Hatchetfish are egg scatterers that do not tend their eggs or fry and so a separate spawning/fry tank is needed. Spawning occurs between pairs. However, in most species breeding is very difficult to achieve.
Sexes are difficult to distinguish, but females may be plumper when ready to breed. To bring the adults into breeding condition, plenty […]

Carnegiella strigata species

The marbled hatchetfish found in the local fish store are all caught in the wild they have been spawned, but not on a commercial basis. Also, there are at least two species, and probably some others, that come in under the common name of marbled hatchetfish.
When it comes to care, the difference of […]

Oscars, as well as other large cichlids, are commonly afflicted by hole in the head disease (HITH). The symptoms are easily recognizable  pitted areas or holes around the face and head area and along the lateral line of the fish but the cause of HITH is not so clearly understood.
Some aquarists blame poor water conditions […]

The fish are unable to maintain an upright position when still and may float head-down, on their side, or upside down. The fish may sit on the bottom of the aquarium and struggle to swim to the surface, or may hang at the surface and be unable to swim down. Weakness and lethargy and a […]

Raising Goldfish is really not that difficult. However it does take a little understanding to be successful. First lesson is DO NOT keep goldfish in those so-called Goldfish bowls. You can raise Bettas in them but not Goldfish (Carassius auratus). Keep them in large aquariums, the larger the better.
When selecting your fish for breeding use […]

I strongly advise against keeping goldfish and tropical fish together for several reasons.
First, goldfish tend to thrive at sub-tropical temperatures, which means about 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is not to say that 75-degree water will kill the goldfish. It’s just that the lower temperatures are healthier for them. Cooler water holds more oxygen, […]

It is a myth that a goldfish will grow only to the size of their tank. If a goldfish is kept in a small tank, fed only a small amount once daily, and the water changed regularly, it will grow only very slowly and may live for several years, reaching a maximum size of maybe […]

The Texas Cichlid, also known as Rio Grande Cichlid requires a tank of at least 50 gallons, with a fine sand bottom. The plants should be hardy as the Texas Cichlid will burrow around and attack them. The Texas Cichlid is sensitive to old water and requires frequent changes of 1/4-1/2 of the water weekly.
The […]

Also known as the Jaguar Cichlid, is a beautifully marked cichlid. The adult requires an aquarium no smaller then 70 gallons. They require plenty of open swimming room, as well as places to hide. The bottom of the tank should be coarse gravel, without plants, as the Managuense Cichlid is a burrower and will tear […]

Lake Tanganyika is a large lake in central Africa. It is estimated to be the second largest lake in the world by volume, and the second deepest, in both cases after Lake Baikal in Siberia. The lake is divided between four countries – Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia, with the […]

Pseudotropheus socolofi, also known as the Powder Blue cichlid or Pindani, is a fairly well-known and popular fish among the cichlid community.
Both males and females of the species have a light blue body with the males usually having a brighter blue sheen. Both sexes also display egg spots on the anal fin with the males […]

Photo copyright: Nordiska Ciklidsällskapet. Courtesy of www.ciklidbladet.se
The Neolamprologus brichardi is a beautiful Tanganyika cichlid with many interesting habits.
These fishes have a light brown to creamy colored body with long flowing fins edged in a brilliant white. Their gill covers are decorated with a black stripe along with a gold spot and electric blue markings. Generally, […]

Most African cichlids prefer different water quality than the fish in your other tanks. They come from lakes where the pH and water hardness are higher. Hobbyists often keep the pH around 7.8. High-quality water and frequent changes are necessary.
The best way to enjoy them is to build a big rock pile in your tank. […]

Photo copyright: Andrzej Zabawski. Courtesy of www.akwafoto.pl
If you are looking for a little fish with a big attitude Neolamprologus ocellatus has plenty to spare. These tiny cichlids will fight with much larger opponents and even bite the hand that feeds them if you get to close to their territory. Both males and females of this […]

Another very popular aquarium fish that comes from Lake Malawi is the Pseudotropheus estherae or Red Zebra.
Because these cichlids are so brightly colored and constantly on the go, they are truly aquatic entertainers. The males of this species have a light blue body with several darker vertical “stripes” and bright yellow egg spots on their […]

One of the big bruisers of the cichlid family, Tilapia buttikoferi is a smart and outgoing fish with a bit of a mean streak.
This handsome species sports alternating black and yellow/white stripes on a stout body. Because of its large size (up to 16 inches) it is also used as a food fish. But in […]

The Pelmatochromis pulcher, also called the Dwarf Cichlid or Kribensis, is a wonderful little fish for novice aquarists and one of the few cichlids that can be kept in a community tank.
This attractive species is yellowish in color with 2 dark horizontal stripes running across the top half of its body and a prominent red […]