Author Archives: Paul_

Leptobarbus hoevenii

6. July 2007

Leptobarbus hoevenii the Cigar Shark or Mad Barb is a giant within the barbs. With a length of approx. 1 m and a weight of up to 10 kg the Cigar Shark already places a very special requirement: It needs a lot of space. For the maintenance of adults one should own a tank of at least 3 m length. They originate from Southeast Asia, and are found most often in freely flowing rivers and streams and seasonally on floodplains. Since they are schooling fishes one should own a group of at least 7 individuals, which can form a magnificent swarm. As omnivore fishes they are unproblematic in their nutrition, also in terms of water chemistry they place no special requirements. Over its breeding in aquariums nothing is known to us, in Asia they are artificially bred for raising in aquacultures.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand bis Borneo

Corydoras sp. C 71

6. July 2007

Corydoras sp. C 71

August 2006: With Corydoras spec. C 71 we could import a further rare species from Brazil. They originate from the Rio Arua in the Federal State Para. With a final size of 6 cm they belong to the medium sized Corys. The requirements for their maintenance might be the same as for other Corydoras species. An aquarium with open space and retreat areas, provided with fine sand, might be ideal. Probably they do not place excessive requirements against the water chemistry. Since well-known breeders already attempt to breed them there will be in some time offspring of them available.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien

Discus „Red Inferno/Rio Moju“

6. July 2007

Only one example of at present in extraordinarily good quality arriving Diskus is the “Red Inferno” variant coming from the Rio Moju. On their fins and flanks the animals show a strongly red-orange basic colour, which stands in beautiful contrast to the bluish green wave pattern. The icing on the cake are their cherry-red eyes, which register very attentively each movement inside and outside the aquarium. It is absolutely fascinating to stand before an aquarium with these magnificent animals and to observe the dynamics within a group. Watching them one understands immediately how applicable the old title “king of the aquarium fish” is for these animals. Their perfect form and beautiful colour combination make them surely interesting not only for the lover of wild discus. Even ambitious breeders can get fresh and healthy gene material for these criteria.

(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien, Rio Moju

Distichodus sexfasciatus

6. July 2007

From the Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) originates Distichodus sexfasciatus. This in the aquarium to approximately 30 cm growing characin is a pronounced herbivore. This has to be regarded for the basin setup, since most smooth leaved plants are regarded as food. Some hardy plants as Anubias- or Microsorium species may do well and are worth trying.The water chemistry plays only a subordinated role for their maintenance, a sufficient filtering should however be provided, since a certain nitrite sensitivity is present. Unfortunately the very beautiful youth colouring fades somewhat with increasing age, then however an attractive gloss covers the whole fish.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Kongo, Congo River

Salminus brasiliensis (formerly: maxillosus)

6. July 2007

Salminus brasiliensis (früher: maxillosus)

April 2004: At present Aquarium Glaser can offer Salminus brasiliensis (formerly: S. maxillosus) as a further characin rarity. This up to 1 m and over 20 kg growing fish is a migratory species. These migrations take place from October to January, and are correlated with the rise of the water levels as well as the rising length of day. They follow their prey at their migrations to their spawniong grounds. Both in migratory behavior and in appearance Salminus species reminds on the salmon species, and like them they are threatened by dams, barrags and the environmental pollution. As estimated food fish they are fish farmed in Brazil. At the maintenance in aquaria their rowdiness is to be considered, with their strong dentures they can hurt their tankmates, therefore even for young animals should large aquariums be available. Since they are strong devourers their appetite can not be satisfied with flake food in the long term. Sometimes a defrosted fish should be fed.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Brasilien, Bolivien

Hemiloricaria eigenmanni

6. July 2007

Hemiloricaria eigenmanni

The majority of the species formerly known as Rineloricaria nowadays belongs to the Hemiloricaria, just like H. eigenmanni from Venezuela. The dissemination area of H. eigenmanni is located in the Illanos of Venezuela. Kept in the aquarium H. eingenmanni has turned out to be rather undemanding. Therefore these Loricariidae, which grow up to approx. 18cm, accept every conceivable food without hesitation. In doing so you should pay attention to not overfeed the adult animals, so days of fasting are recommended. If the aquarium contains some shelters like roots or stones and the ground consists of fine sand, you already got the basic requirements for a successful care. Breeding is not too difficult either, you should only put several tubes (synthetic material, bamboo) into the aquarium. These are their prefered spawn places and soon males and females will arrive and deposit up to 250 greenish eggs inside. After approx. 10 days the young catfish hatch out and immediately leave the cave. The breeding is rather easy in comparison to some other Hemiloricaria species, provided that their breeding tank is always well-cleaned and that they are sufficiently fed. You would not believe which quantities these small catfish can polish off.(Photo & Text T. Weidner)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Venezuela

Phyllonemus typus

6. July 2007

Phyllonemus typus

The Spatula-barbeled Catfish, endemic for Lake Tanganyika, has a very special way of reproduction for catfish: they are biparental mouthbreeder. This small catfish is the only representative of its genus and can be easily distinguished by the long barbels on both sides of the upper jaw, which are ending into a spatula form. The total length of the fish is ca. 9 cm. Caring these fish in the aquarium should not be too difficult. These are nocturnal animals who will come out for feeding however during daytime. But mostly they rest, during the light phase, on dark places or caves, which have to be available in the fish tank. These are peaceful fish although any fish small enough to fit in their mouth, and therefore seen as food, might be eaten.(Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Tanganjika See

Nannacara spec. -Sourourou-

6. July 2007

From the Crique Sourourou in French Guyana originates this beautiful new Nannacara variant. We are pleased to be able to offer some offspring to you. According to information of an experienced Nannacara specialist their maintenance is unproblematic, even in middle hard water. The breed however succeeds only in soft and sour water according to their origin, otherwise the clutch of eggs does not develop. In typical dwarf cichlid manner the females are responsible for care of the eggs and larvae, while the male takes over the territory defence. Their brood care is such intensive that it succeeds also in community tanks. In dense planted with small caves (coconut bowls, flower pots etc.) and some bogwood arranged aquariums they feel particularly well. In the nutrition they are unproblematic and eat gladly even flake food. We are sure that this attractive new Nannacara variant will go its way.#

(Photo Rudolf Suttner, Text Klaus Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Französich Guyana

Malpulutta kretseri

6. July 2007

September 2006: As German breds we can offer Malpulutta kretseri. These preciousnesses are very rare in the wild and therefore strictly protected in their homeland (Sri Lanka). There they inhabit soft and sour waters and therefore their keeping in aquaria can be somewhat difficult. Small, dimly lit species tanks with a lot of shelters are ideal for them.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Sri Lanka