Author Archives: Paul_

This small characin is a very attractive fish and a fast swimmer as well. It could be determined as a representative of the Hasemania genus, because it misses the characteristic adipose fin, which is one of the features that determine characins. Up to now we used to have only one species belonging to this genus, which is the well known silvertip tetra, Hasemania nana. An exact determination of the new tetra has failed. Even Dr. Géry (France) could not determine this fish from just photos. This could mean that we have a new and undescribed species here. The only information about its origin is that it comes from Brazil, but no exact location has been given. There is a clear sexual dichromatism between the genders because the male have a mood depending colour ranging from orange to dark red of large parts of the body and the fins. The female however has a yellowish colouration. The breeding is not very difficult, however the eggs and fry, as with the silvertip tetra, are very small and the young fish grow relative slowly. (Text: P. u. M. Hoffmann, Foto: P. Hoffmann)

The tetra, which was meanwhile clearly identified as Hemigrammus coeruleus is one of the most spectacular by-catches of Southamerican tetras. In over 20 years we could only discover approx. 25 of these tetras, mostly single animals among various imports. Inside the dealers tank they do not attract much attention, however: pink stripes on grey ground, no pithy fin marking, the upper half of the iris is coloured orange, the body is rather high backed. This insignificant appearance might also be a reason for this tetra not being imported in bigger quantities until now. But during the courting, which is almost constantly to observe under suitable conditions, their colour changes completely. The males get bright red eyes, a blood red body colour, the stripe, which was pink before glares red, the fins become black and the shoulder spot protrudes clearly. The colouring of the females is mostly a little less intensive developed. Certainly the ones, which are willing to spawn are not less beautiful than the males. Meanwhile it was finally possible to breed this tetra. So we hope to find this beautiful, robust and peaceful tetra (full-grown approx. 55-60mm in total) more often in the Aquaristik in future. In about 8 weeks from now, Aquarium Glaserwill get a limited quantity!(Photo & Text von P.&M.Hoffmann)

In the last years some quite difficult to classify new species of characins arrived from Paraguay. Usually they belong to the genera Creagrutus, Hemibrycon and Piabarchus. As a common characteristic a high swimming activity can be called for all species of this relationship. They need thus tanks, with a large free swimming area. Thus long stretched aquaria are ideal for them. There a strong current can be produced with the help of a centrifugal pump, in which they can organize their “swimming contests”. They like to jump, a complete cover helps to avoid losses. According to their origin they do not like it durably hot, an unheated aquarium is very pleasant and preserve the purse of the owner. They do not place increased requirements on their nutrition, living and frosted food are preferred, but they can also be fed with flake food.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

With Hoplias macrophthalmus we could import from Colombia one of the biggest predatory fishes of the Amazon river system. Contrary to the regular imported Hoplias malabaricus these arrive only extreme rarely in the trade. As an adult with a weight of over 40 kg and a length of more than 120cm they belong to the largest characins at all and leave the viewer with an enormous impression. For keeping them very large tanks are required and their tankmates have to be choosen with big caution.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

This scientifically undescribed ground tetra originates from Peru. This is a peaceful species also when housed with delicate fish. This is a medium size tetra fish, which probably does not grow larger then 5 cm. If more then one male of this ground tetra inhabits the tank then they can become somewhat territorial and therefore it is recommended to keep them in not too small aquarium. This species prefers dimmed lights, a dark coloured substrate and some current in the fish tank. The aquarium needs to be kept very clean because this ground tetra is somewhat sensitive against high concentrations of Nitrate. They prefer small live food, like cyclops or freshly hatched brine shrimps, but also frozen food will be taken eagerly. They continually graze between algae, where they prey on small crustaceans which develop normally in every healthy aquarium. But also flake food will be taken.(Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

This very attractive Tetra originates from the Rio Madeira, which runs into the Amazon River downstream from Manaus in Brazil. This Characin species will probably not grow much larger then 6 cm. They are friendly and lively schooling fish, very suitable for a community tank. These fish are not difficult in keeping and will tolerate all types of water. As all representatives of the Hyphessobrycon family these fish will thrive in a well-planted aquarium with many small leave plants, but also enough room for swimming. They also prefer a dark coloured substrate. They the ideal inhabitants for the so-called Dutch aquarium and they will show their best colours with soft lights.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

“Here's lookin' at you, kid,” – but be careful. Otherwise it could happen that it will be the very last what a tank mate will be looking at. Under these beautiful green eyes are not less impressive teeth that makes the wolf fish Hoplias malabaricus a feared hunter. The owners of these from Costa Rica to Argentina spread species should, when being busy in the aquarium, always have a view of their “favorite”, since it can come to bite injuries. Due to its large habitat some only difficult to distinguish subspecies of H. malabaricus exist. For those the statements of size differ, but it is to be assumed that H. malabaricus can reach a size of at least 50 cm and a weight of 1,5 kg. It is thereby no fish for everyone and completely nothing for a community aquarium. For experienced owners of large tanks which search for the unusual they may be a challenge which could be looked at.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Because of their rhomboid body form these animals remind one a little of African tetras of the species Phenacogrammus or Bathyaethiops. Except from Rio Oyapock Astyanax leopoldi are also said to be found in Rio Approuague. They were named in honour of King Leopold III of Belgium, who attended an ichthyological expedition to Rio Oyapock in 1962. Fortunately we soon succeeded in breeding, even though this tetra was not always unproblematic. Especially when doing too generous water changes with raising the pH-value fish of all ages occasionally respond with symptoms of a “shock” (body gets white), from which they somtimes do not recover. Apart from that these are very enduring, peaceful and “grateful” fish. Although they are not really coloured newcomers, they surely earn a permanent position in the aquarium hobbyists.(Photo & Text von P. & M. Hoffmann)

This prettily drawn representative of the genus Characidium reached us over Rio de Janeiro, its actual occurrence area is unknown. A classification of the more than 50 Characidium species is difficult, for orientation we here adopt the numbering of the Aqualog photo collection. As natural biotope small clear watercourses are to be assumed. The water should be well aerated and be sufficient for the general requirements on water chemistry (pH around 7, GH max.15). It concerns here a ground inhabiting omnivore fish. Considering the small mouth opening however not to large pieces of food should be offered to the animals. For the keeping of groups, tanks should be used by 100cm length, since the animals like to built up small territories. Breeding might not be difficult as with other Characidium species too.(Photo: Erwin Schraml, Text: Klaus Diehl)

Until a few years ago Red Phantom tetra, Hyphessobrycon sweglesi was easy to identify, even though under the name of Megalamphodus sweglesi. Lately “Red Phantom Tetras” appear more often, which are very similar to it, but also show other characteristics. It stays (temporarily) unclear, if they are own species, subspecies or “local forms”. Interested hobbyists, who would like to breed this tetra should know that the young fish are very small and prone to “infusorios” and that they require smallest life food in the beginning , if possible. Their growth is extreme slow during the first weeks/months. For this reason wildcaught ones are prevailingly put on the market.(Photos & Text von P. & M. Hoffmann)

The Yellow Tetra originates like its close related Von Rio Tetra from coastal rivers in southeast Brazil. With its pretty yellow basic colour it forms a beautiful contrast to it and other reddish characin species. As a schooling fish the Yellow Tetra should be kept only in larger swarms. Particularly in not too brightly lit up aquariums with dark ground their colours begin to shine. They need a free swimming area, the border regions of the aquarium should be densely planted. H. bifasciatus has neither against the food nor against the water chemistry to high requirements and can therefore be recommended to beginners for their society aquarium. Also for the first steps toward characin breeding they are suitable, since they already spawn in water with a light sour pH and moderate hardness and also the raising of the fry is not too difficult.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

The Rainbow Tetra is one of the most attractive characins of South America. They origin from western Colombia, where they are caught in the tributaries of the Rio San Juan. They belong to the same genus as the usually better known Emperor Tetra Nematobrycon palmeri. Rainbow Tetras can not be characterized as true schooling fishes, since the males try to establish and defend territories.Therefore their aquarium should contain larger structure-forming elements such as bogwood and large plants. For their maintenance middlehard water is sufficient, for breeding attempts however it should be soft and sour. A lot of foods will be eaten, for a good spawning condition black mosquito larvae (Culex) should be fed regularly .(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl

Up to now this ornamental tetra is only known from western Guyana/Southamerica in the lower course of Mazaruni River. Full-grown fish reach a total length of approx. 40mm. When putting on spawn the females are getting much plumper. By using their dish-shaped anal fin the males fix the eggs to a substrate (e.g. bottom of a plant leave). During the pairing the males lose the bands marking except for little black spots. Peaceful fish, which mostly stand in the upper water area among the plants. The keeping is advantageous in well-planted tanks only with other peaceful fish. Breeding is possible in 10 litre tanks with a spawn substrate (Javamoss), the number of eggs is not very big. For keeping, please do not use too hard water, 10°german hardness, maximum, pH 5.5-7 and temperature around 24°C. (Photo & Text von P. & M. Hoffmann)

It was illustrated on the homepage of Canadian fish exporter “Below Water” and designated as “Kitty” Tetra (“a new Hemigrammus-species, caught in Mato Grosso in November 2000). It is presented as Hyphessobrycon loweae in the February/March-issue of “Aquaristik Fachmagazin & Aquarium heute”. According to Dr. Géry there are “good correspondences” with Hyphessobrycon loweae (Costa & Géry). Similar to Hyphesobrycon elachys , the clearly lengthened belly fins of the males, a widely extended back fin as well as a widened, bent anal fin are particularly remarkable. Tail-, back-, belly- and anal fin(s) are transparent-yellowish to darkyellow-orange-red and lined in a deep shade of red. The animals measure a total length of approx. 39mm of female sex and 42mm of male sex (standard length 32 resp. 35mm). According to first experiences water around 10° dGH, ph 7 and temperature around 24°C is sufficient for the keeping. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)