Author Archives: Paul_

Only three of these predatory characins found their way to Aquarium Glaser. This group of characins form the subfamily Cynopotaminae within the family of real American characins (Characidae). The representatives of this subfamily are relatively large fish, which can reach a total length between 15 and 30 cm in adulthood. Cynopotamus have large mouth openings with strong jaws obtaining long needle sharp teeth. This makes it possible to chase even large fish by having a strong grip on their large and strong prey. Cynopotamus can be found throughout subtropical and tropical South America. They mostly live in clear and white water habitats. These are territorial characins. Unfortunately these fish are not imported regularly to Europe and observations in captivity of these fascinating objects can therefore rarely be made.(Photo: Frank Schäfer, Text: Izaak den Daas)

This interesting, rarely traded characin species origins from the Rio Negro area. B. myersi is a genuine black water fish, which should be kept best at pH values of 4,5 – 6 and a very low water hardness. A filtering over peat can be very helpful, apart from the improvement of the chemical parameters the bactericidal effect of the peat reduces also the bacterial pressure in the aquarium. Unnecessary activities in or near the aquarium should be avoided, since this small, maximal 4 cm large getting preciousness is very sensitive to stress. This also is to be considered at the socialization with other fish, only similar small, reserved species should be taken. During acclimatisation they should be fed with small living food (Artemia Naupliae), frosted food is also accepted and a conversion to flake food can be tried. About a successful breeding no reports are present to us, but there are indications for an internal fertilization.(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

The Flame Tetra, Fire Tetra, or Von Rio Tetra is a well established aquarium guest. Its origin is the proximity of Rio de Janeiro in Eastern Brazil, where it occurs in coastal rivers. As swarm fishes they need the society of conspecifics. Since the optical impression of the observer depends on the swarm size, it makes little sense to pack small swarms of several similar looking species in the aquarium. Substantially more impressively a swarm of more than 30 animals of a species is to be held. Also the fish feel therein better, it obtains security and the colors begin to shine. With a length of 4cm the Von Rio Tetra is an excellent candidate for large swarms, particularly since it has neither against the water condition nor against the food special requirements. Corys and small loricariids are suitable tankmates for the ground, hatchetfishes for the upper regions of the tank.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

April 2006: This week we got some very nice Pristobrycon maculipinnis. This rarely traded and in the fish keeping hobby almost unknown species is characterised by intensive red colored fins, as well as a pronounced examination of black markings over the silver shining body. Maybe it is the most attractive of all Piranhas, it originates from south Venezuela where it inhabits black water biotopes. There they feed on fruits and seeds that fall onto the water, as well as of fish and their fins. This is to be considered during their maintenance in aquaria, at the best they should be kept solitary. A careful socialisation with conspecifics or other large species might be possible. In some zoological gardens you can see groups of Pygocentrus (Serrasalmus) nattereri that have been kept together there for several years. Since all Piranhas react very sensitively to stress all uneccesary handling in or near the tank should be avoided. (Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl

Red fish always attract interest amongst hobbyists, especially the intensively red coloured ones. Five years ago when we received the first animals of this tetra by the name of “Hyphessobrycon serpae – the real one” (wildcaught from Rio Araguaia), we were immediately enthusiastic, too. At first sight (still inside the transport bag) these tetras looked very similar to the bloodtetra, Hyphessobrycon eques, formerly known as Hy. callistus. They also reminded us of the Red Phantomtetra, Hyphessobrycon (formerly Megalamphodus) sweglesi, while they obviously had “short fins”. Soon it was clear, however, that they are neither. Until today a final definition was not provided yet, it could be Hyphessobrycon haraldschultzi or an undefined species. Breeding this tetra, which occurs – very seldom – on the market as wildcaught, is difficult, but quite possible with much patience. Both the wildcaughts of the “crystal red tetra” and later also the young animals turned out to be absolutely “sociable” among themselves and others, also small fish. The nutrition by all live and dry food is not causing any problems (plants are not getting bothered), while the young fish belong more to the slowly growing tetras. For a “sense of well-being”, resp. in order to show the intensive red to advantage, the aquarium should contain well-planted sectors with indirect beam of light. (Photo & Text P. & M. Hoffmann)

June 2007: Last week we imported from Peru a small amount of probably the most beautiful of all wolf characins. A big advantage of Erythrinus erythrinus is it’s size, that stays with about 25 cm in a tolerable area. It doesn’t have excessive claims with water-chemistry. In it’s homeland, it lives next to small streams and also in swampy zones with significantly low oxygen content. As a markedly predator, it obviously can only be held with fishes that are about the same in size. Breeding success in captivity has not been known yet.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

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)

At present we can offer some Cardinals of the variety „Gold Neon“. This is one of some more in the wild rarely existing colour forms of Cheirodon axelrodi. Actually it is not clear whether this colour forms are distinct species or varieties of the cardinal. At the “Gold Neon” the blue colour strip is replaced by a gold-yellow one. Their maintenance requirements do not differ not from “common” cardinals, so they represent an interesting alternative in colour to the most frequent aquarium fish.

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)

From the Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) originates Distichodus sexfasciatus. This in the aquarium to approximately 30 cm growing characin is a pronounced herbivore. This has to be regarded for the basin setup, since most smooth leaved plants are regarded as food. Some hardy plants as Anubias- or Microsorium species may do well and are worth trying.The water chemistry plays only a subordinated role for their maintenance, a sufficient filtering should however be provided, since a certain nitrite sensitivity is present. Unfortunately the very beautiful youth colouring fades somewhat with increasing age, then however an attractive gloss covers the whole fish.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

April 2004: At present Aquarium Glaser can offer Salminus brasiliensis (formerly: S. maxillosus) as a further characin rarity. This up to 1 m and over 20 kg growing fish is a migratory species. These migrations take place from October to January, and are correlated with the rise of the water levels as well as the rising length of day. They follow their prey at their migrations to their spawniong grounds. Both in migratory behavior and in appearance Salminus species reminds on the salmon species, and like them they are threatened by dams, barrags and the environmental pollution. As estimated food fish they are fish farmed in Brazil. At the maintenance in aquaria their rowdiness is to be considered, with their strong dentures they can hurt their tankmates, therefore even for young animals should large aquariums be available. Since they are strong devourers their appetite can not be satisfied with flake food in the long term. Sometimes a defrosted fish should be fed.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl

From the Rio Sao Francisco originates this with Serrasalmus brandtii closely related species. They are quite aggressive and as young fish they can be held as a shoal in the species aquarium. Adults with a size of over 30cm length need then naturally very large tanks. At first freshly imported Piranhas accept usually only living fish as food, can however be accustomed to fish meat, shrimps or mussels. In some reported cases also pellets are accepted. Concerning water chemistry and temperature no special requirements are placed, middlehard water, a neutral pH and temperatures around 24°C are recommended for their maintenance.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl

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)

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)