is better), the pH can be between 6.5 and 8.5.

For our customers: the wild Great Ramshorn has code 879403, the bright red 486522, the blue one 486512 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Tanichthys micagemmae – Jewel minnow

15. June 2009

Tanichthys micagemmae – Zwergkardinälchen Tanichthys micagemmae – Zwergkardinälchen

Currently two species f the genus Tanichthys are known in the hobby: the White Cloud Mountain minnow Tanichthys albonubes, and the Jewel Minnow, T. micagemmae. The White Cloud is available exclusively as bred specimens, wheras the Jewel minnows is also imported as wild collected fish. The Jewel minnow has been discovered in 2001 in Central Vietnam.

The maximum size of the Jewel minnow is less than 3 cm, so the species is an ideal fish for the so-called nano-aquaria. Males and females can easily become distinguished by the shape and colour of dorsal and anal fin, which are much larger and more colorful in males.

The Jewel minnow should be kept and bred in schools. The fish are completely peaceful among any other fish. If they are kept in a one-species tank no additional heater is necessary in indoor aquaria. The species spawn in fine plant material. The offspring swims close under the water surface. If the parental are fed properly and with a good variety of food, usually some of the young survive even in the community tank (surface plants are necessary, especially Riccia).

Tanichthy micagemmae is a real gem and every fishkeeper should have tried it.

For our customers: the fish have code 459002 on our stockliste. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Vietnam
Verfügbare Größe in cm 2

Corydoras longipinnis

12. June 2009

We were able to import a new Corydoras species from Argentina, namely Corydoras longipinnis. This species has been scientifically described as recently as 2007 by Joachim Knaack. The new species is a close relative to the well known Corydoars paleatus and reminds one somewhat of the longfinned sport of that species. In Corydoras longipinnis only males develope long extended pectoral fins, whereas in the longfinned sport of C. paleatus also the females show that feature.

Corydoras longipinnis is a subtropical species and should therefore be kept at room temperature. For those who have the opportunity: it can be kept in garden ponds during summertime. Breeding C. longipinnis is easy and is the same as in C. paleatus. That means the fish must be fed heavily until the females show a swollen belly and then you have to change repeatingly a great amount of water and fill up with cool water (3-5°C cooler than the old water). This triggers mating and spawning.

Corydoras longipinnis should be kept in groups of at least 7 specimens. It is completely peaceful against congeneers and all other tankmates. The fish take readily any usual fishfood. Plants become not destroyed. The water parameters are of no great relevance. The pH should not be lower than 6 and not higher than 8.5.

For our customers: Corydoras longipinnis has code 233552, C. paleatus 239502 and C. paleatus „Longfin“ 239702 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Literature: Knaack, J. (2007): Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Callichthyidae (Teleostei: Siluruformes). III. Corydoras longipinnis sp. n. – ein neuer Panzerwels aus dem río Dulce in Argentinien (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Callichthyidae). Vertebrate Zoology 57 (1): 35-55

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Argentinien / Argentina
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-5

Aphyosemion celiae celiae

10. June 2009

Killifishes of the genus Aphyosemion are among the most colorful fishes of the World. They become only a few centimetres long (in the case of Aphyosemion celiae: about 5 cm). Many killifishes are thought to be short living, delicate fish, aggressive towards other fish and difficult to maintain. A. celiae belongs to the species that show that killifishes are different. They originate from western Cameroon, but we offer currently only captive bred specimens. A. celiae belongs to the same subgenus (Mesoaphyosemion) as the well known Cap Lopez (A. australe) does. Like the latter they can be easily kept in somewhat harder water of about 8-14°dGH. The eggs become attached to submersed plant material, roots etc. A. celiae can reach an age of three years and becomes even more beautiful with growing age. The fish should be kept at temperatures of 20-25°C. They feed readily on any usual fish food, but prefer frozen or live food. There should not be too much light over the tank; the fish look best when there is peat or some dead leaves on the ground and swimming plants cover the surface.

For our customers: The fish have code 305802 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-5

Tucanoichthys tucano

8. June 2009

Once more we were able to import a real jewel among the tetras for the first time ever: Tucanoichthys tucano. This tiny little species attains a maximum length of around 2 cm and is thatfore an ideal fish for nano aquaria. Tucanoichthys lives endemic in the upper Rio Negro basin, to be more precise in the Rio Uaupes. Fishes from that region should be kept in very soft, strongly acidic water (pH 5). The water should be coloured brownish with humidic acids. Males have red in the caudal and anal fin, which is missing in females.

In dark aquaria the pastel, but shining colours of the fish are presented best.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Mountain crystal tetra, Leptagoniates pi

5. June 2009

Glassfishes occur in many fish families. In the hobby we know for example glass perches (Parambassis etc.) and glass catfishes (Kryptopterus); occasionally also glass gobies (Gobiopterus) and Crystal danios (Danionella) are kept in aquaria. All these fishes come from South and South East Asia. Now we were able to import from South America a species new for the hobby: the Mountain crystal tetra, Leptagoniates pi. We obtained the fish from Peru, the species was oringinally described from Bolivia. The fish attains a length of about 4 cm. Very characteristic and species-specific is the swim bladder, which is parted in two and has a connection on the top, thus forming a figure that reminds one to the ancient greece letter „Pi“. This is why the species is named as it is.

The very special form of the swim bladder can be seen on this photo.

Mountain crystal tetras are very peaceful fishes, maybe a bit shy. They should be always kept in schools. Although they are so colourless (or maybe due their colourlessness?) they are real eyecatchers. The Mountain crystal tetra can be kept in community tanks without problems. Any usual fish food is readily taken, aquatic plants will not become damaged by the fish.

For our customers: the animals have code 266002 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale trade.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Cyprinella lutrensis (= Notropis lutrensis)

4. June 2009

Cyprinella lutrensis (= Notropis lutrensis) Cyprinella lutrensis (= Notropis lutrensis)

Currently extremely beautiful bred specimens from Cyprinella lutrensis are exported from SE-Asia. This up to 7 cm (very rarely up to 9 cm) long cyprinid originates from North America up to Mexico where several subspecies are known. So one might think that this species is a coldwater fish. In fact the species can tolerate a wide spectrum of water tempertaures. One can keep these beautiful and peaceful fishes in the garden pond, in the unheated indoor tank or in the tropical aquarium. They should be always kept in schools, as they need to live in community of their own kind. The peaceful, omnivorous fishes do not require any special water conditions. The males develope white pimples on the head during breeding season, as many other cyprinids do as well. It is a freespawning species that does not care for the eggs or offspring in any way. Breeding is quite easy, even in aquaria.

For our customers: the animals have code 867004 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale market.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft USA bzw. Südostasien / USA, Southeast Asia resp.
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-7

A fantastic lemon tetra

3. June 2009

The lemon tetra, Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis, belongs to the most important ornamental fishes and can be found in almost any pet shop. Like in so many other very common species no one gives a thought on them. But even the lemon tetra keeps a lot of secrets…..

The origin of the lemon tetra was not known until 1980, although the species has already been scientifically described in 1937. The scientific description based on specimens imported for the ornamental fish trade and so the origin could be given only vaguely as „probably Amazon river“. Although breeding the lemon tetra is not that easy (not every pair will spawn readily and females have to spawn very often for otherwise their eggs become infertile etc.) no wild caughts came in anymore. So it lasted until 1980 when Gery found that the natural range of the species lies in the lower Amazon basin, to be more precise in the lower and middle Tapajós between Itaituba and Jacare Acanga, and in brooks flowing towards the Rio Curua do Sol. Other sources give also the Xingu and the Tocantins.

The ancestors of our new lemon tetra which we can offer in wonderful German bred specimens are said to originate from Bolivia. They differ from the well known lemon tetra due to their brillant orange basic colour and the lack of the typical black border of the anal fin. According to our breeder the breeding behaviour is also different. So it is very likely that our new lemon tetra belongs to a so far undescribed species.

Keeping the new lemon tetra is very easy and even beginners can do it. One should keep the up to 4.5 cm long animal in little groups in well structured aquaria. Every individual will form a small territory after settlement and defend it against congeneers. They feed on any commercial and living fishfood, tempertaure can be between 22 and 28°C. In soft and slighlty acidic water they become most beautiful, but these water conditions are not necessary for a successful keeping.

For comparison: the classical lemon tetra

For our customers: the new animals, called „Orange Bolivia“ by us, have code 261632, the classical lemon tetra code 261603 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text Frank Schäfer, Photos: Frank Schäfer and H.-J. Mayland/Aqualog archieves

Rasbora kalochroma

29. May 2009

Rasbora kalochroma

We can offer currently one of the most beautiful rasboras, Rasbora kalochroma, in perfect condition. The species originates from the islands Borneo, Sumatra, Banka, and Biliton and the Malay Peninsula. Here they inhabit waterbodies with very soft, acidic and deep dark brown water (so-called blackwater). Like many other fishes from these waters (a prominent example is the chocolate gourami) R. kalochroma is somewhat difficult to transport. In nature, they live in virtually bacteria free water. In the small amount of water that must be used for transport bacteria grow very fast. The stress caused by these masses of bacteria suppresses the immune system of the fish. This has in consequence that the fish are very sensitve against any diseases although under regular conditions these diseases would not harm the fish at all.

That is the reason why in former days species like Rasbora kalochroma were thought to be impossible to keep. The very sophisticated way ornamental fish are transported today solved the problem. Fast transport and UV-burners that effectively low down the bacterial pressure during the inital settlement of the fishes swept the stigma of unkeepability of R. kalochroma away. However, R, kalochroma are still demanding fishes, but any hobbyist is able to fullfil their needs.

And so we can hope that in the near future also the riddle of breeding the species will be solved. Until today virtually nothing is known about that……

For our customers: the animals have code 453202 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Borneo
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-5

Trachelyopterus galeatus

28. May 2009

Already in 1766 this species was described under the name Silurus galeatus by the founder of the zoological nomenclature, Carl von Linné. It is extremely widespread in South America. Today this fish is classified in the family Auchenipteridae, and within this family in the subfamily Auchenipterinae. The species in Auchenipterinae share a very special feature: the males have the first rays of the anal fin modified as a sexual organ.

Currently, we have wonderful and large (12-15 cm) specimens from Guyana in stock. The sexual differences can easily be spotted and so there is a good opportunity for breeders to try themselves on this extraordinary species. Details of the breeding behaviour are still unknown. It is believed that they have an internal fertilization. The only thing known for sure is that they spawn at night times exclusively.

A common name for Trachelyopterus galeatus is „Driftwood Catfish“. Is is a nocturnal species. The fish should be kept in large tanks with lots of hiding places. Tnakmates should not be too small (minimum half length of the catfish), otherwise they could be mistaken for food. The water parameters are neglegtable in this species, temperature should be between 22°C and 28°C. They can be fed with any usual fishfood, but one should keep in mind that it necessary to feed them in the afternoon.

For our customers: the fish have code 297555 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Guyana
Verfügbare Größe in cm 12-15

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi „Electric Blue“

25. May 2009

The Ram is one of the most beautiful aquarium fishes. The wild Ram originates from the llanos of the Orinoco. The newest sport of this dwarf cichlids is blue all over the body. It is virtually impossible to illustrate this very special colour in a high resolution picture. Only reducing the resolution brings the effect to see the „Electric Blue“ coloration in a way as one sees the fish with bare eyes.

Text: Frank Schäfer, Photos: Frank Schäfer und Roman Neunkirchen

Opsodoras stuebelii

22. May 2009

The Doradidae family contains around 90 species in about 35 genera. Thus they represent only a minority among the huge number of catfishes existing in South America. But all dordadid catfishes are really bizzarre and desirable creatures for catfish enthusiasts.

There are dordaid catfishes that reach around one metre in length, but for Opsodoras stuebelii only 10-15 cm total length are reported. Our specimens originate from Paraguay and were determined using the standard aquarium literature; however, there is some indication that our fish in truth represent a species completely new to science (the „real“ Opsodoras stuebelii has a much longer snout). Among the insiders of the „catfish scene“ our fish is thatfore also known as „Doradidae sp. 2“.

Many doradid catfish are nocturnal and hide during daytimes. This is not true for O. stuebelii, which is pretty active during daytimes. Against congeneers O. stuebelii are totally peaceful, and although they cannot be termed schooling fish they like to stand together in groups.

Regarding food and water parameters O. stuebelii are totally unpretending and represent a hardy beginner´s species. One should only keep in mind that they originate from subtropical areas and should not be kept year-in year-out too warm.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Paraguay
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-7

Astacus astacus

30. April 2009

The Noble or River cray, Astacus astacus, is sadly in danger of extinction in central Europe. The reason for this are the extreme destruction of the natural habitats in combination with the introduction of a Northamerican species between 1860 and 1870. This species, the so-called Camber cray (Orconectes limosus) was infested with a disease. This fungus does no harm to the Camber cray at all, but kills all European species. The disease was called the crayfish pestilence. Later, another Northamerican species (Procambarus clarkii) was introduced in southern Europe and brought the crayfish pestilence in the remaining territory of the native European species. Both Camber cray and Procambarus clarkii were introduced as food sources.

We can offer Noble crays from special, disease free breeding farms for pond and aquarium keeping. The small underwater knights are omnivorous, but the main part of their natural diet forms dead plant material. So dead leaves from oak, beech and so on should be available for the animals the whole time through. It is esssential that the water temperature never gets higher than 18°C.

Males and females can easily be distinguished from each other. Only the males have a special pair of legs, the so-called gonopdes, which serve as genitals. The gonopodes reach in between the last pair of walking legs. In females there is simply nothing between the swimming legs (pleopods) and the walking legs. After mating the females carry the eggs between the pleopods until they hatch.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Deutschland / Germany
Verfügbare Größe in cm 8-10

Hydrolycus scomberoides

29. April 2009

The Dogtooth characins (Hydrolycus) are small genus of tetras (four species) that have a wide distribution in tropical South America. They have in common very long saber-like teeth in the lower jaw. In the upper jaw cave-like notches are present, as otherwise the fish would not be able to close the mouth.

These saber-teeth are used to stab the fish the Dogtooth characins feed on to death before they eat them.

Hydrolycus scomberoides is one of the largest species of the genus. The maximum length reported so far is more than a meter. This fish weighs around 18 kg. So it is clear that this species can be kept in very large aquaria only.

H. scomberoides can be easily recognized by a distinct black spot on the innermost rays of the pectoral fins. This is a feature unique to that species.

In the aquarium H. scomberoides require not much space (compared with other fish), as well settles specimens do not move much. They stand in their genus-typical head-down position and wait for prey. Although these predators stand clear to congeneers they are not aggressiv e at all. Water temperature should be between 22 and 28°C. The remaining water conditions are of no great importance. Live fish are prefered as prey, but well settled specimens will also accept dead fish for food.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm 8-12

Nannostomus anduzei

28. April 2009

For the first time ever we were able to import this tiny fish in larger numbers. Until now the fish was available only by accidental by-catches. Please read more about this new jewel for nano tanks:

Within the family Lebiasinidae, sixteen scientifically accepted species of the genus Nannostomus are known. Still, in aquatic specialist shops only seven different species are offered: N.beckfordi, N.harrisoni, N.marginatus, N. mortenthaleri, N.trifasciatus, and the two 'head-ups' N.eques and N.unifasciatus. occasionally N. digrammus, N. espei and N. limatus are also available.Until today, one other species, N.britskii, is completely unknown to the aquatic world.

Hardly anything can be said about colouration or appearance in general. All other species are fairly known to aquarists but not available in the shops because there is no demand for them. Every now and then, some specimens of the species N.anduzei FERNANDEZ & WEITZMAN, 1987 come as accidental catches to Europe.It can sometimes be found in catches of the Blue Neon, Paracheirodon simulans.Very often, the fish are ignored due to their smallness: they only reach a maximum length of 1.8 cm! With this maximum length, N.anduzei is the smallest species of the genus. By the way: the genus type is N.beckfordi. The authors FERNANDEZ and WEITZMAN named the pretty dwarftetra in honour of Dr Pablo Anduze who supported their research of the fish world of southern Venezuela in every possible way.The reference specimens of this fairly 'new' species come from a collection of a freshwater lagoon that is about 15 km north of Puerto Ayacucho, in the upper regions of the Rio Orinoco. The water temperature in the lagoon was nearly 30° C, the pH differed from 5.0 to 7.0. A second place where N.anduzei was found is in northern Brazil. Dr WEITZMAN was asked to identify a collection of fish from this particular place; several specimens of N.anduzei were among them.The fish had been collected in the waters of a savanna in the Rio Negro area. These stretches of water belong to the Rio Ererê which comes from the North and flows (about 250 km northwest of the mouth of the Rio Branco) into the Rio Negro, near the Rio Padauari which came to our knowledge through exciting catches of Dwarf cichlids.This particular place is one of the socalled 'black water' regions. Interestingly, the fish caught there have the same colouration as the specimens caught in Venezuela but the males of the Brazilian form have a much longer anal fin. N. anduzei differs from all other Nannostomus species in the lacking of dark spots or bars in night colouration. In night colouration these fish seem to be transparent and display a golden shine while the red in the anal fin and the caudal base is hardly recognizable. The fish that are imported as accidental catches probably come from the Rio Ererê region. For keeping them one needs only a small aquarium with a volume of about 10 to 30 litres. At water parametres of 27° C, pH 7 or slightly below and 10°dH hardness the precious little fish are absolutely unproblematic to keep. For feeding one should use (due to the smallness of the fish) very fine, sieved Cyclops, sometimes small Grindal Worms or artemia nauplia.Occasionally they also enjoy fine dry food. If you keep a swarm of N. anduzei under the conditions mentioned above you will soon observe the first courtship rituals of the males.Now, the dominant males display a blood red caudal fin base and anal fin. The golden horizontal bar shines in a light green and the brown back as well as the brown horizontal band below the gold-green bar turns grey-brown. After this impressive courtship display one of course hopes for numerous offspring of this pretty and rare fish. But although I very often watched courtship rituals the fish never spawned. So I decided to try to breed with a swarm of four males and six females which were all animals that I had picked out from several Blue Neon imports. I set up an 8 litre breeding tank; 2/3 of the bottom were cushioned with Java-moss, the surface was covered by Ceratopteris. The spring water I used had pH 6.3 and 2° dH hardness.The swarm was kept like this for ten days; artemia nauplia were fed daily.The food remains accummulated in the light front part of the tank and were carefully sucked out every two days.Afterwards I filled up the tank with fresh spring water. Three days after I had removed the adults from the breeding tank I could see tiny zygotes that stuck to the panes.This way it was easy to measure them: they were three milimetres long, grey-white in colour and very thin. The head with the clearly visible eye was thicker than the rest of the body. Every two days I carefully added two drops of Liquifry to the tank water. At the beginning of the third week I gave some artemia nauplia into the tank but I could not see whether they were eaten or not. After three weeks I removed all plants from the tank.To my disappointment, there were only six young fish. Still, those six were now 4 mm long and had put on considerable weight.As the plants were removed, I could now watch the fry eating the nauplia. At this stage I dared to suck out some mud and fill up the tank with spring water. For eating food remains I put in several Posthornsnails. Although this very first breeding of N. anduzei was not too successful regarding numbers, it still showed that it is possible to breed the dwarf species in the aquarium. It might be possible that the species is (like many of its relatives) a predator of its own eggs. If this is the case it could be wiser to breed only in pairs. It will surely be possible to improve breeding results so that the pretty species can be part of its owner's life for a long time.

Text & Photos: Dieter Bork
Reprint from AqualogNews No 7, actualized 4/2009

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Venezuela
Verfügbare Größe in cm 1-2

Markiana nigripinnis

24. April 2009

We were able to import one of the most unusual tetras again: Markiana nigripinnis. Our specimens originate from Argentina. The species inhabits the river basins of the Paraná, Paraguay and the Marmoré (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay). Due to the southern subtropical region where the fish occurs it is not necessary to install a heater in the tank. During summertime the fish can be kept even in garden ponds. Specimens brought in in autumn again show extraordinary brillant colours.

The body colour is blue-green-metalic-silvery, on the base of the caudal fin is a black spot, a humeral spot is present, but not always visible. Along the horizontal scale rows are black zickzack lines. The most obvious feature is the very long anal fin which has a brillant orange colour. This colour can be hardly found in other species of ornamental fish. There are specimens with deep orange, black bordered anal fins (males?) and specimens with light orange analfins without a black border (females?).
M. nigripinnis is easy to keep. Water conditions are of no great importance. It is an omnivorous species that needs to be fed with plant material, too. It grows to a common size of 12 cm, rarely 15 cm total length. As it is a relatively large and lively fish that must  be kept in schools, one should have a large tank to keep them. Given the fact that M. nigripinnis is a hardy and not shy species it is an ideal companion for large cichlids like Geophagus brasiliensis for example.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Geophagus dicrozoster and G. abalios

22. April 2009

The beautiful eartheaters of the Geophagus-surinamensis relationship are among the most colorful cichlids, shining in all colours of the rainbow. There are numerous species and some of them even have colour varieties in different river systems. As these are currently not recognized by scientists, we help ourselves in adding the river´s name behind the scientific name in these cases.

Six species of that group (in the widest sense) occur in Venzuela. Two of them, Geophagus dicrozoster and G. abalios, are regularly imported by us. Their natural range is the Orinoco river, the Casquiare river (this is the river that connects the Orinoco and the Rio Negro) and – at least G. dicrozoster – also the upper reaches of the Rio Negro. Both species are really lookalikes, at least as juveniles, and often occur together in the wild.

The only feature observable in live fish that enables one to distinguish young specimens of these two species is the prsence or absence of a black stripe on the pre-operculum. In G. abalios this stripe is always missing, in G. dicrozoster always present. Sadly fish under some stress (for example when they are caught with a net) often do not show the stripe at all. So it is often impossible to sort young fish in the wholesale trade.

We are therefore not able to give a 100% guarantee that all our fish belong to G. dicrostoster. The one or the other G. abalios may hide among them. So we decided to give them the name G. cf. dicrozoster on our stocklist.

G. dicrozoster can become around 20cm long, as well as G. abalios. In rare occasions they even might grow a bit larger. The species should be kept in clean, soft and acidic water. In the wild they are stricly limited to blackwater streams. Only when kept under those water conditions they develope the full colours. G. dicrozoster like it warm, temperatures of around 28°C are perfect. It is essential to enable the fish to „eat“ fine sand. This is an important part of the natural behaviour of the fish. Moreover it keeps the fish healthy for this „sandeating“ cleans their gills in a way that is comparable with our teethbrushing.

Text: Frank Schäfer
Photos: Thomas Weidner

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Venezuela
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-8

Hypancistrus L236xx

21. April 2009

The Brazilian species of the genus Hypancistrus are currently not allowed to be exported from the country. Thus L-numbers of this genus, like L236 from the Rio Iriri, are available as bred specimens only. Among the last brood we received was one extraordinary specimen, which is depicted here.

Text & Photo: Frank Schäfer

Acipenser ruthenus

16. April 2009

The Sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus, is one of the smallest species of sturgeon known so far. However, even this species can grow to more than one meter in length. The biggest specimen known was 125 cm long, but around 60 cm is a more common size.

Like all sturgeons this species is endangered due to overfishing and – this is by far more important – by destruction of the natural habitats. So it is protected by international law (CITES). It is still not necessary to have a special licence for selling live specimens in Germany.

The sterlet is one of the very few species of sturgeon that are able to live their whole life through in pure fresh water. Most species spawn in fresh water, but return to the sea as well as the young go to the sea as soon as they are able to. The sterlet also is a wanderer, but it wanders only upstreams as it lives already in freshwater. The keeper must nevertheless be careful in spawning season, as the fish tend to leave the pond during that time.

Our sterlets are – like all sturgeons in the ornamental fish trade – bred by specialized breeders. We can offer as a very rare sport also some albino specimens. These are on a very high demand for garden ponds, as they can be observed much better due to their white colour.

All sturgeons, also the sterlet, become very tame in captivity and search for food on the surface of the pond. They can become easy prey for cats as long as they are small fish. So take care that pussycat doesn´t get an extremely expensive dinner!

For our customers: albino sterlets have code 801016 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm 20-25

Lepomis gibbosus

15. April 2009

The pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) is one of the most beautiful coldwater fishes. Moreover it has a very interesting behaviour. The species originates from central parts of the North American continent. The continental climate (hot summers, cold winters) makes the pumkinseed a hardy fish and so it was transferred by humans to many regions as a foodfish. To Europe it was brought around 1880 for the first time. Since then it became a native fish in Europe but was not able to settle over the whole continent.

Nowadays the pumkinseed is blamed as an unwanted and useless species in Europe. In its natural habitat the fish grows up to 25 cm, but in Europe it stays small. How come? Indigenous North American populations of the pumkinseed serve as food fish for many predators. The strategy of the pumkinseed is a a very high reproduction rate. In Europe these predators are missing what leads to a mass-reproduction and the fish stay dwarfish. This phenomenon is also known from other fish species. The perch (Perca fluviatilis) also becomes dwarfish where predators are missing. And so the pumpkinseed usually grows only up to 5-10 cm in Europe.

In aquaria the fish can become much older than in nature. Like all fish the pumkinseed can grow its whole live through and so aquarium specimens can grow to a captial size. In the garden pond, on the other hand, they usually stay small (around 15 cm). With growing age the adaptability to changes in the enviroment lessenes and so most pumkinseeds die at the age of around 5 years due to weatherchanges or something similiar. It is wise to buy small individuals (4-5 cm) as their adaptability is high and they easily adopt to live in the new environment.

The garden pond for pumkinseeds should contain shallow parts with fine sand. Good growth of submerged plants is also important for the fish. Clear and clean water ist preferred. Pumpkinseed are small preators which feed on insect larvae, amphibian larvae, small fish and so on. They can be fed easily with frozen bloodworm, but will almost ever refuse dried food.

Males become bigger than the females and are more colourful. A pairbinding is not known in the species, the male will readily mate with any females that will come around. The males defend territories where they take care of the brood until the fry swims free.

For our customers: the animals have code 882500 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale market.

Photo: B. Migge / Aqualog archieves
Text: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-5

Wakin Hoe Kim

14. April 2009

Goldfish are timeless classics. The number of different sports and colours seems to be neverending. Basicly all goldfish belong to the very same species, eg Carassius auratus. So every single sport is a mere variety and all the different goldfish can be crossed with each other. Most of the varieties that exist nowadays have a deep, short body. Most of them are known as „fantails“ in the hobby. These goldfish often die during winter in garden ponds in Central Europe. Their gut has a different form compared with the gut of a wild-type goldfish. So very often some food remains in the gut during winter and this leads to death in the end.

Among the „normal“ bodied goldfish varieties the Wakin is one of the most attractive for ponds. Wakin are defined as „normal“ goldfish with doubled caudal fin. They survive problem free the winter and grow to a relative big size (20-25 cm). The chinese name for the red-white Wakin is Hua he jin, whereas the Japanese name for red-white goldfisch is in general Sarasa. It is very likely that the original name „Hua he jin“ became what is nowadays „Hoe Kim“. In South East Asia, this highly attractive  red-white Wakin is bred and sold as Hoe Kim.

For our customers: the fish has code 808703 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale market.

By the way: all goldfish and varieties are depicted and explained in the unique AQUALOG „all goldfish and varieties“. Please click here for further informations.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Pygocentrus piraya

8. April 2009

The „real“ piranha, Pygocentrus piraya, is restricted to the river system of the Sao Francisco in southern Brazil. It is a up to 30 cm long species, which is characterized by its deep red breast and the mighty jaws when it is fully grown.However, even juveniles display a very attractive coloration.
Most piranha species belong to the genus Serrasalmus. Externally Pygocentrus and Serrasalmus are very similar, but the behaviour of the members of the two genera is completely different. All Serrasalmus are fin eaters and solitary fish whereas all three Pygocentrus species (P. caribe, P. nattereri and P. piraya) are schooling fish.
This means that P. piraya should be kept in real big aquaria, as it becomes a large fish and must be kept in groups. When they reach maturity, pairs build up small territories (places around large plants are most wanted). They dig out spawning pits by hitting away the gravel with the caudal fin and defend this against other fish. Only the male defends eggs (many thousands) and fry. The brood care ends when the young become free swimming.
Usually no piranha will attack a human being. Nevertheless you should keep respect as the fish have razorsharp teeth and can give really heavy bites. There is only real danger when the aquarium is too small for the fish and they cannot get out of the way or during feeding times, as by chance the piranha can take the keeper’s finger for food by mistake.
All in all P.piraya is a gorgeous fish for show tanks where it can also show its faszinating and highly developed behaviour.

Text & Photo: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien / Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-8

Garra rufa – a perfect algae eater!

7. April 2009

The doctor fish (Garra rufa) is famous due to the fact that the population of this fish that lives in the Kangal thermes in Turkey can be used to help people with bad skin diseases, like psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis and so on. This fish shows no shyness against humans at all, comes at once and behaves on the skin as it would do with its natural food: aufwuchs (algae and the small animals that live between them). It does remove dead skin and, thus, cleans up inflamed areas, permitting new tissues to grow. Especially juveniles are really mad for cleaning human skin and to eat algae. The self test made by myself to get the photos presented here clearly showed that the fish prefer to clean skin instead of wood, but nevertheless Garra rufa can be recommended as a wonderful algae eater. Which other species of algae eater can be presented to friends and visitors as a trained animal that swims to the hand as soon as you put it in the water?

Garra rufa can be easily kept in the aquarium in a temperature range between 16 and 30°C. It should be kept in a group. Maximum length is approx. 10 cm TL. For our customers: the fish has code 416451 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Available again: Pterobrycon myrnae, the Semaphore tetra

6. April 2009

New stock arrived for first calendar week 2010

And the good news is: the are considerably more favourable than last year!

It was only twice, 1998 and 2008, that we received the Semaphore Tetra by Thomas Schulz. This fish is restricted to fast running brooks in Costa Rica.

It is a spectacular tetra and luckily absolute unproblematic and peaceful. It has an internal fertalization and the female is able to store the sperms over a long period. The fish has an extreme sexual dimorphism. Females are plain blue-grey, whereas the males are particulary colorful. Only the males develope the semaphore-like long scales which are responsible for the common name. Moreover the males have longer anal and ventral fins. The females become slightly bigger (up to 55 mm total length) than the males, which stay 10-15 mm smaller. The mating rituals are very interesting to observe. During this the male presents the „semaphore scales“ widely spread. We were able to produce a little offspring from the wild collected fish which will be offered by Aquarium Glaser in very near future. The eggs are attached on substrates by the female. The sexes are distinguishable as late as when the fish are six months old. We hope that this interesting tetra will become established in the aquarium hobby now. We currently work on the F1 generation.

Text: Peter and Martin Hoffmann
Photos: Peter Hoffmann

A new pleco from the Rio Sao Francisco

1. April 2009

The Rio Sao Francisco is a large river in southern Brazil. It´s length is around 3.200 km. The ichthyofauna of the Sao Francisco is comparably  good explored, as there plans for an irrigation project. So the environment has to be explored and there were and are several studies on the fish fauna.

We currently received a shipment containing fish from the Sao Francisco, among them several plecos. One species was puzzling us, as we have never seen something like that before. On the first glimpse it reminded us on L238/LDA40 due to it´s extraordinary broad mouth. However, catfish expert Ingo Seidel kindly informed us that he thinks our new fish is a member of the genus Hypostomus.

It seems that the fish belongs to a so far undescribed species. Due to the well developed odontodes along the pectoral fin spine they are at least sexually mature, maybe even fully grown. Their current size is 5-6 cm. So they could proove to become perfect algae-eaters for smaller tanks.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Wonderful Golden Rams!

31. March 2009

We currently have an extraordinary good and healthy stock of Golden Rams, bred in Germany. They have a perfect size and are highly recommended for anybody who wants to try these beauties for the first time.

For our customers: the fish have code 686802 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Land hermits: Coenobita rugosus imported!

30. March 2009

From Taiwan we were able to import beautiful land hermits. They belong to the species Coenobita rugosus, which can be recognized by the ridge-like swellings on the upper edges of the claws. The colour is very variable and can be grey, brown or reddish. Like all Coenobita species the animal likes to live in groups. They are omnivorous and can be fed easily with flake food for fish and several vegetables. It is necessary to feed always dried leaves (oak, beech etc.). In one bowl one has to offer daily changed fresh water, in another one seawater. The terrarium should be filled 10 cm high with a mixture of sand and garden earth. It is necessary that the ground is high enough to allow the animals to burrow themselves completely. Otherwise they are unable to moult.

For more informations please see Aqualog book „All about shrimps, crayfishes, & crabs in the fresh-and brackish-water aquarium and paludarium“

For our customers: the animals have code-number 483212. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Hillstream loach week at Aquarium Glaser! Part 4: Chinese Rarities

27. March 2009

Vanmanenia pingchowensis
Only three specimens of this attractive species were imported recently. The fish are about 8 cm long and seem to be almost fully grown. The species is found in mountain strams, where they live on the bottom between pebbles.

Erromyzon sinensis
This is a small species, reaching hardly 5 cm. It is interesting that they differ much in coloration. Some specimens are almost uniform brown while others have a pattern of fine stripes. The species is restricted to the West River.

Sinogastromyzon wui
This is the only hillstream loach of today´s update that we have more or less regulary in stock. They are very pretty and reach around 6 cm in total length. The species is found on the island of Hainan and in the Zhujiang River on the Chinese mainland. Golden (xanthotistic) specimens occur regularly. Normally the basic colour of the fish is a warm brown.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Hillstream loach week at Aquarium Glaser! Part 3: Crossostoma lacustre, Homaloptera tweedei, Gastromyzon punctulatus

25. March 2009

Crossostoma lacustre

Crossostoma lacustre is a species that we were able to import for the very first time now. It is endemic on Taiwan. That means it occurs nowhere else in the World. Despite its scientific name (lacustre means: „Living in a lake“) it is found in nature only in heavily torrent waters of small brooks. The maximum size reported for that species is 12 cm.
Homaloptera tweedei

Homaloptera tweedei is a chraming dwarf species that reaches only 4-5 cm in length. Although it is not that much colorful it is a real eyecatcher due to its funny behaviour. In nature – we get this species from Thailand – it lives in medium sized streams where it swims over on large stone plates and stuff like that.

Gastromyzon punctulatus (G. ctenocephalus?)

The island of Bormeo is home to a very large number of hillstream loaches. Sadly it is virtually imposible to give a correct name on them, although a great revision of these fishes was published quite recently (2006). But there are many species which are known already but which are not yet described formally and thus it is impossible to identify them. So in the trade we use the catch-all name Gastromyzon punctulatus for this group of species, as it was also usually in the scientific literature until 2006.

Leaving the difficulties in naming the species aside these spotted hillstream loaches are wonderful aquarium inhabitants. As they come from tropical areas they can be kept in heated tanks. The species we actually have in stock has very nice blue fin membranes, but sadly they show them only for a very short time. The fish become 6-7 cm long. Their body coloration varies between light brown and deep black. Scattered over this ground coloration are yellow spots of different size. Currently our species is often identified as G. ctenocephalus.

Gastromyzon punctulatus (G. ctenocephalus?)

For our customers: Crossostoma lacustre has the code 412692, Homaloptera tweedei 421632 and Gastromyzon punctulatus 416562. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hillstream loach week at Aquarium Glaser! Part 2: Beaufortia leveretti

24. March 2009

This is by far the most often offered hillstream loach. It originates from China and Vietnam, but is currently imported from China only. The whole habitus is very similar to the Sewellia species we presented yesterday. The coloration is formed by pretty black spots on golden underground.

The most important fact one has to know about B. leveretti is that this is not a tropical fish at all, but comes from moderate climate zones. Thus it is impossible to keep it in a long time sight at water temperatures above 24°C. The ideal range is 12°C in winter and 21°C in summer. Avoid abrupt jumps in temperature!

B. leveretti is therefore an ideal inhabitant of unheatet aquaria and helps you to save energy costs. A perfect tankmate for B. leveretti is the White cloud mountain minnow, Tanichthys albonubes. A school of that fish containing about 15-20 specimens in the water column and 10-12 Beaufortia form a very nice picture.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Hillstream loach week at Aquarium Glaser! Part 1: Introduction & Sewellia

23. March 2009

Currently we can offer a great number of varieties off hillstream loaches. That´s the reason for this week´s special. We want to show you how interesting and diverse these fishes are.

Sewellia lineolata

Systematically speaking, the hillstream loaches belong to the family Baltoridae. This means that they are close relatives of the river loaches (Nemacheilus, Schistura etc) which are also members of the Balitoridae. Hillstream loaches are adapted to live in fast flowing water. Their pectoral and ventral fins are formed like the spoiler of a car and have the very same function: the water that flows over the fish presses them down. So the fish can withstand the current without much loss of energy.

In some species this fin apparatus is so effective that it enables the fish to climb over water falls!

As they are relatives of the river loaches they feed on a great variety of small animals, but they do not eat algae! In the aquarium they will accept frozen food, live food and many will also take dried food. Among each other they are usually peaceful. Short huntings are the worst they have to face from congeneers. Other species become usually totally ignored.

The tank setup for hillstream loaches should be orientated on a brook. It should content stones and roots. Plants are of minor interest for the fishes. One should know that all hillstream loaches are very sensitive against nitrite.

Breeding hillstream loaches was successful in recent times. Since the first importation of the spectacular Sewellia lineolata aquaristis developed a great ambition to breed them. Females are larger and thicker. They spawn almost daily over a long period. Breeders offer clusters of pebbles with 2-4cm granualtion. The eggs disappear in these clusters and cannot be eaten by the always hungry parents. The gaps between the pebbles are also home for the fry until they are big enough to leave them without being in danger to end as food for the parents.

Sewellia sp. “Spotted”

Our journey through the world of hillstream loaches starts with Sewellia. We have in stock three species from Vietnam: Sewellia lineolata that can grow up to 6.5–7cm, an undescribed species called S. sp. „Spotted“ and for the first time ever S. breviventralis. The latter has been described in the year 2000. The scientists knew at the time only juvenile specimens. We can offer also adult specimens of about 6cm length. Many specimens show broad barres over the back, but the coloration varies a lot individually and there are also almost plain animals.

Sewellia breviventralis

Although S. breviventralis is known as an extremely rheophilous species they thrive very well in captivity. All three species of Sewellia should be kept at temperatures between 18 and 24°C. Higher temperatures over a long period lead to starving fishes. Their metabolism then needs more energy than the fish can feed. The remaining water conditions are of minor interest. Moderatly hard water with a neutral pH is perfect.

Sewellia breviventralis

For our customers: Sewellia lineolata has codenummer 455054, S. breviventralis 455043 and S. sp. „Spotted“ 455075 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Just in: Steatocranus!

20. March 2009

Adult pair of S. casuarius. Photo: B. Migge / Aqualog Archieves

The humphead cichlids of the genus Steatocranus are among the most intersting cichlids of Africa. They are highly adapted to current water – in nature they live near rapids on rocky ground. So they have reduced their swimming bladder and are not able anymore to swim free in the water column without using their finneage.

S. casuarius

Three species have been imported now: the well-known Steatocranus casuarius, which can easily be recognized by the black centre of each scale; the more slender S. gibbiceps, whose coloration is just the other way round: light centres of the scales. And the extremely slender S. tinanti, which has sometimes brillant orange fins.

S. gibbiceps, male

S. gibbiceps, female

Humphead cichlids should be kept in pairs. They are quite peaceful, although they desperately defend their cave. Despite the fact that they live in very oxygen rich water in nature they readily adapt to aquarium conditions. The water in the river Congo is soft, but not very acidic. The fish feed on almost all usual fish food, but one must never give fat food (like Tubifex). This may cause heavy, sometimes fatal diseases of the intestine. Plants are not distroyed with the exception of the fact that during breeding they may be bitten of or digged out. Steatocranus are cavebrooders with biparental care.

S. tintanti, male

S. tinanti, female

For our customers: S. casuarius have codenummer  575003, S. gibbiceps 575042 and S. tinanti 575403 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Potamotrygon cf. falkneri

18. March 2009

Currently we have a great selection of wonderful river stingrays from Paraguay belonging to that species in stock. As in all river stingray species, each individual has its own colour pattern, which differs clearly from all other congeneers. This is one of the reasons why species can only be distinguished with great difficulties in Potamotrygon. Moreover there is strong evidence (DNA-analyzes, colouration) that the species hybridize in nature .

Potamotrygon cf. falkneri belongs to the big species of river stingrays. Specimens of more than 60 cm disc width are known. It is very interesting that there exist dwarf males that reach sexual maturity at only 20 cm disc width while other males are unripe even at 40 cm disc width. Sexual maturity can easily be recognized by the size of the sexual organs, the so-called claspers.

For our customers: the animals have code 282955 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply to the wholesale market.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Just in: L114

17. March 2009

After some time we were able now to import again L114. It is a member of the beautiful Pseudacanthicus-leopardus species group. The members of this species group can reach 25-30 cm total length, some sources give even 40 cm.

They originate from the Rio Negro basin near Barcelos in Brazil. They are omnivorous, but prefer clearly meat. L114 almost refuses plant material, but they readily accept food tablets.

Breeding was successful in captivity already. They are cavebrooders with paternal eggcare. Breeding of Pseudacanthicus is difficult due to the extreme aggressiveness of the adult fish. This makes it often impossible to keep pairs long enough together to enable breeding at all.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Ctenopoma acutirostre Leopard babies!

16. March 2009

Among the most beautiful anabantoids or labyrinth fish from Africa is Ctenopoma acutirostre, the Leopard bushfish. It can become 15-20 cm long. Its natural habitat is the Congo. It is collected there for the ornamental fish trade in the Stanley Pool region. Here the fish live under the swimming meadows of the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). At dawn  they start hunting. Like a dead fish they slowly thrive through the water column. The special leopard pattern suggests a rotting carrion. Small fish are attracted by the obvious easy food and find themselves eaten as soon as they try to taste it.

Juvenile Ctenopoma acutirostre hunting

Regarding breeding in the aquarium the Leopard bushfish proofed to be difficult, although they are completely peaceful among each other and can be sexed easily (ripe males develope thorns behind the eyes and on the caudal peduncle which serve to fix the female during spawning). Nevertheless they only bred ocassionally by chance and never when planned.

Now the breeders in Southeast Asia were successful at least. And we can therefore offer charming little leopard babies! They already hunt like their parents and imitate a carrion when hungry. Luckily enough it is not necessary to feed live fish, neither to the young nor to the adults. They easily can be adopted to frozen food (bloodworm etc.). They also can be kept in community tanks given the fact that possible tanksmates are at least as half as long the Leopard bushfish. So they cannot be swallowed anymore and become not attacked. On the other hand one has to choose calm species as tankmates, for the Leopard bushfish does not like hectic atmosphere at all!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Trichomycterus alternatus: In the shadow of the vampire

13. March 2009

female

Sometimes fishes have the same problems as human beings: one cannot choose his relatives! And so the good reputation of a small fish sometimes is destroyed due to the bad one of a cousin. The most by far feared species of fish in South America is the so-called candiru. In fact, the name candiru is applied to a number of different species in different genera, but this does not matter in our context here. The candiru is able to penetrate the ureter of a human if the person is urinating under water.     This causes horrible infestions that can even be fatal. The fish has spines on the operculum which make it impossible to move backwards. So the candiru dies in the ureter and the victim becomes hazared from inside.

male

Of course this is not the real intention of the candiru. Its attitude is to find one of the giantic catfishes and suck blood from their gills. When a candiru swims into a human´s ureter this is only an accident. Nevertheless, even being a bloodsucking parasite does not make the candiru more sympathic…..

                 

juveniles

This is pretty sad for some of the close relatives of the candiru are charming and interesting aquarium inhabitants. One of them is Trichomycterus alternatus from Brazil which we were able to import recently. They reach about 10 cm and remind of loaches with an walrus´ beard. It is very interesting that both the sexual dimophism (males and females are differently coloured; moreover males have longer and broader pectoral fins) and the juvenile coloration is very similar to the stone loach (Barbatula barbatula).

                 

females

Regarding feeding this loach-cat is completly unproblematic. The species likes the community of its own kind and should always be kept in groups. Otherwise the fish will be shy and hiding. The water temperature can be between 22 and 25°C. No special recommendments for the aquarium water are required,but it should be clean and oxygen rich. As the fish originate from fast running brooks the like a good filter currency.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Neocaridina Deep Blue Tiger Yellow Eyes

11. March 2009

The latest new entry in our stocklist: this is a very beautiful sport of the tiger shrimp. The blue sport is known for quite a long time. Our new stock shows extreme bright colours. Males can grow to a size of 2.5 cm, females become 3.5 cm long.
For our customers: the animals have the code 485442 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Neocaridina Red-Bee-Snow-White-Shrimp

5. March 2009

Breeding of „Crystal Red“ shrimps has become a widespread hobby. These dwarf shrimps are real pets in the sense of domesticated animals, a very interesting fact under the aspect of culture history: this is the first case of a crustacean that has been cultivated for that reason since the rise of men on earth! A very characteristical feature of a domesticated animal is that it is impossible to apply it to a species on the basis of anatomical appearances. This is the reason why the Crystal Red bears no scientific name, as it does not appear in the wild and there is no natural species that can be identified as the wild ancestor of the Crystal Red without strong doubts.

In contrast to wild living animals, pets are not doomed to the (in our eyes often cruel and radical) rules of natural selection. There are no predators in the aquarium and food is available unlimited. The only thing a breeder has to look at is the sensibility against diseases and parasites.

Until very recently breeders in Europe mainly looked for the development and brightness of the red colored parts on the body of the shrimps. In Eastern Asia, on the other hand, breeders were more fascinated by developing the white parts in coloration. This white colours are contrasting with the red in a very attractive way. However, nowadays even pure white strains exist. This white colours are reflecting which makes the shrimps almost shine. A typical feature of these pure white strains is the fact that the red has been substituted by an orange colour. Depending on the grade of orange in the body ground coloration, the animal looks either like platinum white or golden white.

Breeding and general care of the Snow-Whites is the same as in all Crystal Reds.

For our customers: the animals have code 485340 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Taiwan
Verfügbare Größe in cm 1-2

Hyphessobrycon amapaensis

4. March 2009

One of the most beautiful tetras of South America is availble now in brillantly colored wild collected specimens. The Amapa tetra is an uncomparable eye-catcher for any well suited community tank for South American fishes. As usual, among these wild collected fishes were also specimens of other species, so-called by-catches. This gives us a good idea about the community of species the Amapa tetra lives in in the wild and also suggests perfect tankmates:

Marbled hatchetfish, Carnegiella strigata; Dwarf pencilfish, Nannostomus marginatus; Head-and-taillight tetra, Hemigrammus ocellifer.

Beside these species, however, also some less attractive species were among the Amapa tetras. We show them here anyway (please use button “Further pictures”).

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien/Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-4

Bamboo shrimps actually spawned

3. March 2009

Last week we could introduce to you the new Bamboo shrimp, which we imported for the first time ever from Taiwan. Due to the extreme high price of the two alleged pairs we established them not in the fish house, but in our show room.

Yesterday a scientist researching on these shrimps asked us about the actual size of our specimens. To answer this question we photographed the animals sitting on a ruler. Taking the opportunity, one of our so-called males surprised us by bearing deep red eggs under the tail!

The most exciting aspect on this is the relative big size of the eggs. That means usually that the larvae hatch directly in fresh water and have no planctonic phase in the ocean like the other regularly imported members of the genera Atya and Atyopsis. With other words: the species should be easily bredable in captivity! We’ll see……

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Protomyzon pachychilus

2. March 2009

For the first time we were able to import these charming hillstream loaches. Due to their origin (China) and their black&white coloration we call them dwarf panda hillstream loaches. Although the species has been scientifically described back in 1980 in a Chinese journal almost nothing has been published concerning the beautiful animal since then.

Our specimens are around 3 cm long. Unfortunately we have no reliable information about how big they can grow. But there can be no doubt that these small beauties that seem not be be delicate at all are a „must have“ for any real loach enthusiast.

Text and photo: Frank Schäfer

Sensation: Bamboo shrimp from Taiwan

26. February 2009

We are proud and happy that we were able to import yesterday the first few pairs of a new shrimp from Taiwan. According to the local scientists it belongs to a so far undescribed species. There is no doubt that it belongs to the Atya-relatives. The males of the „Bamboo shrimp“ are almost two times as big as the somewhat unspectacular females. Due to their rareness the animals are very expensive.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Eretmodus cyanostictus “Makombe”

25. February 2009

Actually we can offer very pretty Tanganyika Clowns, Eretmodus cyanostictus, from Makombe. Like so many other cichlids from the lake they have developed a lot of different geographical varieties.

Eretmodus are highly specialized fishes. In the wild they live in the very shallow water of the shore. Here, in the surf, they feed on aufwuchs. This means that they have a very long gut that enables them to digest this poor food. In the aquarium it is often a fatal mistake to feed them fat and protein rich food. The Clowns need also relatively high temperatures (around 28°C) and they love a heavy current.

Tanganyika Clowns have a reduced swimming bladder and are therefore unable to float in the water column. As they are somewhat quarrelsome it is best to keep them in pairs. Females usually stay smaller than the males. In the aquarium Tanganyika Clowns often form stable couples. They are biparental mouthbrooders. Male and female change eggs and fry from mouth to mouth. This makes a high degree of synchronizity necessary and that is the reason why Eretmodus are not often in the mood for changing their partners.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Tanganjikasee / Lake Tanganyika
Verfügbare Größe in cm 6-8

Harlequin barbs

24. February 2009

Among the most important ornamental fishes are the species of Harlequin barbs. Formerly they were addet to the catch-all genus Rasbora, but nowadays it is everywhere accepted that they belong to a genus on their own named Trigonostigma. There are four described species and one of unclear status. Four of them are regularly stocked by us and because they continously become confused, we will take the opportunity to show you the differences.

1. The real Harlequin barb, Trigonostigma heteromorpha
This species has the largest trinagel-spot of all species. The spot covers almost completely the hinder half of the body. Nowadays almost all specimens available in the trade are bred ones, but now and then we can also offer wild collected ones like the specimen depicted.

2. The Purple Harlequin barb, Trigonostigma espei
This species is sometimes also called “Elongated Harlequin barb”. It can be recognized by the size of its triangle spot that covers only the lower half of the hinder half of the body. The gap between the operculum border and the triangle spot as well as the back above the triangle spot is brillantly coloured with a deep purple red.

3. The Orange Harlequin barb, Trigonostigma cf. espei
This fish fits perfectly to T. espei with the exception of the basic colour which is a bright orange instead of a deep purple. This leads to much confusion with the following species (T. hengeli). Especially subadults can be confused easily. However, adults can be distinguished for sure by the colour of the gap between the border of the operculum and the triangle spot, which is a bright orange in T. cf. espei and white in T. hengeli.

4. The Small Harlequin barb, Trigonostigma hengeli
This Harlequin barb is the tiniest of all. The triangle spot is relative small and bordered by a bright orange line. The gap between the border of the operculum is whitish as well as the back above the triangle spot.

All four Harlequin barbs are wonderful aquarium inhabitants which develop fantastic colours when kept in soft and acidic black water. None of them becomes larger than 4 cm, in the wild they are usually much smaller.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Great variety of freshwater stingrays available at Aquarium Glaser

23. February 2009

The export stop of freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygon) has ended and so the very much sought after black species (P. henlei and P. leopoldi) are regulary available now again.

Beside these Brazilian black rays we have astonishing Flower rays (P. schroederi) from Colombia and Venezuela, fantastic „King Marble”and Fire Spot” from Colombia (called P. motoro in the trade, but are in fact the species described as P. boesemani recently) and very nice „Tigrillos” (P. castexi) from Peru.

In all these rays each indivial animal has a different colour pattern. That is the reason why our customers get always actual photos of the fish we have in stock. And also the pictures you see right here are not „any” photos, but exactly the fish in our house.

Text and Photos: Frank Schäfer

Schistura cf. jarutanini

19. February 2009

Schistura cf. jarutanini Schistura cf. jarutanini Schistura cf. jarutanini

The brook loaches of the genus Schistura are far spread over South and Southeast Asia. There are hundreds of species, most of them still scientifically undescribed. Almost each flowing water has it´s own species. So it is no surprise that some of the species also became cave-dwellers.

We could import a small number of individuals of a very special species now: Schistura cf. jarutanini. All cave fishes have naturally a very limited distribution. Thus we have the self-limitation to import these animals only occasionally and in small numbers to make sure that there is no danger for the natural population by over-collecting.

The very spezial thing in Schistura cf. jarutanini is the fact that we so to say look over the should of evoltion while observing them. There are individuals which are completly blind and have no eyes at all (at least no visible eyes) . This is usual for cave fishes. But there are others with well developed eyes also! And in between are specimens with eyes that are deformed. The coloration is very variable. The blinder the animals are the less contrasting is the coloration.

In the aquarium these fish can be easily kept. They are omnivorous and one has to keep an eye on them to hinder them to become too fat. Against any tankmates – may they be of the own or another species – they are completely peaceful. In contrast to most other loaches they are restless swimmers. All in all this loach is (also in respect to it´s relative rareness) a fish for specialized aquarists only, but fulfills all the desires a researcher may have.

Text and photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-7

Import season for Orinoco-Plecos has startet!

18. February 2009

The Rio Orinoco is with more than 2.000 km length one of the biggest rivers of South America. About 3/4 of it´s length it runs through Venezuela, the remaining 1/4 belong to the territory of Colombia. The Brazo Casiquiare connects during high water levels the Orinoco-sytem with the Amazon-sytem via the Rio Negro.

The import season for loricariid catfishes from the Rio Orinoco influence has started now. So we already can offer a good number of different species of that group.

The genus Hypancistrus is formed by relatively small (around 10 cm) mainly carnivorous species. Among the recent imports are Hypancistrus contradens (L201, formerly thought to be a variety of H. inspector) with variing pattern. Some have big spots, others very small ones. Then we have Hypancistrus furunculus L199, a zebra cat with also very individual coloration. This is also true for Hypancistrus debilittera L129, which has a very attractive white wavy pattern on black ground.

 


Meat eaters are also Leporacanthicus species. Probably the most wanted species is L. triactis (L91). It can reach around 20 cm maximum length.

Very much sought for is also L200. Actually, there are two mimetic species that hide behind that L-number, which are often confused, although they might belong to even different genera. The real L200 is a still undescribed species. It can be easily recognized by the big gap between the end of the dorsal fin and the beginning of the adipose fin. The second species – called L200 Highfin or L200a in the trade – has been formally deescribed already as Baryancistrus demantoides. In this species dorsal and adipose fin are connected. The depth of the dorsal fin is variable and of no use for differentiation of the species. Both L200 are omnivorous with a large compound of vegetarian food.

One should not forget the robust and pretty Peckoltia species. The usually grow up to 8 – 15 cm and so they fit in almost any tank of common size. Now imported are L243 with a very attractive coloration. Peckoltia species feed on aufwuchs like the well-known Ancistrus species do. Like these they need soft wood as a necessary food compoundment.

The „flyer cats” of the genus Pseudolithoxus are funny looking, extremely flat fellows. Especially P. dumus (L244) and P. tigris (L257) are very much sought for. Both won´t grow bigger than 15 cm and can be kept like the former species.

Finally the genus Guyanancistrus should be mentioned which is represented in the actual imports by L106. Depending on the sources it grows to 8-15 cm in length. It is a very attractive species that feeds on aufwuchs.


Of course this short review of the plecos from the Orinoco is far from being complete. One should always keep in mind that fishes from that region like relatively high water temperatures, eg 26-28°C.

Text and Photos: Frank Schäfer

Pyrrhulina laeta

16. February 2009

It is quite long ago that we were able to import this wonderful tetra. But now we can offer it again! Including the caudal fin the males can reach 12 cm in length. Males are generally larger than the females. A characteristical pattern for the species is the black line that extends to the level of the dorsal fin. The species originates from the upper and central Amazon river basin.

Systematically speaking this species is an enigma, as the type specimen is in a poor condition and only the hinder part of the specimen is extant. Thus it is possible that in the future our fish might be re-named.

In the aquarium Pyrrhulina laeta is an ideal tankmate for community tanks. It is very peaceful. However, tankmates must be not too small, otherwise they are taken as food. Only in breeding condition males defend their territory and might become a bit quarrelsome.

Like all its congereers P. laeta is a broodcaring species. The eggs (up to 500) are deposited on the top of a large leave. The male defends and cares for the eggs until they hatch.

Water temperature should be between 24-28°C, pH and hardness are of little importance. They feed readily on live, frozen and dry fishfood. Plants are neglected.

Text and Photo: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien /Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm 10-12

Toxotes jaculatrix

12. February 2009

Seven species of Archerfishes (Toxotes) are known. Three of them (T. lorentzi and T. kimberleyensis from Australia and T. microlepis from South East Asia) are usually found in fresh water. Two are practically unknown, at least they have not been kept in aquaria so far: T. blythi from Burma and T. oligolepis from the Moluccas. The remaining two species have an extreme wide spread distribution in the Indo-West-Pacific region. They are found in brackish water (especially T. chatareus) or even in pure marine environment (T. jaculatrix).

Toxotes chatareus can easily be recognized by its typical pattern (alternating large and small spots), whereas T. jaculatrix is the only species of archerfish with only 4 spines in the dorsal fin (all other species have 5). Both features are recognizable in live fish and serve as the basis for the determination.

For a while we already receive shipments from one of our thai suppliers with wonderful T. chatareus that are collected in pure freshwater. They stay in perfect condition when kept in freshwater. The last shipment contained for the first time mainly T. jaculatrix. The specimens from this population also thrive extremly well in pure fresh water.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 10

Betta splendens

11. February 2009

We have a new supplier for fighting fish (Betta splendens). Besides the amazing males (which we will introduce to you detailed in the near future) there are also wonderful females.

Text & Fotos: Frank Schäfer

The Odessa barb has finally been named: Pethia padamya

10. February 2009

Die Odessabarbe hat endlich einen Namen: Puntius padamya Die Odessabarbe hat endlich einen Namen: Puntius padamya

There is a good number of well known aquarium fish that bear no scientific name, so they „officially” do not exist at all! Only with a formal scientific description a name can be applied to a species that is binding for every person in the world. On the other hand, common names can be given merrily by every person. There do not exist any rules for them.

The origin of the Odessa barb was unknown for almost 30 years. The first specimens appeared in the former USSR. It was unknown for a very long time whether they represented a wild species or an artifical breeding product. Only 2001 the first wild collected specimens could be traced. Now it was clear that this fish is a wild species originating from Burma. Sven O. Kullander and Rald Britz described the species formally in October, 2008. Its correct name is now Pethia padamya.

Literature: Kullander, S. O. & R. Britz (2008): PUNTIUS PADAMYA, A NEW SPECIES OF CYPRINID FISH FROM MYANMAR  (TELEOSTEI: CYPRINIDAE). Electronic Journal of Ichthyology. October 2008 2: 56 – 66

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Chilodus gracilis

9. February 2009

 

There are four species of the small headstanders of the genus Chilodus. Only two of them appear in the hobby. According to reports the Spotted Headstander (Chilodus punctatus) is the most common species in the hobby. But, in fact, it is not. The species found most is Chilodus gracilis which can be distinguished from C. punctatus at first sight by the presence of a black longitudinal band along the body. In C. punctatus such a band appears only when the fish are fighting or displaying. Chilodus gracilis, the Elongate Headstander, is available as well as wild collected (from Colombia and Venezuela) and as captive bred (from Indonesia, where it is always called C. punctatus). Both species reach 8-10 cm in length and should be kept in schools, as otherwise they become quarrelsome. Plants are usually eaten by the fish.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Brachyplatystoma

6. February 2009

The catfishes of the genus Brachyplatystoma are some of the most important foodfish in the basins of the Amazon, the Orinoco and the countries of the Guiana shield. Some of them may reach a length of 360 cm and a weight of 200 kg. Many thousand tons are landed each year, which led to local breakdown of the populations and to demands for long-sighted management. Details of the biology of the species, however, remain mostly unknown. Only 4 years ago a new species of these giants was decribed scientifically. Although the species is well known for a long time, it was always mixed up with other species: Brachyplatystoma capapretum. In the scientific paper in which the species is described, 7 species of Brachyplatystoma are recognized. Important for the aquarist: the existence of the sometimes body-long filamentous rays of the caudal fin in juveniles was found to be a genus-specific feature. So, for example, the catfish formerly known as Merodontotus tigrinus now is a member of Brachyplatystoma, as well as the former Goslinea platynemum. The most popular species among the fans of predatory catfishes is Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, although they do not know it. Only slowly people become aware of the fact that for decades the wrong name Brachyplatystoma flavicans has been applied to the species (it is a synomym of Zungaro zungaro). We now have again some young specimens of these up to 2 m long giants in stock. We are sure they soon will fill the owners of giantic aquaria with enthusiasm. For our customers: the fish have the code number 211100. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Text: Frank Schäfer, Photos: Erwin Schraml Literatur: Lundberg, J. G. & A. Akama (2005): Brachyplatystoma capapretum: a New Species of Goliath Catfish from the Amazon Basin, with a Reclassification of Allied Catfishes (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae). Copeia 2005 (3): 492-516

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Südamerika / South America
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-7

Black winged dwarf hatchets

5. February 2009

There are two species of Black winged dwarf hatchets recognized. These charming little creatures hardly reach 3 cm in length. From Peru we get occasionally Carnegiella schereri with a spotted belly as a so-called by-catch of C. strigata, whereas Carnegiella marthae from Brazil has a lined belly and is now and then available assorted (214003).

Please note that we are supplying the wholesale trade only.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

A great number of Leporinus species in stock

3. February 2009

Actually, Aquarium Glaser has many Leporinus species in stock. These are often very attractively coloured large tetras which are perfectly suited for large and show aquaria.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Pearlscale

28. January 2009

Pearlscale Pearlscale Pearlscale

The goldfish is the eldest ornamental fish species in the world. For hundreds of years it has been bred on highest levels. Although the western aquarium hobby is unthinkable without the goldfish and its varieties the main breeding centres are still located in the east of Asia. It is very important to know where a goldfish has been bred, as their temperature tolerance varies immensely with the origin. In general goldfish (Carassius auratus) are among the most tolerant fish species of the world. They are adapted in the most extreme habitats in nature. So they can accept principally temperatures between 5 and 32°C. However, the different breeding strains have very different needs and a goldfish originating from Thailand or Singapore will never tolerate as low temperatures as a specimen from China.

The Pearlscales are very short goldfish. Each scale is formed like a little mussel. The must be handled quite carefully, as lost scales will be replaced by regularly formed ones. Since a few decades ago the Pearlscale goldfish were bred only in the Chinese province Kwangtung. Nowadays they are more common. The specimens available now from Aquarium Glaser originate from China.

Pearlscales are among the goldfish that are very suitable for keeping in aquaria, as they belong to the smallest varieties of the goldfish. Maximum body length is around 8 cm (fins go extra). Moreover, most Pearlscale goldfish are bred as “matt” ones. That means that the pigment that is responsible for the silver coloration in fishes – guanine – is mostly missing. So the Pearlscale goldfish have deep black eyes which look very attractive when the fish is looked at from the side instead of from the top.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft China
Verfügbare Größe in cm 6

Barbus erythromycter – Lipstick barb

27. January 2009

The males of this unique dwarf barb (maximum size around 4 cm) have a red “walrus moustache”. Until the scientific description of the species in 2008 it was known in the trade as Barbus cf. puntio.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Baryancistrus L18, L81, L81n, L177

26. January 2009

The main collecting season of the beautiful gold seam sucker cats of the genus Baryancistrus starts around end of may and lasts until the end of september. Although these fishes are common in the wild, live in shallow waters and are traditionally used as food fish, they cannot be connected with one of the about 700 species of Loricariidae known to science. In the ornamental fish trade they have that fore L-numbers to have at least a basis for communication.

All these gold seams originate from the Rio Xingu and its tributaries. Four colour varieties can be recognized: L18, the “golden nugget”, which has relatively large spots. It comes from the main Xingu River. The spots in L81 are much smaller and more numerous. Both forms (L18 and L81) seem to live syntopically in the wild. The largest spots of all has L177, which is collected in a tributary of the Xingu, namely the Iriri River. Quite recently another variety came in the market, which has the spots like L81, but has much broader seams in the dorsal and the caudal fin. This fish is termed as L81n in the trade (the “n” stands for “new”). The exact origin of this fish is still unknown, but it seems that it is also collected in the Xingu.

In all four L-numbers the number, size, and colour of the spots varies, which is also true for the broadness of the seams of dorsal and caudal fins. So in some cases it is not possible to determine a single specimen for sure. Fully grown specimens of all four L-numbers (they can reach about 30 cm in length) more or less look all the same. Their spot are much smaller. Nevertheless it is still unclear if the four L-numbers represent different species, morphs or populations. Breeding of these Baryancistrus in the home aquarium is possible, but a rare event. The fish are typical cave brooders. It is difficult to fulfil their needs in the tank, so there are very few reports on successful breeding.

First of all one must know that the Xingu river has relatively warm water the whole year through. The catfish are very sensitive against water temperatures below 28°C. The other fact is that these Baryancistrus species are used to feed the whole day through, because the food contents only very few nutrients. One or two feedings a day is definitely too less for these fishes. Alt least one must realize that Baryancistrus are territorial and quarrelsome fish. Specimens larger than 20 cm need a lot of space.

All in all one must say that Baryancistrus L18, L81, L81n and L177 are beautiful and desirable fish, but a successful keeping and breeding is possible only for those who are willing to fulfil the very special requirements of these species.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer
Please note that we supply the wholesale trade only

Addendum: In the meantime the fish have been described scientifically under the name of Baryancistrus xanthellus.

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien/Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-15

Pterophyllum scalare Blue Dwarf

23. January 2009

In 1949 Werner Ladiges mentions a blue dwarf angel (Pterophyllum scalare) that appeared by chance (problably by mutation) in a large breeding stock before WW2. Beside its unique blue coloration a characteristicly feature of these fishes was their small adult size. They never grew bigger than 5 cm body height. Although this stock survived WW2 it was not possible to establish a pure bred strain, as the blue dwarfs did not spawn easily.

Now Aquarium Glaser has also a blue angel in stock. It is very difficult to express the colours in a picture, because the camera flash always expresses much more the silvery parts of the coloration. In the beginning Aquarium Glaser was stocking the fish due to its interesting colours, but after some time it became clear that these blue angels also represent a genetically dwarfish variety – the same phenomenon as described by Ladiges.

So now we can offer a beautiful coloured angel that is also suitable for much smaller tanks than all other varieties known so far.

For our customers: the animals have the code 693403 in our stocklist

Literature:
Ladiges, W. (1949): Eine Diskussion über die Arten der Gattung Pterophyllum. Die Aquarien- und Terrarienzeitschrift 2 (3): 50-52

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-4

Auchenipterus nigripinnis

21. January 2009

For the first time ever we were able now to import a catfish from Argentina which is new for the hobby. It looks amazingly similar to the Asian shark, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (a well known synonym of that species is Pangasius sutchi). The identification of the new fish wasn´t easy, but thanks to Ingo Seidel from Aqua Global we were at least succussful and identified the fish as Auchenipterus nigripinnis.

In contrast to the Asian shark the Argentinians have long barbels. However, behaviour is quite the same in both species.

Maximum length reported in Auchenipterus nigripinnis is about 20 cm, so it fits much better to tanks of usual size than the Asian species, which can reach a length of far beyond a meter.

Moreover, the Argentinean shark cat is an energy-friendly species. In nature, it lives in the LaPlata basin of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. So it is used to temperatures as low as 10°C at times. Heating of the tank is not necessary, if the tank is placed indoors.

The fish should be kept in swarms that swim around the whole day through. They can be fed with any food for carnivorous fishes that fits the mouth. Plants are not eaten. Other species are ignored as long as they are too large to be taken as food. The specimens imported now (January 2009) are rather small, about 3 cm total length.

For our customers: the species has the order code 209551.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Argentinien/Argentina
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-4

Telmatherina bonti

21. November 2008

The Malili lake system on Sulawesi (former Celebes) is home of spectacular shrimps, snails and mussels which are exported for the hobby. Now the import of an endemic atherinoid species was successful, namely Telmatherina bonti.

Like many atherinoides of the Malili lakes this species is polychromatic, which means that males and females appear in different sports. In T. bonti, which by the way differs from all other Telmatherina species by lacking filamentous extensions in the first dorsal fin rays, yellow, white and yellow-white individuals exist. In nature they occur in mixed schools and there is no sexual preference observable (in the sense that yellow females prefer to mate with yellow males for example). So these sports are definitely not races or subspecies. The meaning of the polychromatism is unknown.

In the aquarium, T. bonti, which can grow to approx. 8cm length, is a very peaceful and lively fish. Keeping is easy, if one considers that the water in the Malili lakes is always rather warm (approx. 28°C) and its pH value is always over 8. Both should be simulated in the aquarium. All usual dry and frozen fishfood is taken readily. Eggs are laid in plants. The fish are permanent spawners. Telmatherina bonti excites with its lively nature and the constant courtship. It never gets boring to watch a school of this fish – and it should always be a school!

For our customers: the fish has code 461235 on our stocklist.Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Telmatherina: the word “telma” is ancient Greek and means “swamp”; Atherina is another genus of fish. bonti: after the indigenous name applied to the fish at Towuti lake: “bonti-bonti”.

Suggestion of a common name: Towuti Rainbowfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Sulawesi
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-6

Limnopilos naiyanetri

18. November 2008

Described in 1991, Limnopilos naiyanetri Chaung & Ng, has only just been discovered by the hobby.

Crabs are found in pure freshwater in the roots of floating vegetation, ie. water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) and fine-leaved aquatic plants along the riparian zone (river banks). They have hairy bodies and appendages which collect mud and dirt and may function to trap food particles. They are not carnivorous, and behave like Caridina shrimps in their scavenging behaviors, where care and feeding are probably the same. Suitable for nano-tanks, and is the first crab species available which has attributes suitable for such.

In such tanks they will stay closely associated with mosses and fine leaved-plants. Max size 1 cm.(Photo C.Lukhaup, Text K.Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 0,3-0,5

Corydoras sp. „Uruara“ CW037

13. November 2008

(Nov.13th 2008) This beautiful Corydoras is from Brasil, from Rio Uruara , which flows into Rio Curua Una south of the Amazonas to be exact. It was imported to Germany only in very small numbers. The more pleasant it is that bred ones are available for the first time. The catfish recall very much of the real Corydoras punctatus coming from Surinam. The fine punctuation as well as the shimmering shininess of its body is especially noticeable. The black spot in the back fin decorates this pretty catfish. Keeping this fish similars very much the way of keeping other Corydoras species. Soft, acerbic water is prefered. Corydoras sp. Uruara feel fine at 24-27°. Lower temperatures do ot quite please them. A socialization with peaceful, not too big species is possible without further ado. For an experienced breeder the breeding should be comparatively simple. The young animals grow fastly. A nice swarm will be an eyecatcher in every aquarium.

(Photo & Text M.Hufgard)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 2,5

Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus Gold

10. November 2008

(Nov.10th 2008) The so called „gold dust disease“ of the bloodfins is a very interesting phenomenon, which happens to very many
bloodfin species. The best known one surely is the gold-tetra, Hemigrammus rodwayi whose number of gold-dust-sick
animals in nature is higher than of the normal coloured ones. The gold-dust-sick animals were even considered as
own species (Hemigrammus armstrongi). The cause of the gold dust disease is unknown. Often it was theorized that
the disease was a result of a parasitic flatworm infection passed during the young fish stage, but this was never
really proved. It is a fact that animals covered by the gold dust disease are not restricted in their health or
life expectancy. Also it was never successful to transfer this phenomenon on descendants bred inside the aquarium.
Therefore all gold tetras are always and only wild caught fish. A display aquarium with different gold tetras, such
as ornament tetras (Nannostomus beckfordi), cardinals (Paracheirodon axelrodi) and gold tetras (Hemigrammus rodwayi) looks fantastic. A highlight in such a tank are the rare and particular attractive redback bleeding heart tetra (Hyphessobrycon pyrrhonotus), which Aquarium Glaser is offering currently.(Photo & Text F.Schäfer)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4

Acantopsis sp.

7. November 2008

(Nov.6th 2008)Due to its unusual head shape the horseface loach A. coirorhynchos is one of the most popular aquarium fish.
In nature they often are residents of clear rivers, where you can find them especially on sandy grounds.
Inside the aquarium you also have to provide sandy ground, which allows them to completely bury themselves.
Considering this, you can raise this species for many years in a small group (6-8 specimen). The females
will grow bigger than the males and are more corpulent. Their maximum length is approx. 15cm. From scientific view the genus Acantopsis is hardly understood. Therefore it is not sure at all that all loaches, which are traded under the name “A. Coirorhynchos” really belong to this species. Aquarium Glaser was now able to import a horseface loach from Thailand for the first time, whose colours deviate clearly from the Acantopsis known so far. Whereas the colouring of each animal is different intensive. The spectrum extends from almost colourless to strong and pertaining to a high contrast. The identification was not
successful yet. From the scientific litertature we know three species of this genus from Mekong, which
were not specified yet. With A. guttatus and A. thiemmedhi two already specified types from the region
join, whose live colouring is unknown until now, however. No matter which species the now imported
animals are , they are interesting fish, which enrich the spectrum of loaches that are kept in aquariums.
(Photo & Text F. Schäfer)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 10-12

Big from Peru!

24. September 2008

As last week 2 very huge boxes arrived from Peru the whole Aquarium Glaser team was full of excitement to their content. Then two giant specimens of the giant Panaques LDA 65 appeared in the best condition. With a length of about 60 cm, they should be mature, for “normal” tanks they are obviously not suitable. In very large tanks, they are certainly interesting fish, and could be for example socialized with stingrays or large predatory characins or catfishes.

L90 Panaque var.JUANJUI

19. September 2008

Last week this very attractive variant of L 90 arrived from the vicinity of Juanjui (Peru). They are very intense light-dark patterned fishes with glowing red eyes . The white filaments of their caudal fin give them an additional elegance. Feeding with special food (shrimps, or red discus food)can change fin colors to a strong orange. All in all, a beautiful newcomer,
unfortunately only in small numbers available.

(Photo F.Schäfer, Text K.Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm 15-20

New Guppies available!

17. September 2008

From now in limited numbers available:

beautiful strains of Guppies! Please note that you will get for all the strains the correct females.

Ptychochromis oligacanthus

4. September 2008

They come from the crater lake Bempazawa on the island Nosy Be nearby Madagascar and we have few of them available for first time: Ptychochromis oligacanthus “Bempazawa”. Their final length is more than 20 cm, but with their current size of about 15cm, they already reached sexually maturity. They have no special demands for food and water chemistry also their aggression is low. For cichlid lovers they are surely an interesting enrichment and guarantee a certain exclusiveness for their owner.

(Photo R.Neunkirchen, Text K.Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Madakaskar
Verfügbare Größe in cm 12-15

Herichthys sp. BLUE-GALAXY

6. August 2008

(Aug.6th 2008) A brand new star is born: Herichthys sp. Blue-Galaxy. We are proud to be able to supply limited numbers of this this beautiful breeding form for the first time. They are pubescent in a size of 6-8cm, which
they have successfully demonstrated in a tank in our office. Since they should not get as big as other
members of the Herichthys family, they will be found soon in many tanks.(Photo R.Neunkirchen, Text K.Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Zuchtform
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-7 & 7-9

Stiphodon semoni

25. July 2008

(23.Aug.2008) From Indonesia we received this beautiful neon-blue goby. Stiphodon semoni grows up to 4-5cm and was
several times imported under the wrong name Sthiphodon elegans. Its habitats are fast floating hillstreams with
rocky ground. It is found in Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guniea and the Solomon Islands. The nourishment
for this item is easy: we feed it dry food and life Tubifex. All in all a very fabulous goby which should be
kept by advanced hobbyists.(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Indonesien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-4

Synodontis granulosus

6. June 2008

(June 6th 2008) Actually we are able to supply one of the most beautiful member of the Synodontis family. They come from the Lake Tanganjika so they need harder water with a higher pH. These are extremely active fishes which grow up to 25cm, so they should only be kept in bigger tanks. Adults are aggressive among themselves, which is the main reason why they are not bred so far. They are very peaceful to other inhabitants of a Lake Tanganjika tank, so they are real beauties in your cichlid tank.

(Photo F.Schäfer, Text K.Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Afrika Lake Tanganjika
Verfügbare Größe in cm 8-10 & 10-14

Parathelphusa pantherina

28. May 2008

(21.Mai 2008) Last week we received from the Matano Lake in Indonesia a very beautiful crab: the panthercrab.
Since they live nearly totally under water, they need only a small terrestrial part in their tank. A hard water with a temperature from 25-29°C is favored. They can be easily fed with all kind of foods; from pellets to frozen food they eat nearly everything. Assure that the tank you keep them in is closed in a proper way, because they are real jailbreakers!(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Indonesien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-6

Glanidium melanopterum

9. May 2008

(09.May 2008) A real strange fish was now imported by us from the south of Brasil. This fish belongs to the Glanidium family and shows a size of about 40cm, which is really big for such an fish. They look very calm, but during the night they start to eat….everything what they can get into their big mouth,; so be careful in other inhabitants you want to keep together with them!By the way: this fish reproduce by inner fertilization.
(Photo & Text F.Schäfer)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 40

Sphaerichthys vaillanti

25. April 2008

(25.April 2008) A real beauty made by nature is currently available: Sphaerichthys vaillanti. This fish, which is called red chocolate gourami, is without any doubt the best looking one of all 4 Sphaerichthys members. The water should be soft, not too cold (25-29°C) with a low pH (4,5-6,5). If you offer these water parameters, you will find in this item one of the best looking gouramis you ever saw! Important to notice that they only should be kept with other fishes, which also show a very calm and peaceful behaviour. If you will only keep this fish in your tank, you surely will be fascinated by their broodcare, because they are mouthbreeders. They eat all kind of food, including dry stuff, but for breeding them, we recommend live food.

(Photo & Text R. Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Borneo
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-5

Oreoglanis siamensis

21. April 2008

(21.April 2008)…and again we got something very rare: Oreoglanis siamensis. But only a very few pieces. They live in the Mekong area and the Chao Phyraya basins. In the northern part of Thailand you can find them
in the mountain area of Mae Nam Ping and Doi Chiang Dow. They are found in fast floating hillstreams with a temperature of around 18°C and a pH of 6,4-8,9. The oxygen is about 8-10mg per liter and must be considered
if you want to keep this fish. You can feed them with all kind of small fishfood like tabletts or small frozen food. Because they are very rare in their habitats, there are still projects in Asia to breed them and release the bred ones into the nature.

(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-6 & 6-8

Corydoras duplicareus

17. April 2008

(17.April 2008) An old friend and also a newcomer: Corydoras duplicareus. Not a long time ago, this beautiful catfish was sold as Corydoras adolfoi. For a non-expert the differences are not clear on the first look. The main difference is the black band, which is more wide than from C. adolfoi. It is definitely a very nice fish we should be kept more often!

(Photo U.Glaser-Dreyer, Text R. Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4

Uaru fernandezyepezi

9. April 2008

(9.April 2008)For the first time we can offer some offspring of Uaru fernandezyepezi. The home of this extremely rare cichlid is in the border area of Colombia and Venezuela, where they occur in the area of the Rio Atabapo. From there origin some challenging fishes such the Altum-Angels. Their requirements are similar, the water hardness should be low, temperature high (around 29°C)
and the pH value significantly in the acidic range. High temperatures and a low germinal
improve environment.(Photo F.Schäfer, Text K.Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Kolumbien/ Venezuela
Verfügbare Größe in cm 6-8

Sinogastromyzon wui

18. February 2008

(18. Feb.2008) Last week we received this loach which was described by FANG 1930. Their habitat is from the Nanpan-jiang and Xi-jiang basins in Guangdong to Guanxi provinces in China. The maximum size is about 8-10cm.
They should be kept in cold water, not over 22-23°C, and they have very high oxygen requirements. To offer the perfect conditions, use a pump to bring a heavy stream in your tank, because they live in fast streaming
hill rivers. The pH should be from 7.0 to 8.0. This species feeds, like only some others of its family, mainly with carnivorous food. Algaes will not be eaten.(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft China
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-5

Homaloptera tweediei

14. February 2008

(14.Feb.2008) The adult size of the gecko-loach, Homaloptera tweediei, is only approx. 4cm. This species is very interesting for the hobbyists, because they can be kept for a longer period in a water temperature of more
than 24°C. The main reason is the origin in central Thailand. After acclimatisation they are very thankful and easy to keep; even in a community tank. Interesting to know: they are highly reproductive, in the wild the number of fish can double in less than 15 month!(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-4

Coenobita cf.pseudorugosus

11. February 2008

(11.Feb.2008) Again a new “crawler”: Coenobita cf.pseudorugosus. From Asia we received this super red hermit crab. The conditions to keep them are similar to all other land hermit crabs. Noteworthy are the nice flats they carry: from screwdriver snails of 5-6cm which the hermit quit the leasing contract…because of own requirement….(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Indonesien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-6

Lamprichthys tanganicanus

1. February 2008

(04.Feb.2008) Currently in stock: Lamprichthys tanganicanus in excellent quality. As the name suggests they originally come from Lake Tanganyika where they inhabit the open water zone. Because they are very active swimmers, their brilliant azure-blue shimmers in constantly changing
hues. With a size of 12 cm they are suitable for almost each Tanganyika tank and can be socialized excellently with substrate orientated cichlids

(Photo F.Teilger, Text K. Diehl).

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Tanganjikasee
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-6

Hypancistrus spec. L 173b

1. February 2008

(19.Feb.2008) After a long break back in our stock: German offspring of L 173. This very rare Hypancistrus is probably the most closely with L 46 related species. As juveniles they look like zebras with an irregular stripe pattern. Their final size is a little larger than L 46 L also their clutches are larger. Since they share their habitat with some other Hypancistrus species, they should be kept like them.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-6 & 6-8

Allenbatrachus grunniens

1. February 2008

(01.Feb.2008) Toadfish – a funny name for a funny family, the Batrachoididae. There are only 73 representatives of this family worldwide. Their name is coming from noises which they can generate and sounds like the callings of toads. Toadfish have a venomously spine on the gills and their dorsal fin and when you catch them, they can bite
you pretty hard, so be careful in handling them! They require a sandy ground on which they ambush their prey. They should be fed with live fish. (Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Asien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 7-10cm

Corydoras sp. C 115/116

16. January 2008

(16.Jan.2008) This Longnose armored catfish was caught by Hoffmann & Hoffmann in Peru in a small canyon 50km away from Puerto Maldonado toward Boliva in 2004 and brought along legally. The very variable drawing,
from monochromatically grey to big black spots
on the sides of body (hence C115 and 116) is interesting. The breeding is surprisingly simple for a longnose, the females place the rather small eggs separately into “moss plants”. The youngsters grow extreme fast.

(Photo & Text P.& M.Hoffmann)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3

Bryconamericus/Hemibrycon sp.

16. January 2008

(16.Jan.2008) These beautiful, agile, steel-blue shining tetra, which grow up to approx. 6cm were caught by Hoffmann & Hoffmann in a clearwater stream in Peru nearby the Andes in 2004. Six animals reached Germany and could be bred. They do not need much warmth, 24°C are sufficient. The youngsters grow slowly.
An exact classification was not successful so far, it seems to be an undescribed species.
(Photo & Text P.& M.Hoffmann)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-4

Cheirodon sp. (A)

16. January 2008

(16.Jan.2008) The most colourful type of the three different Cheirodon/Odontostilbe species caught by Hoffmann & Hoffmann in Peru in 2004, which cannot be classified exactly is Cheirodon sp. (A). The animals have red coloured belly- and anal fins, males more intense than females. Also these fish were already often bred. They are productive and fast-growing.(Photo & Text P.& M.Hoffmann)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm 2

An brand new snakehead!

27. December 2007

First time imported: a brand new and undescribed snakehead from India; Channa sp. . So far we only know that this fish belongs to the same group  as Channa bleheri. Therefore  we believe that the max.size will be around 12cm. As soon as we will get more information about them , we will share with you!

 

Auriglobus silus

21. December 2007

(21.Dec.2007) Streched Puffer is his name. This week we recieved this frisky puffer from Thailand. They are easy to keep and do not need special water parameters. In bigger sizes they can tend to fight between themselves. All in all
it is an interesting puffer, which will be kept mainly from experts or experienced hobbyists. (Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 4-5

Platy BLEEDING HEART BLUE COMET

19. December 2007

(19.Dec.2007) Also this new bred variety arrived here last week. Currently we only have a few pieces in stock, which are males only. The coloration “bleeding heart” – the deep red basic colour, which is only restricted to the below body half – can only appear at males for genetic reasons. The females cannot
be distinguished from “normal” blue Platies. Therefore breeders must rely on blue Platy females to multiply this beautiful species.(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 2-3

Sewellia sp. Spotted

19. December 2007

(19.Dec.2007) This, very attractive, probably scientifically not described hillstream sucker reached us from Vietnam.
They remember on Sewellia lineolata but their point pattern is finer and also is the for S. lineolata
characteristic “stripe” missing. Like all hillstream suckers they come from fast flowing water, there
they inhabit rapid flowing streams where they graze on boulders. This means for the fishkeeper that
their high demands on the water quality and oxygen content have to be fullfilled. A strong filter
generating a high flow, rounded rocks and a strong lighting (algae growth!) are important. As they
feed on Algae and small invertebrates their diet should not be to rich in content.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl).

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Vietnam
Verfügbare Größe in cm 5-6

Acipenser ruthenus – Albino

19. December 2007

The Sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus, is one of the smallest species of sturgeon known so far. However, even this species can grow to more than one meter in length. The biggest specimen known was 125 cm long, but around 60 cm is a more common size. Like all sturgeons this species is endangered due to overfishing and – this is by far more important – by destruction of the natural habitats. So it is protected by international law (CITES). It is still not necessary to have a special licence for selling live specimens in Germany. The sterlet is one of the very few species of sturgeon that are able to live their whole life through in pure fresh water. Most species spawn in fresh water, but return to the sea as well as the young go to the sea as soon as they are able to. The sterlet also is a wanderer, but it wanders only upstreams as it lives already in freshwater. The keeper must nevertheless be careful in spawning season, as the fish tend to leave the pond during that time. Our sterlets are – like all sturgeons in the ornamental fish trade – bred by specialized breeders. We can offer as a very rare sport also some albino specimens. These are on a very high demand for garden ponds, as they can be observed much better due to their white colour. All sturgeons, also the sterlet, become very tame in captivity and search for food on the surface of the pond. They can become easy prey for cats as long as they are small fish. So take care that pussycat doesn´t get an extremely expensive dinner! For our customers: albino sterlets have code 801016 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Poropuntius laoensis

19. December 2007

(19.Dec.2007) For the first time Aquarium Glaser was able to import this barb, which is sized 20-25cm and which is quite unnoticeable at first sight. It usually residents in clear wood bourns in the catchment area of the huge Mekong River. The peaceful animals turn out to be very colourful, if you look closely. Especially the pale yellow shiny tail is extreme attractive, which caused the name “Goldtailed Tinfold Barb”. The rare species is only available in small quantities.

(Photo & Text F.Schäfer)

Aqualog Calendar-Yearbook 2008

18. December 2007

Just in time for the new year, the “Aqualog Calendar-Yearbook 2008” is out now.

350 top quality colour photos, published for the first time.
600 details of conferences and exhibitions worldwide.
500 zoos, public aquaria, and nature parks worldwide.
500 aquarium and terrarium associations worldwide.
500 European veterinary practices for fishes and terrarium animals. Maps of rivers and lakes in Africa, Asia, South America, etc. Worldwide national customs codes, holiday dates, places to visit,and lots of other useful tips and information.  This valuable work is the ideal present for any aquarium or terrarium enthusiast, for any occasion. To place your order just click HERE!