Left Coast Waters
All Freshwater
Species
A-C
African Jewelfish - The jewelfishes from Africa are some of
the most beautiful, and most bellicose, of the cichlids. While bimaculatus was
the original jewelfish introduced into the hobby many years ago, there are now
a number of other species available. They all behave the same and require the
same conditions.
Angelfish – Angelfish - Long a favorite among aquarists, the
angelfish is a tall fish that can be kept in a community setting, as long as
its tankmates are not overly aggressive or habitual fin nippers. Fast-swimming
fish may also make an angelfish nervous and may out-compete it for food.
Arowana - The Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a long
and beautiful fish known for its voracious appetite and constant surface
skimming, looking for things to fit into its mouth. It is native to waterways
of the Amazon River and other areas in South America as well as Southeast Asia
and Australia.
Bala Shark - Also known as the tricolor shark or silver
shark, the young bala shark is a staple item in most aquarium stores. However,
this fish is a poor choice for most aquaria
Barb - Barbs are freshwater tropical fish within the genera
Barbus and Puntius. They are very popular aquarium inhabitants, and the group
includes well-known species such as the tiger barb and cherry barb.
Betta - The betta, also known as the Siamese fighting fish,
has become a popular fish among hobbyists primarily because of the male’s
beautiful colors and lavish finnage.
Black Molly - The black molly (Poecilia sphenops) is a
hybrid variation of the sailfin molly. It is a small fish, with males reaching
about three inches in length and females slightly smaller.
Black Tetra - The black tetra has been a popular staple of
the aquarium hobby for many years. Commercial breeders have developed different
color varieties (unfortunately, including the “blueberry” and other dyed fish),
and there are long-finned specimens
Blackline Penguinfish - The blackline penguinfish is also called
Boehlke’s penguinfish, false penguin tetra and hockey sticks. This species
needs at least a 20-gallon aquarium for a small group of six or more fish. This
fish is hardy and sticks to the upper waters of the community aquarium.
Bleeding Heart Tetra - The bleeding heart tetra is a hardy,
peaceful, schooling species that should be kept in groups of six or more. It
does extremely well when kept with other peaceful fish, such as Megalamphodus,
Corydoras and Nannostomus species.
Blind Cave Tetra - he blind cave tetra is a schooling
species that is a little too aggressive for the normal tetra community. It is
best kept in a group of three to six individuals in a tank with other robust
fish, such as small cichlids, livebearers, barbs and catfish.
Blue Gourami - The blue gourami is a robust fish that should
be kept with other hardy, but mildly aggressive, community tank fishes. When
kept with active, aggressive fishes it will often retreat to a corner and hide.
House only one male per aquarium, as this species has a tendency to fight with
one another.
Bosemans Rainbowfish - Description: The front half of Melanotaenia
boesemani's body is blue, and the back half is yellow-orange. In some
specimens, you may also see a stripe or two of silver-black scales.
Brichardi Cichlid - Description: Neolamprologus brichardi is
called brichardi cichlid, princess of Burundi and fairy cichlid. This
moderately aggressive pale brown cichlid is elongate and has clearly defined
scales.
Bronze Cory – In the wild, most Corydoras swim in schools of
several dozen or more, and similar conditions should be duplicated in the home
aquarium. The Corydoras aeneus should be kept in a group of six or more with
other community tank fish, such as small characins, livebearers and rasboras.
Buenos Aires Tetra - The Buenos Aires tetra is now provided
to the hobby almost exclusively from fish farms in Florida, which means it
usually has been raised in alkaline, hard water. It will, however, adapt back
to its original conditions of neutral soft water.
Cardinal Tetra - The cardinal tetra is probably the world’s
favorite tropical fish in terms of numbers kept. Many hobbyists have at some
point in time, kept cardinal tetras. And, while they have been bred, they have
never been bred in commercial quantities.
Catfish - Catfish are very recognizable and popular aquarium
inhabitants. They belong to the order Siluriformes, and include a wide variety
of freshwater and saltwater catfish families.
Cherry Barb - As with many other fish, the cherry barb is
now almost exclusively raised commercially in the Far East and Florida. If you
ever have a chance to procure wild stock, purchase them and you will see what
their true colors are. That said, the cherry barb that is in the hobby now is a
beautiful fish.
Cichlid - Cichlids are mainly freshwater tropical fish from
the family Cichlidae.
Clown Barb The clown barb is a very active, medium-size,
elegant species that should be kept with similar-size species that also prefers
warmer water.-
Clown Knifefish - The Clown Knifefish is one of the true
monster fishes that are available in the aquatic hobby. The cute little ones
that are sold at your local fish store at 4” to 5” will very quickly grow, and
grow, and grow, and eventually you will have a 24” fish on your hands.
Clown Loach - The clown loach is an active schooling fish
that is best kept in small groups (three to six fish). It will tolerate
tankmates of other species, although docile species may become agitated by the
constant activity of this fish.
Colombian Tetra / Red- Blue Columbian Tetra – The Colombian
Tetra (also known as the Red-Blue Colombian Tetra – but since it is the only
fish called “Colombian Tetra” I see no reason to add “Red-Blue” to its name) is
a large, peaceful tetra that comes from the Acandi River Basin in Colombian, in
South America.
Congo Tetra – The Congo Tetra is one of the few “tetras”
that comes from Africa, and is definitely the best known and most frequently
kept in aquariums; most tetras come from South America. The Congo Tetra is a
strikingly beautiful fish, large and full-bodied with flowing fins.
Convict Cichlid – The convict cichlid is often the first
fish a budding aquarist breeds — they are almost impossible to keep from
reproducing.
Cory – Cories are South American catfish of the family
Corydoradinae. They are temperate and tropical armoured catfish. Cories are the
most popular catfish for aquaria, and most species remain relatively small. It
is recommended that they be kept in small schools rather than individually.
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