COMMON NAME Red Phantom Tetra
SCIENTIFIC NAME Megalamphodus Sweglesi
PH 5.5-7.5 (6.0 preferred )
TEMPERATURE RANGE 68-73F 23-27C
HABITAT
Aquarium should be kept cool common mistake is too higher water temperature subdued lighting floating plants are best to use plenty of planting around the edges leaving a open swimming place
COMMUNITY
Quiet peaceful community fish
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 4cm 1.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy starter fish
Female has a multicoloured red black and white dorsal fin male has an extended red dorsal fin
COMMON NAME Serpea Tetra
SCIENTIFIC NAME Hyphessobryon Callistus
PH 5.8-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 68-73F 23-27C
HABITAT
Aquarium should be well planted around the edges with a dark substrate plenty of swimming space with shaded areas for swimming
COMMUNITY
A good community fish individuals may behave like piranhas do with each other and the weaker fish bitten this is usually due to a lack of food
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 4cm 1.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy starter fish
COMMON NAME Red Tetra
SCIENTIFIC NAME Hyphessobrycon Flammeus
PH 5.8-7.8 ( 6.5-7.0 is preferred )
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-82F 22-28C
HABITAT
Aquarium should have a dark substrate plenty of planting
COMMUNITY
A quiet peaceful community fish
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 4cm 1.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy starter fish
These tetras do always show their full colour in pet stores due to lighting over the tanks being too intense
COMMON NAME Peter's Elephant Nose
SCIENTIFIC NAME Gnathonemus Petersii
PH 6.0-7.8
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-82F 22-28C
HABITAT
Nocturnal fish and needs a heavily planted tank with cave and other hiding places with areas of darkness and soft sandy bottom as the fish borrows
COMMUNITY
Quiet and peaceful towards other tank mates but will harass weaker of its own kind
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any live or frozen foods may accept dried foods
SIZE
UP TO 23cm 9 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
For the more advanced fish keeper
COMMON NAME Red Blue Columbian Tetra
SCIENTIFIC NAME Hyphessobrycon colimbianus
PH 6.0 6.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-77F 22-25C
HABITAT
Aquarium should be well planted with bog wood added to mimic natural habitat with strong filtration
COMMUNITY
A quiet peaceful community fish
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 6.5cm 2.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Easy starter fish
COMMON NAME Kerri Super Blue Tetra
SCIENTIFIC NAME Inpaichthys Kerri
PH 7.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 75-81F 24-27C
HABITAT
A delicate species which prefers a tank with a dark bottom and subdued lighting and dense vegetation with some open swimming places
COMMUNITY
A quiet peaceful community fish best kept in schools with less active species
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 3-4cm 1.25-1.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy starter fish
Only the males exhibit the luminous blue which is also larger than the female if not maintained properly will lack colour
COMMON NAME Pearl Cichlids
SCIENTIFIC NAME Geophagus Brasiliensis
PH 6.5-7.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 68-73F 20-23C
HABITAT
Aquarium should have a course gravel bottom with some sandy areas add rock and bogwood to provide hiding places plants should be hardy and potted
COMMUNITY
Territorial species and likes to burrow. More tolerant of its tank mate than most Geophagus. Forms nuclear family
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 6.5cm 2.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
80 LITRE
Easy to keep with suitable tank mates
COMMON NAME Cherry barb
SCIENTIFIC NAME Barbus Titteya
PH 6.5-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-79F 23-26C
HABITAT
A species which prefers a tank with a dark bottom dense vegetation and cover of floating plants leave an open space for swimming
COMMUNITY
A quiet peaceful community fish is a timid loner and becomes nervous with others of its own species
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom and middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 5cm 2 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
20 LITRE
Easy starter fish
Males are fuller bodied and become bright red during spawning
COMMON NAME Red Tailed Black Shark
SCIENTIFIC NAME Epalzeorhynchos Bicolor
PH 7.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-79F 22-26C
HABITAT
Need a large tank with a fine gravel bottom with plenty of rocks and root for hiding places with plants so fish can claim territories take care to leave plenty of swimming space
COMMUNITY
Loner fish territorial and intolerant to its own species more accepting of unrelated tank mates recommended for a large robust community tank
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom and Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods algae spinach and lettuce
SIZE
UP TO 12cm 4.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Easy starter fish
Male dorsal fin is said to come to point where the Females dorsal fins rear edge forms a right angle they are also less colourful but more powerful. An albino form is also available
COMMON NAME Rainbow Albino Rainbow Shark
SCIENTIFIC NAME Epalzeorhynchos Munensis
PH 7.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-79F 22-26C
HABITAT
Need a large tank with a sandy bottom with plenty of rocks and root for hiding places with plants so fish can claim territories take care to leave plenty of swimming space
COMMUNITY
Loner fish territorial and intolerant to its own species more accepting of unrelated tank mates recommended for a large robust community tank
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom and middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods algae spinach and lettuce
SIZE
UP TO 50cm 20 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Easy starter fish
The male is thinner with a distinctive with a black lined anal fin (not present in the albino form) this species is often identified as Epalzeorhynchos Eryhrurus (ruby Shark)
COMMON NAME Golden Tetra
SCIENTIFIC NAME Hemigrammus Rodwayi
PH 6.3
TEMPERATURE RANGE 75-82F 24-28C
HABITAT
A species which prefers a bright moderately planted tank
COMMUNITY
A quiet peaceful schooling fish suited to a community tank
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 5.5cm 2.25inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
The fish is prone to disease and skin parasites best suited to the advanced fish keeper
The fish protects its self by secreting Guanin which makes it appear as if covered in gold dust
COMMON NAME Checkered Barb / Island Barb
SCIENTIFIC NAME Barbus Oligolepis
PH 6.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 68-74F 20-24C
HABITAT
A species which prefers a tank with fine gravel on the bottom planted edges and rear of the tank leaving plenty of swimming space in the centre
COMMUNITY
A quiet peaceful community fish best kept in schools
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom and middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods and fine algae
SIZE
UP TO 15cm 5.75 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy starter fish
Males are bigger and brighter coloured the fins are bright red/brown with a black edge
COMMON NAME Australian Rainbow Fish
SCIENTIFIC NAME Melanotaenia Fluviatilis
PH 7.0-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-77F 22-25C
HABITAT
A species which prefers a tank with moderately planted edges and back using fine leaved plants with a fine gravel bottom and lots of swimming space
COMMUNITY
A quiet peaceful lively community fish best kept in schools
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle to top levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Any type of dried foods and live or frozen foods
SIZE
UP TO 10cm 4 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Easy starter fish
The male is more brightly coloured compared to the female
COMMON NAME Tucan Fish / Pike Tailed Characin
SCIENTIFIC NAME Chalceus Macrolepidotus
PH 5.5-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-82F 23-28C
HABITAT
A species which needs a large tank to swim freely in with moderate planting
NON COMMUNITY
The Species is predatory which should only be kept which species large than it
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
May take dried foods flake included prefers fish and fish meal and meat
SIZE
UP TO 25cm 10 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
80 LITRE
Carnivore will eat smaller tank mates prefers live food
Very long lived fish reports of up to 19 years
COMMON NAME Black Wing Hatchetfish
SCIENTIFIC NAME Carnegiella Mathae
PH 5.5-6.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-81F 23-27C
HABITAT
Fast moving water with a large open surface area between floating plants a fine gravel with scattered planting
COMMUNITY
A peaceful sensitive species best kept in schools and with gentle tank mates
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Top levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Carnivore prefers live foods but will happily take dried frozen and freeze dried foods
SIZE
UP TO 3.5cm 1.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
This species is extremely sensitive to tank conditions so water quality must be maintained recommended for seasoned fish keepers
No known sexual differences
COMMON NAME Spotted Pecoltia
SCIENTIFIC NAME Peckoltia Brevis
PH 5.8-7.8 (6.8 preferred )
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-79F 22-26C
HABITAT
Well planted aquarium with plenty of cave and hiding places using roots and bogwood with a good filtration and slight current add floating plant to give shaded areas and in time the fish will leave there hiding places during the day
COMMUNITY
Nocturnal species very peaceful well suited for a community tank
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
Will take dried foods any kind of tablet food algae grazer loves mashed pea with out the skins 2-3 time a month
SIZE
UP TO 9cm 3 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy to keep species providing water quality is maintained and not housed with similar catfish or cichlids
Long live species the males have well developed spines on the pectoral and dorsal fin rays
COMMON NAME Elegant Corydoras
SCIENTIFIC NAME Corydoras Elegens
PH 5.5-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-79F 22-26C
HABITAT
Prefers a dark bottom of fine gravel or sand to protect their barbels dense planting with clear areas for swimming and foraging
COMMUNITY
The Species is a peaceful lively schooling species
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food and tablets frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 6cm 2 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy to keep cheerfully species which will keep the bottom of the aquarium clean
COMMON NAME Peppered Corydoras
SCIENTIFIC NAME Corydoras Paleatus
PH 5.5-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-79F 22-26C
HABITAT
Prefers a dark bottom of fine gravel or sand to protect their barbels dense planting with clear areas for swimming and foraging
COMMUNITY
The Species is a peaceful lively schooling species
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food and tablets frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 7cm 2.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy to keep cheerfully species which will keep the bottom of the aquarium clean
There is an albino variety commonly available
COMMON NAME Cardinal Tetra
SCIENTIFIC NAME Paracheiriodon Axelrodi
PH 4.6-6.2 ( Ph 5.8 optimal )
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-81F 23-27C
HABITAT
Prefers a tank with diffused light the use of floating plants is the best method plenty of open swimming space with planting along the edge and back of the tank
COMMUNITY
The Species is a very peaceful schooling fish
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom to middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 5cm 2 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy to keep species
Females slightly larger than the males
COMMON NAME Siamese Algae Eater
SCIENTIFIC NAME Crossocheilus Siamensis
PH 6.5-8.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 75-79F 24-26C
HABITAT
Prefers a tank with a fine gravel bottom with thick patchy planting
COMMUNITY
The Species is a very peaceful sometimes fights with its own kind well suited to a community tank
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom to Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted algae including thread algae
SIZE
UP TO 14cm 5.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Easy to keep species
COMMON NAME Flying Fox
SCIENTIFIC NAME Epalzeothynchos Kalopterus
PH 6.5 ( will tolerate a higher pH )
TEMPERATURE RANGE 75-79F 24-26C
HABITAT
Prefers a tank with a fine gravel bottom with dense planting and provide hiding places among rocks and bog wood
COMMUNITY
The Species is mostly peaceful although territorial and will defend its space becomes more aggressive with age
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom to Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted algae does not eat thread algae
SIZE
UP TO 15cm 6 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Easy to keep species
COMMON NAME Scissor Tailed Rasbora
SCIENTIFIC NAME Rasbora Trilineata
PH 6.0-6.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-77F 23-25C
HABITAT
Prefers a tank with a dark bottom with dense planting around the edges leaving a free swimming space in the centre of the tank
COMMUNITY
The Species is a very peaceful lively fish well suited to a community tank
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom to Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods
SIZE
UP TO 15cm 6 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Easy to keep species
The males are smaller and more slenderer
COMMON NAME Ghost Catfish / Glass Catfish
SCIENTIFIC NAME Krytopterus Minor
PH 6.0-8.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 70-79F 21-26C
HABITAT
Prefers a tank with a strong current well lit open spaces for swimming with some floating plants for cover
COMMUNITY
The Species is a very peaceful schooling fish
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 5cm 2 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Can be sensitive if kept with very lively fish
COMMON NAME Lamp eye Panchax / Normans Lampeyes
SCIENTIFIC NAME Aplocheilichthys Macrophthalmus
PH 7.2-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-79F 22-26C
HABITAT
Recommend a dark substrate with heavy planting around the edges and back use floating plants to dim the light and use rocks and bog wood for hiding places leaving spaces for swimming
COMMUNITY
The Species is a very lively peaceful schooling fish
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle to Top levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 4cm 1.5 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Easy to keep species
Males are more colourful with a noticeable extension to the back of the dorsal and anal fins
COMMON NAME Honey Gourami
SCIENTIFIC NAME Colisa Chuna
PH 6.0-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-82F 22-28C
HABITAT
Needs a heavily planted tank with floating plants for cover
COMMUNITY / NON COMMUNITY
The Species is a peaceful but timid not always suited to a community aquarium
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Top to Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 5cm 2 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
This species is prone to Oodinium pillularis ( velvet )
Males colour can form shades of honey to ochre has a blue throat and a touch of black on the front section of the anal fin the female is brown bubble nest breeder
COMMON NAME Thick Lipped Gourami
SCIENTIFIC NAME Colisa Labiosa
PH 6.0-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-82F 22-28C
HABITAT
Needs a heavily planted tank with floating plants for cover
COMMUNITY
The Species is a peaceful greatly suited to a community aquarium
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Top to Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 9cm 4 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
Very easy species to keep
Males are more colourful with a pointed dorsal fin bubble nest breeder
COMMON NAME Moonlight Gourami
SCIENTIFIC NAME Trichogaster Microlepis
PH 6.0-7.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 79-86F 26-30C
HABITAT
Needs a heavily planted tank with floating plants for cover
COMMUNITY
The Species is a peaceful rather timid species
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle to top levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 15cm 6 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
60 LITRE
This species is prone to Oodinium pillularis ( velvet )
Males have orange to red pelvic fins the females are yellow health fish have a red iris
COMMON NAME Snake Skinned Gourami
SCIENTIFIC NAME trichogaster Pectoralis
PH 6.0-8.3
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-82F 23-28C
HABITAT
The tank can be planted or not does well with either
COMMUNITY
The Species is very peaceful
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle to Bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO20cm 8 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
80 LITRE
The species is very easy to keep
Males have pointed dorsal fin and there is a fringe on the orange-red pelvic fins the females fins are yellow
COMMON NAME Red Dwarf Gourami
SCIENTIFIC NAME Colisa Lalia
PH 6.0-7.5
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-82F 22-28C
HABITAT
Use a dark substrate and cover one corner of the tank with floating plants ( ferns preferred ) edges and back planted well
COMMUNITY / NON COMMUNITY
The Species is a peaceful but timid not always suited to a community aquarium
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle to top levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 5cm 2 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
40 LITRE
Needs regular water changes a third to a half of the tank
Males are bright red with a blue pointed dorsal fin the females are much duller
COMMON NAME Keyhole Cichlid
SCIENTIFIC NAME Cleithracara Maronii
PH 6.0-8.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 72-77F 22-25C
HABITAT
Use a fine gravel or sand with hiding places among rocks and bog wood and plant the edges of the tank
COMMUNITY
The Species is a peaceful seldom burrows the fish are nervous and easily frightened one of the few cichlids that are suited to the community tank
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Middle to bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
10-15cm 3.5-6 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
80 LITRE
Easy to keep just shy and nervous
Males normally have longer more pointed dorsal and anal fins and the females often smaller in size
COMMON NAME Blue Acara
SCIENTIFIC NAME Aequidens Pulcher
PH 6.5-8.0
TEMPERATURE RANGE 64-73F 18-23C
HABITAT
Use a fine gravel or sand with hiding places among rocks and bog wood use hardy plants around the edges of the aquarium add floating plants to give cover and subdue the light
COMMUNITY
The Species territorial but peaceful even to its own kind burrows but does not damage plant
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom to Middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 20cm 8 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
80 LITRE
Easy to keep needs regular weekly water change
Males normally have longer more pointed dorsal and anal fins
COMMON NAME Firemouth Cichlid
SCIENTIFIC NAME Cichlasoma Meeki
PH 6.0-8.0 ( 7.0 is preferred )
TEMPERATURE RANGE 70-75F 21-24C
HABITAT
Use a fine gravel or sand with hiding places among rocks and bogwood and plant the edges of the tank plants should be potted
COMMUNITY
The Species is territorial and forms pairs burrows but rarely damages plants generally peaceful towards other tank mates except during spawning
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 15cm 6 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
80 LITRE
Easy to keep
Males has nicely pointed dorsal and anal fins and is more brightly coloured
COMMON NAME Severum
SCIENTIFIC NAME Heros Severus
PH 6.0-6.5 ( will tolerate a higher pH )
TEMPERATURE RANGE 73-77F 23-25C
HABITAT
Use a fine gravel or sand with hiding places among rocks and bog wood and plant the aquarium lightly leaving plenty of space for swimming subdued lighting
COMMUNITY
The Species is a gentle and peaceful does not burrow can be aggressive during spawning
TOP MIDDLE BOTTOM
Bottom and middle levels of the aquarium
FOOD
All types of dried food frozen and live foods accepted
SIZE
UP TO 20cm 8 inches
SMALLEST ADVISABLE TANK
100 LITRE
Easy to keep
Males have pointed dorsal and anal fins with reddish brown spot and worm like marking on the head the female is lack this but has a dark patch on the dorsal fin the fish are trusting and can learn to feed from their keepers hand
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