Author Archives: Paul_

We imported this new, very nice and interesting tetra for the first time now from Brazil. Obviously this species originates from the Araguaia/Tocantins basin in Central Brazil. In the most current issue of the German aquarium magazine “Amazonas” (Issue 35, May/June 2011, p. 79) this fish is named “7 Rays Mint Tetra” what is adopted here.

The fish become about 3 cm long and the males can be easily recognized by the very strange looking laterally broadened anterior anal fin rays (seven, thus the popular name) and the saw-like keel structure at the lower end of the caudal peduncle. Structures of that kind can be found in the genera Spintherobolus and Serrapinnus, but in the 7 Rays Mint Tetra the anterior anal fin rays are not connected by membranes which is the case in all known species of Spintherobolus and Serrapinnus. Thus our fish might not belong only to a new species, but also to a new genus.

Regarding keeping the new species proved to be undemanding so far. The fish are typical, very lively schooling fish.

For our customers: the animals have code 293692 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Serrapinnus: Latin, means “saw-fin”, referring to “the peculiar shape of the anal-fin rays of mature males.” (Malabarba, 1998). Spintherobolus: from ancient Greek, means about “emitting sparks”, probably referring to the lateral line organ.

Suggestion of a common name: 7 Rays Mint Tetra

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Postscriptum: the species has been described in 2012 under the name of Serrapinnus sterbai by Axel Zarske. This is the complete reference: Zarske, A. (2012): Serrapinnus sterbai spec. nov. — Beschreibung eines neuen Salmlers (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae: Cheirodontinae) aus Brasilien mit Bemerkungen zu S. gracilis (Géry, 1960) comb. nov. und S. littoris (Géry, 1960) comb. nov. Vertebrate Zoology v. 62 (no. 1): 3-17.

For the first time ever we succeeded in importing this unique species of piranha from Brazil. Currently the piranhas are placed in 5 genera (Catoprion, Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Pygopristis, and Serrasalmus). However, there is some discussion about this classifaction, because intermediate forms have been observed. The species currently placed in Pristobrycon are quite discoid fish as adults and have comparetively small heads. But the juveniles look quite different and one might think to see another, distinct species or even another genus.

Maximum length reported in P. striolatus is about 15 cm. Our largest fish are a bit smaller, but the sexes can be already become determined by the shape of the anal fin. In males, this fin is clearly hooked, whereas in females the anal fin has a straight border.

In the photo tank the pair was quite peaceful, but we nevertheless keep these precious fish solitary; for although almost nothing is known for sure about this rare species it is said to be a fin eater in the wild. In the aquarium they feed readily on any usual piranha food.

For our customers: the fish have code 292845 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Pristobrycon: from ancient Greek, means “saw-Brycon”; Brycon is another genus of tetra, the word pristis (saw) refers to the saw-like arranged scales on the keel of the breast. striolatus: means “dashed”.

Suggestion of a common name: Cheetah piranha

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Serrasalmus eigenmanni Peru

This medium sized and very interesting piranha (maximum length reported is around 20 cm) was imported from Peru. This is worth mentioning, as so far S. eigenmanni has been “only” reported from Brazil, the Guyanas, and Venezuela. Our determination bases on the work by Jégu & Santos (1988). Following these authors, the species-specific characters of S. eigenmanni are as follows: a dark spot behind the opercle; a dark base of the caudal fin; a very deep body; a short snout. However, due to the well known difficulties regarding piranha systematics it might be necessary one day to realize that our fish might belong to another species.

Serrasalmus eigenmanni belongs to a group of piranhas that live solitary and feed in nature mainly on the fins of other fish. In captivity it is no problem to feed the fish with any other meat, but it is of course not possible to keep S. eigenmanni in community with other fish.

For our customers: the animals have code 291604 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Serrasalmus: from Latin, means „salmon with a saw“. Refers to the saw-like arranged scales along the keel of the breast. eigenmanni: dedication name.

Common name: Eigenmann´s piranha

Lexicon: Serrasalmus: from Latin, means „salmon with a saw“. Refers to the saw-like arranged scales along the keel of the breast. eigenmanni: dedication name.

Finally we were successful and imported a larger number of this wonderfully coloured predatory tetra from Peru. Both sexes have the splendid orange belly. Females can be recognized by the shape of the ventral fins: they are comparatively small and rounded (large and pointed in males).

It is said that the species can attain a length of up to 25 cm; however, our specimens are about 15 cm long and sexually fully developed

Keeping these pretty fish is very easy. They are solitary living predatory fish. Erythrinus has an accessory organ that enables the fish to breath atmospheric air in oxygen-poor water. In the aquarium the fish accept readily frozen fish (smelt) as food, so feeding them is not a problem at all.

Read more about that intersting fish here: http://aqualog.de/news/web96/13-16e.pdf

For our customers: the species has code 253394 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Erythrinus: ancient Greek, means about “the reddish”.

Suggestion of a common name: Firebelly Wolf Fish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Once more we were able to import this cute dwarf tetra from Peru. The maximum length of the fish is around 2 cm total length. Despite their small size the males can be very aggressive against each other. If one can keep a lot of them together they are peaceful (the same phenomenon can be found in many cichlid species), but in a normal sized tank one should keep only one male along with one or more females.

The sexes can be distinguished easily by coloration. Only the males become bright red. Depending on mood, mating males can also develope a deep black humeral spot.

So far only one species of the genus Odontocharacidium is known to science, namely O. aphanes from the Rio Negro in Brazil. However, this species has a rather dull coloration. Is is not known wether the Peruvian fish represents a new species or a variety of O. aphanes.

The water parameters on a collecting site of this fish in the Rio Shishita drainage were as follows: pH 5,32, conductivity 21µS/cm, temperature 24°C. Keeping these very nice fish proofed unproblematical so far.

For our customers: the fish have code 272973 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Odontocharacidium: means about “Characidium with teeth”; Characidium is another genus of ground tetra. aphanes: ancient Greek, means “unconspicuous”.

Suggestion of a common name: Red Dwarf Darter Tetra

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Myloplus schomburgkii is one of the most beautiful large tetras in South America. The maximum length of these magnificent disc tetras is approx. 45 cm. The photos of the adults were taken in a display aquarium.

In contrast to many other silver dollars, the identification of Myloplus schomburgkii is relatively easy, as only three species show the vertical black stripe in the middle of the body. However, the shape and expression of the stripe varies considerably in animals of different geographical origin and it cannot be ruled out that several species are hidden behind the name M. schomburgkii.

Sex differences are not yet discernible in juveniles. In adult specimens, however, the sexes are unmistakable. In all Myloplus species, the males acquire a two-lobed anal fin as they grow older. In M. schomburgkii, the males also develop thread-like dorsal fin filaments. Males that are active in courtship become splendidly red.

These close relatives of piranhas feed mainly on plants. Just like piranhas, a hierarchy is fought out. In appropriately sized aquaria, Myloplus schomburgkii is one of the most attractive fish imaginable.

For our customers: the animals have code 270503 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Myloplus: not explained. Myleus: after the ancient Greek term for “millstone”. schomburgkii: dedication name for the important German naturalist and explorer Robert Hermann Schomburgk (1804-1865).

Suggestion of a common name: Blackbanded pacu

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Code: 285513

Code 258608

Code: 261203

Currently we were able to organize one of the rare imports from Guyana and so we have the beautiful Leporinus arcus originating from there in stock again. The genus Leporinus contains almost 100 species and is thus pretty big. Nevertheless only very few species could establish themselves as aquarium inhabitants. Most of them become quite large, are quarrelsome and eat any plant they can find. Most species are simply too dull in coloration to keep them despite this nasty behaviour.

Leporinus arcus also becomes quite large. Maximum length reported is around 40 cm. However, in the wild most of them will never grow bigger than 15-20 cm and besides this they are very pretty. Leporinus arcus are ideal tankmates for larger South American Cichlids or to bring some colours in a tank with predatory fish. Likewise other Leporinus they develop a social hierarchy. So it is much better to buy animals of different size, because equally sized animals will fight much harder with each other. Once the hierarchy is established the fish live in relative harmony together.

For our customers: the species has code 265802 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Leporinus: Latin, means “hare-nose”. arcus: Latin, means “bow” and “rainbow”; it is not explained what Eigenmann meant by giving this name in the original description, but most probably the name applies on the lower longitudinal stripe: (“… another (band) curving from the eye downward and back to the lower edge of the caudal”)

Suggestion of a common name: Lipstick Leporinus

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Code: 259823

Code: 268583

Code: 258412

Code: 206203

The correct determination of piranha species is one of the most difficult chapters in ichthyology at all. Even the specialized authorities for that group of fish have often different points of view. And so we quite often can only look for the very few features that are accepted as species specific, like the black bands in the caudal and the anal fins, the existence of a humeral spot etc.

But the fish is by far more important than its scientific name! And one thing is for sure: this piranha is the most beautiful one we ever were able to import! There is no doubt that the fish belongs to a relationship around Serrasalmus spilopleura and S. maculatus and most probably they reach the same size and can be kept and bred equally to these mentioned species. So please take a look on our entrance on them on our homepage: http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/serrasalmus-maculatus-und-s-marginatus_de_1179.html

We have added the river name “Tapajos” to the scientific name on our stocklist. This is due to the fact that in the Tapajos river a type of Serrasalmus spilopleura can be found that has equal to our fish a brilliant deep red to orange breast, whereas the other piranhas of that group have a yellow one. The exact origin of our specimens is unknown to us.

For our customers: the fish have code 292814 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Serrasalmus: from Latin, means „salmon with a saw“. Refers to the saw-like arranged scales along the keel of the breast. spilopleura: ancient Greek, means “with spotted flanks”. maculatus: Latin word for „spotted“

Suggestion of a common name: Charcoal piranha

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

For our customers: the animals have code 268634 on our stocklist.

The lively species of the genus Tyttocharax belong to the smallest species of tetra at all. They hardly ever become larger than 2 cm. Two species are currently quite often imported, both originate from Peru: T. cochui and T. madeirae. At the first glimpse both species look very similar and have been often confused in the past. Another reason for this is the fact that T. madeirae has not been recognized in scientific collections from Peru so far.

Both dwarf tetra species can be distinguished best by the coloration of the dorsal and the anal fins. Both fins are hylaine in T. cochui and have dark markings in T. madeirae.

Males become larger than the females and are very deep bodied at age. Keeping these tiny fish is not much demanding. Any usual fishfood is readily taken as long as it fits the mouth. The dwarf fish are very peaceful against tankmates, may they belong to their own or to other species. Plants are not harmed.

For our customers: the fish have code 298952 (cochui) and 298963 (madeirae) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Tyttocharax: ancient Greek, means “tiny Charax”; Charax is another genus of tetra. cochui: dedication name. madeirae: after the Rio Madeira in Brazil.

Suggestion of common names: T. cochui: Whiteband Frippery Tetra; T. madeirae: Madeira Frippery Tetra

Code number: 215703

Photos: Frank Schäfer

The tretras represent a group of fishes that has developed a lot of very contrasting forms. Everybody knows the cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) as a paragon for a peaceful community fish, but the pack hunting piranha that bites big pieces of meat off its victim is also well known.

Among the predatory species are the three or four species of Galeocharax. These fishes can reach a length of 20-25 cm. All species look very similar to each other, our determination bases mainly on the origin (Peru), as only G. gulo is reported from there so far. These fishes are real rarities in the import business, the current importation is only the second in the history of our company.

Galeocharax belong to the group of the so-called “water-dogs”, which have needle-pointed teeth that are used to hold the prey. It is quite obviously that such predators are only suited for specialized aquaristis. They need large tanks for they are active swimmers. Against conspecifics the fish are relatively peaceful as well as against tankmates that are too large to be eaten. However, Galeocharax are shy fish and one should keep that in mind in respect of planned tankmates.

For our customers: the fish have code 254152 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Galeocharax: compound of the ancient Greek word for a small shark and “charax”: Charax is another genus of tetra. gulo: after the scientific name of the wolverine (Gulo gulo), a large species of weasel.

Suggestion of a common name: Barrakuda water dog

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Code number: 298282

Photo: Frank Schäfer