Fish breeding, fish keeping articles

Anabantoids, catfishes, characins, cichlids, African cichlids, cyprinids, killifish, livebearers,
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Fish breeding, keeping
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08 Three loaches.jpg (14524 bytes)
Lepidocephalus thermalis
Noemachelius botia
Noemachelius notostigma

Within the categories, species are in alphabetical order according to their Latin names

BREEDING FISH by Cheryl Miller
Summary: Cheryl collected spawning articles from various aquarium club publications for three years, which helped her produce this overview of How To Breed Tropical Fish, covering livebearers, open substrate spawners, substrate spawners that hide their eggs, mouthbrooders, egg scatterers, mop spawners, peat spawners, and nest builders.

FISHES THAT ARE NOT FOR THE BEGINNER by Grant Gussie
Summary: The problems of owning common "beginners' fish" – from guppies to neons to goldfish – are discussed.

SELECTING COMMUNITY TANK FISHES, FOR DUMMIES by Grant Gussie
Summary: Fishes that ARE for the beginner. Grant discusses community aquaria, then gives ten examples of display aquarium set-ups based on tank size and experience level.

THE ROUGH GUYS by Bill "Pegasus NZ"
Summary: Some fish may be aggressive towards others. Bill discusses which species and why, and gives some suggestions as to what to do.

A GUIDE TO FISH COMPATIBILITY by Aquariumpros.com staff
Summary: There are no definite right or wrong answers when it comes to deciding which fish we can keep together in an aquarium, but this article provides many interesting questions to consider, and suggests some ways that agression can be reduced.

INBREEDING TROPICAL FISH, GOOD OR BAD? by Bill Forrest
Summary: Selective inbreeding can produce strains of a species with enhanced characteristics (especially size, color/albinism, finnage), but undesirable traits may also develop, so breeding stock must be carefully selected and the fry culled. Linebreeding and cross-breeding strains of the same species are acceptable since the gene pool is not polluted, but hybridization (cross breeding different species) should be left to Mother Nature, since it does pollute the gene pool.

new THE TROUBLE WITH HYBRIDS by Andrew Boyd
Summary: African cichlids, rainbowfishes and killifishes in particular can often be hybridised, either deliberately or accidently. This is a "crime against the species" and should not be done, especially with rare or endangered species. (All fish breeders should be made aware of this).

NEW AQUARIUM TREND - fish that glow in the dark by Matt Hennig
Summary: Various breeders are genetically modifying fish for luminescence and flourescence. They may be in our stores soon!

DRY AND RAINY SEASONS IN THE TANK by Kristian Adolfsson
Summary: A detailed account of what happens in nature as the rainy season starts and progresses in tropical rain forests. How to simulate this in the aquarium, in order to trigger spawning in fish that are hard to breed. A definitive article of major significance..

FINDING THE TRIGGERS by Bart van Dijk
Summary: Bart tells of his experiments in breeding zebra danios, bettas and golden severums..

WARM-BLOODED FISH by Paul McFarlane
Summary: The body temperature of most fishes is the same as that of their surrounding water. But Tunas and Mackerel Sharks have the ability to raise their body temperatures, which gives them several advantages.

IT'S RAINING CATS AND FRY by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: Bob thought he was phasing out of the fish breeding part of the hobby, but during the month of August 2003, just about all the fish he owned seemed to want to spawn.

new HOW I ACHIEVED GROWTH RATE FOR THE Archocentrus spirulus
by Christian B. Homrich Jr.
Summary: Breeding fish is the first step, but what about raising the fry? Christian won a club fry raising contest by giving his fish high water temperature, high protein foods, a large swimming area, and frequent water changes.

HOW I BREED WITH MY FISH by anonymous "Fish Fancier."
Summary: Sex for the home aquarist! This enthusiast does not just breed his fish, he has found a way to breed with his fish! Results and techniques graphically illustrated.

LABYRINTH FISHES, PART I: THE GOURAMIS by Jennifer Wilkinson
Summary: . Keeping and breeding gouramis, with sections on: three spot/blue/gold, pearl, snake-skin, moonlight, kissing, giant, thick-lipped, dwarf, honey, croaking, and chocolate gouramis.

LABYRINTH FISHES, PART II: THE PARADISE FISHES by Jennifer Wilkinson
Summary: Keeping and breeding paradise fish; common, round tailed, black, and spike-tail.

LABYRINTH FISHES, PART III: THE BETTAS by Jennifer Wilkinson
Summary: Keeping and breeding three species of Betta.

THE CLIMBING PERCH - Anabas testudineus by David Marshall
Summary: In the wild, these predatory labyrinth fish move overland from pool to pool in groups at night.

OBSERVATIONS ON Betta cochina by Tom & Linda Meyers
Summary: The Meyers couldn't find much info. about this Betta species from Sumatra, but were able to breed it by using their experience with Betta splendens.

Betta splendens: GENERAL INFORMATION AND BREEDING by Karl Baumgarten
Summary: Siamese fighting fish. Details of the different tail types and colours. How to breed them.

BETTA LESSONS by Leslie Keefer
Summary: We can use all available technology to exactly mimic water conditions and environments in order to induce fish to spawn, but this doesn't always guarantee success. Mother Nature may have other ideas.

THE RAINBOW SNAKEHEAD/CHANNA by David Marshall and Kevin Webb
Summary: Channa bleheri. These fish are sold in "normal" and "blue" form, although these may be different species. A British aquarist is currently breeding them.

IN DEFENSE OF SNAKEHEADS. MY EXPERIENCE WITH Channa orientalis
by Kevin Korotev
Summary: Snakeheads received bad press when they were discovered living wild in the US in 2002. But Kevin found them to be interesting aquarium fish.

Colisa chuna, THE HONEY GOURAMI by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: These small gouramis can be spawned in a 2 1/2 gallon tank. How to raise the fry.

Colisa labiosa, SUNSET THICK-LIPPED GOURAMI by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: Twyla's personal experiences in keeping and breeding this seldom seen gourami.

THE LEOPARD BUSHFISH Ctenopoma acutirostre by David Marshall
Summary: These African labyrinth fish resemble the South American leaf fish. They spawn in captivity, but it is difficult to raise the fry.

ORNATE CTENOPOMA: Ctenopoma ansorgii by Don Zilliox
Summary: Don had to call upon all his great fish experience to breed and raise this rarely seen African labyrinth fish, and found it the toughest species he had ever encountered.

Ctenopoma ocellatum THE ZULU PERCH by David Marshall
Summary: This predatorial labyrinth bushfish from the Congo River of Zaire is closely related to the Asian Climbing Perch. It has not yet been bred in captivity but is becoming increasingly available, so perhaps it will be bred soon.

Parosphremus paludicola (LICORICE GOURAMI) by Charles Drew
Summary: Keeping and breeding the licorice gourami.

Pseudosphronemus dayi (SPIKE-TAILED GOURAMI) by Randy Ison
Summary: Randy had a series of failures in spawning these fish and raising the fry, but was eventually successful, and found them interesting fish to breed. They spawn in caves.

new CHOCOLATE GOURAMI BREEDING - Sphaerichthys osphromenoides by Xema
Summary: Chocolate gouramis are mouthbrooders. They can be spawned in a group aquarium or as a couple. Notes on aquarium conditions required, and how to raise the fry.

BREEDING THE PEARL GOURAMI - Trichogaster leeri by Heather Hertzinger
Summary: Heather recommends this fish for beginning breeders. Special tank set-up. Raising the fry.

Trichopsis pumila (DWARF CROAKING GOURAMI) by Kevin Korotev
Summary: Kevin hardly ever saw his dwarf croaking gouramis hiding in the plants, but one day he noticed some miniscule eggs in a few floating bubbles, which hatched into tiny black fry.

Trichopsis vittatus, THE CROAKING GOURAMI by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: Twyla describes how she bred the croaking gourami.

BOIL MORE ZUCCHINI! by Kathy England
Summary: Kathy found that her bristlenose Ancistrus plecos had spawned in a community African cichlid tank. She encouraged further spawnings and soon became over-run with 400 youngsters, which became a challenge to house and feed.

GOING FOR GOLD by Charles Drew
Summary: Charles' previous experiences with breeding plecos helped him with this unusual albino Bushynose Pleco, of the Ancistrus family.

THE MOVE, AND SPAWNING BRISTLENOSE PLECOSTOMUS (Ancistrus dolichopterus) by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: After months of inactivity, Twyla's bristlenose plecostomus finally decided to breed, and the eggs hatched on the very day of her moving house, on a cold and snowy winter morning!

BREEDING BRISTLENOSE CATFISH, Ancistrus sp. by Annie Woods
Summary: Bristlenoses are good algae eaters and like a diet of fresh steamed vegetables, supplemented by bloodworms, and fibre from driftwood. They need caves in which to hide and spawn.

SPAWNING Aspidoras goia by Michael Pham
Summary: Michael found it hard at first to hatch and raise this fish's frequent spawnings, but on the fourth try he was successful.

Aspidoras pauciradiatus by Don Kinyon
Summary: "Something a little different for the Corydoras catfish nuts; an Aspidoras." A drop in barometric pressure was the key to spawning these fish.

Brochis splendens by Don Kinyon
Summary: Brochis are related to Corydoras catfish, but are generally a little larger. They breed easily, even in a community tank, and it is interesting to watch the young grow up.

A COUPLE MORE CATFISH by Kevin Korotev
Summary: Kevin gives seven tips for successful catfish breeding, and then outlines his experiences with Brochis splendens and Corydoras concolor.

LITTLE YELLOW CATFISH WITH SPOTS?? by Robert Moneyhan
Summary: Robert painstakingly found that his unusual leopard catfish were called Centromochlus perugiae. He spent two years studying them - even buying an infra-red video camera to record their nocturnal activities. Eventually they bred.

A TALE OF FIVE CORYS (Corydoras aeneus) by John and Helen McGuire
Summary: Helen found that the albino corys she had bought were all females. She borrowed a male from a club member, and the fish enjoyed his visit!

Corydoras barbatus. A VERY COOL CAT INDEED by Don Kinyon
Summary: Don finds these fish easy to keep and breed, and recommends them as unusual additions to a community tank, or for a species tank.

THE FIFTH TIME'S THE CHARM. BREEDING Corydoras barbatus
by Tom Wojtech.
Summary: Tom found these fish difficult. He acquired several batches but they kept dying. Eventually he was able to keep them successfully and they spawned. He had some trouble raising the young as well.

BREEDING Corydoras davidsandsi by Allan James
Summary: Allan had trouble breeding these fish at first, but drastic methods resulted in success.

Corydoras duplicareus by Paul McFarlane
Summary: Paul describes his standard procedures for breeding corys, which worked for this fish.

Corydoras duplicareus by Don Kinyon
Summary: First described in 1995, this is one of the more colorful and rare corys found in the tributaries of the upper Rio Negro in Brazil. Don's fish spawned constantly, and the young lived peacefully with their parents.

BREEDING Corydoras elegans by Allan James
Summary: This is the type species of the Elegans group, which includes most of the dwarf Corydoras.

BREEDING Corydoras gosseii by Bud and Kathy White
Summary: Breeding this fairly new (described 1972) cory.

Corydoras melanistius melanistius by Mark Bryson
Summary: This is the first cory that Mark bred, and it sparked the beginning of his passion for catfish. Water changes are the key to triggering spawning.

BREEDING Corydoras melanotaenia by Mark Bryson
Summary: Mark kept daily notes of his experiments in breeding this fish. He indicates which method worked best.

BREEDING Corydoras natteri by Mark Bryson
Summary: Originally Mark had no luck with these fish, but after a year he found they had bred by themselves, and after that he found he could induce breeding at will.

Corydoras oiapoquensis by Don Kinyon
Summary: These fish are similar to Corydoras panda. They spawned readily, but the fry proved difficult to raise. Don details two of the more successful methods he used.

ACCIDENTAL SPAWNING OF Corydoras paleatus by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: Bob bought eight peppered corys at a club auction, placed them in a 20 gallon isolation tank, and was surprised to find they bred without any special attention.

BREEDING THE PANDA CAT Corydoras panda by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: A planted tank, a variety of foods, and water changes resulted in success. These corys produce only a few eggs.

BREEDING Corydoras xinguensis by Mark Bryson
Summary: Mark was the first to breed this species, using wild caught specimens. He provides detailed notes of his procedures.

THE ELUSIVE JAGUAR, Liosomadoras oncinus by Michele Romeo
Summary: A detailed description of this beautiful but rarely seen catfish, and how to keep it. To date there are no known breeding reports.

TEENY WEENY ALGAE EATERS by Lynn McMullen
Summary: The Otocinclus comes from clean, clear, well-oxygenated streams, and requires a clean, mature, densely planted aquarium. It eats algae, and can be bred.

BREEDING WHIPTAILS by Graham Barnes
Summary: Rineloricaria hasemani and Rineloricaria microleptogaster. Graham finds these peaceful sucker mouth catfish easy to keep and breed.

SPAWNING Synodontis Multipunctatus by Harold & David Walker
Summary: S. multipunctatus are known as "cuckoo catfish." They lay their eggs amongst those of a host mouthbrooding cichlid, which picks them up and broods them as if her own.

Sturisoma panamense (THE ROYAL FARLOWELLA) by Steve Smith
Summary: Steve successfully bred and raised these fish, and took a series of very nice original photos.

Synodontis petricola - SPAWNING REPORT by Jerry Riegel
Summary: These Lake Tanganyika catfish are similar to Synodontis multipunctatus, but smaller. They are egg scatterers rather than "cuckold spawners."

THE BRUIN SKREEUBER (Synodontis zambezensis) by David Marshall
Summary: The "Brown Squeaker" is bred for food in Southern Africa and elsewhere, but David knows of only one appearance in the U.K., in 1993. He describes its characteristics and various people's experiences keeping it. It was not bred by aquarists.

THE GREEN FIRE TETRA Aphyocharax rathbuni by Joe Kaznica
Summary: "This is a true gem of the small toy fish world that can be often overlooked." How to keep and breed them.

"AN EXCESS OF ASTYANAX" by Paul McFarlane
Summary: Astyanax characins include the common "blind cave fish." Paul was given a related species, Astyanax bimaculatus, which bred. The female produces 5-10,000 eggs, and all of Paul's appeared to hatch, causing some accommodation problems.

MY EXPERIENCES WITH SWORDTAIL CHARACINS by Don Murray
Summary: Corynopoma riisei. Don successfully bred these unusual and interesting fish, and wonders why they are not more popular in the hobby.

SPAWNING RUMMYNOSE TETRAS by Charles Drew
Summary: After the first hurdle of simply keeping them alive, Charles bred and raised these fish, paying careful attention to the water.

SPAWNING Hemigrammus pulcher by Charles Drew
Summary: The "pretty" or "garnet" tetra breeds readily in soft acidic water.

THE GOLDEN TETRA Hemigrammus rodwayi by Joe Kaznica
Summary: There is some confusion over naming and identification of this fish. It is an ideal community fish, and Joe bred it without difficulty.

new THE GOLD TETRA - Hemigrammus rodwayi by Chase Klinesteker
Summary: The Gold Tetra is a peaceful, active and pretty fish that is ideal in many community tank situations. Success in breeding it is a worthwhile and attainable goal.

THE COLUMBIAN TETRA Hyphessobrycon columbianus by Paul McFarlane
Summary: Keeping and breeding this newly available tetra, named in 2001 as Hyphessobrycon columbianus.

BLEEDING HEARTS - OLD AND NEW by Paul McFarlane
Summary: Three similar but different species are sold as "bleeding heart tetras." Paul describes them, and how he bred the "lesser bleeding heart," Hyphessobrycon socolofi.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Moenkhausia pittieri by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: Diamond tetras: Bob placed a pair into a prepared 5 gallon tank. They spawned, and the tiny fry were successfully raised.

GETTING THE LEAD OUT OF YOUR PENCILS by Tom Wojtech
Summary: Tom put some Beckford's pencilfish ( Nannostomus beckfordi) into a 20 gallon tank that already contained rivulus killifish, corys and a firemouth cichlid. Both the Beckfords and the rivulus spawned, and the fry survived amongst the thick water sprite.

BLACK EMPEROR TETRAS by Charles Drew
Summary: The scientific name of these fish is in doubt, but Charles believes they are Nematobrycon palmeri "black." He describes how he bred them.

new FINALLY I MADE IT: CARDINAL TETRAS by Rene Jez
Summary: TParacheirodon axelrodi. Rene "set up spawning tanks for this species probably a hundred times, without much hope." He did finally succeed, but due to the difficulties has "little patience to breed them in larger numbers."

PIRANHA KEEPING FOR BEGINNERS by Nick Gardner
Summary: Nine or ten different species of Pygocentrus and Serrasalmus are commonly kept. Their characteristics, tank and living requirements, and their food.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, INTRODUCTION AND PART I - ACARAS
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Cichlasoma, Aequidens, Bujurquina, Tahuantinsuyoa, Krobia, Ladacara, Cleithracara, Nannacara.
Includes such fish commonly known as Blue Acara, Green Terror, and Keyhole Cichlid.
This is Part One of a major series of five by a recognised authority on cichlids. Each scholarly article discusses classification and naming, water parameters, tank set-up, food, tank mates, breeding, and bibliography.
Looking for a particular species? - try Aquarticles Search.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART II - "HIGH-BODIED ACARAS"
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Heros, Hypselacara, Hoplarcus, Mesonauta, Pterophyllum, Symphysodon, Uaru, Acaronia, Caquetaia.
This part includes such fish as Discus, Angelfish, Parrot Cichlid, Severum, Festivum, Uaru.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART III - NORTH AMERICA
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Dean points out that Central America and the Caribbean Islands are in fact part of North America. cichlasoma sections: Thorichthys, Archocentrus, Herichthys, Mandopsis, Theraps, Amphilophus. Neetroplus, Paraneetroplus, Herotila, Petenia. Oddballs.
Cichlids discussed include those commonly known as Jack Dempsey, Convict, Firemouth Cichlid, jurupari, Red Devil, Rainbow Cichlid.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART IV - GEOPHAGINES
by Dean Hougen
Summary: Geophagus, Satanoperca, Hump-head eartheaters, Brasiliensoids, Gymnogeophagus, Biotodoma, Retroculus, Acarichthys, Guianacara, Papiliochromis, Apistogramma, Apistograminoides.
The Eartheaters, Apistogramma species, Rams.

CICHLIDS OF THE NEW WORLD, PART V - MISCELLANEOUS GENERA AND CONCLUSION by Dean Hougen
Summary: Cichla, Crenicieblines, Crenicarines, Chactobranchines.
Includes Pike Cichlids, Checkerboard Cichlids, Oscar.
Dean concludes that, although "wading through" these articles may be "exhausting," one of the best ways to understand fish is to recognise how they are related to each other, particularly when classified in informal groupings between the level of the family and that of the genus.

SORTING OUT THE GREY DOGS by Rick Bolger
Summary: "A decidedly unscientific approach to Central American Cichlid Identification." The acronyms NATHAT and PHANG are an easy way to remember the classifications.

new WHAT DO I WANT CICHLIDS FOR? by Andrew Boyd
Summary: "Cichlids make great pets, are fascinating subjects for study, good fun to breed, and are nice colourful things to have around to impress non-fishy friends and relatives." They "may pay for their own food and some of the electricity bill"- Andrew includes a discussion on which species are best to breed for profit.

new NEO-TROPICAL DWARF CICHLID HUSBANDRY by Andrew Foster
Summary: A general introduction to keeping and breeding dwarf cichlids.

new Aequidens curviceps AND ME by Doug Williams
Summary: Doug had lots of trouble raising the fry, but was finally successful. At the end of this article are a few general tips on dwarf cichlids.

FOUR YEARS + PATIENCE = Aequidens diadema by Ray Gettler
Summary: Ray recounts in detail his spawning of this fish and the raising of the fry.

APISTOGRAMMAS MY WAY by Don Zilliox
Summary: Setting up the tank. The spawning. Reverse osmosis water. New species.

THE GENUS Apistogramma (MY EXPERIENCES IN THEIR CARE AND BREEDING) by Rich Grenfell
Summary: Rich finds apistos easy to care for and their breeding behavior entertaining.

Apistogramma cacatuoides by Don Zilliox
Summary: This dwarf cichlid is relatively easy to breed, and Don considers it the best Apisto for the beginner.

Apistogramma cacatuoides by Francine Bethea
Summary: Another report on spawning and raising this fish. Francine also recommends it for the beginner.

BREEDING Apistogramma njisseni by Sal Silvestri, and by Ed Katuska
Summary: Two separate articles about this dwarf cichlid. Sal spent ten frustrating years attempting to breed it. For Ed it seems to have been mere routine.

Apistogramma sp. Maulbruter by Rich Grenfell
Summary: This newly available fish is a delayed mouthbrooder, mouthbrooding the fry rather than the eggs. Rich found other aspects of its behavior interesting.

Apistogramma panduro (A. pandurini) by Don Kinyon
Summary: Don read magazine articles about this fish and was finally able to acquire some. A pair spawned in a crowded 50 gallon tank, so the eggs were transferred into a 1 gallon bowl for hatching.

Apistogramma trifasciata by Don Kinyon
Summary: After several weeks of courting, Don's female finally laid eggs in a flower pot and protected them fiercely. The fry were raised successfully.

Archocentrus septemfasciatum by Ted Gugliermo
Summary: How Ted kept and bred these small peaceful cichlids from Costa Rica.

OLD BLUE EYES: SPAWNING Archocentrus spirulum by Wayne Toven
Summary: Commonly called the blue-eyed cichlid. Their first spawning came as a surprise for Wayne.

OSCARS by Bruce Taylor
Summary: Astronatus ocellatus. Oscars need a big tank and clean water. Feeding them. Breeding. They have their own personalities - "the closest thing you will get to a puppy."

Biotoecus opercularis...A CHALLENGE? by Rich Grenfell
Summary: Rich found these seldom seen "Green Cichlids" easier to keep and breed than he had been told.

Cichlasoma octofasciatum - JACK DEMPSEY by Rudy Pabelick
Summary: Rudy's Jack Dempseys spawned the same day they were introduced. Rudy made some mistakes and lost the fry, but learned some valuable lessons.

A TOUGH FISH OF MANY NAMES by Ted Guglielmo
Summary: The Jack Dempsey has different generic names depending on where you look. Ted found it easy to breed - the problem was how to dispose of the young.

FLOWER HORN FISH IN GENERAL by FlowerFish.com
Summary: The "Flower Horn Fish" is a colourful hybrid of Cichlasoma species which has recently been developed in South-East Asia, where it is gaining popularity because its markings resemble Chinese characters and it is believed to bring luck. Something new for selective breeding enthusiasts?

INTRODUCTION TO PIKE CICHLIDS by Vinny Kutty
Summary: "Pike cichlids of the genus Crenicichla make very interesting and challenging aquarium residents." The species. How to house, feed and breed them.

Crenicichla sp. "Pacaya" by Don Zilliox
Summary: Don discovered these pike cichlids for sale on the Internet at Aquabid. He describes how he bred them, and points out that many new small pike cichlids are now being imported.

A TALE OF TWO PIKES by Vinny Kutty
Summary: As a "hardcore pike nut," Vinny had kept most of the regularly encountered pike cichlid species, but was able to import from Europe Crenicichla proteus and Crenicichla cf. menezesi. He describes his experiences with them.

Dicrossus filamentosa. MY TRAUMA IN THEIR CARE AND BREEDING by Don Maloney
Summary: Don's checkerboard cichlids spawned readily, but he had to take drastic measures to raise the young.

SPAWNING Dicrossus maculatus by Charles Drew
Summary: The spade-tail checkerboard cichlid is seldom seen and is difficult to breed. Charles was successful when he softened the water by adding straight RO water.

EARTH EATER by Paul McFarlane
Summary: Keeping and breeding Geophagus brasiliensis, the "pearl cichlid."

MAINTENANCE AND BREEDING OF THE RED HUMP EARTHEATER, Geophagus steindachneri by Lee Newman
Summary: Because of their "eartheating" habits, geophagines need an aquarium with a well balanced nitrogen cycle. They exhibit fascinating behaviours and are quite easy to breed.

Heros severus - BANDED CICHLID - SEVERUM by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: Twyla's severums spawned readily, but it took several false starts due to fungus before the fry were raised.

THE RIO NEGRO CHOCOLATE CICHLID. Hypselecara coryphaenoides
by Lee Newman.
Summary: Lee brought these fish back from the wild, the Rio Negro near Manaus. He records in detail his experiments in keeping and breeding them.

IN FRANCE THEY CALL THEM "CHOCOLATS." Breeding Hypselecara temporalis by Ignatius A. Balistrieri
Summary: Ignatius kept these fish for two years until they grew large and spawned. The adults ate several batches of young, but removing the eggs to another tank finally resulted in success.

IS THAT A FESTIVUM? by Vinny Kutty
Summary: "Festivums" have been in the hobby for a long time, and were thought to be a single species, Cichlasoma festivum. But they have now been given their own genus, Mesonauta, and six distinct species have been described, as detailed here.

KEEPING AND BREEDING Microgeophagus altispinosa by Rich Grenfell
Summary: The Bolivian ram was one of the first fish Rich bred.

Microgeophagus ramirezi by Don Zilliox
Summary: Breeding the German Blue Ram, one of the prettiest and most popular dwarf cichlids.

HUSBANDRY OF Parachromis motaguensis by Vinny Kutty
Summary: Keeping and breeding the "Red Tiger Cichlid", a guapote. The males are very aggressive, destroying tankmates of other species. Vinny's male turned on its mate after two years together, so the incomplete-divider method of breeding is recommended.

KRIBS by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: Pelvicachromis pulcher. "This shy little cichlid makes an excellent starter cichlid for anyone interested in breeding egg layers."

MY EXPERIENCE WITH Pelvicachromis subocellatus by Joe Solge
Summary: "These yellow-cheeked kribs demonstrate all of the typical cichlid spawning behavior on a smaller scale and provide an attractive variation of a common genus."

ANGELFISH HISTORY - THE SHORT VERSION by Bob Berdoulay
Summary: History of P. scalare as an aquarium fish: name changes 1823-62, importing and breeding 1909 on, varieties.

SOME TIPS ON BREEDING ANGELFISH by Jason Shaw
Summary: Jason is an advanced hobbyist who breeds angelfish on a commercial basis. He presents some tips that he has learnt from his own experience.

A RECIPE FOR ANGELS by Mike Keiser
Summary: A detailed article outlining the author's technique for breeding angelfish.

IF ANGELS COULD TALK by Bart van Dijk
Summary: Angelfish in the wild find reproducing to be a risky business - many things can go wrong.

LIVING WITH THE ANGELS by Bill "Pegasus NZ"
Summary: Observations on the behaviour of angelfish with their young. Feeding them.

THE SPOTTED DEMONFISH, Satanoperca daemon by Lee Newman
Summary: Even though he is a professional aquarist, Lee's attempts to spawn and raise these demanding fish were unsuccessful. He invited others to co-operate in finding solutions, and added an addendum that Martha Clark of Detroit did finally succeed. Discussion of "neotropical bloat."

MY EXPERIENCES WITH DISCUS. PART I by Peter Gallagher
Summary: Why discus? Possible problems. Selection and purchase. Keeping and raising them.

MY EXPERIENCES WITH DISCUS. PART II by Peter Gallagher
Summary: Breeding discus - the ideal, and what can go wrong. Raising the fry. Diseases and parasites, and how to treat them.

PHEW! THEY FINALLY DID IT! by Mike and Robin Kays
Summary: Breeding discus. After years of confusion and frustration, Mike and Robin finally bred Symphysodon discus using simple methods.

BREEDING Symphosodon discus by Rich Grenfell
Summary: Preparation, water changes, spawning, raising the young, culling. Another nice account of breeding discus.

KEEPING AND BREEDING Taeniacara candidi by Rick Kraft
Summary: Rick found this dwarf cichlid a challenge to breed and raise.

BREEDING Thorichthys aureum by Mike Duffy
Summary: "Blue aureums" or "gold aureums" share many physical characteristics with firemouth cichlids. Mike describes their keeping and breeding, and why they are one of his favorite fish.

PLANTS IN THE AFRICAN CICHLID AQUARIUM by Grant Gussie
Summary: A discussion of the possibilities of keeping live plants with Africans.

THE PLIGHT OF THE LAKE VICTORIA CICHLIDS by Sean Furney
Summary: Tragically, native cichlid populations are dwindling rapidly in Lake Victoria. Sean outlines the reasons why.

HOMEMADE ROCKS FOR THE MBUNA AQUARIUM by Jeffrey Legitt
Summary: Description of how Jeff made his own aquascaping rocks for his African cichlid aquarium.

THE EVOLUTION OF CICHLIDS by Sabine Wilkins
Summary: African cichlids had two advantages: tolerance to salt, and their pharyngeal apparatus. How and why speciation occurred. How they reached the Americas. Importance of preserving their diversity.

LAKE TANGANYIKA AND ITS DIVERSE CICHLIDS by Craig Morfitt
Summary: An award-winning detailed article about this "cichlid paradise." Evolution of cichlids. Lake Tanganyika biotopes. Feeding diversity. Descriptions of a variety of species.

LAKE TANGANYIKA CICHLIDS by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: There are three main biotopes in Lake Tanganyika: Open Water, Rocky, and Shell Beds. Each attracts a different set of fish, which are kept and bred differently.

MALAWI MBUNA by Andy Gordon and Michelle Stuart
Summary: How to keep and breed Lake Malawi 'mbuna' cichlids. Illustrated.

BREEDING THE AFRICAN BUTTERFLY CICHLID, Anomalochromis thomasi
Summary: Kenneth Balog found this small riverine cichlid from West Africa easy to breed and raise, even in a community setting.

Astatophila brownae by Andrew Chau
Summary: A short article on keeping and breeding this Lake Victoria mouthbrooder.

BREEDING Astatophila nubila by Kenneth Balog
Summary: This Lake Victoria haplochromine cichlid has an aggressive temperament and is recommended for more experienced aquarists.

SPAWNING Aulonocranus dewindti 'Ikola Honey Strain' by Michael McKinney
Summary: Michael's experiences in keeping and breeding this Lake Tanganyikan mouthbrooder.

SPAWNING Chalinochromis brichardi 'Masked' by Michael McKinney
Summary: Michael had some difficulties in dealing with the behaviour of the dominant male of this Lake Tanganyika cave spawner.

A PEACEFUL FISH FROM LAKE MALAWI Copidochromis sp. Virginalis Gold
by Rick Nemeth
Summary: A deep water fish which spawns in caves. Groups which include males and young fish can be housed together without aggression.

SUCCESS AT LAST - BREEDING Cyphotilapia frontosa by Steve Thompson
Summary: After eight years, Steve finally bred his Frontosas. He took the eggs from the female's mouth to prevent her from eating them.

KEEPING AND SPAWNING Cyprichromis leptosoma by Wayne Toven
Summary:This Lake Tanganyika cichlid needs hard alkaline water, and is a surface spawning mouthbrooder.

AQUARIUM HUSBANDRY OF THE CHRISTMAS FULU, Haplochromis (Xystichromis) phytophagus by Lee Newman
Summary:This Lake Victoria haplochromine is easy to keep, feed and breed, but is endangered in the wild. It is a mouthbrooder - how to release and raise the young. Suggestions for setting up a representative Lake Victoria community.

new MY EXPERIENCES WITH A SUBSTRATE SPAWNER by Christian B. Homrich Jr.
Summary: How to breed and raise Hemichromis bimaculatus, the Two-spotted Jewel Cichlid from West Africa.

THE FISH SPEAK: Labeotropheus fuelleborni by Gord Mitchell
Summary: "Fred, Fran and the Fuelleborni family" of Lake Nyasa mbunas tell of their breeding and the tank conditions they prefer.

Labeotropheus trewavasae "Jumbo" by Craig Morfitt
Summary: Craig brought these cichlids back from Lake Malawi to his home in Bermuda, and successfully bred them.

SHELL DWELLER SAMPLER by Jerry Riegel
Summary: An introduction to the Lamprologus genus of Lake Tanganyikan shell dwelling cichlids, with notes on six species that Jerry has kept.

BREEDING Lamprologus ocellatus "Golden" by Kevin Cyr
Summary: Kevin found the breeding of these fish to be entertaining and rewarding.

Melanochromis johanni by Karl Schwarze
Summary: Karl spawned and raised these Africans in a thirty gallon tank along with some M. auratus.

Nanochromis transvestitus by Francine Bethea
Summary: The female of this species of West African cichlids is the most colorful, hence the name. They bred readily for Francine.

THE FISH SPEAK: Neolamprologus brevis/BREVIS SUNSPOT by Gord Mitchell
Summary: "Ben, Brenda and the Brevis family" of Lake Tanganyika cichlids tell of their breeding, food, and preferred living conditions.

Neolamprologus brevis by George Wright
Summary: Keeping and breeding this shell dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika.

SPAWNING Neolamprologus sp. 'Caudopunctatus kipili' by Michael McKinney
Summary: Breeding this Lake Tanganyika cave spawner.

new STRIKING TANGANYIKAN GOLD by Richard Brown
Summary: Neolamprologus ocellatus. Richard "cannot recommend these fish highly enough." He relates his experiences keeping and breeding them, and includes some general observations about shell-dwelling Lake Tanganyika cichlids.

Neolamprologus pulcher 'Daffodil II' by Lenny Llambi
Summary: A well-written detailed article about Lenny's experiences in keeping and breeding these fish, together with some general observations about Lake Tanganyikan cichlids.

SPAWNING Neolamprologus tretocephalus by Jim Carmack, Jr.
Summary: Breeding the "Dwarf Frontosa", a Lake Tanganyika cichlid.

Opthalmotilapia ventralis by Eric Rogne
Summary: Keeping and breeding this mouthbrooding Lake Tanganyika feather-fin cichlid. Use of dither fish.

new BREEDING THE SULPHUR-CRESTED LITHOBATE Otopharynx lithobates
by Richard Brown
Summary: A detailed article about breeding this Lake Malawi mouthbrooder, together with some useful general tips.

THE PURPLE CICHLID (KRIBENSIS) Pelvicachromis pulcher by Lynn McMullen
Summary: Kribensis are West African riverine cichlids, and are easy to keep and breed. They are recommended for the beginner.

Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Nigeria green" by Don Kinyon
Summary: Don had always wondered what the big attraction was about West African dwarf cichlids, but when he saw these fish in their spawning coloration he understood.

A TASTE IN FINGERS? BITTEN BY THE SOUTHERN MOUTHBROODER, Pseudocrenilabrus philander philander by David Marshall
Summary: "Nature now tells their mother to weed her brood of any weaklings, so she begins to carry out a form of infanticide and there are times when she forgets to stop, thus wiping out a whole brood." (Also known as the Blue-lipped Cichlid).

Pseudotropheus saulosi by Lee Miller
Summary: Lake Malawi water conditions, a large tank, a suitable spawning site, and the composition of the colony are all important when spawning this mouthbrooder.

MY EXPERIENCES WITH Schwetzochromis stormsi by Mike Duffy
Summary: Mike found these seldom seen West African mouthbreeders aggressive, until he added some dither fish. They eventually bred successfully, and this is described in detail.

Steatocranus casuarius by "Anonymous"
Summary: From the Congo River, the "Buffalohead", "Blockhead", or "Lionhead" cichlid has an interesting appearance although it is drab in colouration. It breeds in caves and looks after its young.

SPAWNING Stomatepia pindu by Michael McKinney
Summary: This mouthbrooding cichlid comes from a crater lake in Cameroon, West Africa. At first Michael had some problems raising the young.

CARE AND BREEDING OF Telmatochromis bifrenatus by Terry Ranson
Summary: Terry's fish gave a bizarre courtship display when they were in an African community tank. Transferred to their own tank they mostly hid out of sight, but successfully produced young.

TROPHEUS? NO AND YES by Tom Wojtech
Summary: Breeding reports on the West African Tilapia joka, and the East African Tropheus sp. Red.

Tropheus sp. Black "Kiriza" by Ronald Revolinski
Summary: After some false starts Ronald was able to breed and raise this LakeTanganyika cichlid.

Tropheus brichardi 'mpimbwe' by Mike Satkowski
Summary: Mike had trouble just keeping these fish alive at first, but eventually bred them. Amusing observations on their bizarre and often violent behaviours. Original illustrations.

Tropheus duboisi 'Maswa'(?) by Mike Satkowski
Summary: Mike describes how he keeps and breeds these fish. Includes a series of six photos.

Tropheus moorii - MY EXPERIENCES by Robby Lucken
Summary: Tropheus can be hard to keep, but Robby found the secrets and is pleased to have established a successful breeding colony.

THOSE BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL BARBS by Terry Ranson
Summary: Terry recommends barbs for their beauty, compatibility with plants, and interesting behaviour, and writes notes about his favorites. This article made me start a barb tank!

new Barbus fasciatus - ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! by George A. and Vickie L. Coy
Summary: George and Vickie spawned and raised the beautiful panda barb.

SPAWNING Barbus melanampyx. THE EMBER BARB by Charles Drew
Summary: Charles bred this fish easily. He wonders why it is not seen more often in the trade.

BREEDING EMBER BARBS. Barbus melanampyx by Tom and Pat Bridges
Summary: Tom and Pat recount their personal experiences breeding these barbs three times, with slightly different results each time.

AN ACCIDENTAL SPAWNING? by David Marshal
Summary: The books say that tinfoil barbs (Barbus schwanenfeldi) are "impossible to breed in captivity," but David watched his pair spawn in a community tank. Unfortunately his catfishes ate the eggs. He would like to hear from anyone with a similar experience.

Barbus titteya, Cherry Barbs by Jacklyn McNaughton
Summary: Nothing appeared to happen with Jacklyn's attempts to breed these fish. But the second time, when about to throw away the water, she noticed some very very tiny fry.

Pearl Danio, Brachydanio albolineatus by R. Shane Lindler
Summary: From a spawning of five fish, Shane ended up raising two or three hundred fry.

Puntius conchonius, the Rosy Barb by Greg Mallet
Summary: Rosy barbs are good community fish, and are easy to spawn on spawning mops or plants. They are egg eaters, so the eggs should be removed to another tank.

new SPAWNING ROSY BARBS by George and Vickie Coy
Summary: Rosy barbs are easy to spawn, and no problems raising the fry.

WHITE CLOUD MOUNTAIN MINNOW by Jason Shaw
Summary: Jay's personal experiences in breeding the White Cloud Mountain minnow,Tanichthys albonubes.

Tanicthys albonubes by Ron Finlayson
Summary: White Cloud Mountain minnows: Ron put some white clouds outside in a bathtub for the summer, where they thrived and reproduced.

KILLIFISH FOR DUMMIES by Birgit McKinnon
Summary: Keeping and breeding killifish, as per their genus: Aphyosemion; Nothobranchius; Aplocheilus and Epiplatys; Cynolebias.

new WHY ARE KILLIFISH NAMES SO LONG AND COMPLICATED?
by Loh Kwek Leong
Summary: Latin names are important for proper identification. Killifish names often also have an appendage that shows where and when they were first collected.

TRIGGERS by Bart van Dijk
Summary: After giving examples of animals reacting to their environment, Bart discusses what killifish eggs have to "think about" before they hatch, and what you can do to convince those in your tanks that they should hatch.

AQUARIUM CRITTERS IN SCIENCE - DIAPAUSE by Sally Boggs
Summary: A discussion of diapause: the state of suspended animation that annual killifish eggs and some other aquarium critters go through.

SHIPPING KILLIFISH AND EGGS by Wright Huntley
Summary: A detailed article. Conditioning the fish. The water, bagging, containers. Carriers. The receiving end. Eggs.

new COLLECTING/INCUBATING Nothobranchius EGGS by Loh Kwek Leong
Summary: A series of photographs that illustrates the process of straining and bagging peat with eggs.

new HOW I INCUBATE LYRETAILS' EGGS by Loh Kwek Leong
Summary: Lyretail and other non-annuals' eggs fungus easily. Java moss and a ghost shrimp provide a novel solution, as illustrated here in a wonderful series of close-up photographs.

KILLIES - THE PLANT SPAWNERS by Gary Smith
Summary: The permanent and the mop methods of spawning. Incubation: the water method and the peat method. Raising the fry.

WHAT THE HECK ARE "KILLIE MOPS?" by Don Zilliox
Summary: How to make and use these devices where killifish and other plant spawners can lay their adhesive eggs.

A PRIMER FOR PEAT-SPAWNING KILLIES by Curt Smith
Summary: Preparing the peat. The spawning. Labeling and storing. Hatching. Transferring to growing containers.

Aphyosemion australe, THE CHOCOLATE LYRETAIL KILLIE
by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: These mop spawners are easy to spawn and raise.

BREEDING THE BLUE GULARIS Aphyosemion sjoestedti by Ralph W. Taylor
Summary: Ralph has used different methods to breed this killifish. Trading in the young is a profitable venture.

SPAWNING Cynolebias constanciae by Charles Drew
Summary: Charles' description of breeding this fish could apply equally well to other peat spawning annual killies.

BREEDING CLOWN KILLIES, Epiplatys annulatus by Curt Smith
Summary: Curt found it best to simply leave these fish alone in a tank with lots of Java moss. Fry should be removed as they grow, or they will eat their younger brethren.

CARE AND BREEDING OF Epiplatys annulatus by Ralph Taylor
Summary: Ralph also found these rare killies fairly easy to breed and raise, by using either mops or plants. He too, eventually left them to breed on their own in a species tank.

Epiplatys chaperi by Twyla Lindstrom-Peters
Summary: These mop spawning killies from West Africa are quite easy to breed and raise in small containers.

BREEDING Fundulopanchax gardneri Jos Plateau by Kenneth Balog
Summary: Ken found this mop-spawning killifish easy to breed and raise in large numbers.

(Aphyosemion sjoestedti) Fundulopanchax sjoestedti by Francine Bethea
Summary: Another report on the blue gularis, despite the name confusion. Mop spawning. Hatching the eggs. Feeding.

SOUTH AMERICAN KILLIES by Ralph W. Taylor
Summary: Cynolebias, true annual killifish that require slightly different treatment than the East African Nothobranchius.

Jordanella floridae THE AMERICAN-FLAG FISH by Wright Huntley
Summary: A comprehensive article about a sometimes neglected and misunderstood fish. Includes detailed observations of different spawning behaviors, and a suggestion as to the reasons for them.

Nothobranchius palmqvisti by Tom Wojtech
Summary: Spawning, incubating, hatching and raising this annual killifish. General tips re. annual killies and use of peat pellets.

Pachypanchax by Paul McFarlane
Summary: The three species in the killifish genus Pachypanchax are mop spawners.

new HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE Procatopus abberans? by Rene Jez
Summary: Rene could find little information about this fish, but finally managed to breed it through a process of trial and error, which is described in detail.

BREEDING Rivulus hartii - THE GIANT RIVULUS by Kenneth Balog
Summary: This killifish proved easy to breed and raise.

FOUR GREAT SOUTH AMERICAN ANNUALS by Curt Smith
Summary: Spawning Simpsonichthys hellneri, Simpsonichthys alternatus, Nematolebias myersi and Astrolebias affinis "Tacrarembo." Includes a discussion of peat moss and its preparation.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF FANCY LIVEBEARERS by Matt Hennig
Summary: Matt explains why new experiments in artificial insemination can be the most practical way to breed certain fancy livebearers. He lists the equipment needed and summarises the technique.

Alfaro huberi. A SLIGHTLY LESS COMMON LIVEBEARER by Tom and Pat Bridges
Summary: This fish is from clear, unpolluted streams in Atlantic Central America. After some trouble in obtaining a pair, Tom and Pat kept and bred them successfully. Illustrated.

THREE UNUSUAL LIVEBEARERS by Howard Norfolk
Summary: Having a surplus of Ameca splendens, Heterandria formosa, and Endler's livebearers, Howard wrote notes on these fish before taking them to a club meeting for auction.

THE FISH SPEAK: Ameca splendens by Gord Mitchell
Summary: "Susan, Stanley and the Splendens family" tell of their breeding and the tank conditions they prefer.

Belenesox belizanus, THE PIKE LIVEBEARER by John Mangan
Summary: These fish are highly predatory, and feeding them and their young enough so that they don't eat each other is a challenge. John is experimenting with different foods.

RAISING AND CARE OF Belenesox belizanus by Don Marentette
Summary: Some more observations about this fish, which Don calls the pike-top minnow. Don doesn't like feeding live fish as food, so is trying to raise his fry on frozen foods and whiteworms.

THE CARDINAL BRACHY: Brachyraphis roseni by Birgit McKinnon
Summary: This recently described (1988) livebearer is cannibalistic and aggressive, but is attractive, hardy and enjoyable to keep in a species tank.

BREEDING Chapalichthys pardalis by Tom and Pat Bridges
Summary: These goodeids are easy to breed, and they leave their young alone.

Poecilia sp. "Endlers" by Gerry Hawksby
Summary: Gerry found these fish to be undemanding, and prolific breeders. He makes a few other observations on his experiences in keeping them.

BREEDING THE SAILFIN GOODEID - Girardinichthys vivaparous
Summary: Rich Serva managed to breed this seldom seen and difficult fish. He researched the on-line NEODAT II, which carries "data on neotropical freshwater fish specimens deposited in natural history collect

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