February’s Fish of the Month is the Leopard Puffer (Dichotomyctere nigrovirdis). This puffer within the order of Tetraodon is also called the Green Spotted Puffer and occasionally Burmese Puffer. Leopard Puffers are tropical brackish water fish that can grow to 6 inches and can live 10 years. These fish are wild caught and available during…
The Black Moor rings in 2019 as January’s Fish of the Month. Originating in China from the early 1700’s, the Black Moor is a popular variety of Carassius auratus AKA goldfish. The breed is black with telescoping eyes and a twin tail. The name is thought to reference the North African Muslim inhabitants of the…
December’s fish of the month is a temperate species, the weather loach (Misgurnus anquillicaudatus). These fish are native to Asia but have become established in Europe, Australia, and North America . Also known as dojo loach, you’ll often find both the regular and gold weather loach in Centreville Aquarium. The weather loach is an incredibly…
November’s fish of the month is a classic, well respected species – The Ram Cichlid. First described in 1948, “Mikrogeophagus ramirezi” is named after Manuel Ramirez, one of the first importers and collectors of the species. The species is naturally found in the soft, warm, and acidic water of the llanos savannahs of Venezuela and…
October’s fish of the month is an odd, often overlooked species – the Hoplo Catfish. Discovered in the 1840’s, this fish may be found labelled under Callichthys or Hoplosternum, though it is currently accepted as a member of Megalechis. There are currently two recognized species of Hoplo cat, M. thoracata, the Marbled Hoplo, and M….
This month we are celebrating Astronotus ocellatus the infamous oscar. Oscars are Cichlids that originated in tropical South America. They have been introduced in many tropical waterways around the world including Florida, Asia and even Australia. Oscars grow to 18 inches and are often caught for food where they occur naturally. The oscar has been…
Monte Carlo and Dwarf Sag. This month’s fish of the month isn’t a fish at all, rather the foreground plants ‘Monte Carlo’, (Micranthemum tweediei) and Dwarf Saggitaria. Relatively new to the hobby, Monte Carlo is native to Argentina, and has found huge popularity as an easy to grow carpet plant. Carpeting plants grow dense and…
The July fish of the month is another fantastic Southeast Asian fish; the Pearl Gourami *Trichopodus leerii*. This small but distinctly patterned gourami reaches a maximum size of about four and a half inches, making it perfect for any thirty-plus gallon freshwater tank. As a labryinth fish (meaning they have a rudimentary lung), the most…
The Chinese Algae Eater, *Gyrinocheilus aymonieri*, is a Cypriniforme common to Southeast Asia and found in the Malay Peninsula, Mekong Basin, Mae Klong basin, and the Xe Bang river. G. aymonieri is most often found in large rivers, attached by its suckermouth to flat surfaces to avoid getting swept away by flowing water. In the…
May’s fish of the month is very appropriately Cyprinus carpio, the majestic Koi. Spring is the perfect time of year to celebrate these colorful carp. The modern Koi originated in Japan in the early 1800’s, with new breeds being developed even today. This has inspired a world wide hobby spreading through generations. Koi are recognized…
