Author Archives: Paul_

Hydrolycus tatauaia

6. July 2007

From Peru some sabre toothed Tiger Fishes of the species Hydrolycus tatauaia came to us. For the maintenance of these impressive hunters naturally roomy aquariums (> 1000l) are needed. Young specimen can be kept in swarms, in the wild even swarms of mixed species were observed. With ageing their aggression potential rises and they become increasingly territorial. In the wild they lurk behind rocks of cataracts and for hunting they dash forward as swift as an arrow to capture their victims.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Peru

Pseudohemiodon thorectes

6. July 2007

Pseudohemiodon thorectes

This catfish coming from Bolivia, belongs to the smallest of his relatives, measuring 13 cm maximum. It is mostly getting imported by travelling aquarium hobbyists. Regarding the water condition this kind is rather adaptable, as guide values of up to 400 µS/cm and a pH-value of 7.6 were measured. Approx. 25°C are quite enough for keeping and breeding. These fish are also hardly demanding on food, which is why a wide range of frozen and dry food is sufficient. There are no heavy demands made on the aquarium decoration. It is only absolutely necessary to place fine sand as ground to the disposal of these catfish, in which they can burrow themselves. In contrast to many other catfish of this family Ps. thorectes belong to the kinds, which actually only leave the protecting ground at night and after settling for food. Breeding is possible, although it is not very productive. Approx. 25 eggs can be looked upon as a good result. Like the other Pseudohemiodon species, Ps. thorectes also belongs to the so-called „lip-breeder“, of which the males grip the eggs with their lower lip and carry it around. After 14 days the larva hatch out and are already independent.(Photo & Text von T. Weidner)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Bolivien

Microsynodontis polli

6. July 2007

Microsynodontis polli is one of three poorly documented pygmy Synodontis species, the other two being M. lamberti and M. batesii. They origin from Western to Central Africa, M. polli is reported for the upper Niger in Guinea and Liberia. Their maintenance is no problem as long as the water is soft and slightly acidic, although people have successfully kept them in neutral to slightly alkaline water. A moderate current will do. It is a very peaceful fish. They do best in species tanks. Or at least, the tank should not have any boisterous species such as larger Cichlids. As they are schooling fish they should be kept in a group of 6 or more. M. polli will take most prepared aquarium foods such as frozen bloodworm, whiteworm, tablet food and sunken flake. Breeding reports are not known. Females are rounder in the body than males.

(Photo: Erwin Schraml, Text: Klaus Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Guinea, Liberia

Callichthys spec. NEW

6. July 2007

From southern Brazil we could import a probably new Callichthyid catfish species. The sexes can be easily differentiated on the basis the dark pattern at the head of the females. In their homeland they inhabit diverse waters types. As accessory air-breathers they can move over land if it gets necessary to reach other waters. Their high adaptability makes them to aquarium inhabitants which can be easy maintained. According to their size of probably 15cm they should not be kept in to small tanks.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien