10. Catfishes - Page 4 of 7 - Aquarium Glaser GmbH

10. Catfishes (690)

First import of Rhadinoloricaria macromystax

20. April 2016

Even keepers specialized in whiptail catfish will hardly know this fish. Until now only preserved specimens or pictures of animals photographed in the field were known. Now we were able for the first time ever to import some specimens alive from Venezuela. The species has been described in 1869 from Peru.

These fish are extremely sensitive. Our supplier reports that he has big difficulties during the acclimatization of the fish. The reasons for these difficulties are unknown. The way the fish hold their pectoral and ventral fins (like spoilers) may be a hint that these whiptail cats are adopted to strong current (a so-called rheophilic species).

The species is said to attain a length of about 15 cm. This means that our specimens are fully grown or at least sexually mature. If they represent the “real” Rh. macromystax or a close, still undescribed relative, cannot be decided by us. The genus is only insufficient researched.

For our customers: the animals have code 287255 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only very few specimens available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Another new Panda-Corydoras

19. April 2016

The “New Panda” from Colombia/Venezuela is a much sought for species by Corydoras enthusiats since the first importation in 2010 (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=272). There have been given two CW numbers for the species (different species?), namely CW49 and CW51. Please see for discussion and additional pictures of both forms http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/corydoras-sp-cw-49-and-cw-51_en_1694.html Now we were able to import again this beautiful species and this time – again – many of them look different: they have an enormous large black saddle spot compared with the varieties known already. So are these Corys another local variety or do these fish simply differ a bit in respect of coloration from year to year? Nobody knows… But one thing is for sure: the are real beauties! For our customers: the fish have code 240183 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Amaralia hypsiura

13. April 2016

Banjo catfishes are subjects for lovers of calm fishes. One could also ay: for lovers of phlegmatic fishes. These creatures will not swim even an inch if it is not absolutely necessary. On the other hand they are really odd looking creatures. The strangest looking of this assemblage of strange-looking animals is without any doubt Amaralia hypsiura. This species attains a length of about 12 cm and has a very wide distribution in South America. It can be easily recognized by the much reduced dorsal fin. Until a few weeks ago only one species was recognized in Amaralia, namely A. hypsiura, but recently a second species, A. oviraptor, has been described from the Paraná-Paraguay-system. It looks almost identical to A. hypsiura.

Our specimens originate from Venezuela. While researching the new species it was found that all Amaralia feed almost exclusively on eggs and freshly hatched young fish with a large yolk sac of other fish species, most often obviously on loricariids.

When Amaralia are disturbed they press the tail on the side of the body, thus imitating seeds of beans (for example Mucuna sp.).

Sadly Amaralia are only very rarely offered by the exporters, despite the wide distribution and the fact that they are far from being rare in the wild. So we are quite proud that we could manage once more a successful import. Our four specimens are fully grown: one male and three females.

For our customers: the fish have code 203455 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only four specimens available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras sp. C3

13. April 2016

Shipments declared as “Corydoras deckeri” from Colombia are always subject of surprise. There is no scientifically described species C. deckeri, this name is pure fantasy. So sometimes Corydoras axelrodi, sometimes C. loxozonus, and sometimes the scientifically undescribed C. sp. C3 are shipped under that flag.

This time we received the pretty C3. However, all three species mentioned express a great number of varieties. It seems thus quite likely that the three do not represent different species, but rather a species flock that merely hybridize with each other and cannot be classified in the theoretical concept that we call “species”.

C3 has basically the same pattern as C. loxozonus, but the broad horizontal band is located in the middle of the body, as it is in C. axelrodi; in C. loxozonus this band runs along the back.

But there do exist specimens of C3 that look totally different. One would not hesitate to declare them as different species, were there not all thinkable intergrades. We could spot only one real bycatch in our shipment, a species with a sharp snout (blunt in C3), many horizontal stripes and a striped caudal fin. This fish has been given the code number CW113 recently by Ian Fuller.

For our customers: the fish have code 223603 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

An enigmatic Corydoras

9. March 2016

We
obtained corys from Brazil, which had been collected in the upper
Amazon. The exporter had identified them as Corydoras evelynae. Indeed
the upper Amazon is type locality of C. evelynae; this species has a
dark band over the back, which is broken in pieces; under the dorsal fin
is a broad, rectangular spot that looks quadratic when watched from
above; the dorsal spine is dark; on the flanks are two thin, parallel
running horizontal bands; the species has a dark eye-band (this
description bases on the holotype specimen). Since the first
description, which was made in 1963 on the basis of only one specimen,
Corydoras evelynae is subject of many speculations and has become
imported only very rarely.

Our
new importations show some similarities with C. evelynae, but also many
differences. They look most similar to the fish that have been named
C20 in 1994. The number C20 has been eliminated later, because it is
thought to represent only the juvenile of C. arcuatus.

However,
our largest C20 imported now show clearly that they do not belong to
Corydoras arcuatus. C. arcuatus of similar size (about 4 cm long) from
Peru look totally different, are regarded as large already in the trade
and have, of course, the species-specific pattern.

We
cannot exclude the possibility that C20 represents a juvenile stage of
the so-called Super-Arcuatus from Brazil, a scientifically undescibed,
very large (up to 8 cm) species; however, we do not think that this is
very much likely.

A
juvenile specimen (about 2 cm long) of Corydoras evelynae from
Colombia, which we obtained as a sample specimen from the Rio Vaupes in
May 2015 already showed the typical pattern of C. evelynae as described
above. So it can be excluded that C. evelynae has a long-lasting
juvenile pattern that differs from the adult pattern.

We
cannot decide wether our new importations represent specimens of C20 or
of a totally new species of Corydoras. In any way they are pretty
members of the genus that have a pattern similar to that of C. evelynae,
but a body shape that reminds one in the Corydoras-loretoensis-group.

For
our customers: the fish have code 229542 on or stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very small
numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

L102, Hypancistrus inspector

4. March 2016

Once
more we could import the beautiful Snowball Pleco (Hypancistrus
inspector, L102) from the Rio Negro in Brazil. The species can attain a
maximum length of about 18-20 cm and is one of the largest species in
Hypancistrus. However, our fish in stock are currently only 6-12 cm
long.

In
the most current import we found a greater variety of colour-morphs
than usual. Most L102 have large white spots on body and dorsal fin,
thus the popular name snowball pleco. But this time we also received
very finely spotted individuals, as well as dashed ones and almost black
ones. L102 can always be easily recognized by the dark seam of the
dorsal fin, that makes the species unmistakable. So we can be pretty
sure all these colour morphs belong to H. inspector. But these findings
are another good example that plecos can be very variable in respect of
individual pattern and that one should not care too much on that for
determination of the species.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L102-2 (6-8 cm), 26480-L102-3
(8-10 cm), and 26480-L102-4 (10-12 cm) on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudomystus heokhuii

29. February 2016

This
pretty species of bumblebee catfish was discovered and scientifically
described only in 2008. We could import the species now for the first
time ever. P. heokhuii becomes about 6 cm long and is a very peaceful
species of catfish.

Despite
the fact that Pseudomystus heokhuii inhabits extreme blackwater
habitats in the wild, where the pH is around 3.5 -4.5 they adapt very
well to different water conditions. The females develop spawn and even
in the phototank the male showed courtship behaviour. So it seems that
this pretty bumblebee catfish will even breed in aquaria.

For our customers: the fish have code 446483 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Auchenoglanis wittei

10. February 2016

Until
recently only two species of Auchenoglanis were commonly accepted,
namely A. biscutatus and A. occidentalis. This changed with the revision
of Retzer (2010), who recognizes eight different species. In the Congo
the genus is represented by Auchenoglanis wittei, which can be easily
identified by the “reticulated giraffe”-pattern of the body. However,
this is the species most commonly referred to as A. occidentalis in
aquarium literature (the”real” A. occidentalis is spotted as juvenile
and uniformly brown as adult; it occurs in the Senegal, Casamange, and
Gambia rivers and is not imported as a aquarium fish). So it will most
probably take a lot of time until the correct determination will be
known by hobbyists.

Auchenoglanis
wittei is a very peaceful and attractive catfish, but one should keep
in mind that it attains at least a length of about 30 cm. So it is
suited only for large aquaria in along-time sight. Our juvenile imports
are currently 5-7 cm long.

For our customers: the fish have code 100302 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras imitator and C39

8. February 2016

Currently
we receive imports of “Corydoras imitator” from the upper Rio Negro in
Brazil. If one takes a close look on the fish it becomes obvious that
hardly two specimens look really identical. Coloration is variable, as
well is the shape of the body. Some fish, for sure, are unplanned
by-catches, for example C. incolicana (C1). But it seems very doubtful
that Corydoras imitator (with a quite narrow black band on the back) and
C39 (with a more robust body and a much broader band on the back that
reaches the lower plate-row of the body in the region of the tail fin)
do really represent two different species….. At least both forms are
collected and exported together and there are so many intermediate
individuals that it is impossible to assort them properly.

For
our customers: Corydoras cf. imitator C39 have code 227314 on our
stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Loricaria sp. Rio Atabapo

3. February 2016

Finally we are able again to offer bred specimens of this Loricaria. It is the most beautiful species of the genus. Like all its relatives it is a mouthbrooding species. The males carry the egg-clusters along with them. For this they use the lower lip, which becomes much bigger during the breeding season, until the fry hatch.

The feature that makes Loricaria sp. Rio Atabapo (also known as Loricaria sp. Colombia) unmistakable is the dark harness stripe over the head. The species attains a length of about 20 cm and is still undescribed scientifically.

For our customers: the animals have code 266662 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-6

Corydoras njisseni

3. February 2016

Finally
we were able to import again the smallest and cutest of all the
different “orange blotch” Corydoras from the Rio Negro: Corydoras
nijsseni. This fish is a close relative of C. elegans. The coloration,
which is the same in Corydoras adolfoi, C. duplicareus, C. imitator, C.
sp. C39, C. serratus, and serveral other species, does not reflect the
phylogenetic relationship at all. Research has shown that it is simply a
case of mimicry that is used as a protection against predators. A bird
or another fish-eating animal will learn from the first Corydoras it
preys on that they are nasty scratchy in the throat. In future it will
avoid to feed on such fish. So all fish with the same coloration are
protected, this is the sense of this mimicry.

As
in most members of the Corydoras-elegans-relationship – the generic
name Gastrodermus is available for them – the males and the females show
a quite different coloration. Males are much darker during the mating
season. Very old males can even develop a black-dark network all over
the body. However, our fish are still young adults and the difference is
hence not that clearly visible yet.

For
our customers: the fish have code 237603 on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited
numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hara jerdoni

27. January 2016

Currently
is the high season for the interesting moth cats (Hara). These catfish
occur in India, Burma, and Thailand. The species are very difficult to
tell apart, in many cases it is simply impossible in live animals. There
are a few species that can be determined by a filament on the caudal
fin, but most of the species are extremely similar looking.

One
exception of that rule is Hara jerdoni. This tiny species attains only a
length of 2-3 cm and has very, very long pectoral fin spines. In some
swimming positions it really looks like a passenger airplane.

Due
to the fact that Hara in general do not swim a lot all species can be
kept in small tanks. Moth catfish are very peaceful against conspecifics
and other fish.

For our customers: Hara jerdoni has code 419712 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Tatia musaica (= Cenromochlus orca)

22. January 2016

We
were able to import again a small number of the most attractive of all
driftwood-catfishes: Tatia musaica, the ninja-tatia. This beautiful fish
attains a maximum length of about 5-6 cm. Like all the driftwood
catfishes this species also has an internal fertilization. The male´s
anal fin is modified for that purpose, similar as it is well known in
livebearers. The female deposits the eggs in absence of a male.

Species
of Tatia are night-active. So often hide hide during acclimatisation
the whole day through. One must take care that the animals get enough
food in that phase. Settled fish will come out of their hiding place
when fed during during daytime.

For our customers: the fish have code 295852 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras cochui and C. habrosus

19. January 2016

These dwarf species of Corydoras have been confused quite a long time. Both species attain a maximum length of about 3 cm and a very cute, nice and lively aquarium fish.

If one has the opportunity to see live specimens of both species together it may be hard to understand how they may be confused; moreover: Corydoras cochui originates from Brazil, C. habrosus from Colombia and Venezuela. But preserved specimens are very similar to each other and even on black-and-white-photographs – especially when they are strongly retouched – young animals look much alike.

Corydoras cochui from the Rio Araguaia also obtained a C-number until it was determined: C22. Sadly this species s very rare in the hobby. So we are quite glad to be able to offer that nice fish again.

Corydoras habrosus from the upper Orinoco is quite the opposite: this species belongs to the always available Corydoras in the pet trade.

Both species should be always kept in groups, at least five specimens together. They like warm water temperatures, starting with 26°C. In all other respects these two dwarf Corydoras are easy-to-keep, hardy fishes.

For our customers: Corydoras cochui has code 225802, C. habrosus 231003 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil, Kolumbien / Colombia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	2-3

Corydoras CW 45 Lessex

16. December 2015

We
can currently offer a very limited number of a new variety of the rare
species CW 45. The fish was named “Lessex” by the exporter. We adopted
that name, but we don´t know the meaning.

CW
45 is a deep bodied species, similar to C. armatus. It differs from the
latter by the bright orange spot in the neck. C. armatus never has such
a spot. In contrast to “regular” CW 45 the “Lessex” has black markings
on the soft-rayed parts of the pectoral and the ventral fins. These are
only visible when the fish is observed from behind or from above.

For our customers: the fish have code 222135 on our stocklsit. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Rineloricaria lanceolata

20. November 2015

Currently
we obtain very nice Rineloricaria lanceolata from Paraguay. This
species of whiptail catfish is very variable in respect of coloration.
Almost all colours from deep dark brown (almost black) to a light
clay-brown can be observed.

It
was back in the 1980ies that a brick-red sport of whiptail catfish
appeared in the former GDR. The real origin of the fish stays a mystery,
but it was possible to cross it with R. lanceolata. The strains that
exist nowadays are most probably all hybrids. The initial red whiptail
catfish belonged most probably to another species than R. lanceolata
(see Evers & Seidel, Wels-Atlas, Vol. 1: 694, for details). So it is
very interesting that among our recently imported wild collected fish
is one red male! The animal was given (along with some conspecifics of
the same importation) to a breeder. We will see if it is possible to
establish another, pure bred, red strain. However, Rineloricaria
lanceolata is somewhat feared by breeders, because many males are bad
fathers that prefer to eat the spawn.

For our customers: R. lanceolata has code 288503 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras vittatus

16. November 2015

And
here we have one more beautiful species of currently imported
Corydoras. Corydoras vittatus – the specific name means “striped” – is
one of the most variable species in respect of the individual pattern.
The fish originates from Brazil. Formerly it was often regarded to be a
subspecies of the also very variable species Corydoras blochi from
Guyana and Venezuela, but currently most authorities accept C. vittatus
as a full species on its own.

One
of the most attractive features of C. vittatus is the fact that in some
specimens the dark colour spreads from the obligate eyeband over the
complete head, which makes the fish look very unusual.

For our customers: the animals have code 248603 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hypancistrus sp. L66 King Tiger Pleco

13. November 2015

The King Tiger Pleco
originates from the Rio Xingu in Brazil. The species belongs to the most
popular plecos in the hobby. This fish attains a length of about 15 cm.
Currently we can offer very nice German bred ones (4-5 cm long), which
have a pretty and strongly contrasting black-and-white-pattern.

Like
in all species from the Rio Xingu the water should be a bit warmer than
usual, 28°C is the best temperature. Otherwise the species is
undemanding. These plecos do not feed on algae.

For
our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 066X-2 (bred ones) and
26480-L 066-3 (wild collected ones) on our stocklist. Please note that
we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras diphyes and Otocinclus mimulus

4. November 2015

Corydoras
diphyes and Otocinclus mimulus are available irregularly in Germany and
have been recently described by Axenrot and Kullander (2003). They
originate from the tributary of the Rio Monday, a river flowing into the
Rio Parana in Paraguay.

This
species was known, for quite a long time, as Corydoras flaveolus in the
hobby; this species, however, comes however from the Brazilian state of
Sao Paulo. This catfish has a variable coloration, is comparatively
easy to breed and is very suitable for the planted community fish tank
together with peaceful companions.

On
the first glimpse one may confuse Corydoras diphyes with C. paleatus.
We have photographed both species together for this entrance. In direct
comparison the two species look quite different and can be easily told
apart.

In
their natural habitat Corydoras diphyes live in large shoals together
with Otocinclus mimulus. The coloration and pattern of A. mimulus
coincides very well with those of C.diphyes. In this way the Otocinclus
catfish tries to protect itself for predators, in this case Crenicichla
lepidota. This phenomenon is called mimicry.

For
our customers: Corydoras diphyes has code 227564, Otocinclus mimulus
273994 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the
wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Unusual ornamental fish bred in Indonesia 2: Corydoras septentrionalis

21. October 2015

Corydoras
septentrionalis is rather rare in the trade. It occurs in Venezuela and
Colombia. The species is very similar to Corydoras ellisae from
Paraguay. It differs from C. ellisae mainly due to the much longer snout
and the colourless fin (with a spotted pattern in C. ellisae).

We
were a bit surprised to obtain that particular species from Indonesia
now. There are so many species in Corydoras… But two features are very
special in C. septentrionalis. First: there is a very nice metallic
green shine on the body when the light falls in the right way. And
twice: we hardly ever observed a species of Corydoras so far that has
such a fascinating behaviour. When the males compete with each other or
when the winner of the competition courts before the female this
proceeding is so fast that the eye can hardly follow.

For our customers: the fish have code 245402 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras pantanalensis C5

19. October 2015

This species is one of the largest of its genus: C. pantanalensis can reach a total length of more than 8 cm! Now we finally were able once more to import these splendid pieces of gold in small numbers.

Besides the impressive size Corydoras pantanalensis is also very interesting because the males develop during the breeding season a completely different pattern. In this time they have a dark net pattern all over the body. Our current imports are not in the mood for breeding. The males differ from the females only in the intensity of the colours: the males are more golden-red.

For our customers: the fish have code 240623 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Parotocinclus cf. variola

14. October 2015

For
the first time ever we were able to import this interesting dwarf
suckermouth catfish. It originates from a only recently discovered
region, namely the waterfalls of Cachoeira do el Dorado in the far
northern parts of Brazil, almost at the border to Venezuela. This area
has not been explored ichthyologically yet. Of all the different species
of Paraotocinclus described so far our new importations are most
similar to P. variola, a species described only this year on the basis
of specimens collected near Leticia in Colombia.

However,
our fish differ from P. variola in some details. Currently we cannot
say if these differences are of any importance, because our fish are
very variable in respect of coloration (all specimens on the photos have
the same size, eg about 3 cm total length (inclusive caudal fin)). In
contrast to many other Parotocinclus of this relationship our new
importations are quite hardy fish. Besides this the liveliness of the
fish is worth mentioning.

For our customers: the fish have code 276543 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hypostomus sp. LDA10

14. October 2015

The
great rush for l-numbers is over, no doubt. But even at the highest
level of the hype some of the species appeared only once or twice in the
ornamental fish market. One of those guys is LDA, a species of
Hypostomus with an extraordinary broad head. Obviously this species
lives syntopically with the much sought-for dwarf Ancistrus claro or
LDA8. To the best of our knowledge no reports on LDA 10 appeared in the
aquarium journals since its original introduction in 1993.

The
special thing in LDA 10 is: most probably the species does not grow
much in length, compared with other Hypostomus species. The photographed
specimens come from our current stock. They seem to be sexually fully
developed at a total length of 11,5 cm (standard length of 8,5 cm). If
the breeding of this species would be successful we would have an
additional very useful algae-eater, like the Common Pleco, but with LDA
we would would have a species that stays small!

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-LDA 010-4 on our stocklist.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Batrochoglanis raninus Dwarf

5. October 2015

Batrochoglanis raninus Dwarf

The genus Batrochoglanis was formerly placed in Pseudopimelodus. Batrochoglanis can be best distinguished from Pseudopimelodus by the shape of the caudal fin. Pseudopimelodus has a deeply forked caudal fin, Batrochoglanis only a slightly indented one.

Currently five species of Batrochoglanis are accepted. We obtain occasionally specimens of that genus from Colombia, which fit perfectly in all respects to the described species B. raninus, with one exception: the fish stay small! Usually B. raninus should be a fast growing species that becomes 15-20 cm long. But neither could our supplier ever deliver larger specimens nor did they grow much in our facility. The largest specimens observed so far were about 8 cm long (including caudal fin). It seems that the larger and heavier fish are the females.

Batrochoglanis are night-activ fish that love to hide themselves. They are very peaceful to all other fish that do not fit the mouth. Although one cannot say that Batrochoglanis are social animals, the cluster in large aggregation in the plastic tubes we offer for the as hiding places.

For our customers: the fish have code 209951 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

Mastiglanis asopos

29. September 2015

Catfishes in general often look quite odd. This is for sure true for this dwarf catfish, which was described only in 1994 in a new genus. The maximum length of this fish is about 6-7 cm without the caudal fin. The shape of the body is very elongate. The extremely long pectoral fin rays are most obvious when looked on from top. And then there are the strange eyes, placed very high in the head, and with slit-shaped pupils.

The generic name “Mastiglanis” means “Whip-Catfish” due to the long first finrays of dorsal and pectoral fins. The late discovery and the fact that the currently imported fish represent (almost) the first ones in our facility may lead to the impression that the species is rare in the wild. But this is not true. In fact, the species has an enormous range in the Amazon river, and we even obtained a single specimen as an accidental bycatch with other fish from the Orinoco in Colombia in 2006.

We have specimens in our importation that have a more dark colour and others which are lighter. But both fish are rather sand-colored. This, and the fact that the eyes are placed so high in the head made us think that the fish possibly live burrowed in fine sand. But despite the harassment the fish had to face during their stay in the photo-tank they made not attempt to burry themselves in the sand.

Against each other these catfish are very peaceful. So now catfish enthusiasts with scientific curiosity can satisfy their needs and find out details on the life history of this new “Whip-Dwarf-Catfish”.

For our customers: the fish have code 266752 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-6

Corydoras seussi

24. September 2015

Now
is the import season for this beautiful long snouted cory, which is
among the most colorful species of the whole genus Corydoras. The round
snouted species Corydoras gossei has an almost identical coloration. So
sometimes C. gossei is found as bycatch to C. seussi.

For
our customers: C. seussi has code 230264 (lg) and 230265 (xlg) on our
stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hypoptopoma cf. psilogaster “sp. II”

16. September 2015

The dwarf catfish of the genus Hypoptopoma are close relatives of the
much better known Otocinclus species. Both genera have a similar habit
and a similar way of life. Members of Hypoptopoma have a very typical
position of the eyes. This gives them the advantage to be able to see
what happens below them them as well as what happens above them. In
contrast to Otocinclus the members of Hypoptopoma take care for the eggs
and brood.

We
received “Giant Tiger Otocinclus” from Peru. Traditionally this species
a called Hypoptopoma sp. II, according to the book “Welsatlas Vol.1” by
H.-G. Evers and I. Seidel. A quick look in the recent revision of
Hyoptopoma showed that coloration, shape of the body, and distribution
of our our fish fit quite well with the described species H.
psilorhynchus. However, more research is necessary to confirm this
preliminary determination.

In any way these “Tigers” are quite attractive animals that will find for sure their keepers!

For our customers: the fish have code 262333 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Literature:
Aquino,
A. E. & S. A. Schaefer (2010): Systematics of the genus Hypoptopoma
Günther, 1868 (Siluriformes, Loricariidae). Bulletin of the American
Museum of Natural History No. 336: 1-110.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras aeneus Cuiabá

16. September 2015

The
Bronze Cory is the most popular and most widespread Corydoras in the
hobby. This stands in a strong contrast to the scientific knowledge
about the systematics of that species. From a systematist´s point of
view the Bronze Cory is among the least understood species of the genus.
Currently only one species is accepted, which inhabits practically the
complete South American subcontinent. This for sure does not reflect the
real situation.

For
the first time ever we can offer Bronze Corys that we have imported via
Cuiabá (state of Mato Grosso) in Brazil. This form is quite similar to
the species C. macrosteus, described by Regan in 1912 from the Rio
Piracicaba (state of Sao Paulo). However, C. macrosteus is considered
only as a synonym of C. aeneus currently.

In any case the
enthusiasts now have a new and pretty variety of the Bronze Cory at
hand, which has a known origin. One should avoid to keep them along with
other Bronze Cory to exclude the possibility of hybridization.

For our customers: the animals have code 221153 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras loxozonus

7. September 2015

This
cory belongs to the most attractive members of the genus Corydoras and
is also very easy to keep. One should only remember that C. loxozonus –
it originates from the Rio Orinoco and its affluents – prefers higher
temperatures. So the water temperture should not sink below 25°C for
longer.

Currently
we can offer very nice and large wild collected ones. Among these wild
ones always some specimens appear that have a rather broken dorsal band.
Formerly these individual often were taken erroneously for Corydoras
evelynae. Now we know that Corydoras loxozonus can have a very variable
pattern. Most experts believe that even such aberrant fish like C82 and
C83 belong to that species.

For
our customers: Corydoras loxozonus has code 233705 on our stocklist,
C83 code 233753; the latter is available in very small numbers only.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Gagata cenia

7. September 2015

The Assamese Clown Catfish is the perfect choice for all aquarists that love lively species. This catfish attains a maximum length of about 15 cm, but matures at a length of less than 7 cm. The fish is a real energy pack. It can be hardly ever found resting for a minute, it is always on the move.

Clown catfish are – as a rule – sensitive fish, because they originate from very clean, running waters. However, well settled animals are real hardy, as is shown by the specimens we currently have in stock – they are in perfect condition!

One should keep Gagata cenia always in groups, because the fish are very social. There should be a good current in the tank. The bottom should be covered with sand and some larger stones. The water temperature can lie between 18 and 26°C, the pH beween 6.5 and 8, and the hardness between 10 and 30° dGH.

For our customers: the fish have code 416002 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien / India
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

And once more: Corydoras CW49

7. September 2015

We reported about our current importations of the most beautiful Corydoras sp. CW49 and CW51 quite recently (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/corydoras-sp-cw-49-und-cw-51_de_1694.html). Now we obtained again a shipment of that species, this time said to originate from a new collecting site. And see: now all specimens look like the other, all are “pure” CW49 phenotypes!

The pictures accompanying this entrance were taken from specimens of our most recent import.

For our customers: the animals have code 240194 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Kolumbien / Colombia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-5

Bagrichthys macracanthus

2. September 2015

Currently
we can offer a very seldom imported, unusual catfish from Southeast
Asia (eastern Sumatra): Bagrichthys macracanthus. This catfish attains a
maximum length of about 20 cm. In the wild, the species inhabits river
portions with only very low current. Against conspecifics males are
quite quarrelsome; kept by pair or in groups composed of one male and an
overhang of female specimens they are peaceful against each other.
Sexually ripe animals can be easily sexed, for the males develop a very
unusual, penis-like urogenital papilla; this papilla is normal-shaped in
females. However, females can be recognized even in much younger
specimens (ours are about 8-10 cm long) by the much deeper body.

Against
tankmates Bagrichthys macracanthus – they are called Black Lancer in
the trade – are peaceful. One should keep them not along with animals
smaller than about one quarter of the length of the Black Lancer, for
otherwise they may serve as food. Bagrichthys macracanthus is night
active and needs caves and other hiding places during the day to feel
comfortable. At feeding times the catfish leave their hiding places even
by day. They feed readily on any type of usual food used for ornamental
fishes. The chemical composition of the water is meaningless. The water
temperature should be between 24 and 28°C.

For our customers: the fish have code 368482 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Flyer-cats from Brazil!

26. August 2015

Recently
we received a shipment of flyer-cats (Pseudolithoxus), which have been
collected in the surroundings of Sao Gabriel do Cacheiro at the Rio
Negro. At the first glimpse the fish look very similar to P. anthrax
(L235) from Venezuela. But they are distinguished from the latter by the
much larger white spots and the white seam of the caudal fin. Our
largest males are about 15 cm long and have all features of sexual
active animals, so we think the species becomes not much larger.

Male
and females can be best told apart by looking on them from top. The
differences in head-shape and the length of the pectoral fin can be only
hardly overlooked.

We have given these beautiful new importations the provisional L-number L235a.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 235A-5 on our stocklist.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in
limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

A brandnew Corydoras – Corydoras sp. aff. potaroensis

26. August 2015

Sometimes it’s hard to believe. If one reminds that currently 160 species of Corydoras are scientifically accepted, plus 159 C-numbers, plus 107 CW-numbers, it is more than likely that every newly imported Corydoras could be applied to at least one of these fish. But far from that! Last week we obtained Corydoras under the name of “Corydoras potaroensis”. Our new fish is very similar to C. potaroensis, but differs from it by many black dots all over the body and the fins. In the original description of C. potaroensis, Myers writes: “There are no spots on the body or fins, the only markings being faint lines running parallel to the vertical plate-sutures.” This is meant with the exception of the large black spot in the dorsal fin and the black eye-band. So we stocked the new fish under the provisional name Corydoras sp. aff. potaroensis “Spotted”.

For our customers: the animals have code 225753 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-6

Leporacanthicus from the Rio Tapajós: L263 and L264

26. August 2015

We
received from Brazil two species of pretty carnivorous loricariids.
Both originate from the Rio Tapajós, where they occur even syntopically.
L264 has been described scientifically under the name of
Leporacanthicus joselimai, whereas L263 still waits for a scientist to
take a closer look on it.

It is very unusual that two closely related species live in the wild together. Usually one species will dominate the other. But in this case it obviously works. Both L-numbers for sure represent species on their own, as both have been bred already successfully in aquaria.

Both species attain a maximum length of about 15-20 cm.

For our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 263-3 (L263) und 26480-L 264-3 (L264) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Cetopsis coecutiens

27. July 2015

This species is legend. Cetopsis coecutiens becomes up to 40 cm long and is spread very far over South America – and feared! The animals are merciless hunters. Even when trapped in a fish cast they bite pieces out of their fellow captives. Even attacks on humans are reported. People living along the Amazon river call them inter alia Candiru-açu (Brazil) or Canero (Peru). Both are names that are usually reserved for the bloodsucking, parasitic catfish of the family Trichomycteridae, which occasionally enter the ureter of bathing people in case they urinate under water.

The naturalists of the 18th century already knew Cetopsis coecutiens. They called it the “whale catfish”, because the shape of the fish is somewhat reminiscent to that of certain cetaceans. Another, whale-like feature of the catfish is the fact that it has two pairs of nasal openings. One pair is situated quite “normal” on the front of the head, but the other pair opens over the eyes, just like the blowholes of the whales do.

In the aquarium these catfish are rather interesting than beautiful. They are very peaceful against conspecifics. In life, Cetopsis coecutiens reinds one rather in a Great White Shark than in a whale. Like the shark the catfish are swimming perpetually. Like the shark the catfish are not able to close the mouth for a longer time. And also the coloration (dark back, light belly) is like the coloration of the shark.

We received some specimens of this catfish from Peru. Of course these animals are only for specialists and zoos. However, if one has a tank that is spacious enough, keeping these catfish is not difficult at all. In our facility they feed readily on Tubifex and dry food (granulates) – tamed predators!

For our customers: the fish have code 214735 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm	8-10

Ompok bimaculatus and O. pabda

29. June 2015

Ompok
are medium sized catfish that reach a length of 15-40 cm. They are
close relatives of the only central European species of catfish, the
Wels (Silurus glanis). Ompok look quite similar to the Wels. In southern
and southeastern Asia, Ompok are favorite food fish, despite the fact
that they are comparatively small. They are called “butter catfish” due
to the very soft flesh. This makes is almost impossible to detect the
original distribution of the species, because fingerlings are sent over
wide distances for stocking fish ponds.

The
determination of species of Ompok is very difficult. A lot of species
descritions exist (currently 47), but only 27 are regarded as valid
usually. The remaining seem to be synonyms or unnecessary renamings. But
this fact nevertheless shows that there is a lot of variation in the
species and that different scientist have different points of view how
to evaluate certain characters, like coloration or body indexes. Until
ca. 1950 all described species of Ompok were seen as only one existing,
very variable species, namely O. bimaculatus.

Omopk
bimaculatus has been described already in 1794. It originates from
India. We also received our specimens from India. From India alone 21
species of Ompok have been described, but only 5 are regarded as vaild.
So the literature on Ompok from India is very confusing. The situation
becomes even worse, as O. bimaculatus is called “pabda” in India, but
Ompok pabda is a different species!

Most
probably the second species of Ompok we currently have in stock came to
Thailand for food purposes. The very long barbels and the marbled
pattern on the body fit very good to the description of Ompok pabda.

Keeping
Ompok species in aquaria is not difficult and is comparable to keeping
glass catfish (Kryptopterus). However, Ompok become much larger! Against
other fish that are not suitable to be eaten, Ompok are absolutely
peaceful and they also leave plants in the aquarium alone.

For
our customers: the fish have code 439752 (O. bimaculatus) and 439853
(O. pabda) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the
wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Nemapteryx nenga

26. June 2015

This
beautiful “freshwater shark” reached us from India. Formerly the
species was placed in the genus Arius. Like all these Arius-relatives
Nemapteryx nenga is not a shark at all, but a catfish. N. nenga attains a
length of about 30 cm and should be kept in large aquaria only.

These
“freshwater sharks” are animals that live in the mouths of large
rivers. So they can live as well in pure freshwater and in pure
seawater. We recommend to keep them in brackish water with a salt
content of 5-10 grams per liter.

Due to the nicely shaped
dorsal fin the popular name “whimple freshwater shark” could be used. As
far as it is known all species of the Arius-relationship are
mouthbrooders. The eggs are taken by the male in the mouth until they
hatch. One should keep these pretty catfish always in groups (5-10
specimens). Singly kept specimens do not thrive very well.

For our customers: the animals have code 438322 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

L24 has been described: Pseudacanthicus pitanga

26. June 2015

Another L-number has received a correct scientific description finally: L24. The beautiful orange finned cactus pleco from the Rio Tocantins is named now Pseudacanthicus pitanga. The specific name “pitanga” is from the Tupi-Guarini language and means “red” in allusion to the colour of the fins.

The scientific paper also discusses the risks of using this fish for the ornamental fish industry. The scientist states that this kind of use is
no danger for wild populations. The only real danger for Pseudacanthicus pitanga are hydroelectric dams that change the water body in a way that it is destroyed for fish that are specialized in fast flowing waters, like L24. However, due to the very wide distribution of P. pitanga in the Tocantins the species is currently not endangered at all.

Literature: Chamon, C. C. (2015): Pseudacanthicus pitanga: a new species of Ancestrini (SIluriformes: Loricariidae: Hypostominae) from rio Tocantins Basin, North Brazil. Zootaxa 3973 (2): 309-320

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras armatus Venezuela

26. June 2015

Corydoras
armatus belongs to the species of Corydoras which are known by
scientists very long already. It represents the sixths described species
of the genus. The original descriprition appeared back in 1868. The
type specimens originated from Peru (Rio Huallaga). It is quite
astonishing that the species appeared comparatively late in the hobby –
in the 1990ies. Until now it is a real rarity in the trade.

The
specific name “armatus” means “weaponed, armed” and refers to the
enormous dorsal spine. This spine makes the species almost unique. Only
two other similar Corydoras are known. One originates from Brazil (Rio
Abuna, near the border to Bolivia). The Brazilian was sometimes called
“Corydoras dorsalis” and “Corydoras ogawae”. Both names are pure fiction
and have no scientific relevance. Additionally this form has been given
the number CW86.

The
second sibling species comes from Peru again (Rio Nanay). This form was
given the C-number C96. While the Brazilian can only hardly be
distinguished from the “real” C. armatus by coloration (or any other
feature, except the 2.500 km distance between the Rio Huallaga and the
Rio Abuna and the larger spots on the body of CW86), C96 can be easily
recognized due to a black stripe over the shoulder, right below the
dorsal fin.

Now
we received the pretty Corydoras armatus for the first time ever from
Venezuela! The specimens look exactly like their Peruvian cousins. Our
freshly imported fish are very healthy, large specimens. Corydoras
armatus attains a maximum length of about 5 cm.

For our
customers: the fish have code 222105 on our stocklist. Please note that
we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers
only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras sp. CW 49 and CW 51

25. June 2015

Among the most attractive species of Corydoras that have been imported in the past years is the “New Panda” from Colombia. We obtained the first speciemens in 2010. There do exist two varieties of the species. One has a larger black spot that extends over the middle of the body down in direction of the belly (CW 49), in the other variety this spot is smaller and restricted to the upper half of the body (CW 51). It is said that the two varieties do not appear together in the same habitat, despite the fact that both are collected for the trade in the same river – the Rio Vaupes or its tributaries.

Our finding that both varieties are exported together and that also intermediate animals appear gives a different picture. In any case, CW 49 and CW 51 are with some certainty members of the same species in the zoological sense of the word. But for sure one can imagine that there do exist local varieties of the species. In case one owns both sexes of the same variety and is able to breed with them, he or she should publish the results in respect of the coloration of the offspring. This could help to solve the riddle. At east CW 51 is said to have been bred successful already, but no details are yet available to us.

According o informations published on Ian Fuller´s page “http://www.corydorasworld.com” (this is also the place where the CW-numbers are given), CW 51 originates from “Brazil/Colombia small creek near the setttlement of Villa Bittencourt on the Brazilian side where the Apaporis merges with the Rio Caquetá (which later – in Brazil, is called Rio Içá)”. (Information provided by Heiko Bleher). The very same source gives “Colombia, a small creek which enters the Rio Içá very near the Indian settlement Boa Vista, on the middle of the Rio Içá, also left bank.” for CW 49.

However, it is extremely likely that the species are by far more widespread than these informations seem to suggest. So let´s stay curious!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus: L1

25. June 2015

L-numbers are for many people simply synonyms for Loricariids. But one should remember that they have been cooked up only in 1988! L-numbers were given for species that have not been determined scientifically yet. The very first L-number, L1 (or L001, although nobody would have dreamed of hundreds of L-numbers initially) has been applied on a nice pleco that is now known under the name of Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus.

Once these fish were rather expensive, but this was long ago. Today they are bred in large numbers in Southeast Asia. Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus can become 25-30 cm long. Of course large specimens are eaten in Asia, but here most people prefer to keep large fish in large tanks. Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus is a peaceful species and a perfect algae eater.

For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L001 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nachzucht / Bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-6

Corydoras: Top rarities from Colombia

26. May 2015

We
obtained a number of sample specimens (only one specimen per species)
of Corydoras from the Rio Vaupes in Colombia. Some of them are real
rarities, others are better known already.

One
of the well known species is Corydoras osteocarus. This species cannot
be confused with any other Corydoras. The species attains a maximum
length of about 5 cm.

Corydoras
sp. CW 49 is a very pretty individual variety of the species C. sp. CW
51. The latter is currently quite often imported. It attains a length of
about 6 cm.

Corydoras
sp. CW 107 reminds one strongly in Corydoras davidsandsi. We think that
CW 107 belongs to the very same species as Corydoras sp. CW 91.

The
long snouted sibling species to CW 107 is Corydoras sp. CW 106. This
fish belongs most probably to the same species as Corydoras sp. CW 89.

Corydoras
evelynae is one of the most wanted species of Corydoras, but hardly
ever available. The appearance of this species in Colombia has been
published by Mojica et al. (2005): Peces de la Cuenca del Rio Amazonas
en Colombia: Región de Leticia. Bioto Combiana 6 (2): 191-210. C.
evelynae has been described from the upper Amazon in Brazil initially.

The
most sensational species is for sure a Corydoras that looks quite
similar to a group of Corydoras known so far from Peru only: Corydoras
fowleri, C. coriatae, and C. semiaquilus. In fact, C. semiaquilus is
listed for Colombia by Mojica et al.. However, our recently imported
fish looks quite different from what we know as the “Peru Black”, which
has been identified as Corydoras semiaquilus until now. So we think that
a lot of research has still to be done.

Sadly all these
Corydoras are very expensive and so they will hardly appear in near
future in good numbers in the ornamental fish market. But it is
nevertheless good to know that such beauties exist.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Ancistrus sp. L181 Rio Negro

19. May 2015

The
many species of Ancistrus with small white dots are very difficult to
tell apart. We recently obtained L181 from the Rio Negro in Brazil. The
very same species has been given several L-numbers, eg L71 (from the Rio
Tapajós) or L249 (from the Rio Trombetas and its affluent, the Rio
Cuminá). Also extremely similar is L182 from the Rio Branco. May this be
as it is: wild collected specimens are the best guarantee not to buy
unwanted hybrids. The pretty reddish first dorsal ray in our currently
imported specimens is very obvious.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 181-1 (4-6 cm), 26480-L 181-2
(6-8 cm), and 26480-L 181-4 (9-12 cm) on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudancistrus sp. LDA 32/L259/L321 Rio Tapajós

19. May 2015

Currently
four syntopically occuring forms of Pseudancistrus are reported from
the Rio Tapajós. They differ from each other by minor differences in
respect of coloration and proportions. L321 is the comparatively
flattest of them, has small dots and a reddish seam at the caudal fin.
LDA32 and L259 are a bit deeper bodied and have larger spots. The border
of the caudal fin is yellow. In P. sp. “Tapajós” (this form did never
receive a L-number, see Mergus Wels Atlas Vol 2, page 911 for a photo)
the border of the caudal fin is white. However, these differences are
comparatively vague and do not allow an exact determination when looking
on a single specimen. Coloration differs individually and the size of
the spots is decreasing when the fish get older. We have listed the
specimens from our current importation from the Rio Tapajós as L259.

The
attractive fish are feeding basically, as can be clearly recognized by a
look in the mouth, on Aufwuchs. Males can be very aggressive against
other males. Despite the fact that these fish can attain a maximum
length of about 20-25 cm, specimens of only 10 cm already show the
sexual dimorphism. The photographed animal, a male, is about 10 cm long
and has already the genus-specific bristles (odontodes) around the
snout.

For our customers: the animals have code 26480-L 259-2 on
our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale
trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Ancistrus sp. Black Rio Negro (L88)

19. May 2015

We received a good number of pure black Ancistrus from the Rio Negro. These have no clearly visible markings, except one: a deepblack spot on the basis of the dorsal fin. This somewhat unspectacular, but characteristic feature made finally the determation possible. Our fish belong to the species named “L88” or Anstrus sp. Black (the latter in Mergus Wels Atlas, Vol. 2: 284). Otherwise there are only unclear, light zones on the back of the fish, which are more or less clearly visible, depending on the mood of the animal.

Even though the species has no white seams, spots or so it looks very interesting and somewhat ancient!

For our customers: the species has code 204561 (4-6 cm) and 204562 (6-8 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-8

Corydoras adolfoi and C. duplicareus

12. May 2015

The
new collecting season has started and we can offer both species wild
collected again – they belong without any doubts to the most beautiful
Corydoras at all! The problem of the correct determination of these fish
is still unresolved. Two phenotypes can be easily told apart: one with a
deeper body and a broad band over the back (duplicareus), and the other
more slender, with a thin band over the back (adolfoi). According to
the original description, in C. duplicareus the inner edge of the
pectoral spine should be serrated, smooth in C. adolfoi. In our wild
collected specimens of both phenotypes the inner edge of the pectoral
spine is smooth.

For
our customers: the animals have code 220203 (adolfoi) and 227603
(duplicareus) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply
the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras sp.

12. May 2015

Another extremely rarely imported Corydoras species reached us from Peru. The unusual popular name of the scientifically undescribed species is due to the coloration, especially the dark triangle in the neck. This reminds one very much to the odd type of headdress worn by Gustaf Gründgens in his legendary production of Goethe´s Faust, where he played the Mephisto.

Among Cory enthusiasts the species has the code CW7. Our fish come from the basin of the Rio Jurua. It is a very lively species that didn´t want to sit still even in the photo-tank.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

Corydoras sp.

12. May 2015

The
longsnouted and saddle-nosed Corydoras appear in the wild either
solitary or in small schools. This is the reason why they are much more
difficult to collect than the round-nosed Corydoras which most often
live in very large swarms. This fact makes the longsnouted and
saddle-nosed Corydoras much more expensive and also more desired by
Corydoras specialists. Longsnouted, saddle-nosed and round-nosed
Corydoras are not close relatives to each other and even belong to
different genera, despite that fact that they are traditionally still
grouped under Corydoras.

The
advantage for the longsnouted and saddle-nosed Corydoras in imitating
the coloration of the round-snouted Corydoras is the fact that predators
that feed on fish will avoid the spiny Corydoras after the first trial.
So longsnouted and saddle-nosed Corydoras profit from the bad
experiences fish-eaters make with the common round-nosed species. This
phenomenon – eg imitatiting the coloration of another species – is
called mimicry in biology.

A quite rare saddle-nosed species is known to imitate Corydoras reynoldsi from Colombia (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/corydoras-en/_en-5/). The saddle-nosed species as known as the “reynoldsi longnose” or “CW12” in the hobby (see also http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/corydoras-en/Corydoras_sp_aff_reynoldsi_CW12_en/).
Now we were able for the first time ever to import a larger group of
that pretty fish. This enables us to study the variation in the species.
And indeed, there is a lot of variation! Besides animals that look like
regular CW12 also very light, almost patternless specimens appear. Were
there not the intermediate morphs also present, no one would hesitate
to proclaim these fish to belong to different species!

But
most probably all the CW12 and the light fish belong to the very same
species, namely Corydoras septentrionalis and are only ecological sports
of that species.

For our customers: the fish have code 243655 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Panaque Blue-Eye

8. May 2015

We
were able to import two large males of this top rarity. There is still
an ongoing debate among specialists whether Panaque suttonorum (= P.
suttoni) and P. cochliodon do represent the same species or not.
However, in the most recent scientific revision, P. suttonorum is
considered to be valid.

For
our customers: the animals have code 275007 on our stocklist. Please
note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only two specimens
available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras crimmeni

8. May 2015

For
the first time ever we can offer this beautiful Corydoras. It
originates from the Rio Negro basin in Brazil. A bright green shine on
the flanks of the body is very obvious, especially when the light falls
from ahead on the fish. This species attains a maximum length of about
6.5 cm.

For our customers: the fish have code 226574 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Denticetopsis seducta

22. April 2015

For
the first time ever we could import this dwarf whale catfish from Peru.
The maximum length of this tiny species seems to be around 5-6 cm. In
contrast to the better known blue whale catfish, Cetopsis coecutiens,
which is an aggressive predatory species, all Denticetopsis are
competely harmless insectivorous fishes.

This
species has been discovered by scientists only in the year 2005.
Despite the fact that the describers had a good number of preserved
specimens (69 in total) they were unable to find the usual, well
developed sexual dimorphism known from other whale catfish. Obviously
they had only females, for our import contains also clearly recognizable
males.

Denticetopsis
are strictly night active and secretively, so they will be kept mainly
by catfish specialists. Nothing is known so far about the way these
fish breed.

For
our customers: the animals have code 251374 on our stocklist. Please
note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very
limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Synodontis ocellifer

3. March 2015

This
is another catfish-beauty originating from Nigeria. Someone once said
that this species of Synodontis can be characterized by three
adjectives: peaceful, beautiful, and hardy. In fact S. ocellifer is one
of the most peaceful species of Synodontis at all. The maximum length of
S. ocellifer is about 20 cm. When they get older they become more and
more deep-bodied.

The
spots on the flanks differ individually in size and number. Also the
basic colouration varies from yellowish over several brownish tinges to
grey. Aged fishes often get a light center in the spots of the body what
makes them look especially attractive.

Like
most members of the genus Synodontis this species is omnivorous. Plants
are not eaten usually, but one should be careful that eventual
tankmates are not too small. Otherwise they make be taken for food. This
Synodontis should be kept in groups (from 5 specimens upwards). Water
temperature should be between 22 and 28°C. Hardness and pH are almost
meaningless for keeping this squeaker, any tap water that is drinkable
can be used.

For our customers: the fish have code 184702 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Leiarius marmoratus

17. February 2015

There
are two species of catfish in South America that look like siblings:
Leiarus marmoratus (called “Achara” by the natives) and Leiarius
(formerly: Perrunichthys) perruno. Both species attain a length of about
60 cm, have the very same leopard pattern and the long, ringed
whiskers. But there does exist an easily recognizable difference:
Leiarius marmoratus has 10-11 rays in the dorsal fin, L. perruno only 8.
The fish usually have the dorsal fin erected. So it is pretty easy to
count the finrays on a sharp photo.

Due
to the attractive pattern and the peaceful nature of the fish (any
tankmate that does not fit as food will be ignored), acharas are much
sought for by enthusiasts that love big fish. However, they are only
rarely available on the ornamental fish market. Currently we have a
number of very charming youngsters from Peru in stock, which are 4-6 cm
long.

For
our customers: the fish have code 265201 on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited
numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Finally available again: L135!

2. February 2015

The
L-catfish L135 belongs to the most attractive L-numbers. Most
specialists currently believe that it represents a variety of the
species Peckoltia braueri. This species has been given also two other
L-numbers, eg 121 and 305. L135 from the central Rio Negro basin is the
most colourful of them. This catfish attains a maximum length of 12-15
cm and has been bred in aquaria already. It is only very rarely
available as wild collected stock, so we are quite glad about our
successful importation!

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 135-1 on our stocklist.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Panaqolus sp. Alto Nhamunda

26. January 2015

Along with the spectacular Peckoltia sp. “Alto Nhamunda” (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news.php#1245) a specimen of Panaqolus reached us, which is very similar to the L-number L374. Very similar is also L403. Both L-numbers most probably represent the same species. One should not forget that a L-number is not given for new species, but for Loricariids exported from a new area. Other, probably conspecific L-numbers are L2 and L169/LDA1.

Both L374 and L403 originate from the Rio Anapu in Brazil. L374 is collected in the upper reaches of that river, L403 in the lower reaches. As the Rio Anapu is divided by waterfalls, which cannot be overcome by fish, it makes sense to distinguish the the two L-numbers in the hobby. On the other hand it is known that the Rio Anapu as it flows today exists only since 6000 years. We tend to forget that everything in nature is in permanent flow and change. It is not known how long it takes for a loricariid develop a new species. So it is possible that all these Panqolus, eg L2 (Rio Tocantins), L169/LDA1 (Rio Negro basin), L374 and L403 (Rio Anapu), and the recently imported fish from the Rio Nhamunda represent the very same biological species, but it is also possible that all these catfish represent different species within one species flock. These questions can be answered only by a scientific study, which is lacking so far.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil

Synodontis sorex

16. January 2015

Two weeks ago we presented to you some species of catfish we imported from Nigeria. This wonderful shipment contained also some by-catches, which are species that were send erroneously along with the ordered specimens.

One of these by-catches came with Synodontis clarias. It was the extremely rarely imported species Synodontis sorex. This “Scissortail-Squeaker” has a very unusaul shape of the mouth that looks rather like the suckermouth of a South American Ancistrus than like the typical mouth of a Synodontis. In fact, S. sorex is able to feed very effective from plain surfaces like stones, roots, plant leaves etc..

The animals – a total of seven individuals – were given to a specialist for Synodontis who keeps a very large aquarium. They showed much more schooling behaviour than we are used to see in Synodontis. S. sorex is said to attain a maximum length of more than 40 cm. Adults are uniformly grey and very deep bodied. This is one of the reasons why we gave the fish to a specialist: we are very curious how our fish will develop!!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nigeria
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-7

Farlowella vittata

16. January 2015

The needle suckers of the genus Farlowella are quite specious. To date 27 species are recognized as valid. As many species look very similar to each other the exact determination often proofs to be quite difficult. The 27th species has been described very recently from Colombia (it is the species Farlowella yarigui which has not been imported alive so far). The scientific description of that species is accompanied by a key to identify the 12 species of Farlowella known so far from Colombia. According to that key the most often imported species of Farlowella in the hobby is in fact Farlowella vittata. We currently have a good number of very healthy animals in stock. However, it will take without any doubt quite a long time until the correct name for that fish will be commonly used in the trade. Until now the Farlowella from Colombia has usually been called F. acus. F. acus really occurs in Colombia and is also very similar to F. vittata, but there is one easily recognizable difference between the two species: in F. acus the males develop breeding odontodes (a “beard”) on the snout which is missing in ripe males of F. vittata.

Keepig and even breeding of Farlowella vittata in the aquarium is not difficult. The perfect tank for Farlowella has a fine layer of algae growing on all sides of the tank except the front glass. These algae serve as basic food for the fish. But Farlowella also feed readily on all usual types of dried and frozen fishfood. One must only take care that the needle suckers get enough food, for they are very slow feeders. Plantation of the tank should preferably be composed of plants with broad leaves. F. vittata likes higher temperatures, so the water temperature should be between 26 and 30°C. Hardness and pH are of no meaning for the fish as long as extremes are avoided.

For our customers: the fish have code 253603 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Kolumbien / Colombia

Peckoltia sp. Alto Nhamunda

17. December 2014

We
are glad to be able to present to you another jewel by the end of the
week again. We could import last year already a new species of Peckoltia
from the upper Nhamunda River in Brazil, which is also famous for its
pretty discus. This first importation contained only fully grown
specimens (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news/Peckoltia_sp_Alto_Nhamunda_en/).

This time we received subadults of about 6-8 cm length. And these are really breathtaking beautiful!

For our customers: the fish have code 277332 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Parailia pellucida

10. December 2014

The species in our small series on catfishes from Nigeria is – in contrast to the species described so far – always available and it fits perfectly in any community tank: the African Glass Catfish, Parailia pellucida. The maximum length is given with 15 cm in literature; however, we see only very rarely specimens larger than 8 cm.

The African Glass Catfish is no closer relative of the Asian Glass Catfish. The latter belongs to the family of Siluridae, which also contains the European Wels (Silurus glanis), whereas the African species belongs to the family of Schilbeidae. The best known species of Asian Glass Catfish is Kryptopterus vitreolus, see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=700. The similar look and behaviour of the glass catfish from African and Asia is due to similar lifestyle and environments, it does not reflect any genetic relationship. This can be compared with birds and bats. Both have wings and can fly, but the are not close relatives to each other.

Externally P. pellucida can be easily recognized by the presence of an adipose fin (absent in Kryptopterus) and eight long barbels around the mouth (only two in Kryptopterus). But in any other respect both types of glass catfish are very similar. They are peaceful plankton feeders that should be always kept in company of their own kind. The fish love well planted tanks with a good number of places to cover and not too strong lightning. The fish feed readily on any type of usual fishfood. They are completely undemanding in respect of water hardness and pH, any water that fits as drinking water for humans will do for the fish.

For our customers: the fish have code 155904 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nigeria
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Bagrus filamentosus

4. December 2014

The
African genus Bagrus contains large, predatory catfish. The maximum
size of the different species is between 30 cm and more than one meter!
Sadly the determination of the species is rather difficult, because most
of the 11 species that are regarded as valid currently have been
described before WW2. A modern revision does not exist.

Bagrus
filamentosus is an exciting exception of this rule. The all in all
comparatively slender species belongs to the smaller members of the
genus. Against conspecifics and other fish Bagrus are usually peaceful,
but one should never underestimate the size of the mouth. Every fish
that fits that mouth will be eaten!

Our
recent shipment of Bagrus filamentosus contains as bycatch another
species of Bagrus, possibly Bagrus docmak. This species is much plumper
and has a shorter head. One must estimate that these babies will grow to
the size of real foodfish. So they should be kept in real large aquaria
only.

For our customers: the fish have code 100554 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Synodontis clarias

4. December 2014

This
week we want to focus on unusual species of catfish from Nigeria.
Today: Synodontis clarias. This is the first species of Synodontis that
became known by scientists. The original scientific description dates
back to 1758 and was done by Linnaeus. Nevertheless the species is
exported only very occasionally for aquaristic purposes. The fish
attains a length of more than 30 cm. It has an enormous distibution: the
Nile, Chad, Niger, Volta, Gambia and Senegal. S. clarias is a food fish
in all countries it occurs.

Juveniles,
like the 6-8 cm long specimens we were able to import now, look very
different to adults in respect of coloration. Adults have a
slate-coloured body and a red caudal fin.

For our customers: the fish have code 174803 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Synodontis batensoda

1. December 2014

There does exist a good number of species of Synodontis that tend to swim upside down. The best known species is without any doubt the upside down cat, Synodontis nigriventris from the Congo. Now we were able to import the very rarely offered Synodontis batensoda from Nigeria, which shows a similar behaviour.

It seems to be quite unimportant for the fish in which position it swims actually. But one can see from the very dark coloration of the belly that the upside-down postion is very often used. Species of fish with a “normal” swimming behaviour have light bellies, so they do not contrast much with the sky. Many predatory fish hunt from below, so this coloration is necessary.

S. batensoda attains a length of about 25 cm and should be kept in larger aquaria. The species is quite social and should be never kept alone. S. batensoda will eat small fish, but is usually very peaceful against larger, other species. Formerly S. batensoda was placed in the monotypic genus Brachysynodontis.

For our customers: the fish have code 103003 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nigeria
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

L204 Panaqolus albivermis

28. November 2014

One
of the most beautiful L-numbers at all has obtained an official, valid
name in 2013: Panaqolus albivermis. The species originates from Peru. We
currently were able to import again a good number of wonderful young
specimens of this small species of catfish (maximum length around 10
cm). Among them are also 5 spotted individuals. We have stocked these
specimens under the name of L204a; however, they do not represent a
different species. Even among captive bred specimens from wild
collected, striped parents every now and then spotted youngsters appear.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L204-2 and code 26480-L204a-2
on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale
trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hemibagrus (= Mystus) wyckii

27. November 2014

The
predatory catfishes of Asia are always a bit neglected by the
specialized hobbyists, compared with their cousins from South America.
However, Hemibagrus wyckii is a hot candidate to change this point of
view. The body is plain, pure black and only parts of the barbels and
the borders of the caudal fin are of a shining white.

For
our customers: the animals have code 437504 on our stocklist. Currently
our fish are 14-18 cm long. We have only two specimens in stock! Please
note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Farlowella hahni

25. November 2014

Farlowella hahni

The
species of Farlowella are fascinating animals. These suckmouth
catfishes look more alike small sticks than fishes! Currently 26 species
are recognized as valid, which are spread all over South America. Sadly
the determination of the species is often quite tricky. Four species of
Farlowella are known from Paraguay, namely F. hahni, F. isbruckeri, F.
jauruensis, and F. paraguayensis. Our recent importations are most
likely F. hahni.

In
any case the species is quite attarctive. Females have a much more
swollen belly than the males. Experienced aquarists have already bred a
number of Farlowella species. The members of the genus are open
spawners, the males defend the eggs. For Farlowella hahni a maximum
length of more than 20 cm has been reported.

For our customers: the fish have code 253663 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Lepthoplosternum pectorale – Dwarf Hoplosternum

25. November 2014

The Hoplosternum relationship belongs to the plated catfish and and is thus closely related to Corydoras & Co. Like these, they make good and interesting aquarium fishes. Sadly most species become quite large. So, the species of the genus Lepthoplosternum are the best choose for smaller tanks. The maximum size of the members of that genus is about 8 cm, but they are fully mature at a total length of 5 cm already.

We recently could import one of these species now from Paraguay again: Lepthoplosternum pectorale. In elder aquarium books this species is referred to as Hoplosternum pectoralis. Males develop thickened, yellow-orange spines on the pectoral fin. Dwarf Hoplosternum can be kept in the very same manner as it is usual for Corydoras from the same region, like C. paleatus and C. aeneus.

For our customers: the fish have code 259202 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Lepthoplosternum: means “small Hoplosternum”; Hoplosternum is another genus of plated catfish. pectorale: this refers to the thickened spines in the pectoral fin in males of the species.

Suggestion of a common name: Dwarf Hoplosternum

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

Mystus tengara (M. carcio)

14. November 2014

We
received the smallest of the striped catfish species from India, which
were all called formerly “Mystus vittatus”. The small species also had
to face a real mess regarding the correct naming. For a long time the
small species was called M. tengara, currently most scientists believe
that the correct name has to be M. carcio. May this be as it is: the
charming catfish attains a maximum length of only 4-6 cm and is
perfectly suited for the home aquarium.

For our customers: the fish have code 437302 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Extraordinary rare thorny catfish from Peru

14. November 2014

The
Thorny Catfishes (Doradiae) are a small family of exclusively South
American catfish. Currently 41 genera containing 127 species are known,
but continuously new species become discovered. The largest species
attain a maximum length of more than 100 cm. The world record for
Opsodoras niger is 120 cm and a weight of 20 kg. The smallest species –
Physopyxis lyra – becomes only 3.5 cm long. Most species attain a
maximum length between 10 and 20 cm.

We currently have some very rare species from Peru in our stock which we want to introduce to you here.

Megalodoras uranoscopus

is one of the large species. It can become about 50 cm long. Juveniles are pretty fish and now and then imported (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news/Megalodoras_uranoscopus_irwini__en/).
Currently we have three mighty big ones of 25-30 cm length in stock. A
well known synonym of the species is Megalodoras irwini. Codenumber on
our stocklist: 267526

Nemadoras elongatus

becomes only 12 cm
long. The peaceful animals love to swim in schools. Males seem to stay
about one third smaller than the females. Sadly almost nothing is knowns
regarding the breeding biology of doradids which is also true for this
species. Code: 272482

Hemidoras morrisi

resembles Nemadoras
elongatus in respect of coloration, but is much more elongate, has a
stronger sculpure of the bony ridges and the dorsal spine is heavily
serrated on both sides, while it has a serration only backwards in N.
elongatus. H. morrisi becomes about 15 cm long and is rather night
active. For us this is the first importation of the species. Code:
257803

Pterodoras granulosus

is a large species again, which can become around 70 cm
long. However, we obtained juveniles of 6-7 cm. This species is as
peaceful as any species of thorny catfish, but one should keep in mind
that the fish has a large mouth and smaller fish will vanish there of
course… Code: 286582

Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

L167 arrived!

27. October 2014

Finally
we were able to import again one of the most attractive species of
Cochliodon: L167. The species belongs to the typical representatives of
the genus, which feed mainly on soft wood. This can be recognized by the
very few teeth, which have a specialized shape with a broad,
mussel-shaped cusp. L167 originates from the Rio Negro and is supposed
to reach a total length of about 30 cm. Currently our fish are 10-12 cm
long.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 167-4 on our stocklist.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Finally available again after many years: L354

23. October 2014

We
are glad that we were able to import once more the pretty L354 from the
Rio Iriri. The species has been described scientifically under the name
of Spectracanthicus zuanoni in early 2014. The scientists declare them
conspecific with L20 from the Rio Xingu (the Rio Iriri is an affluent of
the Rio Xingu). However, L20 has much smaller spots. In the very same
scientific paper the genus Oligancistrus has been declared as a synonym
of Spectracanthicus.

Anyway:
we are very glad to see the beautiful animal again in our fishhouse!
Spectracanthicus zuanoni attains a maximum length of about 15 cm.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 354-2 (6-8 cm) and
26480-L354-3 (8-10 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively
supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Clarias gariepinus marbled

20. October 2014

Sometimes it is almost impossible to distinguish between a food fish and an ornamental fish. The marbled Clarias is, however, bred in Southeast Asia as a food fish for human consumption. It grows extremely fast, is very hardy and can survive on the market without water for many hours, because it has an accessory breathing organ.

But now and then these fish are also offered by the breeders to the ornamental fish trade. One must clearly say that these catfish grow up to 50 cm in length and eat any tankmate that fits the large mouth. Nevertheless Clarias can become nice pets and real members of the household. They become tame and show some personality. And then a food fish has become finally an ornamental fish!

For our customers: the fish have code 114782 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Corydoras sp. Tukano Longnose

14. October 2014

There
are still species of Corydoras that are imported so rarely and in so
low numbers that the fish stay unfulfilled dreams of most enthusiasts.
One of the most attractive species of that group is for sure the
“Tukanao Longnose”. Of course these animals are not rare in the wild in
the sense that there are only few specimens, but these fish live
solitary and are very shy. So even good collectors can catch only one or
two specimens in a time in which they can collect some thousands of
“normal” Corydoras tukano. We also could import only eight specimens
this time …

For our customers: the animals have code 245634 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

L273 Pseudacanthicus sp. Titanic XL

13. October 2014

The
Titanic was never traded in large numbers and is one of L-numbers in
great demand. We received now three large specimens from Brazil, which
seem to be fully grown. They are 25-30 cm long. One of them is for sure a
male. It can be easily identified by the strong spines and the long
interopercularodontodes (the “whiskers”). The females are also very
spiny – this is why the genus is called the cactus-catfish – and it
seems that they have something in common with the dwarf females in
Tolkien´s “Lord of the Rings”: they are often not recognized as females,
because they have beards like men….

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 273-8 and 26480-L 273-9 on
our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale
trade. Only three specimens available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Cochliodon sp.

7. October 2014

Among the most popular fishes from Paraguay is the Violet Red Bruno. Finally the species has attained a scientific name: Hypostomus basilisko. The distribution of the fish is the Rio Paraguay, both in Brazil and Paraguay. Here it occurs along with two quite similar species of the Cochliodon-group of Hypostomus, namely Hypostomus cochliodon and Hypostomus khimaera. However, these two species can be easily told apart from H. basilisko, because they have always black spots on the body and the fins, which are always lacking in the Violet Red Bruno.

Currently we have Violet Red Brunos in different sizes in stock.

For our customers: the fish have code 275101 (4-6 cm), 275103 (7-10 cm), and 275105 (11-15 cm) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Hypostomus: means “with a mouth turned downwards”. Basilisko: after a mythical creature, the Basilisk, which is often depicted wearing a crown. the three conspicious ridges on the head of the fish reminded the authors on a crown. Cochliodon: means “with mussel-shaped teeth”. Khimaera: after the mythical creature Cimaira. The body of a Cimaira is composed of different species. The name was chosen because the species has the teeth shape of a “normal” Hypostomus and the body of a member of the Cochliodon-group.

Common name: Violet Red Bruno or simply Bruno

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Paraguay
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-15

Synodontis notatus

7. October 2014

We
were able to import a pretty species of squeaker from the Congo:
Synodotis notatus. The species attains a maximum length of about 25 cm
and is worth mentioning for at least two reasons: first, the number of
spots on the flanks varies a lot individually. Most specimens have only
one spot, but there are also some with two,three or even more sports.
And twice, this lively and also day-active squeaker is one of the most
peaceful species of the genus.

For our customers: the fish have code 183802 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Clarias batrachus marbled

26. September 2014

But now and then these fish are also offered by the breeders to the ornamental fish trade. One must clearly say that these catfish grow up to 50 cm in length and eat any tankmate that fits the large mouth. Nevertheless Clarias can become nice pets and real members of the household. The become tame and show same personality. And then a food fish has become finally an ornamental fish!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-7

Amblydoras nauticus

26. September 2014

Catfishes have no scales. But many species have bony plates that cover and protect the body. In the family Doradidae these plates are sometimes additionally armored by spines.

One of the most common species of Doradidae in Amazonia is the marbled talking catfish, Amblydoras nauticus. The species is not very popular by the natives, because the fish often do not swim away when a wading person comes along. Instead they erect the sharp, hard and serrated spine of the dorsal fin. In case one steps on that weapon: ouch!

Amblydoras nauticus are very nice, peaceful and undemanding catfish for aquaria which can be recommended even for beginners in the hobby.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-6

L107 / L184 Brillant-Ancistrus

24. September 2014

Among the most beautiful species of Ancistrus is this one. It originates from the middle Rio Negro area in Brazil and is not yet determined scientifically. Instead even two L-numbers have been given to it, namely L107 and L184.

The Brilliant Ancistrus is a very peaceful species. The number and size of the white spots differs in every individual specimen. There are fish with very small, numerous spots and others that have comparatively large, fewer spots. In some fish only the first third of the body has spots, but most of the specimens have spots all over the body.

We were able to import this beautiful fish from Brazil now.

For our customers the fish have code 26480-L 107-3 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Paraloricaria vetula

24. September 2014

The
genus Paraloricaria contains three species that are distributed in
southern South America. The fish are virtually unknown in the hobby.
This is for sure at least in part due to the enormous size the fish can
reach. At least P. commersonoides and P. vetula become larger than 50
cm.

For
the first time ever we could import now Paraloricaria vetula from
Paraguay. The unfriendly specific name (vetula means “old crone”) refers
to the dark pattern that reminded the describer obviously in the deep
wrinkles of and old woman´s face. But we find them very attractive!

For
our customers: the fish has code 275796 on our stocklist. Please note
that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only one specimen
available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras amapaensis

24. September 2014

Finally
we were able to import again a small number of the extremely rarely
offered long snouted Corydoras amapaensis. The species is highly
variable in respect of coloration. The sexes can be distinguished best
by the shape of the spines of the pectoral fins, which are thickened and
hairy in males.

For our customers: the fish have code 221754 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras tukano

15. September 2014

Hard to believe but
true: it took five long years until we were able now to import once more
Corydoras tukano. Now this pretty fish is finally available again. We
obtained very stable, beautiful animals.

For more information and how to distinguish C. tukano from its close relative C. reynoldsi, please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archive/corydoras-en/_en-5/

For our customers: the fish have code 245663 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

L234 Megalancistrus sp. Rio Urguayo

10. September 2014

We
were able to import two pretty gobbets from Paraguay, or, to be more
detailed, from the Rio Urguayo. The two Megalancistrus are currently
40-50 cm long and show clearly why they have deserved their generic
name: Megalancistrus means “gigantic Ancistrus”.

Scientifically speaking, our fish most probably belong to the species M. parananus.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 234-8 on our stocklist.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only two
specimens available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras concolor

20. August 2014

We
received really beautiful Corydoras concolor in a perfect size (md-lg)
from Colombia. The sexually active males develop very pretty high fins.

For our customers: the fish have code 226004 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Synodontis robertsi

18. August 2014

The squeakers (Synodontis) are a very species-rich genus. More than 130 species are known, all of them originate from Africa. In the countries of their origin most species are used for food. In the aquarium hobby most species are unknown with a few exceptions.

Among the most pretty, smallest and rarest species of Synodontis is S. robertsi. Finally we were able to import a small number of that rarity once more. The species became known to science only in 1974. As far as it is known it lives exclusively in the river Lukenie, which is a tributary to the central Congo river. The maximum length reported for S. robertsi is about 10 cm. Against conspecifics and other fish this squeaker is completely peaceful. Squeakers are most active at dawn, but well settled specimens leave their hiding places also during daytime, especially when the fish are fed.

Squeakers are omnivorous fishes that feed readily on any type of usual fish food. These fish become usually very old in aquaria. They reach easily an age of 10 years or more.

For our customers: the fish have code 186302 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very limited numbers only!

Lexicon: Synodontis: an ancient name for a nowadays unknown species of fish in the Nile river. robertsi: dedication name.

Common name: Roberts´ squeaker

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	D. R. Congo
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Kryptopterus minor

15. August 2014

The “Ghost catfish” has been kept for more than 80 years under a wrong name in our tanks. Initially it was determined as Kryptopterus bicirrhis, afterwards as K. minor. However, both determinations proofed to be wrong, the species was in fact new to science and still undescribed! Now it has a final name, ie Kryptopterus vitreolus. Please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=700 for more details of the case and pictures of K. vitreolus and the “real” K. bicirrhis.

Now we were curious how the “real” Kryptopterus minor looks like! So we ordered from one of our suppliers in Indonesia glass catfish from the Kapuas river on Borneo, where K. minor occurs. The species is in fact very similar to K. vitreolus. Especially in our fish, which have show size (up to 8 cm), the morphological differences between K. minor and K. vitreolus are hardly recognizable. But there are very obvious differences in coloration. K. minor has a bright golden-yellow back, a iridescent stripe over the anal fin and bright blue eyes.

Like Kryptopterus vitreolus K. minor lives in very soft, acidic water in the wild. However, adaptation on other water conditions is very good, as it is in cardinal tetras and other blackwater fishes. By far more important than imitating the chemical water conditions found in the wild is partial water change on a regular basis in the home aquarium. The fish simply need clean water with as few pollution and bacteria as possible.

For our customers: the animals have code 422213 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Kryptopterus: ancient Greek, means “with hidden fin”. bicirrhis: Latin, means “with two filaments”. minor: Latin, means “small”. vitreolus: Latin, means “small glass”.

Suggestion of a common name: Golden back ghost catfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Aspidoras sp. C125 Red

6. August 2014

Yesterday we introduced to you the pretty Aspidoras taurus (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news/Aspidoras_taurus_en/).
We received from the very same breeder for the first time the very nice
albinotic red variety of Aspidoras sp. C125. The wild coloured variety
looks quite similar to A. taurus, but the fish stays a bit smaller
(4-4,5 cm). According to our breeder the red variety appeared
spontaneous and it was possible to develop a stable population from it.

For our customers: the fish have code 208582 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Trachelyopterus fisheri

5. August 2014

Currently we can offer a very odd species of catfish, namely Trachelyopterus fisheri. Initially this species of driftwood catfish orginates from Colombia where it is found in the system of the Rio Sucio. From that area only very occasionally importations appear. So we are quite happy that we have an adult wild collected male of this extraordinary species in stock.

Like their close relatives, the bottlenose catfish of the genus Ageneiosus, Trachelyopterus males develop a mighty dorsal spine, a penis-like organ (which is used to fertilize the female internally) and thick maxillary barbels during the mating season. All these feature vanish after the breeding season in Ageneiosus. Males and females cannot be told apart externally then. It is unknown wether this is the case in Trachelyopterus, too.

Interestingly this rare species is bred already commercially in Indonesia as an ornamental fish. We also have such bred specimens in stock. The coloration differs a lot individually. In our fishhouse the animals are swimming around the whole day through and obviously love to company of their own.

Trachylopterus fisheri becomes about 12-15 cm long It is a peaceful species, but very small tankmates may be taken for food.

For our customers: the large wild collected male has code 297546 on our stocklist, the bred specimens from Indonesia (which are 6-8 cm long) 297543. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Trachelyopterus: means “with extreme fin”. fisheri: dedication name for Carl G. Fisher, of Indianapolis, who helped to make possible a second expedition to the type locality of the species.

Suggestion of a common name: Fisher´s driftwood catfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Aspidoras taurus

5. August 2014

This
pretty species of catfish is found only very occasionally in the trade.
The species is not allowed to be exported from Brazil currently, so
exclusively bred specimens are traded.

We
just received a small number of the attractive species from one of our
breeders. Aspidoras taurus reaches a maximum length of about 5-6 cm.

For our customers: the fish has code 208733 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Ageneiosus marmoratus

23. July 2014

We
were able to obtain this very rarely imported species of bottlenose
catfish from Peru. A. marmoratus has a very wide distribution in
Amazonia. The species is a predator that prefers to feed on live fish.
The largest specimen known to science was about 20 cm long (ours are
currently 12-15 cm long). It can be suspected that A. marmoratus is only
the juvenile of another species of bottlenose catfish, namely A.
inermis, because no one ever has found so far sexually active specimens
of A. marmoratus. A. inermis becomes about 40-50 cm long.

The males of all
species of Ageneiosus develop very large dorsal spines during breeding
season and a penis-like organ. During mating the males fixes the female
with the dorsal spine. There is an internal fertilization. After the
breeding season the dorsal spine becomes casted off, comparable to the
antlers of a deer, and the penis-like organ becomes reduced so that
males and females cannot be distinguished externally outside the
breeding season.

For our customers: the fish have code 203405 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

L-numbers: the season starts for species from the Rio Tapajós!

14. July 2014

Corydoras pygmaeus

30. June 2014

The Dwarf corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) belongs without any doubts to the most attractive and interesting aquarium fish for small tanks. This dwarf becomes only 2-3 cm long and is a somewhat untypical member of its genus, for most species of Corydoras are bottom dwellers; C. pygmaeus prefers to swim in the open water column.

Interestingly this species has been described from the Rio Madeira basin in Brazil, but is imported mainly from Peru. The animals on the pictures have been imported from Colombia. They have the size “md” on our stocklist.

For our customers: the fish have code 242502 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Kolumbien, Peru / Colombia, Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm	1,5 - 2

Kryptopterus geminus

30. June 2014

The glass catfishes of the genus Kryptopterus are close relatives of the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis). However, in contrast to this giant among the freshwater fishes (Wels catfish can attain a length of up to 2 meteres), the glass catfishes stay small. The largest species known so far (K. cheveyi from the Mekong basin) becomes about 35 cm long. However, this species has not been imported yet for home aquaria.

The biodiversity in Kryptopterus has been discovered only recently. Currently 19 species are recognized, 7 of them have been described after the turn of the millenium. Among these late discoveries is the most common glass catfish in the hobby, Kryptopterus vitreolus, which is “the” glass catfish in pet shops all over the world. This species becomes only 6-8 cm long and has been misidentified over 80 years as K. bicirrhis or K. minor. For more informations on that topic, please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=700.

Kryptopterus geminus also belongs to the late discoveries and has been described as separate species only in 2003. Before that it was thought to represent a population of Kryptopterus cryptopterus. The latter is restricted to the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, whereas K. geminus inhabits the large river basins of the mainland of Southeast Asia: Mekong, Mae Khlong, Bang Pakong and Chao Phraya. In contrast to K. vitreolus K. geminus is less deep in body and has a strong, blue-silver tinge on the sides. K. geminus attains a maximum length of about 15-20 cm and so it fits perfectly for larger aquaria.

For our customers: the fish have code 422104 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Kryptopterus: means “with hidden fin”, this refers to the very small dorsal fin. geminus: means “twin born”, this refers to the strong resemblance to K. cryptopterus.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

Chaca bankanensis

26. June 2014

The frogmouth catfishes of the genus Chaca are very unusual fish. Only four species are known. The look quite similar to each other and form a catfish family on their own, the Chacidae.

Chaca lie on the bottom without any move for most of the day. They wait for shrimps or small fish that take them for stones and want to feed on Aufwuchs. As soon the potential prey sits down on a Chaca and wants to start to feed, a huge mouth opens and the shrimp or fish ends up as food itself. Some species of Chaca even have small lappets on the skin that imitate algae and makes their hunting strategy even more effective.

Chaca bankanensis is a blackwater species. Usually this species s reddish brown to brick red; it has only few skin lappets.

All species of Chaca become 15-20 cm long. During acclimatization the catfish often refuses food for quite a long time. So it is best to give number of live shrimps or feeder fish in the tank and to wait. Sooner or later the Chaca will start feeding.

For our customers: the fish have code 408253 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

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

Platystomatichthys sturio

16. June 2014

Finally we are able again to offer one of the most bizarre species of predatory catfish of Amazonia: Platystomatichthys sturio. Anyone who sees the fish for the first time will think that the animal is distorted; however, the upturned snout-tip is rather species-specific. Nevertheless the grade of this upturn differs individually and depends also a bit from the age of the animals. The maximum length of the species, which has a very wide distribution in Amazonia, is about 40 cm.

The sense or the reason of this upturned snout-tip are unknown. The species has extremely long barbels and prefers to swim against a strong current. Maybe the snout-tip helps to localize the prey or it may have a similar function as the spoiler of a car and helps so save energy while swimming against the current. There is also a lot of speculation that this upturned snout-tip is an artefact from keeping the fish in aquaria and resuls from swimming against the glasses of the tank; however, this sounds quite unlikely, for first of all allmost all – even very small – specimens can show this phenomenon and, twice, the species is not shy at all and tends not to panic and crash with anything.

Against conspecifics and other fish that are too large for prey, Platystomatichthys sturio are very peaceful.

For our customers: the animals have code 280705 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Lexicon: Platystomatichthys: means “fish that looks like a Platystoma”; Platystoma is another genus of fish. sturio: means “sturgeon”, which refers to the similar body shape.

Common name: Fox Catfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Peru
Verfügbare Größe in cm	7-16

Hypostomus luteus

16. June 2014

Yesterday the most beautiful of all plecos, Hypostomus luteus from Paraguay, arrived. Only fully grown specimens display the fantastic, reddish-yellow coloration, whereas young fish are black with light spots. All specimens are 35-40 cm long.

For our customers: the animals have code 262639 and 262649 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Paraguay
Verfügbare Größe in cm	35-40

L330 Panaque sp. Spotted 14-18 cm

16. June 2014

We
have some specimens of this gorgeous, wood-eating pleco in stock. L330
originates from Colombia. Fully grown specimens get a spotted pattern
all over the body. Younger specimens can look quite similar to L190 or
Panaque nigrolineatus, because they usually show a striped pattern. The
yellow tips of the caudal fin are a good hint to the real identity.

For
our customers: the fish have code 26480-L 330-7 on our stocklist.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only very
few specimens available!

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Corydoras robustus

3. June 2014

This cory belongs to the largest and most attractive species of Corydoras at all. They can reach a total length of 9-10 cm. Both sexes develop long, filamentous dorsal fins when fully grown. The males can be best recognized by the much longer ventral fins.

For our customers: the fish have code 244106 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Brasilien / Brazil

New, rare Corys

27. May 2014

We received recently a larger
shipment of beautiful, fully grown Corydoras burgessi. The import
contained some bycatches. A closer look on them showed that they
represent species that have not been reported yet from the area of the
upper Rio Negro (where C. burgessi is collected).

CW 89

Initially we
thought that these fish would represent C 39, a heavily build fish that
reminds in all other respects in C. imitator. But the black band on the
back of C 39 runs exclusively above the middle of the body, while in our
specimens this band runs through the middle of the body to the lower
border of the tail as it is well known from C. melini. This feature fits
to CW 89 that is, however, reported so far only from Colombia (Rio
Vaupes).

C 84

What has been
found in CW 89 is also true for C 84. Our shipment contained only four
specimens of this charming, rund-nosed species. C 84 is reported until
now also only from the Brazilian/Colombian border (Rio Tiquié). The
coloration of our fish differs hardly. Obviously CW 89 and C 84
represent a species pair of a longsnouted and a roundsnouted species of
Corydoras.

C 140?

We are not really
sure about the identity of this beautiful “longnose-burgessi” that is
represented by three specimens only so far. The body shape and pattern
fit very well to C 140, but our fish have a bright shining orange spot
(as in C. burgessi). This is not observable in the photos of C 140
published so far. The “longnose-burgessi” is a very striking species.
Possibly we will be able to import a larger number of them in the near
future. We are sure that this beautiful fish is an enrichment for the
aquarium hobby.

For our customers: the Corydoras sp. CW 89 has
code 216304 and the stocklist-name “melini longnose” on our stocklist.
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Aguarunichthys torosus

27. May 2014

We
could import a very special fish for the hobbyists specialized in
predatory catfish from Peru: Aguarunichthys torosus. This species has
been discovered only in 1986. Isn´t it fascinating that nature has the
same solution for totally different species over and under the water?
The spotted pattern of A. torosus is very similar to the pattern of the
wild cats from the jungle! A. torosus becomes about 35 cm long.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer