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…
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….
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…
Triggerfish are a saltwater semi-aggressive aquarium fish that live on the reefs in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific oceans. They are best recognized by their sleek angular body with brush strokes of color ranging from the Black and Blue of the Niger Trigger (Odonus niger) to striking yellow and black in the king of…
The ocean contains a plethora of aquatic creatures. Some of the most prominent critters which scour the reef are the hardshelled crabs. Crabs can be found in all stratae of the worlds oceans, as well as some freshwater habitats. Species range from the iconic king crab (Paralithodes californiensis) known for it’s excellent flavor, to crabs…
The common Angelfish, Pterophylum scalare, is a species of tropical cichlid found in both the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The Angelfish lives up to its name with their long, flowing fins and elegant delta of a body. Coloration ranges from the relatively dull wild variations to modern, fancy bred “Koi” patterns. There…
There are many different types of Saltwater shrimp, A favorite among Saltwater hobbyist is the Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Even those unfamiliar to the hobby have seen pictures of the Cleaner Shrimp using his white antenna to advertise his cleaning services to passing fish. This symbiotic relationship with reef inhabitants provides nutrients for the…
The Betta fish (Betta splendens) is a type of Gourami that live in the rice patty fields of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. While in the wild these subtropical fish live in a extreme variance of temperatures, they do best no lower then 70 degrees. Unlike most fish, the Betta does not breath through their…
The Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is a tropical marine reef fish from the Pacific and Indian oceans. While the clownfish has been widely available for many decades it became a Celebrity after the release of the Disney movie, Finding Nemo in 2003. Since reaching Celebrity status the Clownfish has become the preeminent saltwater fish to keep…
