Author Archives: Paul_

This species is the smallest representative of the carp family. It length does not exceed 1.5 cm. This fish comes from Myanmar (former Burma) and is imported only rarely. It is a typical shoaling fish and apparently lives in nature in large formations. Male fish attract the females for mating with clear croaking noises. These precious little fish need an aquarium of their own. Breeding is possible in an aquarium with large bushels of plants like Java moss, which give the fry a chance to hide and micro- organisms the opportunity to flourish so they can be used as the first food for the very small fry. But also the adult fish need small food particles, like newly hatched brine shrimps, small copepods and microworms. (Text: I. den Daas, Photo: F. Schäfer)

Labiobarbus leptocheila is a up to 30 cm long barb originating from Southeast Asia. There it is found from the Mekong area over the Malayan peninsula to Java, Sumatra and Borneo. Typically for the genus Labiobarbus is the protracted dorsal fin, as well as through black marks on the scales formed longitudinal stripes. In their habitat they inhabit midwater depths and the ground of larger rivers and streams. There they feed upon plankton. According to their size they need large aquaria, which should have some shelters and hiding places. Since they like plants, the aquarium should be planted only with hard specimen. A generously dimensioned filtering unit, as well as frequent water change should be normal with animals of this size. No information about successful breeding attempts is present to us.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Leptobarbus hoevenii the Cigar Shark or Mad Barb is a giant within the barbs. With a length of approx. 1 m and a weight of up to 10 kg the Cigar Shark already places a very special requirement: It needs a lot of space. For the maintenance of adults one should own a tank of at least 3 m length. They originate from Southeast Asia, and are found most often in freely flowing rivers and streams and seasonally on floodplains. Since they are schooling fishes one should own a group of at least 7 individuals, which can form a magnificent swarm. As omnivore fishes they are unproblematic in their nutrition, also in terms of water chemistry they place no special requirements. Over its breeding in aquariums nothing is known to us, in Asia they are artificially bred for raising in aquacultures.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

This endemic species can be found through Europe, from France to the Memel River, in England in the Thames and a few other rivers and in the Danube and its tributaries. During the breeding season the male fish have a cloudy secrete on the head with white nodules. The females are considerable bigger and rounder then the males. The eggs of this barb are slightly poisonous. These are very interesting fish for an endemic fish tank and of course the temperate aquarium. They take all kinds of live and frozen food, all available vegetarian stuff but also flake food and tablets. Several subspecies of B. barbus are known and described for Europe, like for instance French, Yugoslavian and Greek subspecies. (Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

Danionella translucida would have earned an entry in the Guiness book of world records. The largest measured individual was only 12mm long, thus acts it with this species around the smallest vertebrate anima. Apart from their extreme smallness the absence of sheds, as well as the high transparency of the dwarves are noticeable. They origin from Myanmar the former Burma, where they inhabit slowly-flowing, well planted streams. They place no special requirements for care, should not however naturally not with lively fish be associated. A small aquarium (50cm) is sufficient for a group of these interesting fish. Breed attempts should be undertaken f the fish are well fed with Artemia Naupliae and sieved life food. According to the waters in their habitat the water should be soft and easily sour. Reports on successful breeding are not known. (Photo: Erwin Schraml, Text: Klaus Diehl)

At the first warm days of march humans get a certain urge to go outdoors. In the garden is exactly looked how everything becomes green and also the pond gets a first critical inspection and stocktaking. Who wants to supplement the fish population, can plan now and should include the white comet to its considerations. This variant of the gold fish represents, with its silvery white colouring and the strongly extended caudal fin, a magnificent alternation to the “normal” gold fish. In its requirements for maintenance it corresponds to these, i.e. one should grant them generously space. With approximately 45 l per full grown gold fish (15 cm) no problems are to be expected. The pond should have a sufficiently dimensioned filter so that the metabolites, arising with strong feeding, can be diminished. A hibernation in the pond is possible, the precondition is then a large water volume to avoid fast oscillations in temperature, since these can cause difficulties and diseases to the gold fish.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

August 2006: Last night we received a small jewel from the Congo basin. For the first time a somewhat larger number, of the more than 30 years for the hobby lost Butterfly Barb Barbus hulstaerti could be imported. The lively fish, reaches 4cm in length and fascinates by its wonderful colors. In their area of origin they live in flat, shady and relative cool jungle waters. The discovery site data indicate with water values of pH around 6; and a total hardness under 5 DGH no excessive problems for their maintenance. The more delicate males can be differentiated from the larger, chubbier females at the more narrow anterior side spot. Due to the complicated political situation in the Congo the availability of wild caughts is not secured, therefore ambitious breeders should take care of this swimming gem to secure their existence in our aquaria.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Microrasbora spec „Galaxy “represents a new star in the hobby. Their magnificent colouring lifts it clearly out of the number of newly imported fish from Southeast Asia. It is surely the most spectacular discovery of the year 2006. About their origin exists only a vague knowledge, they shall be caught at the border area Thailand/Burma. With maximally 3 cm length they are very suitable it for small aquariums. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

This barb out of the relationship of Oreichthys cosuatis measures about 5 cm. They originate from northern India. This species is characterised by a pronounced sexual-dimorphism, the males are more larger than females, only them show the magnificent, flag-like increased dorsal fin. The fish tank should be decorated with dense patches of plants on the sides and back but should be kept with enough swimming space. Tank mates should be not to big, vigorous swimmers should be avoided. In captivity they feed on all kinds of available food and they even take flake or pellet food. Breeding is not difficult at all. The females spawn in an upside-down-postion und broad leves of underwater plant, as it is known from the harlequin barb.(Photo: Erwin Schraml, Text: Klaus Diehl)

If you are interested in a larger growing fish, the mud carp Cirrhinus molitorella originating from Southeast Asia, could be the right thing for you. In the list of fishing world records it is quoted with a length by 1 m and applies in Thailand under the name Pa Keng as a strong fighter at the fishing rod. In the aquarium it will not reach this size and can be socialized for example with large representatives of the genera Labeo, Osphronemus or Channa. Owners of very large aquaria are here addressed, they can try to accommodate the Southeast Asiatic riverine fauna in biotope aquaria. With bamboo canes, roots, and large stones beautiful underwater landscapes can be arranged. In its habitat C. molitorella inhabits midwater to bottom depths of running waters. It is found there both in fast flowing sections as well as in calmer water, during the rain time even within flooding areas. As a omnivor it is problem-free in the nutrition, naturally large food quantities are needed.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Labeo calbasu the Orange-fin shark is a real king sized labeo. In its homeland (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and South West China) it is a fish for consumption and therefore of importance in the asiatic aquaculture. With a size of up to 1m it is not a fish for the “normal” aquarium. Aficionados of the East Asian fish fauna possessing really large aquariums, can hold him together with Channa or Osphronemus species. In the wild Labeo calbasu is selective in feeding. Juveniles show a positive selection for zooplanktonic organisms. The adult showa negative selection for the zooplankton and a positive selection for decayed organic matter and molluscs. According to their large appetite they load the water very strongly, thus they are grateful for regular large water changes. In their habitats they occur in diverse waters types and so they have no special demands on waterchemistry.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

The Jae barb is one rarely out of central Africa imported dwarf barb. With scarcely four centimeters of length they attained full growth and show an attractive red coloration on their fins. The red hue of the fins is more weakly pronounced with the females; their body exhibits predominantly beige-brown tones. In addition the females become somewhat larger and stronger than the slimmer males. For aquarium maintenance they should be kept by pH around 6 and DGH < 8 according to their origin. Temperatures of 21 - 25 °C are sufficient. The space requirement of the Jae barb is to be fulfilled with smaller aquariums, it represents thus a outstanding addition of the assortment remaining small fish. It should be associated with small lasting, calm species, so that its delicate beauty does not go down. Also for living together with the popular dwarf shrimps it is an ideal tank mate.(Photo: Erwin Schraml, Text: Klaus Diehl)

One of the jewels for experienced aquarists is Sundadanio (former: Rasbora ) axelrodi. The fish on the photo belongs to the blue-green form from Anjungan, Borneo.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

december 2005: For the first time in Europe we can present Labeo longipinnis from the Congo River to you. This about 30 cm long growing Labeo is not noticeable by a particularly spectacular design or colour. Due to its lively manner, beautiful form and fins it can become nevertheless a genuine “eye-catcher” in the community aquarium. Since so far for their behaviour in aquaria no references are present , there is still a lot to discover. For the maintenance only roomy containers are suitable, one should also start with a not too small number of animals, since we know nearly nothing about its social behaviour. Labeo species can become quite incompatible at the age and then it is always favourable, when the aggressions can be distributed within a group. At the nutrition Labeo`s place, except what the quantity concerns, no increased requirements, a generous filtering unit should be always present with large sized bottom feeders.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)