The generic placement of the Malawian cichlids formerly lumped in the genus Haplochromis depend on their melanin pattern, eg the black markings in the basic coloration. Sadly the melanin pattern is not recognisable in the only existing type specimen of Haplochromis phenochilus, which was described in 1935; thus its correct generic placement remains unknown until today.

The extremely beautiful German bred fish we can offer now undoubtely belong to the genus Placidochromis and it is very likely that they belong to the species phenochilus. However, until this question is answered by a scientist it is better to use the term Placidochromis sp. "Phenochilus Tanzania" to put a name on the species.

Placidochromis sp. "Phenochilus Tanzania" is one of the most peaceful Malawian cichlids. It becomes about 17 cm long (males, females stay smaller). In the wild, this species belongs to the "followers". This means, it swims along with very large, burrowing cichlids like Fossochromis or Taeniolethrinops and feeds on the small animals or other food items uncovered by the work of the large cousins. As this behaviour does not make it necessary to defend a territory it is possible for Placidochromis to live in harmony with congeneers and other fish.

One of the special features of the "Phenochilus Tanzania" is that males begin at an age of 1-2 year to develope withe scales. 4 year old males can be considered to be fully grown and coloured. They develope a small hump, similar to that found in Cyrtaca morii, but by far not as impressive as in this species.

Even the youngsters are extremely attractive as can be seen on the pictures. Due to the peaceful temper of these cichlids they must never be accompanied by mbuna-like fish, but only with other peaceful utaka or Aulonocara, for example.

For our customers: the fish have code 564701 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Placidochromis: Latin, means "calm Chromis", referring to the swimming behaviour. The suffix -chromis is widely used for African perch-like fishes. It is an old fish name which is used in a scientific way nowadays for the damselfish, Chromis chromis from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic. phenochilus: ancient Greek, means "with shining lips". Fossochromis: ancient Greek, means "burrowing Chromis". Taeniolethrinops: ancient Greek, means "striped Lethrinops". Lethrinops is another genus of cichlid. Haplochromis: ancient Greek, means "simple Chromis".

Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: Frank Schäfer & Erwin Schraml

The genus Trachycorystes currently comprises three described species. In the aquarium hobby so far only T. trachycorystes appeared. For this up to 45 cm long species, please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=203

Recently we received a 25-30 cm long specimen from Peru with an unique coloration: white, irregular spots on both sides of the body! It is unknown to us if this fish represents another species than T. trachycorystes or a mere colour variety of the latter.

When I intended to photograph the animal, I tried to bring it in a better position by using an aquarium net. Now something exceptional happened: the fish attacked the net and bit in it! This hardly ever happens in freshwater fish, one can find it very seldom in predatory tetras or in cichlids taking care for their brood. But even this is quite rare.

The teeth of Trachycorystes are placed in ribbon-like pads and are small, but pointed; so a bite can be quite painful.

For our customers: the fish has code 297958 on our stocklist. Please note that we eclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Trachycorystes: from ancient Greek, trachys meaning "rough" and korystes meaning "one armed with a helmet"

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Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Three very similar species of dwarfish barbs occur in the central Congo basin. All of them become only 3-4 cm long. Additional forms are already known, but not researched scientifically yet. The three described species are B. candens, B. hulstaerti, and B. papilio. They live in shadowy brooks that have a acidic (pH 5.0 - 5.7) and cool (21-23°C) water.

Barbus candens, the one we were able to import recently, is the largest of the three, it becomes about 4 cm long. It is a very beautiful and peaceful species that fits perfectly for nano tanks. As in all members of the group, males may be recognized by the coloured dorsal fin, which is hyaline in females.

For our customers: the species has code 100694 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Barbus: Latin, means "the bearded one", referring to the barbels. candens: Latin, means "shining, glittering, white gleaming"; hulstaerti: dedication name; papilio: Latin, means "Butterfly".

Suggestion of a common name: Blacknose Butterfly Barb

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

For the first time we were able to import a very astonishing species of catfish, which was known until 1985 from 3 specimens only. At the first glimpse the small animals - they are hardly 2 cm long - remind one on the Asian catfishes of the genus Akysis. Actually they are relatives of the banjo cats.

The reason why this and some close relatives, which are classified as tribe Hoplomyzontini, are so little known lies probably in their way of life. Hoplomyzontini seem to settle on the bottom of relatively fast running waters where they burry themselves in the ground. As most of them are very small fishes they are hardly ever collected by usual catching methods.

Our specimens show a wide range of coloration, the extremes are grey ones and yellow ones. It is unknown wether this represents sexual differences.

Athough our specimens proofed so far to be quite hardy, it seems necessary to provide fine sand for them, which they use to burry themselves. The type specimen of Ernstichthys megistus was collected in Ecuador and is around 7 cm long (standard length without caudal fin). This is by far the largest size of any Hoplomyzontini known so far, which usually hardly reach half that size. Also the other known stored museum specimens of E. megistus, which originate from Peru, are much smaller (about 3 cm). Ernstichthys megistus is a fish we have much to learn about and aquaristis can help with their observations to understand the life history of that fascinating creature.

For our customers: the fish have code 253363 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Ernstichthys: dedication name, means "Fish of Ernst"; A. Ernst worked at the Universidade Central de Venezuela. megistus: probably latinized form of the ancient Greek word megistos, which means "the greatest".

Suggestion of a common name: Bumble bee banjo cat

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Literatur: Stewart, D. J. (1985): A review of the South American catfish tribe Hoplomyzontini (Pisces, Aspredinidae), with descriptions of new species from Ecuador. Fieldiana Zoology (new series), No. 25

There are many attractive and desirable species of Corydoras, but one would hardly describe many of the about 300 species known so far as colourful. One of the very few really colourful Corydoras is the scientifically still undescribed species Corydoras sp. Neon Goldstripe, that we were able to import again in larger numbers now from Peru. The fish is known in the trade also as "Peru-Goldstripe" or under the code CW 10.

The splendid fish reach a length of about 6 cm. They are absolutely peaceful schooling fish which can be kept even by beginners. However, the fantastic shining stripe over the back looks best in so-called black water. Successful breeding has been reported quite often, but the species is not very productive. The eggs are moreover quite small.

For our customers: the fish have code 221073 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Corydoras: from ancient greek, means „with helmet and spear“. This refers to the strong armor and fin spines.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Some species of fish are very popular in the aquarium hobby. Many of them are kept only as sports or breeding forms that do not exist in the wild and most aquarists are completely unaware how the wild form looks like. One of these species is the very popular dwarf cichlid Apistogramma cacatuoides. The species occurs in the Amazon basin of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru between 69°W and 71°W and is imported only occasionally.

The wonderful A. cacatuoides we currently have in stock have been imported from Peru. Although they look rather drab compared with their selective-bred cousins and their mainly red finneage, the wild ones impress with the stout body and gorgeous dorsal fin. By the way: the black clusters of pigment are not inherited, but can be found in wild collected specimens only. It is said that they result from recovered diseases in the wild. May that be as it is, it is a fact that the black clusters are completely harmless.

For our customers: the fish have code 617204 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Apistogramma: ancient Greek, means "with unreliable line". It is not known wether the lateral line organ or the pattern is meant. cacatuoides: means "looks like a cockatoo". The author of the species was reminded by the dorsal fin of the males in the hood of an cockatoo.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Most freshwater shrimps that are established in the hobby originate from Asia and Afrika. Not even one species from South America has become a permanent aquarium inhabitant. There are several reasons for that, but the most important one is the fact that in most species from South America the larvae develop in marine environments. This makes it pretty difficult to raise them under aquarium conditions.

Now we were able to import Macrobrachium brasiliense from Peru, one of the very few species of Macrobrachium from South America with large eggs that can be bred quite easily in home aquaria. Males of that shrimp become around 8.5 cm, females around 5 cm long (body length only). The species has a wide distribution in South America. It prefers soft and slightly acidic water, but thrives also well in medium hard water.

The very attractive species - coloration changes a lot depending on mood and equipment and can be anything from whitish to deep reddish brown - is at least the first choice for biotope aquaria with fishes from South America.

For our customers: the animals have code 484383 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Macrobrachium: ancient Greek, means "with big arm". brasiliense: means "coming from Brazil".

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

The charming hermit crab Clibanarius africanus has become a very popular aquarium inhabitant. It is an euryhalin species, which means that it can survive in both pure fresh and pure marine water. However, it seems that it can live in pure freshwater only for a few months, so it is much better to keep it in brackish water. Clibanarius are detritus feeders. Detritus is composed from several dead stuff of plants and animals. In the aquarium, Clibanarius feed readily on any typical fish food.

Usually C. africanus are imported with the brown snail shells of the snail species Tympanotonus fuscatus. This time almost all specimens have very pretty white snail shells from the snail species Pachymelania aurita.

For more informations on the hermit crab, please click http://aqualog.de/news/web69/69-17-19e.pdf

For our customers: the crabs have code 483123 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Clibanarius: term for a heavily armoured cavalryman. africanus: means "comes from Africa".

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer