Freshwater Fish Species Profiles

21. MARBLED HATCHETFISH (Carnegiella strigata)
FAMILY: Characidae
TYPE: Characins
MAX SIZE: 1.6" (approx. 4cm)
ORIGIN: South America
DIET: Omnivore
CHARACTER: Peaceful
MISC: it has gold line that extends from its eye to its caudal fin and the area below has a brown and cream colored marble-like pattern

22. BOESMANI RAINBOWFISH (Melanotaenia boesmani)
FAMILY: Melanotaeniidae
TYPE: Rainbowfishes
MAX SIZE: 4" (approx. 10cm)
ORIGIN: Papua to Australia
DIET: Omnivore
CHARACTER: Peaceful
MISC: males are easily distinguished from females by their brighter colours and longer and more elongated dorsal fin rays, and also bigger than the females

23. BLUE LYRETAIL (Fundulopanchax gardneri gardneri)
FAMILY: Nothobranchiidae
TYPE: Killifish
MAX SIZE: 2.4" (approx. 6cm)
ORIGIN: Africa
DIET: Omnivore
CHARACTER: Peaceful
MISC: soft, acidic 'blackwater' conditions are ideal for this species, the use of peat in the filter or the addition of commercial blackwater extracts or bogwood to the tank are recommended

24. RED TAIL CATFISH (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus)
FAMILY: Pimelodidae
TYPE: Catfish
MAX SIZE: 52" (approx. 130cm)
ORIGIN: South America
DIET: Carnivore
CHARACTER: Aggressive
MISC: will eat ANY fish smaller than its size (unless for feeding purposes), overfeeding is a common cause of death in this species

25. TIGER SHOVELNOSE CATFISH (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum)
FAMILY: Pimelodidae
TYPE: Catfish
MAX SIZE: 48" (approx. 120cm)
ORIGIN: South America
DIET: Carnivore
CHARACTER: Aggressive
MISC: there are reports that they can grow to twice its size, gravel should be avoided since the catfish will eat gravel when hunting for other food and the gravel can’t always pass through their system

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