Amazonas 03&04 2014

FRESHWATER AQUARIUMS & TROPICAL DISCOVERY

CENTRAL AMERICA ❙ Blind Cavefishes

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MARCH/APRIL 2014

CONTENTS • VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2 EDITOR & PUBLISHER |

James M. Lawrence

INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHER |

Matthias Schmidt

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF |

Hans-Georg Evers

CHIEF DESIGNER |

Nick Nadolny

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EDITORIAL

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AQUATIC NOTEBOOK

by Hans-Georg Evers

SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD |

Dr. Gerald Allen, Christopher Brightwell, Svein A. Fosså, Raymond Lucas, Dr. Paul Loiselle, Dr. John E. Randall, Julian Sprung, Jeffrey A. Turner SENIOR EDITORS |

Matthew Pedersen, Stephan M. Tanner, Ph.D.

FEATURE ARTICLES 20

Juan Miguel Artigas Azas, Dick Au, Devin Biggs, Heiko Bleher, Eric Bodrock, Jeffrey Christian, Morrell Devlin, Ian Fuller, Adeljean L.F.C. Ho, Jay Hemdal, Neil Hepworth, Ted Judy, Ad Konings, Marco Tulio C. Lacerda, Neale Monks, Rachel O’Leary, Mark Sabaj Perez, Ph.D., Christian & Marie-Paulette Piednoir, Karen Randall, Mary E. Sweeney, Ben Tan, Ret Talbot, Sumer Tiwari TRANSLATOR |

DESIGNER |

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Anne Linton Elston

by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Louise Watson

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DEPARTMENTS 88

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AQUATIC TRAVEL: BLIND FISHES FROM THE CONGO RIVER

by Oliver Lucanus

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NATURAL WONDERS: CENOTES

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THE FISHES OF CENTRAL AMERICA

by Sascha Thamm

CONTRIBUTORS |

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RETAIL SOURCES

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SPECIES SNAPSHOTS

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UNDERWATER EYE

COVER:

Top to bottom: Parachromis managuensis, Astyanax ta. ta a. mexicanus, Amatitlania nigrofasciata.

Images by Hans-Georg Evers

AMAZONAS

by Morrell Devlin

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EDITORIAL AMAZONAS 4

Dear Reader, In this issue we visit Central America. Quite a few of us grew up with cichlids from this region; many of the species occurring there have lived in our aquariums for generations. My first cichlids were some adolescent Firemouths, Thorichthys meeki, that I kept in the largest aquarium I had at the time. They generated a lot of excitement and produced some offspring.

Besides the Firemouths, the many livebearers from this region also have an especially large following. Therefore, in addition to Sascha Thamm’s cover story overview of the ichthyofauna of Central America, we present several special contributions about these fishes for you. Thanks to the exploratory travels of adventuresome aquarists, these animals and their habitats are becoming better known to all of us. As youngsters and beginners we may not have appreciated the origins of our animals, but today many of us are better fishkeepers for knowing more about where our animals come from and how our fishes—or their ancestors—lived in the wild.

On other frontiers: We continue to be astonished when we see the evolution of planted aquariums, as represented in this issue by the winners of the most recent Aquatic Gardeners Association International Aquascaping Contest. We know that many of the keenest competitors in the planted-tank world belong to a new generation of aquarists whose creativity seems to know no bounds.

In recent times, the shrimp scene hasn’t given us as much to report on as it did in the euphoric early years. However, occasionally something newsworthy comes along. The Pinto Shrimp, and all sorts of new hybrid crosses involving the Tiger Bees, are currently very trendy. That’s reason enough for us to explore these dwarf shrimps in this issue.

AMAZONAS has matured and is steadily marching toward German issue Number 50, with the English edition reaching readers a few from now. Our chief copy editor, Michael Kokoscha, who has been with us from the start, is leaving. We wish him well and thank him for all his years of excellent cooperation. Starting with this issue, Mike Zawadzki takes over.

Enough said! Let us lead you into the world of fishes once again!

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AQUATIC

NOTEBOOK

Breeding successes with

Synodontis

by W. Klotz • The catfishes of the genus Synodontis are much admired by African biotope fans, but

Male Synodontis pardalis

Slightly gravid female Synodontis pardalis

Male Synodontis waterloti

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Synodontis waterloti, heavily gravid female

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Synodontis pardalis Boulenger, 1908 is a medium-sized (about 10 inches/25 cm) and very attractive species from the Dja River, a southern tributary of the Congo in Cameroon. For several years, wild-caught specimens have occasionally been offered in small quantities and at relatively high prices. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the species is endangered because cobalt mining on the Dja River has caused a decline of its habitat. The patterning varies considerably: in addition to handsome, spotted specimens with a gray-brown base color, I have encountered animals with an olive green to yellow-brown base color.

I acquired fresh spawn from Aquarium Dietzenbach to document the development of the young fishes. In both species shown here, development was very rapid in the first days at water temperatures of 77–81°F (25–27°C) and then slowed somewhat. The hatching started after 30–36 hours, depending on the temperature. The tiny larvae carried small yolk sacs, which were absorbed over the next two days. Initially the larvae were glassy and transparent; black pigment started to form in both species when the first food was accepted (freshly hatched Artemia nauplii and sifted Cyclops). Within a few days, the larvae were black and brown and had the typical fin fringe, which transformed into the final fins in the first 10 days.

The young of both species were about 0.4 inch (1 cm) long at the time, and their differences, mainly their length, became apparent. The juveniles of S. pardalis grew much more slowly and after about four months, the S. waterloti, which were six weeks younger, caught up (1.2 inch/3 cm total

H. NIGL

because of their secretive nature they lead a shadowy existence. The captive breeding of most species is still unusual, and we are familiar with the development of juveniles only in a few species, especially with regard to the emergence of color patterns. However, this pigment transformation can often be used reliably to differentiate similar species from each other. Any successful breeding is a cause for joy, and the documentation of the successful rearing of the two Synodontis species described here has not been reported previously.

Synodontis pardalis, day 3 after hatching.

Synodontis pardalis, day 5.

Synodontis pardalis, day 7.

Synodontis pardalis pardalis, day 10 10. The fi fin fringe develops into adult fins.

Synodontis pardalis, day 16. The dark head and the four vertical bands are typical. The large adipose fin is well developed but still unpigmented.

Synodontis pardalis, 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) long at day 33.

Synodontis pardalis, 0.8 inch (2 cm) long at day 49.

The first two bands are merging and the body coloration will change completely and spread to the fins over the next few days.

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H.-G. EVERS

This young Synodontis pardalis is four months old and 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long. The adult coloration is beginning to form on the head, and the banding on the rear half of the body is beginning to dissolve into the typical spot pattern. S. pardalis is particularly attractive at this size.

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Synodontis waterloti, day 10 after hatching. ng.

Synodontis waterloti, day 16 (0.4 inch/1.1 cm).

The line from the eye to the tip of the snout and the three broad vertical bands are typical. The pattern on the back of the head will later merge with the first vertical band.

It’s quick and user friendly Synodontis waterloti, day 33 (0.7 inch/1.8 cm). The vertical banding disappears and the dark areas on the back coalesce.

Synodontis waterloti, day 49 (0.9 inch/2.4 cm).

Synodontis waterloti, day 70 (1.4 inches/3.6 cm).

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This young Synodontis waterloti is three months old and 1.7 inches (4.2 cm) long. In the next few weeks, the elongated spot pattern will disappear and be replaced by the adult dress.

H.-G. EVERS

length). This may be because the S. pardalis were already beginning to defend small territories at a size of 0.4 inch (1 cm); this requires a lot of energy, which was not being put into growing.

This species is only suitable for large, well-structured aquariums, since large fish can be quite aggressive toward each other. S. waterloti, however, is as peaceful as a lamb, at least when young. The babies always sat together in the caves and shelters, and I observed no aggression in this gregarious species. Whether this changes with age, I do not know. Other aquarists have confirmed that the species can be maintained in a group.

Synodontis waterloti Daget, 1962 was described from Guinea, but it has also been reported from other West African countries such as Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Liberia. The maintenance of the 8-inch (20cm) omnivorous fish is relatively straightforward, and it is well suited for keeping in large aquariums with other West Africans.

In both species, the sexes can be distinguished in well-fed adult specimens. The females are always larger and almost plump when gravid. Not infrequently, mature animals extend their genital papillae, which are tapered in males and appear wider in females.

Aquarium Dietzenbach is certainly a pioneer in the breeding of Synodontis. Unlike Southeast Asian or Eastern European hatcheries, where one can never be sure that the fry are not hybrids, Aquarium Dietzenbach only breeds clearly determined species. They have bred more than 10 different African catfish species in recent years, many of them for the first time.

AMAZONAS 9

AQUATIC

NOTEBOOK Don Danko in his new Ohio fishroom with a tank of Tropheus duboisi “Maswa.”

TRAVELING THE FISH SCENE:

Don Danko, Cichlid Breeder Extraordinaire

AMAZONAS

aricle and images by Rachel O’Leary • If the family Cichlidae has an unlikely mecca, it may well be a Holiday Inn on the flat, mostly featureless outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio, where cichlid lovers from all parts of the planet make the pilgrimage to a “must-attend” annual event. On a recent frigid weekend in late November, I braved the winds sweeping off Lake Erie to attend my first Ohio Cichlid Association Extravaganza in the Cleveland suburb of Strongsville and meet some of the legends of cichlid research, breeding, and husbandry.

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Approaching its twentieth year, the Extravaganza lives up to its name, offering world-class speakers and three days of camaraderie among hundreds of people united by their dedication to the hobby. OCA is an outstanding example of an aquarium society whose mission is to support conservation and cichlid research efforts.

Especially noteworthy is the Jim Smith Endowment Fund, named in honor of a well-loved member and OCA chairman who had a passion for teaching and getting young people involved with fishes and aquariums. This year, the OCA funded three projects: Crenicichla (pike cichlid) research with Ed Burress; Hypsophrys nicaraguensis (Nicaragua Cichlid) breeding research with Dr. Ron Coleman; and funded aquariums for the Case Western Reserve University lab run by Dr. Ron Oldfield. In prior years, the Jim Smith Fund has helped sponsor Ad Konings’ placement of anti-netting devices in sensitive areas to protect Lake Malawi cichlids, as well as captive breeding programs for Pseudotropheus saulosi and Melanochromis auratus (Auratus Cichlid).

While in Strongsville, I had the opportunity to meet one of the OCA Extravaganza’s founders, Don Danko, and visit his extraordinary fishroom. Don lives in the Cleveland suburb of Medina with his wife, Marilyn, and

is the senior engineering manager for Eaton Corporation. Don’s fishroom is a DIY work of art! If there were awards for thoughtful planning and orderliness, it would be a sure winner, and records kept by the Ohio Cichlid Association Breeder Award Program reveal that over the years his meticulous methods have helped Don successfully breed more than 140 different cichlids, with 19 first-recorded U.S. spawns.

Aquarium therapy Don, 60, is a lifelong fish keeper who got started in the hobby at the recommendation of his ophthalmologist when he was in the third grade and recuperating from an eye injury and surgery. He started with a 15-gallon (57–L) community tank, but under his father’s influence, quickly became enamored of cichlids and their breeding behaviors.

Don has made more than 30 collecting trips to Mexico and two to Costa Rica. His favorite spots are Laguna de Media Luna in Rio Verde and the Rio Aqua Buena in Tamasopo, both in Mexico. He credits his love for those areas to the experience he had on his first collecting trip with “great friends” Juan Miguel Artigas Azas and Cleveland-area fish retailer Steve Zarzeczny.

“I had the time of my life and will never forget the

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experience,” says Danko. “They are both amazingly cool places, with crystalclear water and lots of fishes to see when snorkeling. Media Luna is the home of Herichthys bartoni (Barton’s Cichlid) and H. labridens (the Curve-Bar Cichlid), Uaru amphiacanthoides, one of Danko’s both fantastically favorite breeding subects. beautiful animals.

I have watched the destruction of the habitat in both locations over time, through locals turnL). The room is split into multiple setups featuring a ing them into swimming parks and increased tourism.

6-foot (2-m) tank on the top and two 40-gallon breeder Additionally, tilapia have been introduced to the lagoon, tanks on the bottom. Marilyn has her own area of the as well as Herichthys carpintis (the Lowland Cichlid), fishroom, with 13 aquariums dedicated to pleco breeding. which have been hybridizing with the endemic labridens.”

Don designed the room to be easy to care for and energy efficient, with an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Fishroom Redesign It features an automated water-change system modeled after those of Rusty Wessel and Dan Woodland, and utiDon recently downsized his fishroom from 60 tanks to lizes an electronic lawn sprinkler controller programmed make his breeding space more manageable after movto run twice daily, adding fresh water and forcing surplus ing to a smaller house. He is currently running about 17 system water to overflow into waste drains. tanks, ranging from 40 gallons to 125 gallons (150–475

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Geophagus sp. “Red Head Tapajos”

I could easily picture club members and fish friends socializing here and admiring Don’s collection of extraordinary species.

Danko “Firsts”

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“Basically,” Don says, “hot and cold city water flows through a thermostatic mixing valve, a large carbon filter, and PVC tubing and into the aquariums via emitters with different flow ratings. Each tank is drilled and equipped with a bulkhead fitting through which old tank water runs into a line that empties into a floor drain. Taking the time to lay out and install this system was the best fishroom move I’ve ever made. I literally don’t do manual water changes anymore, except for the quarterly hydrocleaning I do in a few tanks that employ gravel.”

One approach to energy efficiency was installing glass basement-block windows to supplement with natural sunlight and reduce the use of overhead electrical lighting. Don insulated both the exterior and interior walls and uses a small, oil-filled radiator heater, centrally located and set at 75ºF (24ºC), to maintain the room’s temperature—with the Uaru tank a notable exception.

Very few of his aquariums utilize in-tank heaters. Humidity is managed by a humidistat-controlled exhaust fan, as well as mildew-resistant paint on the walls. I found the layout open and inviting and enjoyed the ample space;

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While Don is best known for his work with New World Cichlids, he has also kept and bred many African species.

His first U.S. spawns included such noteworthy fishes as Paleolamprologus toae (1984), Herichthys bartoni (1985), “Cichlasoma” grammodes (1986), Theraps lentiginosus (1988), Theraps coeruleus (1989), Herichthys sp. “Poza Rica” (1990), and Vieja regani (1992). He personally collected many of these species, or obtained them via annual or semiannual transoceanic trades with his good friend from the Netherlands, Willem Heijns.

Don’s first U.S. spawn of P. toae was done in this way.

He had to learn how to import fish and clear them through customs and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, as they were not available in the United States. He remembers being surprised that “all the P. toae in the tank participated in spawning; it wasn’t restricted to just a pair, as I had expected. It was actually quite remarkable to watch and photograph the entire group traversing the tank together, shaking and spawning.” Don is currently keeping the fish again after almost 29 years, hoping to see the behavior replicated.

Don and Marilyn have also spawned 17 types of catfish, and current projects include L204 (the Flash Pleco), Albino Farlowella, L184 “Brilliant” Ancistrus, and L002, the Tiger Pleco. Don says that the most challenging fish he has ever spawned is discus, back in 1985. At that time, breeders were not open about the methods they used and he had to go through a lengthy trial and error period before he was able to induce The Danko fishroom is shared by successful parenting behusband and wife and is spacious, haviors and, ultimately, bright, energy-efficient, and lowrear several varieties. maintenance. For more images, visit http://www.reef2rainforest.

However, he says his com/2014/01/13/fishroommost rewarding spawntour-don-danko. ing success to date has been with Uaru amphiacanthoides. He notes, “I’d had an interest in this fish for some time, but I could not find any to raise. I ultimately found what turned out to be a female at a Cleveland-

new members and visitors feel welcome while bringing in interesting speakers to facilitate new ideas and activities.

I think getting the word out on social media to show the spectrum of awesome fishes is a great way to use the Internet to promote the hobby.

“My best advice for hobbyists who want to spawn fishes for the first time is to be resourceful—network and find out who is keeping what you want, or try to get them yourself. Research the habitat in which they live in the wild, and what they might be eating. Also, never give up! Keep experimenting with different water conditions, foods, temperatures, and other parameters. Persistence frequently pays off. Don’t be afraid to spend money to get what you want! Life is too short, so go for it!”

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area pet shop, and then later got a few pretty abused young adults from a hobbyist. As I recall, I was able to restore one back to health and that individual mated and spawned with the earlier female. The pair tended to be egg eaters, so I had to learn to artificially hatch and raise the fry. I was successful and continued rearing Uaru for several years, and this fish continues to be a favorite of mine today. Selling off those desirable fry covered a lot of fishroom expenses!”

Not everything is easy, of course. “My biggest failure to date was with ‘Cichlasoma’ beani (the Green Guapote),” Don says. “A long time ago, at an ACA Convention, someone put a large sexed pair of C. beani in the Sunday auction. They were believed to be from the stock of the Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson. They were 10 inches or more in length and really cool. I kept bidding and ultimately bought them for $300, assuming I would be able to spawn them.

I never got any spawning behavior, and the male kept getting ill from intestinal parasites. Ultimately, the male died, and much later the female as well. I tried again a few years later, after collecting some wild individuals with Juan Miguel near Tepic, Mexico, but I also lost all of them. Spawning them is still on my bucket list.”

To condition and maintain his fishes, Don feeds twice daily, sometimes more on the weekends. “I feed my Tropheus high-quality green flakes, with periodic feeding of vegetable-based pellets. For the Tanganyikans other than Tropheus, I feed green flake, various freeze-dried foods including krill, Mysis, brine shrimp, and Daphnia, as well as decapsulated brine shrimp. For the Tang fry, I pulverize those same foods, but incorporate a higher ratio of the decapsulated brine shrimp. For my Uaru and other South and Central American fishes, I feed predominantly freeze-dried krill, prepared food sticks, fresh spinach, and Romaine lettuce. The Plecos are fed salt-free French-cut green beans, green flake, and pellets.” (Don eats a lot like his fishes, maintaining a near-vegan diet and exercising daily.)

Don Danko is a big believer in engaging younger folks and children in the hobby. “I think we, as parents, should educate children about the hobby and allow them to take over responsibility for their own aquariums. Getting them involved in club activities can help, and the meetings need to be fun in order to make

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AQUATIC

NOTEBOOK

New Sulawesi shrimps described

W. KLOTZ

Caridina boehmei became known in the aquarium hobby under the trade name Sulawesi Bee Shrimp.

by Hans-Georg Evers • The Indonesian island of Sulawesi is known to be full of surprises, and among the dwarf shrimps, the number of described species has more than doubled in the last 10 years. A few months ago, Klotz & Rintelen (2013) published three new species of dwarf shrimps originating in rivers. In addition, the authors list all currently valid species of endemic Atyidae

from Sulawesi and its neighboring islands, totalling at least 35 species. All endemic Sulawesi species, including the 13 known species from rivers and the very popular species from the lakes of the central highlands, carry large eggs. This is an indication that these species all develop land-bound, that is, without pelagic larvae traveling to the sea. The high number of species represents an

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Male Caridina butonensis. Note the ďŹ ne red spotting.

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impressive range for such a small region and is a further indication of the enormous biodiversity of this island. Only the Philippines have a similar number of described dwarf shrimps, but they are spread over a much larger area.

Caridina boehmei, the ďŹ rst of the three species described, comes from the central highlands of Sulawesi. The species is easily confused with the very similar Caridina sulawesi—the two are indistinguishable to the layman without close examination under a microscope. This is not unimportant because both species regularly appear under the trade name Sulawesi Bee Shrimp, both as offspring and as wildcaught specimens, and are popular among shrimp fans.

This cannot be said of the second species, Caridina laroeha. It was described based on museum material collected by Fabian Herder in the Laroeha River in 2004. Unfortunately, there is no photo of a living specimen.

The third described species is Caridina butonensis from the small island of Buton, off the southeastern tip of Sulawesi. My companions, Jeffrey Christian and Peter Debold, and I caught specimens of this species in various clearwater streams and small rivers near the Lacurisa (pH 7.85, 480 ΟS/cm, 76°F/24.5°C) and Susu (pH 8.3, 683 ΟS/cm, 80°F/26.8°C). Unfortunately, we did not acquire any live animals for the aquarium.

REFERENCES

Klotz, W. and K. von Rintelen. 2013. Three new species of Caridina (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Central Sulawesi and Buton Island, Indonesia, and a checklist of the island´s endemic species. Zootaxa 3664 (4): 554–70.

H.-G. EVERS

An egg-carrying female Caridina butonensis.

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C OV E R

STORY View of Mexico’s famous Lake Catemaco.

THE FISHES

of Central America

by Sascha Thamm • The rivers and lakes of the land bridge that connects North and South America and separates the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are the home waters of a fascinating diversity of fish species that never fail to arouse the curiosity of biologists and aquarists alike.

Beware: once you are under the spell of these fishes, is hard to get away from them!

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The best known and by far the most frequently maintained Central American fish species in the aquarium world come from the families Cichlidae (cichlids) and Poeciliidae (livebearing tooth carps).

The cichlids Many aquarists have already had experience keeping the Convict Cichlid, Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Günther, 1867), the Firemouth Cichlid, Thorichthys meeki Brind, 1918, or the stately Midas Cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus (Günther, 1864), but their impressions can be quite different. One hobbyist is happy about his fish’s interesting behavior and courtship and successful reproduction, while another interprets the same behaviors as excessive aggression, vandalism, and rampant proliferation.

The fact is that these cichlids know how to survive. Some species do this in a quiet fashion, but for some larger species, brood care can mean “all hell breaks loose” for the other tankmates. However, anyone who is deeply engaged with them, offers them a lot of space, selects the appropriate companions, and accepts the fact that they rule the aquarium on their own terms will be delighted with these gorgeous fishes. Because some species get quite large and

S. THAMM

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Collecting fish in a river in Palenque, Mexico.

Firemouth Cichlids Thorichthys meeki (left) and Thorichthys maculipinnis.

These medium-sized cichlids bring color and life into the aquarium.

need plenty of space, aquariums measuring 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3 m) or more are not uncommon on the Central American ďŹ shkeeping scene.

More than big bullies That said, there are a number of species that can be maintained in moderate-sized aquariums of about 55 gallons (200 L).

For example, the T-Bar or Sajica Cichlid, Cryptoheros sajica (Bussing, 1974), is a beautiful species from Costa Rica that isn’t overly aggressive. It can be socialized with large livebearers or small cichlid species, such as the Blackgullet or Yellow Firemouth Cichlid, Thorichthys pasionis (Rivas, 1962), or the lovely Panama Cichlid, Cryptoheros panamensis (Meek & Hildebrand, 1913).

A male T-Bar Cichlid (Cryptoheros sajica) from Costa Rica.

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TOP AND BOTTOM: S. THAMM; MIDDLE: H.-G. EVERS

Many aquarists have kept the classic Convict Cichlid, Amatitlania nigrofasciata, at some point.

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The Pygmy Swordtail, Xiphophorus pygmaeus, is a true kaleidoscope of colors. This is a dominant male.

The cultivated varieties of wild forms, like this Yellow Swordtail (Xiphophorus clemenciae) from Mexico, come in stunning colors.

Pure power: A handsome pair of Three Spot Cichlids, “Cichlasoma” trimaculatum.

The large Th l predators d t

Because the genetic relationships among the Central American cichlid species have been controversial for years, the scientific names of the approximately 100 species are constantly changing. Many of the established names are based on Stawikowski & Werner (1998). In Miller et al. (2005), there are already many different species assignments. Since then, more has happened taxonomically, and confusion is rampant. Therefore, I will introduce the fishes based on the names found in Eschmeyer and Fricke’s Catalog of Fishes (2013).

If you are lucky enough to have room for an aquarium of at least 75 gallons (284 liters), you can maintain larger cichlid species. A pair of 12inch (30-cm) broodcaring Trimac or Threespot Cichlids, “Cichlasoma” trimaculatum (Günther, 1867) is a good choice; its impressive appearance, swimming behavior bursting with power, and cocksure facial expression leave no doubt as to who is the boss. Also, the five species of the genus Parachromis are standouts, and not only because of their size. For many years, a pair of Jaguar Guapote, Parachromis managuensis (Günther, 1867), held the undisputed number-one place in my tank. The 14-inch (35-cm) male only had to spread his gill covers very slowly and erect his fins, and any turmoil in the tank ceased.

As an example of the few cichlid species that have colonized the Caribbean islands of the Greater Antilles, I must mention the Cuban Cichlid, Nandopsis tetracanthus (Valenciennes, 1831). It is a beautiful fish that can breach the 1-foot (30-cm) mark and is therefore only suitable for larger aquariums. Since these animals are more sensitive than the previously mentioned species, they should be kept only by experienced keepers.

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The cichlids formerly called Vieja currently belong to the genus Paraneetroplus. Two handsome representatives of this genus are Paraneetroplus maculicauda (Regan, 1905) and Paraneetroplus argentea (Allgayer, 1991). These fishes can grow bigger than 12 inches (30 cm) and need a lot of room because they are aggressive. The aquarium must be well aquascaped—intraspecific disputes can be fierce. If you keep sexually

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Paraneetroplus maculicauda (Blackbelt Cichlid) can get over 12 inches (30 cm) long and requires a large (several-hundredliter) aquarium.

TOP: H.-G. EVERS; MIDDLE AND BOTTOM: S. THAMM

Pretty Paraneetroplus

The Olmec Priapella is a Mexican livebearer with bright blue eyes.

Characodon audax “Guadalupe Aguilera” is just one of the many Goodeid species that are critically endangered in nature.

Central America is home to many livebearing tooth carps. Phallichthys quadripunctatus is one of the numerous small and very pretty “Merry Widow” species.

The fact that they bear live young has made the viviparous fishes popular with many aquarists. This picture shows the birth of a Goodeid Characodon audax.

mature animals, make sure to provide the females a safe place to avoid the male when they need to. A harmonizing pair that defends a territory is a magnificent sight!

The most popular Central American fishes in the aquarium trade are the Poeciliids. Since the early days of the hobby, the swordtails and platies of the genus Xiphophorus have been kept, and their captive-bred forms can be found in each and every shop. Of the approximately 28 species that occur in nature, only three belong to the standard offerings in the trade: X. hellerii Heckel, 1848, X. maculatus (Günther, 1866), and X. variatus (Meek, 1904). They are available in countless colors and shapes. The wild forms with less flashy colors are more rarely sold. This is unfortunate: they are no less attractive than the most colorful ones; to my way of thinking, they are prettier. I prefer a wild form of Xiphophorus maculatus (Southern Platy) with subtly shimmering blue scales to any bright red farmed fish. The same applies to Xiphophorus hellerii (Green Swordtail). One of the lesser-known fishes of this genus is the Pygmy Swordtail, Xiphophorus pygmaeus Hubbs & Gordon, 1943, a beautiful fish that can be maintained and bred in a 15-gallon (56-L) aquarium.

Other genera and species of Poeciliids have colonized Central America, too. Like

The Silver Cichlid, Paraneetroplus argentea, is a true jewel.

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TOP: H.-G. EVERS; BOTTOM: S. THAMM

Livebearers

the Cuban Cichlid discussed above, the livebearers have also colonized the Greater Antilles. One such species, Limia nigrofasciata Regan, 1913, is native to Haiti and also quite popular, since it can be kept in smaller tanks.

A very different fish, however, is the Pike Minnow, Belonesox belizanus Kner, 1860. A look into its mouth reveals much about the eating habits of this fish: it is the only specialized fish eater among the Poeciliids. Females can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. This fish should only be socialized with similarly sized species.

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ready lost forever. Engaged fishkeepers are looking out for the long-term preservation of endangered species, such as the Tequila Splitfin, Zoogoneticus tequila Webb & Miller, 1998.

A diverse fish fauna Dorosoma petenense, the Threadfin Shad, a handsome relative of the herring, is extremely sensitive to stress.

Male Cryptoheros panamensis, Panama Cichlid, with fry.

Goodeids The Goodeids, which are common in the highlands of Mexico, have played only a minor role in the hobby up to now. While the Butterfly Goodeid, Ameca splendens (Miller & Fitzsimons, 1971), and the Redtail Goodeid, Xenotoca eiseni (Rutter, 1896), are established aquarium fishes, most other species are not well known. Because some goodeids have very small natural distribution areas that are vulnerable to human impact, many of them are endangered, critically endangered, or, in some cases, al-

In Central America, however, there is a lot more swimming around than cichlids, livebearers, and snorkeling aquarists. The variety is due to the fact that in the past, faunal elements from North America (e.g., carp fishes of the genus Notropis), South America (e.g. catfishes of the genus Rhamdia), and the surrounding oceans have immigrated. Especially in the estuaries of the great rivers, you encounter fishes that you would expect to find in the ocean instead. Bull Sharks and sawfishes roam pure fresh water, miles from the coast. But even smaller fishes can surprise you.

I still remember a fish that posed a big question mark for me in 2006. We were collecting in a creek in the Mexican state of Veracruz, and among the cichlids, livebearers, tetras, and catfishes we found a fish I could not assign. Only subsequent research enlightened me: it was a representative of the family Clupeidae, a herringlike fish called Dorosoma anale Meek, 1904, the Mexican River Gizzard Shad. A few days later, a few kilometers away, we collected Dorosoma petenense (Günther, 1867), yet another member of the herring family. These were beautiful fish, shining wonderfully with their golden stripes. A swarm of them would certainly put on a show in a biotope tank.

Unfortunately, these fish will continue to play no role in the aquarium, since they are very sensitive to stress and seldom survive capture and shipping.

While snorkeling, I discovered individual silversides, Atherinella spp., in characin swarms. This would also be a delightful fish for the aquarium. Fans of gobies will be happy to hear that numerous gobies live in the rivers and lakes of Central America. The Fat Sleeper, Dormitator maculatus (Bloch, 1792), for example, is one of the most attractive species that is maintained by specialists.

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Killifishes have also moved into Central America, and one species even secretly invaded my aquarium system for some time. In 2006, we brought some Dogtooth Rivulus, Cynodonichthys tenuis Meek, 1904, home from Mexico. I put the animals in a 12-gallon (45-L) tank, where they led a hidden life in the The male Jaguar Guapote (Parachromis managuensis) has an imposing appearance.

S. THAMM

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Secret tenants

We caught this Silver Catfish, Rhamdia quelen, in southern Mexico.

lush Java Moss. Since the Java Moss flourished particularly well in this tank, I distributed it to my other aquariums. I was breeding various species of Xiphophorus wild forms at that time, and the Java Moss gave the young swordtails and platies perfect coverage and protected them from the adult animals.

However, over time I realized that despite the Java Moss, fewer young fish were being produced.

In some species, the fry had all but disappeared.

One day, I discovered a young C. tenuis creeping through the moss in a swordtail tank, obviously on the prowl. Now it became clear! I had introduced killifish eggs with the Java Moss in almost all my tanks. The resulting fry lived in my breeding tanks—a land of plenty for them—and laid in wait, well camouflaged, for my coveted Xiphophorus fry. It took months to remove every last killifish from the system and collect these predatory masters of concealment in a single tank. Similar things happened to a fellow aquarist. He had not covered all of his tanks, so his jumpy fish even conquered neighboring tanks by aerial assault.

The Fat Sleeper, Dormitator maculatus, is one of the freshwater gobies found in Central America.

Tetras are found in Central America in many waters. There are few species compared to the abundance of characids in South America or Africa, but the representatives of the genus Astyanax are nearly ubiquitous. Curiously, the most common member of the genus in the aquarium is one that has neither color nor eyes: the Blind Cave Tetra, Astyanax jordani (Hubbs & Innes, 1936), the cave form of the Mexican Tetra, Astyanax mexicanus.

These fish have adapted to living in complete darkness. I personally prefer the “normal” form of A. mexicanus, but I almost never encountered it in the trade until a few years ago. So I was especially excited when a fellow aquarist gave me seven wild-caught specimens that he had brought back from Guatemala.

Whether this fish is A. mexicanus (De Filippi, 1853) or the very similar Banded Tetra, A. aeneus (Günther, 1860), I cannot say for sure. With the words “Here you go, make a few more out of it,”

A female Cynodonichthys tenuis, Dogtooth Rivulus, is a killifish species widespread across Central America.

The PikeTopminnow, Belonesox belizanus, preys on smaller fishes.

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S. THAMM; SECOND FROM TOP: H.-G. EVERS

Cave tetras with eyes

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Population explosion

The devil fish In recent years, catfishes that do not belong there have been spreading into many Central American waters. Pter-

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S. THAMM

When the animals had settled in and the sexes could be distinguished (at a size of approximately 2.2 inches/6 cm), I made up a trio for breeding. In a 25 x 16 x 16-inch (100 x The Blind Cave Tetra (Astyanax jordani) is adapted to living in 40 x 40-cm) aquarium complete darkness. without substrate or filter, I put two gravid females and one male that had particularly beautiful red fins. With these robust fish, the water parameters are not as important, and they seemed to like my A pair of spawning Astyanax tetras at the water’s surface. The existing tap water (77°F/25°C, neutral numerous eggs sink to the bottom. pH, and a hardness of 8°dGH), because the next morning, I discovered hundreds of eggs under the spawning grid. I did not observe the spawning, but in the closely related species Astyanax bimaculatus, I saw the animals spawn under the surface after vigorous chasing, and the eggs fell in clouds to the bottom. A. mexicanus might spawn in a similar way.

I removed the trio and turned off the lights in the tank, which was aerated with a single air stone. After 24 hours, the first transparent larvae were wiggling in the tank, and after 29 hours the first “glass splinters,” about 0.15 inch (4 mm) long, clung to the sides. After 36 hours, the initially very large yolk sacs had already become significantly smaller, and after 45 hours, many my friend handed me the bag of fish. It seems that by hundreds of larvae were hanging on the glass. After 55 breeding various other types of tetras, I had earned my hours, the first young fish swam free. I offered live, newly laurels and got this lovely job. hatched Artemia, and the orange bellies of the juveniles indicated that the food was readily accepted. After 67 An Astyanax photographed immediately hours, a huge number of young fish swam free. Further after being caught. rearing succeeded without difficulty, and the population grew quickly.

My friend was amazed when I brought him the offspring with the words “mission accomplished.” His initial seven animals had rapidly turned into almost 1,000.

Since his fish shop is a recognized hub for Central American fish freaks from all over Europe, I am sure my Astyanax are now swimming in aquariums in our neighboring countries.

Originally from South America, the Common Pleco, Pterygoplichthys pardalis, has been introduced to Central America with devastating consequences.

ygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1855), originally from South America, was introduced by humans and has spread widely since then. The bottoms of the rivers are littered with these Plecos, and the consequences for native fishes are serious. The growth on rocks and roots that the livebearers normally graze on is being completely consumed by the catfish, and at night the cichlids struggle to defend their eggs against thousands of catfish up to 16 inches (40 cm) long. Because P. pardalis has no natural enemies and multiplies very successfully, this invasion is a disaster for many native species. The fishermen call this catfish Pez Diablo—Devil Fish—with good reason.

As you can see, Central America has much more to offer than firemouths and swordtails. I could present many more species, but the list would fill an entire book.

I have not even mentioned gars, swamp eels, freshwater pipefishes, or knife fishes. I hope this diversity will be

maintained in the future, despite the disruptive intervention of man.

REFERENCES

Eschmeyer, W.N. and R. Fricke. 2013. Catalog of Fishes. Online at http:// research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp.

Accessed June 2013).

Miller, R.R., Minckley, W.L., and Norris, S.M. 2005. Freshwater Fishes of México. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. Stawikowski, R. and U. Werner. 1998. Die Buntbarsche Amerikas, Band 1.

Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, Germany.

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Natural wonders:

CENOTES

by Kai Qvist und Rune Evjeberg • As an aquarist encountering a freshwater sinkhole or cenote when hiking in Mexico, your likely first question is: “What could be living here?” In fact, cenotes offer many exciting sights, both above and below the surface. The cenotes, fed by underwater streams, usually contain crystal-clear water, so it is very easy to watch fishes in their natural habitat. Here we report on our visits to several cenotes.

On one side of El Cenote del Cocodrilo Dorado is a 230-foot (70m) rock wall, popular for rappelling.

You could describe the Mexican state of Quintana Roo as an area of great contrasts. Located on the Yucatán peninsula, which juts between the western Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, this state offers recreational travelers, students of culture, and nature lovers a variety of opportunities. Palmfringed beaches on the east coast of the Riviera Maya, ancient ruins dating from the once powerful Mayan culture, and rich flora and fauna due to the tropical climate make the Yucatán peninsula a favorite travel destination. In the past 40 years this natural paradise has become very accessible and part of it has been developed as a sunbathers’ resort, but, fortunately, this is restricted to a 100-mile (160-km) stretch of beach along the Riviera Maya, a comparatively small part of the peninsula.

Quintana Roo is home to countless endemic plants, and wildlife is abundant. In the famous cenotes, or sinkholes, of this region live many species of fish, and the surrounding jungle contains numerous endemic bird and reptile species.

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At one time, the entire Yucatán peninsula was below sea level. About 65 million years ago, the shockwaves from the impact of an enormous meteorite raised it above the surface of the sea. The ground consists of former coral reefs and ocean floor, covered with a very thin layer of humus. Few surface lakes and rivers can be found here; instead, there are countless cenotes, deep pits in the limestone that are filled with fresh water. The porous limestone quickly drains the abundant rainwater into the sea via a huge underground system of caves and drainage channels. The cenotes are the

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Rising from the sea

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openings to the world’s largest-known system of underground caverns.

A cenote is created when the roof of an underground cavern collapses due to erosion. If the water level within the cavern is very high, the water contributes to the collapse. The height of the water level in a cenote is dependent on the amount of deposits on its bottom. The water in the cenotes is usually very clear and almost turquoise in color. Since it is filtered through limestone, it is hard.

Dense algae pads grow in some places, but larger or leafy aquatic plants are rare. In addition to algae, snails, and pickings from the detritus, the many fishes feed mainly on flying insects. The pleasant water temperatures are perfect for swimming and bathing.

Of the approximately 4,000–6,000 cenotes in this region, only a few are accessible to the public.

Even if you visit one of the more remote accessible cenotes, you can be sure that someone will be sitting there to demand an entrance fee. The admission price varies from a few pesos to 300 pesos (about $23 US) per person.

For this article, we have selected three very different cenotes to represent the habitats of the fishes that occur there. Each is unique, but they all have many things in common. All three are popular and frequently visited by both locals and tourists. To visit them in peace, you should arrive as early as possible in the morning and avoid going on weekends and holidays, when the crowds are large.

It is relatively easy to get into Cocodrilo Dorado via the stream where it flows into Río Hondo.

Actually, this cenote was not on our itinerary, but when we saw the sign pointing to it on the road from Chetumal to Campeche, we decided to give it a try. We assumed that it could not be very far, but it turned out to be more than 60 miles (almost 100 km) away.

For the last 6 miles (10 km) the decent road turned into a jungle track, and at the end we were forced to continue on foot. Even though it was the dry season, the track was only passable with an all-wheel-drive vehicle. One kilometer, three gates, and one low hill later, we came to a small hut in the middle of nowhere, where we paid the price of admission.

Cenote Cocodrilo Dorado is located near the border with Belize. The main sinkhole is difficult

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Cocodrilo Dorado

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Below: A group of Mexican Mollies, Poecilia mexicana, swims in the submerged vegetation of Cocodrilo Dorado.

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to access. While you can jump into it, the steep walls make getting out difficult. Fortunately, there is a little outflow stream with relatively easy access. Even compared to other places in Mexico, the water was very clear here. After the long, uncertain drive, it was pretty exciting to be able to watch the many fishes.

The cenote has a diameter of about 180–200 feet (50–60 m). The outflow stream is about 3–7 feet (1–2 m) wide and from a few centimeters to about 3 feet (1 m) deep (see table for water values). The bottom of the stream consists of rocks and gravel. In some places, there are muddy deposits; along the bank there is dense vegetation (overhanging grass) and dead wood.

The Mexican or Shortfin Molly (Poecilia mexicana) is the most common species in this stream, followed by large swarms of Banded Tetras, Astyanax fasciatus. We even saw a few swordtails and half-grown cichlids—the adult cichlids probably colonize the main cenote. But the main attraction for us was the mollies. We have never seen so many different color morphs of this species in a single habitat. We found five different variants just in this relatively short section of the stream: a spotted morph, a completely blue morph, a green morph with a yellow band on the caudal fin, a yellowish morph, and a male of a nearly colorless form. The females were all gray, with some differences in the spotting. The yellow color morphs had a dark lateral spot. The females of the spotted variety also have more spots on their body flanks than their cousins. The spotted males are all relatively small at 1.2–1.6 inches (3–4 cm), a clear indication that they are “sneaker males”—small males that look like females and sneak into the larger males’ territories. The males of the other color forms perform a courtship dance for the females and can reach 2.4–3.2 inches (6–8 cm); females are smaller. For us, the long journey was

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Above: At the outlet of the Cocodrilo Dorado, Astyanax tetras dance in the strong current.

Top: Cenote Azul, with a diameter of 656 feet (200 m) and a depth of about 237 feet (72 m), is considered the widest and deepest on the Yucatán peninsula.

Right: There are only a few small areas of shallow water in Cenote Azul. However, many fishes live there.

Below: A young Salvin’s Cichlid, “Cichlasoma” (Nandopsis) salvini, swims along the water’s edge. The dropoff at the rim of the cenote is precipitous.

more than worth it just for the interesting observations of Poecilia mexicana!

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Cenote Azul Cenote Azul is in the southern part of Quintana Roo, about a 15-minute drive north of the southernmost point of Laguna Bacalar— only about 100 feet (30 m) from Highway 307, which runs from Cancun to Chetumal.

Cenote Azul is easy to find. A number of road signs lead you to a restaurant right on the water. For a few pesos, your car will be guarded and you can feel free to snorkel, eat, and rest in the shade of the restaurant. Of course, there are always people there, including some tourists. But this far south there are few foreigners—they tend to stay in Cancun and the surrounding area.

Cenote Azul is one of the largest pit cenotes. It is almost 656 feet (200 m) in diameter

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and 237 feet (72 m) deep. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden and by rainforest beyond that. You can snorkel along the shore or even go down deeper with scuba gear. The water is very warm and calm.

From time to time the wind rufes the surface slightly. There might be currents near the bottom, but on the surface you do not feel them. Although the water is quite clear, you cannot see very far down due to the light-absorbing depth. It gave me a strange feeling to look down into the black depths.

The narrow riparian buffer is quite rocky, with occasional stretches of sand and muddy areas.

In some at areas,

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Middle: Cenote Cristalino is part of the Ponderosa system.

Left: Entrance to one of the hidden cenotes in the Ponderosa system.

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Above: A shoal of mollies in the shallow waters of Cenote Azul.

the limestone is covered with algae that are grazed on by the many livebearers. At the edge of the bank the water is shallow—only a few centimeters to a few meters—and then the bank heads straight down.

Many branches and twigs that have fallen into the water form dense tangles in some places. There are no aquatic plants, only slightly submerged grasses and overhanging riparian vegetation.

Many fishes live in Cenote Azul. In addition to the cichlids and livebearers, we saw a few gobies of the species Gobiomorus dormitor. And besides the Mexican Molly, Poecilia mexicana, we found Gambusia yucatana and G. sexradiata. The most dominant cichlid here is Paraneetroplus synspilus, but Thorichthys meeki, Petenia splendida, and Salvin’s Cichlid,“Cichlasoma” (Nandopsis) salvini, also live here.

Ponderosa

Below: View of Cenote Azul in the Ponderosa system.

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The Ponderosa system is not far from Playa del Carmen, and is very easy to reach in 10 minutes by car from the city. It is a system of caves and 13 cenotes, all interconnected via subterranean channels.

There are open and closed cenotes, and some are semi-closed. The largest is Cenote Azul, with the same name as that mentioned above, but smaller. This one, too, is just minutes from Highway 307.

This Cenote Azul is open for tourists, who make ample use of it—after all, it is in the center of tourism in Quintana Roo. It is privately owned and admission costs a few pesos. There is always something going on, so it is best to come in the early morning if you want to watch the fishes in peace. Two large, accessible ponds (100–165 feet/30–50 m across), connected by a channel, form the main part of Cenote Azul. It is shallow, 1.6–10 feet (0.5–3 m) at the deepest points. Only at the entrances to the underwater caves and in some rocky places does it get deeper.

Here, too, the water is crystal clear. Coming out of the heat of the Caribbean sun, it feels cold at first, but the water in this cenote is actually quite warm (see table). The cenote is flanked by tropical rainforest to the west and bounded on the east by Highway 307. The scenery beyond is dominated by

Above: Male Sailfin Mollies do everything they can to impress the females and keep competitors at bay.

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WATER PARAMETERS Cenote Cocodrilo Dorado

Cenote Azul

Ponderosa system

Time: 2:40 PM Air temperature: 93.9°F (34.4°C) Water temperature: 84.4°F (29.1°C) Conductivity: 2,643 μS/cm Total hardness: 66°dGH pH: 6.9 Nitrite: 0.05 mg/L Nitrate: 30 mg/L Copper: 0.06 mg/L

Time: 1:10 PM Air temperature: 88.5°F (31.4°C) Water temperature: 89.6°F (32°C) Conductivity: 2,248 μS/cm Total hardness: 55°dGH pH: 7.7 Nitrite: 0.0 mg/L Nitrate: 0.0 mg/L Copper: 0.0 mg/L

Time: 12:25 PM Air temperature: 91°F (32.8°C) Water temperature: 81.3°F (27.4°C) Conductivity: 3,999+ μS/cm Total hardness: 80°dGH pH: 7.3 Nitrite: 0.09 mg/L Nitrate: 26 mg/L Copper: 0.0 mg/L

the Riviera Maya along the Caribbean coast.

Due to the bright sunlight, lots of algae grow here.

They are pretty much the only underwater vegetation, with the exception of some plants along the shore. The bottom consists of limestone covered with a layer of fine sand and gravel with a grain size of 0.4–4 inches (1–10 cm). Along the banks are fallen branches, twigs, and leaves as a result of the regular storms that occur during the Caribbean hurricane season.

In the open areas are numerous fishes. The Sailfin Molly (Poecilia velifera) is omnipresent here. They seem to prefer the bright, open spaces. Two cichlid species live here: the Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) and the Mayan Cichlid, “Cichlasoma” (Nandopsis) urophthalmus, are common. In the shallow water above rocky slopes, the

Jack Dempseys breed and raise their young broods. We could not find the “C.” (N.) urophthalmus in the closed or semi-closed cenotes; they are mainly found in the rocky sections, and rarely in shallow water.

In the semi-closed cenotes, we found only R. octofasciata. We saw the Silver Catfish, Rhamdia quelen, and the livebearing Yucatán Gambusia, Gambusia yucatana, in large numbers. The latter two are also found in the open cenotes, the catfish near the cave openings and both types together where people were feeding the fishes. Near the cave entrances, we also discovered a pretty black and white spotted variation of Rhamdia—we couldn’t identify it, but it was a fittingly nice memory of our venture into the world of Mexico’s lovely and sometimes unfathomable cenotes.

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s

Herichthys labridens,

the Yellow Labridens from Mexico article and images by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas • No one who has seen wild Herichthys

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Above: A pair of Herichthys labridens guarding a nest in a mossy river habitat, Río Verde, in central Mexico.

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labridens in breeding dress will ever be able to forget it—this glorious fish is certainly one of the most beautiful New World cichlids. But the aquarist attempting to keep these fish will soon find out that it is not easy to maintain these bright colors in the aquarium. It is important, then, to learn more about its requirements.

In addition to its beautiful coloration and different coloring stages, this cichlid’s interesting social behavior and its way of feeding its young fascinate me. When I think of Central American cichlids, it is always the Yellow Labridens that comes to mind.

Taxonomy Herichthys labridens, sometimes called the Curve-Bar Cichlid, became known to science following an expedition to the state of San Luis Potosi in north-central Mexico by Alfredo Dugés, a professor at Mexico’s University of Guanajuato. Dugés (1826–1910) was a French doctor and naturalist who immigrated to Mexico. Although he specialized in herpetology, he also collected other animals on his expeditions. In 1889, Dugés sent two specimens to the Natural History Museum in Paris, where they served in 1894 as type specimens for the description by Pellegrin as Heros (Cichlasoma) labridens Pellegrin, 1903. Jacques Pellegrin (1873–1944) was a medical doctor and got a Ph.D. in natural sciences in 1908. By the end of his career, this ichthyologist had described more than 350 species.

The scientific name labridens derives from the Latin words labrum (lip) and dens (tooth), a reference to the conspicuous teeth on the upper lip of this cichlid.

Distribution Herichthys labridens inhabits a small area in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental, the eastern Mexican watershed. The Río Pánuco, the second largest river on the Atlantic side of the country,

A young male in search of food. As the animals kick up detritus, they are often followed by tetras of the genus Astyanax.

drains much of the impressive Sierra Madre Oriental into the Gulf of Mexico. The ridge runs parallel to the coast, north of the neo-volcanic mountain range that divides Mexico horizontally in the middle. This mountain range arose about seven million years ago and separates the fish fauna of the north from that of southern Mexico.

Spring pools, waterfalls, and fast-flowing rivers have shaped the waters of the Pánuco River basin. This region is full of endemic species, and some groups of species have their origin here.

For example, swordtails and platies of the genus Xiphophorus are believed to have originated here.

Herichthys labridens lives in a semi-arid valley

A young male Herichthys labridens in normal colors, Media Luna.

The Media Luna Lagoon in the Río Verde Valley, 3,280 feet (1,000 m) above sea level, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The largest spring pool of the valley is a habitat of Herichthys labridens.

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Below: Natural hybrid of Herichthys labridens x Herichthys carpintis.

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at about 3,280 feet (1,000 m). The lacustrine (lake-dwelling) form lives in the valley of the Río Verde in San Luis Potosi, including the famous Media Luna (Half Moon) lagoon, but also in the ponds and lakes of the spring pools Los Anteojitos, Manga Larga, Pozo Azul, Los Peroles, Laguna del Central, Laguna de las Tablas, Laguna de San Bartolo, and Puerta del Río, and probably in other places. The river form inhabits the Río Verde and Río Santa Maria up to about 3,280 feet (1,000 m) above sea level. Both rivers feed the Rio Tampaón in the Pánuco Basin and isolate Herichthys labridens geographically from its closer relatives.

Habitats At one time, many springs fed the valley of the Río Verde and formed a large swamp that was drained by the Río Verde. After many of the springs dried up, the 37-mile (60-km) wide area was shaped by a few remaining spring pools. The surface of the valley is flat and covered with various grasses, small mesquite and huisache (Acacia sp.) trees, and many species of cacti. In the northern part there are a few cedar groves. The soil is strongly calcareous, with high gypsum content.

The spring pools of the valley are relatively small, with the exception of the Media Luna, which is 650 feet (200 m) in diameter and has many small surrounding canals and marshes. Many of the channels of the Media Luna were created by man. At its deepest point, the pond itself is 120 feet (36 m) deep and so clear that you can see the bottom on sunny days. Other ponds are not as deep—the Laguna Central is approximately 65 feet (20 m) and the Los Anteojitos is about 30 feet (10 m) deep.

In all these habitats, Herichthys labridens inhabits mostly the upper 6–7 feet (2 m). The water in these spring pools is crystal clear. After heavy rain the pools get turbid, but within a few days they clear up.

The temperature of the thermal springs is around 86°F (30°C), and the pH values I measured were 7.6 to 7.8. The water is very hard, with high carbonate and sulfate concentrations. I measured more than 50°dGH and sometimes up to 100°dGH. In some places, the sulfur content is high enough to give off a rotten-egg odor.

The bottoms of all the habitats I visited are covered with a thick layer of detritus, in some places as much as 3 feet (1 m). This is probably the result of rotting leaves and especially the metabolism of the numerous snails that are found in these habitats.

In the upper 16 feet (5 m) there are large numbers of aquatic plants; especially water lily species (Nymphaea spp.), but also Spiny Naiad, Najas marina, and other water plants, produce huge stands in calm places. The smaller spring pools are framed by grasses and small shrubs that provide some shade. Rocks and dead wood are rarely found in these waters.

The riverine habitats are completely different from those of the Río Verde Valley. The water is not as clear and has a green or blue tone due to the dissolved minerals. Visibility is rarely more than 10 feet (3 m). The water often flows slowly, but in some places the flow is quite rapid. The

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Above, left: When searching for snails, this species’ pigments darken and can become almost jet black.

The reason for this color change is unknown. Right: The mollusk-eating form of Herichthys minckleyi from the Cuatro Cienegas Valley also darkens when hunting for food.

river bed consists of sand with many rocks. In a few places, there are dense stands of aquatic plants (Potamogeton sp., Myriophyllum sp., Ceratophyllum sp.). The resident Herichthys labridens prefer areas with strong current when looking for food. The water temperature in the rivers is 72–82°F (22–28°C), significantly lower than that in the springs. The water is very hard and the pH is around 7.8.

In the aquarium, male Herichthys labridens reach about 8 inches (20 cm). The females are significantly smaller at about 6 inches (15 cm) total length. In the wild, the species rarely gets this big. The sexes are barely distinguishable by the slightly more rounded bellies of the females. Other differences are not apparent unless the shorter, more rounded papilla of the spawning female protrudes.

The color changes in fish from the Río Verde Valley are impressive. When foraging, they are jet black and have some sky-blue spots on their flanks. Then they resemble their northern relative Herichthys minckleyi from Cuatro Cienegas, the mollusk-eating variant of which also turns black when foraging. A unique feature of this kinship group is a red to purple blotch behind the pectoral fin roots. In Herichthys labridens this spot is purple.

In nature, Herichthys labridens from the Río Verde Valley feeds on the many snails (Miller & Taylor, 1983). They strain the snails from the detritus with their slightly subterminal mouths and crack them with their powerful jaws. The shells are then spat out and the snail bodies are swallowed. Although this feeding behavior can be regularly observed in nature, both Herichthys labridens and H. minckleyi are opportunists that prefer softer and easier-to-eat prey, including insects and their larvae and vegetarian food; they only eat snails when they cannot find other food (Sage & Selander, 1975).

The river morph of Herichthys labridens feeds on crustaceans, seeds, vegetable matter, and insects (Diaz Pardo et al., 2002). In the rivers, a much wider and richer range of foods is available than in the calm pond waters of the valley. Thus, the river dwellers do not crack snails, and as a result their jaw muscles are much weaker. In river habitats, entire groups of Herichthys can be observed grazing on the rocks. When you lift a stone, they immediately approach, hoping to gather some food particles. The spectrum of available foods in the Río Santa María varies with the

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Variable fellows

Herichthys labridens from the Charco Azul in normal coloration.

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Above: A female Herichthys labridens carrying her clutch on a water lily leaf, Media Luna.

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Right: Breeding pair guarding fry, Media Luna.

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seasons: In the winter, before the start of the breeding season, the animals feed mainly on meaty foods. In the summer, they increasingly switch to vegetarian foods (Diaz Pardo et al., 2002).

Different breeding seasons In the warm spring pools of the valley, Herichthys labridens breeds throughout the year. In the rivers, I observed broodcaring pairs mainly before the onset of the rainy season (March to June). Only a few pairs were still caring for babies in October.

In the river biotopes, pairs occupy small territories in shallow water at the bases of boulders, where they dig small caves. In this activity the female is by far the more active partner. At this time, the cave and territory are only weakly defended by the animals. Once the cave is large enough to accommodate both animals, spawning preparations begin. Eggs are laid on the cave wall or ceiling. Sometimes other surfaces are used: I have twice seen these fish use a submerged water lily leaf as a spawning substrate.

Depending on her size, the female lays 300-1,000 eggs and then guards them. The approximately 2-mm oval and slightly yellowish eggs hatch in about two days. During this time, the female rarely leaves the nest and then only for a few minutes, leaving the male in charge. The hatchlings are guarded by both parents in the breeding cave until their big yellow yolk sacs have been absorbed and they swim free.

Over the next five days, the adults vigorously defend the area. In the aquarium, my animals tended the young fish for about five weeks after they became free-swimming. I suppose that is also the case in nature; this is about the amount of time it takes for the care instinct to wane and the female to be ready to spawn again. At that time, the fry are about 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) long.

Both parents are very dedicated in caring for their fry. They accompany the young fish as they swim around and they stir up the detritus to uncover food particles for their offspring. One parent, usually the female, burrows its chest in the detritus, then swirls its pectoral fins and shakes its body, raising a cloud. Meanwhile, the other parent guards the area.

While the female stays very close to the young fish, the male patrols at some distance, scares off intruders, and directs the swarm through the territory. The young fish are guided by twitching move-

ments of the parents. A rapid opening and closing of the fins sends a signal to the young fish that danger is looming, and they fall motionless to the bottom. At night or when threatened, the parents lead their fry into the safe breeding cave or to some other place with dense vegetation.

Endangered populations Herichthys labridens is officially classified in Mexico as “critically endangered” and has been in the “endangered” category on the IUCN Red List since 1990. After many years of observing wild populations, I do not completely agree with this classification. In 25 years, I have found no significant decrease in the population density of the species in the wild. Many of the species’ known habitats are still very difficult to access and completely untouched. Nevertheless, it should not be assumed that everything is going well for this species. The introduction of the Pearlscale Cichlid, Herichthys carpintis, in the waters of the Río Verde basin in the 1970s (R.R. Miller, pers. comm.) and the resulting colonization of the Media Luna has led to the hybridization of the two species in nature. However, the hybrids have decreased rather than increased in the last few years, according to my observations.

The spring pools are relatively small and therefore susceptible to the effects of human activities.

The release of exotic aquarium fishes by the government, farmers, or thoughtless aquarists has already brought five alien species to this biotope: Gambusia atrora, Poecilia latipunctata, Oreochromis aureus, Ictalurus furcatus, and Herichthys carpintis are not native to the Río Verde Valley, and their presence is increasing pressure on the ancestral fish fauna.

And in the aquarium?

The Yellow Labridens has been a guest in our aquariums only since the 1980s. Back then, traveling aquarists from Germany, France, and the United States visited the Río Verde Valley and brought these cichlids back for their home aquariums. I had kept this cichlid in the aquarium before, but had been unable to expand its popularity in the Mexican hobby.

Herichthys labridens requires an aquarium of at least 100 gallons (400 L). In the breeding season, when the partners exhibit an intensive parallel swimming behavior to stake out a territory, even that gets too small. This behavior may last for several weeks.

To approximate natural conditions, the aquarium water should be hard and slightly alkaline. I have found that they do best with a water temperature of 77–82°F (25–28°C). Then the fish feel comfortable and show it. The animals are greedy eaters and accept any kind of conventional food. When choosing foods, keep in mind that they have a carnivorous diet in nature. In the aquarium, these fish display the beautiful canary yellow and black breeding colors only if they are fed carotene-rich foods and are very healthy and happy.

The species is relatively aggressive, although not as much as related species like Herichthys bartoni and H. carpintis. If the aquarium is large enough, H. labridens is not interested in other aquarium occupants,

Below: Here the female feeds the young fish by stirring up mulm. The tiny young fish greedily go after the smallest food particles.

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even relatives, but prefers to roam the aquarium in search of food.

Questions to be answered Herichthys labridens is a beautiful cichlid with great potential for interested behavioral scientists. The adaptation of the jaw muscles to the food supply and the unusual method of feeding the juveniles are just two of the potential starting points for hobby scientists and aquarists. Is the snail-eating an adaptation to the habitat, as has already been demonstrated for H. minckleyi (Sage & Selander, 1975)? Why does the population density change in nature? What is the reason for the color change when eating? Why does H. labridens eat snails, while the syntopic H. bartoni does not? These and other questions await answers from future explorers of these unique cichlids!

REFERENCES

Bean, T.H. 1892. Notes on fishes collected in México by Prof. Alfredo Dugès, with descriptions of new species. Proc US Nat Mus 15 (903): 283–7.

Díaz Pardo, E., R.P. López, and A. Gutiérrez Hernández. 2002. Historia natural de Cichlasoma labridens (Teleostei: Cichlidae), una Especie Mexicana en Peligro de Extinción. Libro Jubilar en Honor al Dr. Salvador Contreras Balderas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, pp. 223–52.

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Instituto Nacional de Ecología (INE). 2001. NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM059-ECOL-2001.

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Kullander, S. 1983. A revision of the South American Cichlid Genus Cichlasoma (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm.

Kullander, S. 1986. Cichlid Fishes of the Amazon River drainage in Perú.

Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm.

Kullander, S. 1996. Heroina inonycterina, a new genus and species of cichlid fish from Western Amazonia, with comments on Cichlasomine systematics. Ichthyol Expl Freshwaters 7 (2): 149–72.

Miller, R.R. and J.N. Taylor. 1983. Cichlid fishes (Genus Cichlasoma) of the Rio Pánuco Basin, eastern México, with description of a new species. Occ Papers Mus Nat Hist Univ Kansas 104: 1–24.

Pellegrin, J. 1903. Description de cichlidés, nouveaux de la collection du Museúm. Bull Mus Hist Nat (Paris) 9: 120–25.

Pellegrin, J. 1904. Contribution a l’étude anatomique, biologique et taxonomique des poison de la famille des cichlidés. Mem Soc Zool (France) 16: 41–365.

Regan, C.T. 1905. A revision of the fishes of the American Cichlid Genus Cichlasoma and of the Allied Genera. Ann Mag Nat Hist Ser 7 (16): 60–77, 225–43, 432–45.

Sage, R.D. and R.K. Selander. 1975. Trophic Radiation through Polymorphism in Cichlid Fishes. Bull Nat Acad Sci USA 2 (11): 4669–73.

Staeck, W. and L. Seegers. 1984. Die Fische der Laguna Media Luna und der Laguna Los Anteojitos, Río Verde, Mexiko. 3. Die Cichliden. D Aqu Ter Z (DATZ) 37: 204–9.

Velasquez Navarro, C. 1984. Rioverde, la ciudad y el valle. Ayuntamiento de Rio Verde, S.L.P., pp. 6–11.

ON THE INTERNET:

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, http://www.iucnredlist.org/.

Behavioral research on

Poecilia mexicana:

Losers do not necessarily lose

by Ralf Theuer • Researchers at the University of Frankfurt in Main, Germany, studying

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Above: One of the many habitats of Poecilia mexicana, a river near the Laguna Lacanjá Chansayab in Chiapas, Mexico.

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Females of the viviparous species Poecilia mexicana Steindachner, 1863 usually prefer large, strong males. But when females, which can be up to 2.2 inches (6 cm) long, witness fights between two rival males, they seem to prefer the losers of these short but quite violent confrontations, the scientists recently discovered. They attribute this to the fact that the male winners exert more sexual pressure on the females after winning a battle than the losers do (Bierbach et al., 2013).

In nature, usually the law of the fittest applies: whoever is at the top of the pecking order in a group gets the biggest and best food and propagates with the most attractive females. The females often prefer these “top fishes” and thus also have the opportunity to get better food. In addition, their offspring will have a very good chance of ranking near the top when they mature.

Previously, it was generally assumed that alpha animals, the strongest, most vital, and most aggressive individuals, always have higher reproductive success and better survival than their inferior and weaker peers. It was thought that the most magnificent males were also the strongest animals and would always win in intraspecific conflicts. That this is not the case, and that inferior males can emerge victorious from such a duel, is evident in the video (see the link at the end of the article) taken by the scientists working with David Bierbach and Martin Plath of Frankfurt’s Goethe Univer-

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the intimate lives of livebearers report that female Mexican Mollies often avoid the more sexually fueled winner of a duel between male conspecifics of the same size. Bierbach et al. (2013) found that females go for defeated males instead of engaging with the more harassment-prone winners—but only if they have witnessed the fight!

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STORY

sity. The experiments showed that the females are much more discerning in their selection of future sires for their offspring.

First, to eliminate group decisions or peer pressure, the scientists placed Mexican Molly females individually in 24 x 12 x 12-inch (60 x 30 x 30-cm) aquariums with the backs and sides covered with white cardboard to avoid distracting the fish with any external influences. The females were shown videos of two males of the same (actual) size (1.2–1.8 inches/3–4.5 cm).

As the researchers expected, the females preferred neither of the two potential partners. Usually, female fishes are interested in the largest males; in this case, where both male fish were the same size, the females paid equal attention to both screens.

Following the initial experiment, half of the females were shown videos in which the same two males fought each other and there was a clear winner at the end of the contest. The aquariums in which the fighting took place measured 12 x 8 x 8 inches (30 x 20 x 20 cm) and were equipped with black substrate. To protect the fish, the experiments were stopped after a maximum of 10 minutes and the competitors were separated.

Otherwise, such struggles would be more intense and last much longer!

When the females were choosing a partner after seeing the video, they spent a surprising amount of time with the loser male. Watching the video, they had been able to gather advance knowledge about the social status of each male. The brain of the livebearer is thus able to gather visual information, sort it logically, evaluate it, and then make a conscious decision.

The other half of the females formed the control group. They did not witness a fight between the males. Instead, they were given the opportunity to reconsider both males, once more separated from each other over a longer period. After that, these females spent more time with the eventual winner than with the eventual loser. David Bierbach said, “It is interesting that the females of the Mexican Molly are obviously capable of identifying potential winners without ever having observed the fight.”

In another experiment, the researchers examined why the first half of the females later avoided the winning males. They found that winning males are significantly more aggressive and “fueled” by the rivalry. According to the researchers, this is due to an increased secretion of sex hormones during a fight and especially after winning one. If a female got involved with such a winner male, she would risk injury, or at least lose valuable food-intake time due to the persistent advances of the aggressive male. From her perspective, it may well be detrimental to engage with a “boorish winner.” Martin Plath concluded: “Our study shows the extent to which female mate choice depends on information from the social environment and how complicated the love life of a female fish can be.”

Top: Mexican Molly females have an inconspicuous gray color and stay near protective riparian vegetation.

Bottom: A fully colored Poecilia mexicana male approaches a female (Tenixtepec, Mexico).

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TOP: FRESHWATER-BIOTOPES.ORG; BOTTOM: J.M. ARTIGAS AZAS

Experiments

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Above: Mexican Molly males form so-called dominance hierarchies and fight intensely with each other, erecting their unpaired fins to appear larger. They bash each other’s flanks with their caudal fins; the target is likely the adversary’s lateral line organ. In addition, they ram and bite their opponents. In this way, dominant animals defend a small swarm of females against competitors.

Left: Male Poecilia mexicana from Jaumave, Mexico.

Below: When a male meets a female, he turns dark. Here, the sex hormones slowly “boil over” (Tambaque, Mexico).

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The Mexican Mollies used in the experiments were wild-caught specimens from the southern Mexican state of Tabasco. They were kept in about 30 aquariums, each 48 x 16 x 20 inches/65 gallons (120 x 40 x 50 cm/240 L) at the University of Frankfurt’s Department of Ecology and Evolution. The use of wild specimens was necessary to ensure the most natural and authentic behavior of the fish and to achieve genuine results. With aquarium strains, there is the

TOP: D. BIERBACH; BOTTOM TWO: J.M. ARTIGAS AZAS

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The laboratory animals

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possibility that the fish will no longer follow their natural instincts. Tank size, water level, or socialization might influence mate choice over time and affect behavior. This can sometimes significantly distort the results of such research. Nevertheless, observations of long-established aquarium strains are very interesting as well, even when they are carried out at home by aquarists, for aquarists.

The animals used in the study—both the females and the males—all came from different aquariums in the research facility. This ensured that neither the competing males nor the females had previous knowledge of the social environment.

Conclusion

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The result of the test series by scientists led by David Bierbach and Martin Plath shows that the strongest males do not always have the best chances with the females. One might wonder, “What led the scientists to undertake this study? Is it a special interest, or is this the favorite fish of the researcher?” The answer is much simpler: it is a continuation of previous studies in research areas that last for years and provide further research approaches. In general, such tests study the behavior of group dynamics or partner choice.

It would be very interesting to conduct the same experiments in larger aquariums, and it is important to note that aquarium behavior may differ from behavior

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in the wild. However, the results of these experiments do show that we still know very little about our fishes and their behavior. It is likely that there are still many secrets to be elucidated. A series of new findings have been published in the last 10 to 12 years just on the “ordinary” Guppy, Poecilia reticulata. Amazingly, new observations about the Endler Guppy, Poecilia wingei, are being made almost weekly.

Acknowledgments: I would like to thank David Bierbach

for sending me the study, supplying his photos and study-related data, and reviewing and discussing this manuscript.

REFERENCES

Bierbach, D. et al. 2013. Females prefer males with superior fighting abilities but avoid sexually harassing winners when eavesdropping on male fights. Behav Ecol Sociobiol, DOI 10.1007/s00265-013-1487-8.

ON THE INTERNET

Eschmeyer, W.N. 2012. Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences.

Online at http://research.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/ fishcatmain.asp.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. 2012. FishBase. Online at www.fishbase.org, February 2012.

Bierbach Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_ embedded&v=4XgqAi3Vjdc

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AGA Aquascape

Sunrise in the Valley

by Marcelo Tonon Chiovatto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 116L (31-Gallons). Winner of the 60 - 120L Category and Best of Show.

Olympic-class aquascaping demands a Renaissance suite of skills: mastery of aquatic technology (filtration and lighting), water chemistry, specialized horticulture, captive fish husbandry, and aquarium photography. Above all, it calls for a sense of aesthetics—or as some put it, a blue thumb and a good eye.

In announcing the winners of the 2013 AGA International Aquascaping Contest, Balin Shaw, chairman of the Aquatic Gardener’s Association competition, reports that the event drew 506 entries, a record for the 14-year-old contest. “The entries continue to demonstrate truly inspirational and original ideas and some interesting trends in aquascaping. Some categories were very difficult to judge because of the high number of quality entries.”

Once dominated by American and northern European aquarists, the contest has taken on a truly international flavor, with entrants from Croatia to Turkey to Vietnam, with Brazil making a particularly strong showing. The most-innovative aquascape, entitled “Sky,” came

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© 2013 MARCELO TONON CHIOVATTO

Winners 2013

from Wang Chou of Hong Kong, shown on page 58.

A number of entries employed animated effects, as in the Best of Show winner above, by Marcelo Tonon Chiovatto of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with multiple simulated waterfalls. The judges were often critical of any sort of mechanical gimmickry, but awarded high marks when the techniques were employed effectively.

“This is a stunning tank,” said Judge Karen Randall of the tank above. “I do not usually like fake waterfals and the like, but this is beautifully done. Absolutely magical!”

Judging of the submitted photographs was done by Dave Chow (China), Luca Galarraga (Brazil), Karen Randall (USA), and Mike Senske (USA), with sponsorships from Seachem Laboratories, Brightwell Aquatics, The Hydra Forum, and AMAZONAS Magazine.

A portfolio of the leading submissions assembled by Erik Olson can be found online at: http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2013/index.html.

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“Pocketful of Sunshine”

Aquatic Garden, Under 28-L category Paulo Vitor Pacheco São Paulo, Brazil

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Aquascape Details Tank Size: 18 x 10 x 8.6 inches (45 x 26 x 22 cm) Volume: 7 gallons (25 L) Lighting: NA Lamp 36W Filtration: 1x Eheim Classic 2211 Additional Information: Full ADA substrate and fertilization system Plants: Hemianthus callitrichoides “Cuba,” H. micranthemoides, Limnophila sp.

“Vietnam,” Utricularia graminifolia, Fissidens fontanus, Vesicularia montagnei, Riccardia chamedryfolia Fish/Animals: Hyphessobrycon amandae, Caridina pareparensis parvidentata Decorative Materials: ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia, Seiryu stones, cosmetic sand

Š 2013 PAULO VITOR PACHECO

Judges’ Comments: Luca Galarraga: Impressive work in such a small space! The use of open space and the image reflected in both side glasses is excellent! The only negative point is the position of the fishes, it could be better. Congratulations for this wonderful work!

Dave Chow: This tiny rockscape is small but detailed, the plants are growing well too, it looks very fresh and comfortable. Best!

Mike Senske: Amazing execution in such a small space.

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“Seven Falls”

Aquatic Garden, 28–60 category

“Sunrise in the Valley”

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Aquatic Garden, 60–120-L category

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 24 x 12 x 13 inches (62 x 30 x 32 cm) Volume: 16 gallons (59 L) Background: Spot LED + filter orange Lighting: LED Apoluz Fly Filtration: Eheim 2213 Additional Information: Mbreda Amazonia extra fino. CO2 2 bps, fertilization NPK Mbreda Plants: Hemianthus micranthemoides, H. callitrichoides cuba, flame moss, weeping moss, Nambei moss, Fissidens fontanus, Hydrocotyle maritima, H. tripartita, Staurogyne sp., Lobelia cardinalis, Eleocharis japan, Anubias nana “petite” Fish/Animals: 11 Aplocheilichthys normani Decorative Materials: Red stones, roots, sand Mbreda black blue and perlon

Marcelo Tonon Chiovatto São Paulo, Brazil

Judges’ Comments: Dave Chow: This year there are many waterfall scapes in several contests.

Some people commented that adding artificial materials to the scape is not appropriate, but I think if the scape is good-looking and skillfully made, like this layout, then I will accept it!

Luca Galarraga: Excellent work, with good use of space and creativity. The negative point is the weak contrast between fishes and background (the background color makes the layout a little sad...) Well done!

Mike Senske: The ratio is well done.

I like the use of the red stone. It is a refreshing contrast.

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 35 x 17 x 12 inches (90 x 43 x 30 cm) Volume: 31 gallons (116 L) Background: N/A Lighting: 8 x T5 Dymax lamps Filtration: Fluval 404 and 2-L Seachem Matrix Additional Information: CO2 Eden, 2 bps, fertilization Seachem Excel, Potassium, Trace, Iron.

Plants: Rotala sp. “green,” R. indica, Eleocharis minima, Marsilea hirsuta, Glossostigma elatinoides, Callitriche sp., Starogyne sp., Limnophila sp. “Vietnam,” flame moss, Hygrophila pinnatifida, Phoenix moss, Nambei moss Fish/Animals: 40 x Hyphessobrycon flammeus Decorative Materials: Substrate Seachem Flourite, Seiryu stones, gravel

© 2013 MARCELO TONON CHIAVATTO

©2012 LUIDI RAFAEL DE SOUZA DOIM

© 2013 FABIAN KUSSAKAWA

Fabian Kussakawa Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil

Judges’ Comments: Karen Randall: This is a stunning tank. I do not usually like fake waterfalls and the like, but this is beautifully done.

Absolutely magical!

Luca Galarraga: This layout transmits peace and tranquility— when I see it, I remember scenes from a lost untouched paradise. When your work awakens this kind of emotion, you achieve the highest level in aquascaping. This is ART! Perfect color, perfect use of space, perfect use of plants (the H. pinnatifida fits like a glove). The only point that can be improved upon in my opinion is the foreground left side.

Perhaps some small details there would make it more interesting. Congratulations for this masterpiece!

Mike Senske: I am not a big fan of the waterfall look. It adds a bit of whimsy to an amazing layout. It detracts from the scape.

Otherwise very nice.

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“Cove”

Aquatic Garden, 120–200-L category

“Overland”

Aquatic Garden, 200–320-L category

© 2013 ROBERTUS HARTONO

Robertus Hartono Singapore

Judges’ Comments: Dave Chow: This mountain scape conveys the grandness of nature, through the use of not only small foreground plants and moss but also some stem plants. This helps give the layout a different kind of perspective!

Luca Galarraga: Lovely work, with excellent use of space, strong hardscape, and good plant choices. Excellent natural feeling, congratulations!

Andre Luiz Longarco São Paulo, Brazil

© 2013 ANDRE LUIZ LONGARCO

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 35 x 18 x 18 inches (90 x 45 x 45 cm) Volume: 48 gallons (182 L) Background: N/A Lighting: 8 x 39W T5-HO Filtration: Eheim 2217 (1,000 L/h) Plants: Eleocharis parvula, Fissidens fontanus, Fissidens sp. “mini,” Hemianthus micranthemoides, Ludwigia arcuata, Microsorum pteropus “Narrow,” Myriophyllum mattogrossense, Rotala sp. “Goias,” Rotala sp. “green,” Rotala sp. “Vietnam,” Taxiphyllum sp. (spiky moss), Taxiphyllum sp. (flame moss), Vesicularia montagnei (Christmas moss) Fishes/animals: Caridina japonica, Neocaridina heteropoda var. “red,” Trigonostigma espei Decorative materials: ADA Amazonia, Seiryu stones

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 47 x 20 x 18 inches (120 x 50 x 45 cm) Volume: 70 gallons (270 L) Background: N/A Lighting: 8 x 54W fluorescent T5-HO JBL bulbs Filtration: 2 x Eheim Classic 2217 and 2 x Eheim Classic 2215 Plants: Callitriche sp., Hemianthus callitrichoides “Cuba,” Eleocharis minima, Hydrocotyle tripartita, Echinodorus tenellus “blood,” Hygrophila pinnatifida, Elatine triandra, Bucephalandra sp., Limnophila sp. “Vietnam,” Ludwigia glandulosa, Rotala sp. “green,” Rotala indica, R. rotundifolia, Staurogyne repens, Hottonia palustris, Microsorum pteropus sp., Taxiphillum sp.

Fish/Animals: 50 x Axelrodia stigmatias Decorative Materials: Brazilian rocks

Judges’ Comments: Dave Chow: This scape demonstrates that an iwagumi (stony) layout can use many different kinds of plants instead of just one or two species. It turns a complicated combination into a simple look with total harmony. I feel very comfortable after seeing this layout!.

Luca Galarraga: This layout is full of details and shows meticulous care. The whole aquarium is impressively healthy. The right side of the layout is very strong and natural. The left side looks a little artificial. Unfortunately, the photo was taken a few days too early, before the background stem plants had a chance to achieve their best shape. The use of space and images reflected on both side glasses is very skillful. Congratulations, great work!

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“Destiny”

“Sky”

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Aquatic Garden, 320-L or larger category

Most Innovative category

© 2013 SIM KIAN HONG

Sim Kian Hong Senai Johor, Malaysia

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 59 x 24 x 24 inches (150 x 60 x 60 cm) Volume: 143 gallons (540 L) Background: N/A Lighting: 3 x MH 150W, 8 hours per day Filtration: 2217 with ADA BioRio, 2217 with ADA BioRio, 2215 with lava rocks for CO2 inline diffuser Additional Information: Fertilization with KNO3, Seachem Trace and Iron. The small twigs used as “vines” in this aquascape are hardwoods that can last for months in water without decaying. They have been part of the aquascape since day one. This aquascape was 4+ months old when the photo was taken.

Plants: Microsorum pteropus sp., Anubias barteri var. “nana,” Bucephalandra sp., Eleocharis sp., Hemianthus callitrichoides, H. micranthemoide, Fontinalis antipyretica, Fissidens fontanus, Bolbitis sp.

Fish/Animals: 30 x Rasbora heteromorpha, 30 x Rasbora espei, 10 x Pristella maxillaris, 10 x Otocinclus affinis, 100 x Caridina sp.

“Malayan” Decorative Materials: ADA Amazonia 1, lava rock as base material, river rocks collected from local waterfall, redmoor wood, river sand

Judges’ Comments: Dave Chow: Impressive work, very natural, full of details, and a lot of work inside to keep this layout in excellent condition. The only negative point is that it isn’t an original layout, but still, congratulations for this masterpiece!

Luca Galarraga: Love it.

© 2013 WANG CHOU

Wang Chou Hong Kong

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 47 x 24 x 20 inches (120 x 60 x 50 cm) Volume: 95 gallons (360 L) Lighting: 2 x 150W Filtration: EH 2075, EH 2026

Judges’ Comments: Dave Chow: This layout shows a different point of view that I haven’t encountered before. I appreciate this kind of originality.

Luca Galarraga: This is a very original layout! It surprises us with the unusual point of view.

I can imagine the difficulty of fixing the driftwood in the right positions. Congratulations!

Mike Senske: Amazing perspective. Congratulations!

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“Tuquan meets Susquehanna”

“Nature Resting”

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Biotope Aquascape category

Paludarium category

Geoffrey Gallo Lancaster, PA, USA

© 2013 GEOFFREY GALLO

Judges’ Comments: Karen Randall: BEAUTIFUL representation of this habitat!

Phil Edwards: Now THAT’s what I call a biotope tank.

While I don’t know the aquarist, I live somewhat near Lancaster County and am also off the Susquehanna. This looks JUST like what I’ve seen in local streams.

© 2013 LUIDI RAFAEL DE SOUZA DOIM

Luidi Rafael de Souza Doim Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil

Judges’ Comments: Karen Randall: LOVELY tank, and a good attention to both the land and water sections. Nice choice of fishes!

Dave Chow: Well-organized layout! The plant arrangement is good both above and under water!

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 19 x 7 x 8 inches (48 x 18 x 21 cm) Volume: 75 gallons (284 L) Background: Black paper Lighting: 2 x 40W T8 fluorescent lights on tank, 6 x 40W T8 fluorescent lights on sump/bio-filtration Filtration: 54g sump with 650gph pump, 2 x Tetra Whisper 60 power filters, DIY Algae scrubber.

Approximately 3 gallons (11 L) Elodea nuttallii in sump as biofilter, 5g refugium for baitfish keeping Additional Information: My objective was to recreate the environment found along the banks of my favorite fishing hole, where Tuquan Creek enters the Susquehanna River. Everything in the tank is native and was gathered on family’s and friends’ properties in the area—the fishes were caught on hook and line, the crayfishes were hand-fished.

Plants: Elodea nuttallii (Nuttall’s Waterweed) Fish/Animals: 4 x Orconectes virilis (Northern Crayfish), Lepomis cyanellus (Green Sunfish), L. macrochirus (Bluegill Sunfish), Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfish) Decorative Materials: Substrate is composed of various sizes of local rocks, sand, and silt. Driftwood is from dredging projects near local oak-lined riverbanks.

Rocks are quartz schist, abundant and predominant in only a small area of southeastern Pennsylvania.

Aquascape Details Tank Size: 67 x 24 x 14 inches (170 x 60 x 35 cm) Volume: 94 gallons (357 L) Lighting: 8 x 54W T5 Giesemmann Filtration: Marineland Canister C360 Additional Information: Nebulization system every 4 hours, 15 minutes Plants: Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Lobelia cardinalis “small form,” Hottonia palustris, Cryptocoryne crispatula var. “balansae,” Rotala sp. “Vietnam,” Ludwigia glandulosa, Echinodorus uruguayensis, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, Myaca sp. Ponta Grossa, Ludwigia inclinata, Staurogine sp., Bolbitis heudelotii, Samolus valerandi, Echinodorus tenelus, Scindapsus sp., Cryptanthus microglazioui, Orthophytum foliosum, Cryphaea tenella, Vesicularia ferriei, V. dubyana, Lomariopsis lineata, Fissidens sp., Pecluma sicca, Nephrolepis exaltata “Marisa,” Osmoglossum pulchellum, Selaginella kraussiana (Kunze), Sarracenia sp., Drosera intermedia, D. capensis (Darwiniana).

Fish/Animals: 7 x Corydoras schwartzi, 17 x Puntius arulius, 5 x Mikrogeophagus ramirezi Decorative Materials: Substrate Amazonia Mbreda, river sand, natural rocks, driftwood

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REPORTAGE “Tibee.” The F1 generation is usually unremarkable.

“Tibee,” “Hubee,” and “Tangtai”:

New forms for shrimp enthusiasts

by Mura Kilic and Tina Benneker • Not so long ago, the hybridization of different shrimp species and color varieties was frowned upon. Most felt that the strains should be kept pure, and recommended species aquariums. Today, more and more breeders are experimenting with crossbreeding to create new colors and patterns. with the known breeding forms. Even though they are Coming out of this trend, new shrimp names are cirusually plain in color, new wild forms can be used to culating: the name “Tibee” refers to a hybrid between a produce more hybrids. Caridina serrata, the “Spotted Tiger Shrimp and a Bee Shrimp (Red Bee or Black Bee), Shrimp,” which had disappeared almost entirely from the while “Hubee” is a cross between a Bumble Bee Shrimp (Caridina breviata) and a Bee Shrimp. The possibilities are endless, giving rise to new and exotic names. For example, a “Tangtai” is a cross These red “Pinto Multistripe” between a Tangerine Tiger Shrimp and a Taiwan shrimps are very attractive.

Shrimp. Although this is exciting on one level, it is creating chaos on the shrimp scene.

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Wild forms for hybridization

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In the past, new shrimp species only became popular if they were visually appealing in the aquarium. Today, many shrimp lovers are eagerly awaiting new shrimps of the genus Caridina in the hope that they can be crossed

The “Tangbee” is a cross between a “Tangerine Tiger” and a “Taiwan Bee.”

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T. BENNEKER; BOTTOM THIS PAGE: F. WANG

This unusual “Blue-White” form is occasionally bred in Taiwan.

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“Tibee” with blue color components are still rare and can command high prices.

A deep, dark blue characterizes this “Tibee” of Taiwanese origin.

trade, is making a comeback due to its crossability with Bees, Tigers, and others currently considered part of the Caridina cf. cantonensis complex. The “Tangerine Tiger” drew little interest when it was introduced in 2010, despite the beautiful orange coloring, but its ease of hybridization changed that and the “Tangerine” quickly became a popular and muchtraded shrimp.

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It’s hard to believe, but even this is a “Tibee.”

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The path to a first-rate “Tibee” is long and arduous. The F1 generation of Tiger x Bee usually has no obvious peculiarities; often they are phenotypically very similar to one of the parental wild forms. All F1 products of various hybridizations among the Tangerine Tiger, Taiwan, White Bee, Snow White Bee, and Red Bee resemble each other. To pursue a specific breeding goal you should take the long way and make the crossings yourself. For experimentation, purchased “Tibee” can produce beautiful offspring, too.

Experience has shown that it is advantageous to mate a female Bee Shrimp to a male Tiger Shrimp. The reverse

F. WANG

Breeding objectives

“Tibee” with a typical amount of white.

matchmaking mostly leads to the female dropping the eggs after two to five days, probably because fertilization failed.

This is different for the Tangerine Tiger Shrimp: the females do not drop their eggs after fertilization by other species.

And hybridizations can be done with Tangerine Tigers that do not work with many other species. For example, mating them with Camouflage Tiger Shrimps (Caridina meridionalis) is also successful. In addition, one often hears that the offspring of crosses with the Tangerine Tiger grow more rapidly than those from crosses with other species, and that is confirmed by our experiences.

The fry emerging from a cross are designated the F1 generation (first daughter or first filial generation). These animals can be mated with each other, backcrossed with the parental strain, or mated with a new shrimp species to add new genes into the mix. The options are diverse and they all produce young animals with a different appearance. However, it is also possible to achieve similar results via different crosses.

Unfortunately, mating the offspring

In this “Tibee,” the black is particularly intense.

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F. WANG

“Tibee” with enhanced white.

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Red “Fancy Tiger,” a breeding form by Michael Nadal.

Black “Fancy Tiger.”

exclusively among themselves often creates problems. Difficulties such as infertility, slow growth, or deformities often occur from F3, making a backcross mandatory. The goal of breeding is usually to stabilize a particularly nice color, so that the offspring are similar to the parent animals and no color loss is observed. The trend becomes clear when you look at some of the better-known named hybrids.

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Perfect “Spotted Head”: dense white coloration on the abdomen and a red background with white spots on the carapace.

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“Fancy Tiger” is the current name for a particular phenotype of “Tibee” hybrids.

It means a red or black shrimp with white body markings and a spotted carapace.

The quality of the shrimps and the value are determined by the color density and the intensity of the pattern. On the Internet, “Tibees” are often offered under established names like “Fancy Tiger.” When comparing these animals visually, you can see that a wide variety of colors and markings are offered and that the prices are very steep, so you have to ask yourself, “What is a ‘Fancy Tiger’?” The namesake and breeder of the “Fancy Tiger” was Michael Nadal. He started out with an extremely red Tiger

T. BENNEKER

“Fancy Tiger”

The Taiwanese call this form “Red Pinto.”

Shrimp and mated it to a Snow White Bee, then spent three years on selective breeding.

“Spotted Head”

The beautiful wine red of the “Taiwan Bee” is very vivid on this “Spotted Head Pinto.”

The “Spotted Head” shrimps are named for the distinctive white spots on a red, black, or sometimes brownish carapace.

The form is created in two different ways: one is to select from Bee strain specimens in which the pattern occurs, and the other is to mate “Tiger” and “Bee” and do the selection work in the following generations. Ideally, the “Spotted Head” should have coloring only on the carapace and otherwise be pigmented bright white.

“Spotted Head Pinto”

The dense black staining of the “Taiwan Bee” (here with blue color content), combined with the “Spotted Head” pattern, is referred to as “Spotted Head Pinto.”

“Pinto Multistripe” Even the “Taiwan Bee” or “Pinto” can be further developed. The “Multistripe” in black or red must carry at least three white bands on the abdomen to qualify as a “Multistripe.” Ideally, this form has five white bands; each abdominal segment should be marked with a stripe.

AMAZONAS

TOP: F. WANG; BOTTOM TWO: T. BENNEKER

The “Spotted Head Pinto” in red or black carries the beautiful white spots of the “Spotted Head” shrimp on its carapace.

Otherwise, it is intensely pigmented like the Taiwan Shrimp. The ideal is six spot pairs and a pure white abdomen.

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A black “Pinto Multistripe.”

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Is there any end to it?

To obtain interesting results, several generations must be raised, or more crossing or backcrossing must be performed. The scope can be extended significantly by making crossings with shrimps outside the Caridina cf. cantonensis group. And the mating of different colors of the same species, such as in the Tigers, can lead to beautiful results.

Through hybridizations, we can obtain attractive new shrimp strains and stabilize them. Where this In this black “Pinto Multistripe,” the white bands are connected— breeding endeavor an intermediate form between will lead us is still the coveted “Spotted Head Pinto” unclear. However, and the “Pinto Multistripe.” it is certain that many more interesting animals will result, and some are already swimming in home breeders’ basement tanks. The “skunk” shrimp, first presented in 2013, is a promising example.

TOP: T. BENNEKER; BOTTOM TWO: F. WANG

AMAZONAS

This black “Pinto Multistripe” with six white back stripes is a rarity.

The new “skunk” form was first introduced at Aquarama 2013 in Singapore.

A “skunk,” viewed from above.

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T. BENNEKER

Crossing product without genes of the “Taiwan Bee”: “Tibee” in wine red.

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AQ UATI C

TRAVEL

Blind Fishes from the Congo River article and images by Oliver Lucanus • Approximately 200 species of blind freshwater fishes are known worldwide. Most of them are unpigmented and have rudimentary eyes or none at all. The majority are rather small, and their distribution is limited in each case to a single cave system. For this reason, many species are protected and some are at risk of becoming extinct.

Accordingly, most of them are rarely collected or kept in captivity. Blind fishes from the Congo are completely unknown to most aquarists.

AMAZONAS

Information about the biology and behavior of cavefishes is scarce. The only exception is the Blind Cave Tetra (Astyanax jordani), which is raised in Florida and Southeast Asia for the pet trade and is considered a good subject in science labs.

The evolution of cavefishes is analogous all over the world: species from different families of fish have taken over the unused habitats of caves, and barbs, catfish, and gobies have been the most successful. It is rare to find

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several species of blind fish in the same cave—probably because there is simply too little food.

Cavefishes have also conquered other low-light habitats where their lack of eyes and pigmentation seems to be an advantage. In 1872 Charles Darwin addressed the subject of the absence of eyes in blind cave animals, saying, “I attribute their loss solely to disuse.” Scientists continue to debate the evolutionary value of eye degeneration; one theory suggests that embryonic energy may go into developing other cranial sensory organs that are more useful in a dark environment (Jeffrey et al.).

Below: Fishing for Mastacembelus in the rapids of the Congo River. Steatocranus, Phenacogrammus, and Nanochromis are part of the catch.

Right: A “pet shop” in Brazzaville. Red Platies are also available in the Congo!

While blind tetras have been found in a number of separate cave systems in Mexico, catfishes of the genera Horaglanis in India, as well as Satan and Trogloglanis in the United States, live in groundwater wells and aquifers, never reaching the surface.

A third group of blind fishes comes from the murky, muddy depths of the great rivers. The evolution of various fish species toward completely blind and nonpigmented forms can be observed in the Mekong in Asia, the Amazon in South America, and the Congo in Africa.

In many species, this development is not yet complete.

One example is the knifefish Orthosternarchus tamandua from the Amazon: the species has already lost its pigmentation, but still has rudimentary eyes.

The development of blind river fish is particularly successful in the main part of the Congo. The mighty rapids of the lower Congo are home to a variety of fishes from different families, and their shape corresponds to that of typical cavefishes. However, they are found only in the rapids. In addition, in the cave system of Mbanza Ngungu there is a blind barb that is not found in the main Congo. It occurs only in the karst cave system near the river.

During several recent trips to the Congo, I had the opportunity to collect different types of blind Congo fishes

and maintain them in my aquarium. Captive aquaculture has not been successful so far with any of the species, and breeding is likely very difficult in most blind fishes.

Still, I want to introduce these interesting and unusual fishes to aquarists.

Congo Cave Barb The Congo Cave Barb, Caecobarbus geertsii, has been on the CITES species protection list since 1981; it was the first and only African fish on the list. Although the species is of little aquaristic interest, its inclusion on the list is quite justifiable because of its limited distribution. The area where it is found is not far from the capital, Kinshasa, which could lead to its being caught in large numbers. Major threats to the sensitive fauna of the caves come from the city of Mbanza-Ngungu, whose 100,000 people obtain water from the aquifer of the cave system, as well as agriculture and deforestation. As early as the 1980s, cave barbs were being sent to the United States and Europe on a regular basis, and several dozen animals were recently exported to Taiwan. In a pet shop in Taipei, for example, I have seen Caecobarbus geertsii offered alongside cavefishes from China and Thailand.

The shape and behavior of the Congo Cave Barb are extremely similar to those of their relatives from the caves of Thailand. And in pictures, the Cave Barb from Iran looks almost identical to Caecobarbus. In the aquarium, these animals’ behavior is similar to that of the Redtail Shark, Epalzeorhynchos bicolor—more aggressive toward conspecifics in their vicinity, but with serious aggression limited by their

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The rapids in the middle of the Congo River, near the city of Bela.

strong current are ideal for most species. The same is true for many other species from the Congo.

With the right current in the tank, many aggressive species are much easier to maintain. Even fishes like Nanochromis parilus (Congo Dwarf Cichlid) and Phenacogrammus interruptus (Congo Tetra) come from the shallow water in the main river, not from small tributaries with slow water.

In my aquarium measuring 71 x 24 x 24 inches (180 x 60 x 60 cm) for fishes from the Congo, I aim for a laminar flow of 2.2 m/s.

The smallest blindness. This fish, like many other protected species of cavefishes, should not be considered an aquarium fish, even though the conservation of these species via systematic breeding by aquarists is worth discussing. In the case of the Mexican Cave Tetra, captive breeding has prevented the export of further wild specimens of the species.

Habitat The other blind fishes of the Congo all live in the rapids of the river, especially in the wildest portion between the Malebo Pool and the mouth. Here the Congo rushes through a deep, narrow gorge full of rushing white water with waves over 16 feet (5 m) high. In this turbulent, sediment-rich water, visibility is only a few centimeters, and very little daylight penetrates beyond a depth of 6 feet (2 m). These are ideal conditions for the evolution of blind fishes.

Catfishes from two families (Clariidae and Mochokidae), several species of spiny eels and mormyrids, and a cichlid have completed the conversion to blindness. It would hardly be surprising if additional blind fishes are discovered among other families in the Congo in the future. Even with chemical toxicants used by biologists to sample fish populations, it is difficult to catch blind fishes in the strong currents. The blind spiny eels remain deep in their hiding places under rocks, even when exposed to rotenone. A blind Synodontis catfish or Steatocranus cichlid would be a scientific sensation.

The conditions for the aquarium maintenance of Congo fishes are relatively obvious. Soft, pH-neutral water with a temperature of 79–86°F (26–30°C) and a

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Kinsuka, at the beginning of the Congo rapids below Malebo Pool.

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At under 2.8 inches (7 cm), the eel-like airbreathing catfish Gymnallabes nops is the smallest of the Congo blind fishes. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that this tiny fish has never been exported alive. Even in museum collections, this species is a rarity. Certainly, these small catfish would be easy to keep in the aquarium and, like the closely related Channallabes apus, would eat any food they are offered, though they would prefer bloodworms and Tubifex. An aquarist probably would only see these interesting but elusive catfish when they were feeding or at night. Ichthyologist Bob Schelly and I were able to collect these fish in the Congo. We found them in about 6.5 feet (2 m) of water under large rocks, and could only catch them using rotenone during this scientific voyage.

The flow in this habitat suggests that the animals never leave the protection of the caves in the rocks, because without the ability to attach themselves with their sucker mouths they would be washed away immediately.

Although they are not very spectacular, it would still be nice if these interesting little catfish were exported.

Other small catfishes of the genera Lophiobagrus and Phyllonemus have been bred several times in the aquarium; perhaps it would be possible with this species, too?

According to Roberts & Stewart (1976), there are also blind individuals of Platyallabes tihoni and Channallabes apus, a clear indication of the continuous evolution of the fishes in the Congo. Variability in the formation of the eyes can be seen worldwide in other cavefishes.

Blind suckermouth catfishes The Congo River rapids also contain at least two species of blind Chiloglanis catfish that are not yet scientifically de-

Blind Congo Cave Barbs, Caecobarbus geertsii, in a Taiwanese pet shop.

Blind suckermouth catfishes, Chiloglanis sp., from the rapids of the Congo River. With their large sucker mouths, Chiloglanis catfishes can withstand the powerful water flows and exploit the aufwuchs covering the river rocks as a food source.

scribed. Many catfishes equipped with sucker mouths live in the rapids of this river. Local fishers collect the blind Chiloglanis together with Euchilichthys guentheri on flat stone slabs in shallow water. The catfishes eat insect larvae that live in the aufwuchs algal mats growing on the stones.

In the aquarium, all Chiloglanis species need oxygen-rich water, strong currents, and low bacterial load. Only after careful treatment for intestinal parasites will the animals start to eat, and then it is timidly. First, they only accept bloodworms and live Tubifex. After some acclimatization, they eat almost everything and come to feed under the surface, as seen in Synodontis species. The behavior of the blind Chiloglanis does not differ much from that of the other Chiloglanis species that still have the small eyes typical of the genus. At about 3.2 inches (8 cm) long,

the animals are fully grown and relatively easy to keep in a community tank with other fishes from the Congo, as long as enough food is offered. Because they have short intestinal tracts, these catfishes lose weight fast if they get inadequate amounts of food for several days. Once they are emaciated, it is not easy to recondition them.

Both a bluish white form with a wide head and a mouse-gray form with a narrow head are occasionally exported from the Congo. Whether one form represents blind individuals of Chiloglanis carnosus is not known.

Spiny eels and electric fishes Spiny eels are even more plentiful in the Congo than in Lake Tanganyika. About 10 species occur in the Congo rapids. Mastacembelus brichardi is totally blind and

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The only known blind cichlid, Lamprologus lethops lives in the rapids of the Congo.

Many aquarists would like to maintain this species and try to breed them.

The Blind Spiny Eel, Mastacembelus brichardi, in the aquarium.

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The elephant fish (above and below), Stomatorhinus microps, is guided by its electric sensing organ. Although it has eyes, it lives in the dark depths.

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almost always colorless, although some animals have some gray along the back.

Mastacembelus crassus, M. latens, and M. aviceps have only rudimentary eyes. The spiny eels are caught with traps between the stones at night, and offered for the aquarium trade during the dry season in the summer. They are generally rather small for the genus, fully grown at 5–6 inches (12–15 cm), and quite compatible with each other. They are ideal for the aquarium and can be kept in a community tank after acclimatization. The animals are only partially predatory, but at night they may feed on the eggs or juveniles of cichlids. They prefer insect larvae and especially live Daphnia. After a year, individual animals are clearly gravid and eggs show through the skin of the abdomen, but to date, I have observed no breeding behavior.

The electric fishes of the family Mormyridae are also abundant in the rapids of the Congo. As in all electric fishes, the degeneration of their eyes is well advanced and many species have only rudimentary

eyes. Particularly interesting are the almost blind Stomatorhinus microps and S. fuliginosus. The small mormyrids live in crevices and caves among the rocks in the main Congo. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked by collectors and rarely exported. Their small size (less than 3 inches/7 cm) and odd shape would make them interesting aquarium fishes. To date, my S. microps really only leave their many hiding places in the aquarium for a few seconds at a time to chase live Daphnia under stones. They are certainly among the shyest aquarium fishes!

Gymnallabes nops is a small, eel-like catfish that would be an interesting aquarium inhabitant.

A blind cichlid Perhaps the most interesting blind fish from the Congo— if not the most interesting of all blind fish species—is Lamprologus lethops. The only known blind cichlid occurs only in a short stretch of the Congo River near the town of Inga. Its closest relatives are L. tigripictilis, L. werneri, and L. congoensis, all found in shallower water. Why Lamprologus has spawned a blind species while the more cryptic genera Teleogramma and Steatocranus have no known blind species is a mystery. The blind cichlids come from deep water: almost all animals collected in the context of scientific exploration have clear signs of gas bubble disease. (When animals are brought too quickly to the surface, they die shortly thereafter from the formation of gas bubbles in the bloodstream.)

Young L. lethops have rudimentary eyes, which are increasingly coated with thick skin as they age. However, even adult animals still have some light sensitivity, so they can respond to external stimuli. The behavior of the blind cichlids is thus remarkably similar to that of the other Lamprologus species. The tendency to fight to defend a territory or to compete for food is not unlike the behavior of L. congoensis. Although L. lethops takes a little longer to find food, the species’ feeding behavior is

similar to that of the other species. The slightly smaller females (up to 4.8 inches/2 cm) defend a narrow cave, which is visited by the males (up to 8 inches/20 cm) only occasionally. A pressing and still unanswered question is: “How can a blind cichlid defend his nest and free-swimming fry?”

The blind fishes of the Congo represent an extreme adaptation to their habitat. For expert aquarists, these rare and tough-to-obtain fishes are certainly among the most unusual tank inhabitants of all.

Acknowledgments: Particular thanks to Uli Schliewen, Bob Schelly, and Daphne Soares for their help on the

biology of cavefishes and fishes of the Congo in general, and to Matthias Kählig for his help in creating the natural living conditions of rheophilic fishes in the aquarium.

SOURCES

Roberts, T.R. and D.J. Stewart. 1976. An ecological and systematic survey of fishes in the rapids of the lower Zaïre or Congo River. Bull Mus Comp Zool 147 (6): 239–317.

Jeffrey, W.R., A.G. Strickler, and Y. Yamamoto. 2003. To See or Not to See: Evolution of Eye Degeneration in Mexican Blind Cavefish. Integr Comp Biol 43 (4): 531–41.

The rapids create numerous small residual pools along the river run. There, the calmer waters permit the collection of fishes.

AMAZONAS 75

REPORTAGE NEWS FROM IQUITOS:

How we found Apistogramma atahualpa by chance

by Daniel Wewer • I have lived in the jungle of Peru for two years, so catching Apistogramma species in my net is nothing new. My interest has always been geared toward the smaller tetra species, so Apistogramma were little more than a nice distraction for me. But this changed in an instant the first time I caught a Sunset Apisto in my net.

Searching the quebradas In October 2012, Rüdiger Schäfer was my guest in Iquitos for several days, and he wanted to go looking for fish at least once while he was there. So, to this end, we took a taxi about 12 miles (20 km) outside the city. The only road out of Iquitos goes from Carretera to Nauta, a small town about 60 miles (95 km) away. Along this road there are many small lakes, the large Río Itaya, and numerous quebradas, narrow streams with mostly clear blackwater.

The fishes that we hoped to find were all New World killifishes—members of the former genus Rivulus, today called Laimosemion. We found them at the first quebrada.

In the creek’s crystal clear water, barely 2.4 inches (6

cm) deep, there were beautifully colored Laimosemion rectocaudatus. Although we were only equipped with three small dip nets, within a short time we had collected more than 40 animals in a variety of sizes. In addition to the rivulines, we caught mainly tadpoles, a young Hoplias, a knifefish, and some shrimps, but we kept only the killifishes. While Rüdiger was quite satisfied with the yield, we continued to check out other quebradas.

Second quebrada On the opposite side of the road, there is a fairly extensive area where the townspeople gather to relax on weekends. The biggest attraction on the property is a large

76

PHOTO: D. WEWER

AMAZONAS

The first catch: Apistogramma atahualpa in different sizes.

The water is teabrown and the bottom consists of fine sand. Dense layers of fallen leaves that form at the banks provide hiding places for dwarf cichlids.

When the author tested the pH of this water he had a major surprise.

pond filled with very dark blackwater, where the people swim. Since we were there on a weekday, there were few visitors, so we were able to wander undisturbed into the surrounding forest, where we found a small quebrada that feeds the swimming pond. The bottom of the small creek was covered with very bright sand and the water itself had an incredibly beautiful tea stain.

The quebrada was about 3 feet (1 m) wide in the broadest spots, but in most places it was only about 16 inches (40 cm) wide and a few centimeters deep.

The water temperature was about 77°F (25°C). Within a few moments, it became clear that the species diversity here was much greater. In addition to some Hemigrammus tetras unknown to us, we caught beautiful Pyrrhulina cf. spilota in all sizes, along with other pencilfishes, Laimosemion rectocaudatus, and a 1-cm young Apistogramma.

hour, we had more than enough dwarf cichlids, and we took a closer look at the individual animals. In addition to the orange color, the wide black eye mask was very prominent. Most of the fish we caught were full grown at 1.6–2 inches (4–5 cm) long, but there were a few young animals among the adults. The smallest were a little more

A beautiful orange male after capture.

It soon lost its color in the aquarium.

Apistogramma atahualpa A few minutes later, I had in my net the most beautiful Apistogramma that I had seen so far: an intensely colored Apistogramma atahualpa with a shiny, deep orange body. After about half an

AMAZONAS

TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM: D. WEWER; TOP RIGHT: J. SCHEIDUNG

A quebrada (small creek) meanders through dense rainforest.

77

With proper care, the males keep their beautiful coloration in the aquarium.

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Females in parental mode turn bright yellow.

78

than 0.4 inch (1 cm) in length and still completely dark, but the 0.8-inch (2-cm) juvenile specimens already had almost the same colors as the adults.

From that day on, Apistogramma were much more on my mind, and my interest was focused on A. atahualpa. Of course, we took some specimens back with us to the city. Fortunately, Peruvian-ďŹ sh expert Martin Mortenthaler in Iquitos was able to tell us more about this species. We were disappointed to see that they lost their most intense colors as soon as they were put into an aquarium.

Trip #2 Two days later—in the meantime I had picked up another group of visitors in Nauta and ďŹ shed with them in the RĂ­o Itaya for Corydoras sychri—we went back to the same quebrada. Even before we were in the water, we noticed some intensely colored poison dart frogs, bright red Ranitomeya reticulata, hopping through the foliage on the ground.

We caught the same ďŹ shes as before and some beautiful Apistogramma atahualpa. For me, this day was a double success: ďŹ rst, of course, because of the ďŹ sh, but also because I was able to show my group of visitors something really special on their last day in Peru.

The ďŹ shes we caught on those two days almost all went to Austria. In the following weeks, I had plenty of time to go back several times and collect more Apistogramma. Six of them ended up in my 20-gallon (80-L) aquarium. The setup consisted of a layer of sand and a few pieces of driftwood. The water had approximately the same coloring as that in the creek, but in this case, I helped it along by adding Catappa leaves. Although Terminalia catappa originally comes from Asia, it is now found growing in Iquitos, where there are thousands of them.

The pH value in the tank was below 5.5. I usually fed the ďŹ sh Tubifex, and sometimes I added mosquito larvae.

Amazingly, after a short while, three of the ďŹ sh adopted almost the same coloring they had had in the wild, but the other three remained pretty dull. So far, the six animals have kept very well; a few days after capture, they had already begun to stake out territories. Since then, although this species is considered quite aggressive,

IT ALL STARTS WITH NO MATTER WHAT LIFE STAGE YOUR FISH IS IN, WE HAVE THE PERFECT FOOD FOR YOU.

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AMAZONAS

TOP: J. KĂœHNER; BOTTOM: V. BOHNET

Care in captivity

there have been very few disputes.

After just over a month, two pairs formed within this small group. One pair has already spawned at least once, unfortunately without success. Despite the low pH, the bulk of the eggs fungus up and the remainder of the clutch cannot be found after hatching. The reason for this didn’t become clear to me until January 2013, when I was able to measure the pH of the stream for the ďŹ rst time. It was an almost unbelievable 3.58—so this quebrada is very, very acidic, even for this area. Meanwhile, I have tried to acidify the water in the aquarium to bring it up to the same pH as that of the water in the quebrada.

I hope that by doing this I will be able to succeed in producing offspring.

79

AQ UATI C

PLANTS

PART ONE • article and images by Kris Weinhold

“Edison failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light,” author Napoleon Hill once wrote. “Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.”

Turned on by LEDs As LED lighting takes the aquarium hobby by storm, some of us may be reminded of Edison and start to wonder when we will find just the right new light for our tanks. There is no doubt that the potential energy savings, multitude of features, and configurability offered by LED fixtures make them superior to their older fluorescent counterparts in almost every way. Unfortunately, many hobbyists are confounded when sorting through the various options, so I hope to bring some clarity to the situation for aquarists, especially those of us who are looking to have flourishing planted aquariums. As an avid aquatic gardener, I need balanced light that will grow plants, but I also want it to make the red plants pop and the green ones shine.

Most of the reef-ready fixtures that are appearing are meant for marine aquariums and, regardless of whether or not they can grow plants, emit way too much blue light, which throws off plant coloration. On the other

AMAZONAS

Shallow 12-gallon aquascape grown under TrueLumen Pro and Satellite LED+ lighting.

80

side of the spectrum, many hydroponic LED lights, or “grow lights,” emit only the red and blue spectrums that grow plants and leave out white light, making everything look brownish purple instead of bringing out their natural green and red colors. For my experimentation, I acquired several different fixtures in different price ranges to see which are suitable for planted aquariums. In this article, I will describe my own first experiences with LEDs; in future articles I will explore the technology in greater depth. I hope my investigations will help you as you consider how to choose the right LED lighting.

High light defined Let me define the type of lighting conditions I’m attempting to recreate. I keep planted aquariums with high-light plants that require CO2 and supplemental fertilization to survive. For the purposes of this article, I regard as high-light any fixture that produces higher than 60–70

LED strips with a mix of blue and white emitters, near right, for daylight and plant growth, and all-blue, far right, for moonlight effects.

photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at substrate level. PAR designates the usable range of light that plants can photosynthesize, thus the higher the PAR rating or measurement, the greater the ability of plants to utilize the available light to grow.

The manufacturers don’t make this easy on us. Not all LED fixtures are created equal when it comes to PAR, color-rendering index (CRI), water penetration, and features. Very few manufacturers publish PAR data for their fixtures, particularly on the box, so it’s very difficult to compare fixtures when browsing your local fish store. There is a plethora of low-cost LED fixtures that are designed to replace T8/T12 economy fluorescent fixtures on fish-only tanks, but even these can often be used effectively on very shallow tanks to grow plants.

Current-USA TrueLumen Pro I have had great success using Current-USA’s TrueLumen Pro and Satellite LED+ fixtures on a 36 x 9 x 8 inch (91 x 23 x 20 cm) bookshelf tank. With the diminished depth of this aquarium, a single TrueLumen Pro fixture gives me between 75 and 233 PAR at the surface and between 44 and 92 PAR 6–7 inches down at substrate level.

I specify a range of values because LEDs are most intense directly underneath the light emitter, and quickly taper off in intensity the further down and out from the center you go. Even so, using a mixture of high-light and

medium-light plants, I get fantastic growth from these fixtures. In fact, I dim down the lights to reduce the fertilization demands, plant growth, and excess algae proliferation. The 8,000k TrueLumen Pro fixture produces gorgeous colors and is comparable to a nice daylight bulb, and can be dimmed using their in-line dimmer accessory.

Current-USA Satellite Freshwater LED+ I later switched to using a Satellite LED+ fixture on this tank, as it produces roughly the same PAR levels as the TrueLumen Pro but is radically more feature-rich. The Satellite LED+ fixture demonstrates the benefits of LEDs over fluorescent fixtures by incorporating tremendous features at a fairly low price point, allowing the adjustment of color output, effect modes (lightning, clouds, moonlight, etc.), and intensity, as well as configuring up to four custom presets. I find that the Full Spectrum setting provides the best plant color, but I use a custom preset to reduce the intensity slightly.

While both the TrueLumen Pro and Satellite LED+ fixtures work wonderfully for my shallow bookshelf aquarium, I did not have the same luck when trying to put four TrueLumen Pros over a 50-gallon, 36 x 18 x 18 inch (91 x 46 x 46 cm) tank. Even with four strips running simultaneously, I only measured 25 PAR at the substrate level. This is due to the fact that these fixtures use a 120-degree angle lens to evenly distribute their light output across the widest possible area. While this ensures even light dispersion throughout the tank, the widerangle lenses do not focus the light enough to penetrate

AMAZONAS 81

Lush plant growth in a 33-gallon cube aquarium lit by two Finnex Ray2 fixtures (see bottom photo).

Basic LED aquarium lighting fixtures, especially those without dimming, spectrum control, or programming features, have become very affordable.

AMAZONAS

deeper into the water column. I would not recommend either of these fixtures for any high-light aquarium taller than 8 to 10 inches (20–25 cm).

82

Finnex RAY2 – DS (7,000k Daylight LEDs) I ran the Finnex RAY2 – DS fixture on my 33-gallon (24 x 18 x 18 inch/60 x 46 x 46 cm) cube aquarium, which

is an excellent value proposition, as the fixture roughly replaces an equivalent HO T5 fixture output at a competitive cost. The RAY2 is fixed to 7,000k, which means that it outputs a slightly more yellow cast than the 8,000k TrueLumen Pro. The 24” fixture has 192 individual LEDs, which allows Finnex to keep the cost down by overloading on lower power, less expensive LEDs. The biggest downside is that the Finnex RAY2 – DS is not dimmable, programmable, or configurable—it is either on or off, and that’s it.

Regardless, the output is fantastic. I run two lights mounted on the rim of my 33-gallon cube aquarium.

These fixtures have narrow lenses, as a single centermounted fixture would leave big dark areas in the front and back upper regions of the aquarium. The light

Ecotech Marine Radion XR30w Pro The author’s 40-gallon “farm tank” thrives under the full-featured illumination of an Ecotech Radion Pro unit (see bottom photo).

penetration is good enough to give 70–90 PAR at the substrate and 400–420 PAR at the surface. I have grown incredible plants with these fixtures, but have needed to carefully adjust my light timers to ensure that they are not operating for any more than 8 hours per day, or algae ensues. If you’re willing to sacrifice some of the features of other fixtures, the Finnex RAY2 - DS provides excellent light output for the value-minded hobbyist.

On the other end of the spectrum, my 40-gallon farm tank (36 x 18 x 16 inches/91 x 46 x 46 cm) features an Ecotech Marine Radion XR30w Pro fixture that is one of the most feature-rich lights you can buy. The Radion Pro gives you complete control over the color output, allowing you to adjust eight different LED colors (white, red, yellow, green, blue, royal blue, indigo, and ultraviolet.)

It features 42 extremely high-powered LEDs, so the unit requires a very quiet fan to keep cool. This fixture primarily targets the reef audience, but its configurability makes it an amazing fixture for any type of aquarium.

The Radion series of lights are modular, which means that you can hang multiple lights over your aquarium and they will communicate with one another to sync the configuration. You can also program them into different zones so that some areas receive different light than others, based on the needs of your plants and/or corals.

I am using a single fixture hung 14 inches above my tank with Radion’s default Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens to maximize the intensity and footprint that the light covers.

With this configuration, I have set up the fixture so that my output levels are roughly 60–150 PAR at the substrate and 150–540 at the surface. The maximum output levels of this fixture can be even higher in a saltwater aquarium, but for planted aquariums I dial down the blue and UV LEDs to maintain a more natural color.

Ecotech Marine maintains an online portal called EcoSmart™ Live, which allows you to program your fixture via your computer. Simply hook up the light to a computer via a USB cable, and it will download the program settings you specify. This online/offline configuration allows the company to continuously add new features, options, and presets. You do not need a separate timer for this light, as you can program the light cycles using the online inter-

EcoTech Radion Pro LED fixture allows precise control of light intensity and color via the owner’s computer.

AMAZONAS 83

Top left: CA HO T5s | Top right: Current-USA Satellite LED+ | Bottom left: Ecotech Radion Pro | Bottom right: Current-USA TrueLumen Pro

face, even allowing for the light to gradually ramp up and dial down, simulating sunrise and sunset.

In addition, you can set the probability that any given day might have a rainstorm or cloud cover, providing more randomness that mirrors natural conditions. The fixture can also be programmed to automatically adjust nighttime moonlight based on the actual cycle of the moon.

How they compare Each of these lights targets different types of tanks and hobbyists. Even so, I wanted to see how they would compare to one another over the same 40-gallon tank.

To ensure an even comparison, I left out the 24" Finnex fixtures, and instead used a 36-inch 4 x 39W HO T5 fixture from Catalina Aquarium that I had used for years

Energy usage and cost Fixture

Configuration

Average Watts

Cost per year*

36" Current-USA TrueLumen Pro

N/A

22.0

$7.06

36" Current-USA Satellite LED+

Full spectrum

26.9

$8.64

24" Finnex RAY2 – DS (7,000k)

N/A

20.3

$6.52

Ecotech Marine Radion XR30w Pro

Planted aquarium preset

89.9

$28.88

Ecotech Marine Radion XR30w Pro

Custom settings

136

$43.68

36" Catalina Aquarium HO T5 4 x 39W

N/A

175

$56.21

Watts measured with Kill A Watt™ EZ device. Cost per year calculated using $.11/KWH rate for 8 hours/day.

AMAZONAS

PAR at various depths

84

Fixture

Configuration

PAR at surface

36" Current-USA TrueLumen Pro

N/A

233

45

29

36" Current-USA Satellite LED+

Full spectrum

324

63

33

24" Finnex RAY2 – DS (7,000k)

N/A

407

123

71

Ecotech Marine Radion XR30w Pro

Planted aquarium, wide angle TIR lens, 10" from surface, 100% brightness

346

154

69

Ecotech Marine Radion XR30w Pro

Custom settings with default TIR lens, 14" from surface, 100% brightness

540

241

82

36" Catalina Aquarium HO T5 4 x 39W

N/A

550

261

149

36" Catalina Aquarium HO T5 2 x 39W

N/A

308

121

74

PAR measured with Apogee Quantum Flux MQ-200. Note: PAR readings may vary slightly based on equipment used and slight changes in angle or depth of light meter.

PAR at 8"

PAR at 15"

Radion

TM

Sleek. Sophisticated. High-tech. Beautiful.

The new Radion Lighting features 34 energy-efficient LEDs with five color families.

Improved growth. Wider coverage. Better energy efficiency. Customizable spectral output.

In short, a healthier, more beautiful ecosystem.

EcoTech Marine. Revolutionizing the way people think about aquarium technology.

®

www.ecotechmarine.com

AMAZONAS 85

on this tank. This allowed me to determine how the LEDs compared in output to the older fluorescent fixtures.

From the pictures, it’s obvious that the HO T5 and Radion Pro fixtures penetrate deeper into the aquarium and provide more light than the lower-powered CurrentUSA fixtures. You can also see the difference in coverage between a clustered LED configuration like the Radion Pro, which hangs from a central point over the aquarium, and a traditional HO T5 light or LED bar that spans the full width of the tank. The Radion Pro is much brighter in the center of the aquarium, with darker areas at the outer edges. I could raise the light much higher to even that out, but the overall PAR diminishes as the fixture is raised. On the flip side, the Radion Pro’s central configuration provides much more shimmer than any of the other lights. The shimmer is caused by directional light being dispersed by slight ripples on the surface; the stronger the light, the more intense the effect.

In terms of intensity, the Catalina Aquarium HO T5 4 x 39W fixture beats everything except the Radion Pro in terms of PAR output. The Radion Pro can be configured to run at varied intensities throughout the day to match the midday burst I used with the HO T5 fixture. The Finnex fixtures are equivalent in PAR to two HO T5 bulbs running, as opposed to four. Regardless, the key is to achieve enough PAR at substrate level to grow foreground plants effectively. Once you go beyond that intensity, you

need to very carefully balance light, CO2, and nutrients to avoid algae outbreaks.

The operating costs of these fixtures differ as well. Using a Kill A Watt™ meter, I measured the average energy consumption over several days. My older HO T5 fixture draws significantly more electricity than any of the LEDs. The Radion Pro draws more power than the lowerpowered LED fixtures, but this can be reduced with lower light settings than I was using. Either way, LEDs can help to reduce your monthly electric bill.

Even after experimenting with four very different lights, I can’t say that I’d choose a favorite, as it’s more important to choose the right light for the tank. The lower-end LEDs can be phenomenal on smaller, shallower tanks or fish-only aquariums. For taller aquariums, there’s a lot of value provided by the Finnex line of fixtures, but for intensity with all the bells and whistles, Ecotech Marine produces fantastic lights.

We will continue this introduction to choosing LED lighting in future issues of AMAZONAS. ON THE INTERNET:

LED Lighting Compendium: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ showthread.php?t=160396 Guitarfish.org (author’s website) Comments and suggestions may be posted here: http://www. reef2rainforest.com/2014/01/13/led-lighting-for-aquarium-plants

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86

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Unique design and shape of the LED focuses all light inside the aquarium where it is needed. Sizes from 14” up to 48”.

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Ultra Slim Blue/White Series Cool running Energy-efficient LED aquarium light fixture provides excellent general-purpose lighting for freshwater or marine aquarium. High output (14000K) or Standard (6500K) LED’s deliver full spectrum and light intensity capable of supporting Marine life. Lighting features three-mode ON/OFF switch (Daytime, Lunar and OFF positions) so you can manually transition from daylight to lunar light conditions with ease. Sizes from 12” up to 78”.

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AMAZONAS

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87

AQ UA R I U M

CALENDAR compiled by Matt Pedersen and Ray Lucas

MARCH 7–9

Central Florida Koi Show 2014 Central Florida Koi Show Society Orlando, FL http://cfks.org

14–16

35th Annual Convention Catfish Study Group Standish, Wigan, Lanc’s, UK http://Catfishstudygroup.org

28–30

28–30

NEC 39th Annual Convention Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies Cromwell, CT www.northeastcouncil.org CAFE 2014 Convention Columbus Area Fish Enthusiasts Columbus, OH http://www.columbusfishclub.org

APRIL 4–6

Aquamania 2014 Ottawa Valley Aquarium Society Ottawa, Ontario, Canada www.ovas.ca

4–6

MASI Spring Show, Workshop, & Auction Missouri Aquarium Society, Inc. St. Louis, MO www.missouriaquariumsociety.com

5–6

MAS Annual Show 2014 Minnesota Aquarium Society Fridley, MN www.aquarium.mn

19–20

Easter Iowa Aquarium Society Show Cedar Rapids, IA www.finflap.com

26–27

IFGA Guppy Show & Auction Gateway Guppy Associates Maryland Heights, MO http://www.ifga.org/show_ rules/2014/gga_2014.htm

MAY 15–18

ALA 2014 Convention American Livebearer Association St. Louis, MO http://www.livebearers.org

16–18

55th Annual Convention Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs Calgary, Alberta, Canada www.caoac.ca/convention.html

23–25

2014 National Convention American Killifish Association Syracuse, NY http://aka.org

23–25

Annual GCCA Cichlid Classic 2014 Greater Chicagoland Cichlid Association Hillside, IL www.gcca.net

31–1

IFGA – Michigan Guppy Breeders Show & Auction Michigan Guppy Breeders www.michiganguppybreeeders.com

JUNE 20–22

2014 NADA Discus Show North American Discus Association Austin, TX www.nadaaustin2014.com

AMAZONAS

For a more complete listing of upcoming events, visit www.reef2rainforest.com/events To submit your event, contact:

88

Matt Pedersen: matt.pedersen@reef2rainforest.com Ray Lucas: kingfish51@verizon.net

THE TROPICAL FISH CLUB OF BURLINGTON

Celebrates 25 Years!

PLEASE JOIN US - June 6-8, 2014 - Holiday Inn, South Burlington, VT Great seminars and speakers: • Eric Bodrock • Regina Spotti • Rachel O’ Leary • Stephan Tanner

For more information, please visit www.tfcb.org.

AMAZONAS

ALSO INCLUDES: Tour of Vermont Microbreweries, Dinner Cruise on Lake Champlain, Friday Night Social Barbeque...

PLUS Sunday Auction, Raffles, Vendors, and so much more!

We hope you will come celebrate this milestone with us!

89

Sources Look for AMAZONAS Magazine in these outstanding local aquarium shops.

UNITED STATES

Arizona Aqua Touch 12040 North 32nd St Phoenix, AZ 602-765-9058

Arizona Nature Aquatics 3025 North Campbell Ave Tucson, AZ 520-321-9000

Connecticut

Hawaii

Maryland

Global Fish & Pets

Aquascapes

House of Tropicals

1522 Whalley Ave. New Haven, CT 203-503-7157

99-082 Kauhale St Ste B-4 Aiea, HI 808-487-0077

House of Fins

Kalihi Pet Center

7389F Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Glen Burnie, MD 410-761-1113

99 Bruce Park Ave Greenwich, CT 203-661-8131

1199 Dillingham Blvd Ste C-101 Honolulu, HI 808-841-5234

Florida

The Pet Shop

Barrier Reef

2235 S Power Rd Ste 107 Mesa, AZ 480-807-7840

1921 NW Boca Raton Blvd Boca Raton, FL 561-368-1970

Arkansas

Boardroom Aquatics

Northside Aquatics 7610 Counts Massie Rd Ste A Maumelle, AR 501-803-3434

Worlds Under Water 2105B Creekview Fayetteville, AR 479-521-7258

California All Seas Marine, Inc (Distribution Only) 1205 Knox St Torrance, CA 310-532-7769

Ocean Aquarium 120 Cedar St San Francisco, CA 415-771-3206

White’s Pets 5212 North Blackstone Fresno, CA 559-438-4343

Colorado Animal Attraction Pet Store 2518 11th Ave Greeley, CO 970-353-3400

Neptune’s Tropical Fish 1970 E County Line Rd Unit A Highlands Ranch, CO 303-798-1776

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12795 Kenwood Ln Fort Myers, FL 239-275-8891

Father Fish Aquarium 536 E Venice Ave Venice, FL 941-266-9998

Fishy Business 140 S Ronald Reagan Blvd Longwood, FL 407-331-4882

Idaho Fish, Aquariums & Stuff

Michigan

6112 West Fairview Ave Boise, ID 208-377-1119

Illinois Fish Planet

Funky Fish & Friends

839 Waukegan Rd Deerfield, IL 847-945-4700

128 West Main Street Gaylord, MI 49735 989-732-1232

Old Town Aquarium

Moby Dick Pet Store

1538 N Wells Street Chicago, IL 312-642-8763

3700 Sashabaw Rd Waterford, MI 248-673-2520

Sailfin Pet Shop

MVPets

3230 NE 12th Ave Oakland Park, FL 954-990-8871

Indiana

Georgia Aquarium Outfitters 175 Old Epps Bridge Rd Athens, GA 706-546-1337

Creation Pet 8265 Hwy 92 Woodstock. GA 770-364-2240

Blue Fish Aquarium 2939 Wilson Ave SW Ste 109 Grandville, MI 616-667-2424

720 S Neil St Champaign, IL 217-352-1121

174 Semoran Commerce Pl Apopka, FL 407-889-9887

South Coast Scientific 109 McArthur Rd Swansea, MA 508-678-8306

The Planted Aquarium Store

Sea Life Aquarium & Service

Massachusetts

Inland Aquatics 10 Ohio St Terre Haute, IN 812-232-9000

Iowa Aquatic Environments 730 E Kimberly Rd Davenport, IA 563-445-3687

Maine Easy Aquariums 17A Gorham Industrial Pkwy Gorham, ME 207-272-5212

7429 S Westnedge Ave Portage, MI 269-492-7387

Preuss Pets 1127 N Cedar St Lansing, MI 517-339-1762

Minnesota Tropiquatics 2519 7th Ave E Saint Paul, MN 651-330-1635

New Hampshire Laconia Pet Center 1343 Union Ave Laconia, NH 603-524-8311

New Jersey Adam’s Pet Safari 19 W Main St Chester, NJ 908-879-8998

Aquarium Center 1295 Blackwood Clementon Rd Clementon, NJ 856-627-6262

Aquaridise 415 Rt 18, Ste 8 E Brunswick, NJ 732-967-9700

New York Eddie’s Aquarium Centre 1254 New Loudon Rd Rt 9 Cohoes, NY 518-783-3474

Virginia Pet & Aquatic Warehouse 2408 Wards Rd Lynchburg, VA 434-239-6787

Washington Finatics Tropical Fish 203 N Huntington St Ste A Kennewick, WA 509-737-9777

West Virginia

The Fish Place

Scales & Tails Reptile/ Fish Store

141 Robinson St North Tonawanda, NY 716-693-4411

9 1/2 W Washington St Westover, WV 304-296-9218

North Carolina

Wisconsin

Blue Ridge Reef & Pet

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103 WNC Shopping Ctr Dr Black Mountain, NC 828-669-0032

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Pennsylvania Oddball Pets & Aquarium 262 Joseph St Pittsburgh, PA 412-884-2333

Texas Austin Aqua-Dome 1604 Fortview Rd Austin, TX 512-442-1400

Fish Gallery Houston 2909 Fountain View Dr Houston, TX 713-523-3474

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Royal Aquatics 2601 Flower Mound Rd Ste 101 Flower Mound, TX 214-453-9133

Vermont Pet Advantage

SOUTH AFRICA

Blue Reefs

Aquarium Depot

82 Triq Guzeppi Mattew Callus Mosta, MST 4105 003-562-762-7463

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NETHERLANDS

Stunning Corals Wolvenlaan 285 1216EV Hilversum Noord-Holland 06-1569-9743

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OJZOO Stormgatan 5 26138 Landskrona 0046-418-402831 www.ojzoo.se

Sell To sell AMAZONAS in your store, contact us today:

CANADA

Reef Wholesale (Distribution Only) 12 Vulcan St Etobicoke, ON 613-884-7258

Email: sales@rvmags.com CALL (800) 381-1288 FAX (630) 353-2692

Big Al’s Aquarium Supercentres 3511 99th St Edmonton, AB 780-435-3474

The aFISHionados 825 Erin St Unit 3 Winnipeg, MB 204-295-5375 AUSTRALIA

Aqua Blue Distribution (Distribution Only) 17 Cairns St Loganholme, Queensland 07-3806-4255 CHINA

Aquababie #14-1404, Li Yang Street Guangzhou 86-138-2226-0920 GREAT BRITAIN

Abacus Aquatics 168 Halfway St Sidup-Kent 020-8302-8000

AMAZONAS

350 Dorset St South Burlington, VT 802-860-1714

M A LTA

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SP EC IE S

SNAPSHOTS

➊ CARIDINA SP. “NEON YELLOW” ➋ ZAIREICHTHYS SP. “MAJAMAZI” ➌ MELANOTAENIA SP. “SUSWA VILLAGE” ➍ MELANOTAENIA SP. “SEMBRA CREEK” ➎ BETTA SP. “RIAU RED” ➏ SICYOPUS SP. “GREENBELLY”

Caridina sp. “Neon Yellow”

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During a visit to the facility of Aquaculture Technologies in Singapore, I stumbled upon several aquariums labeled Caridina “Neon Yellow.” The owner, Patrick Yap, told me that he had received these dwarf shrimps from northern Vietnam. The specimens I acquired were initially quite yellow, but they faded with time and now look like the pictured specimen. The shrimps settled in quickly and now roam their small aquarium in search of food in typical shrimp manner.

They accept all conventional feed, from tablets to leaves. Given the availability of many other much more colorful shrimp forms, this "Neon Yellow" type may be of most interest to breeders working on new hybrids.

—Hans-Georg Evers

AMAZONAS

Zaireichthys sp. “Majamazi”

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The genus Zaireichthys Roberts, 1968 belongs to the family Amphiliidae, the African Loach Catfishes, and is very widespread in Africa—and not only, as the name might suggest, in the former Zaire (now the Republic of Congo). Occurring in the west of the continent from Cameroon to Namibia, the genus is also

found in the east in Tanzania and Malawi. Despite their wide distribution, species of the genus are not often represented in the fish trade and are therefore largely unknown. This is a shame, because their small size makes them very well suited for the aquarium. As far as I know, they don’t grow larger than 2 inches (5 cm).

Happily, specimens of a probably undescribed species from Tanzania have reached us recently. The species has certain similarities to Z. rotundiceps Hilgendorf, 1905. In the aquarium, the fish are lively and come out even during the day. The largest specimens are about 1.8 inch (4.5 cm) long. The sexes can be easily distinguished due to the larger and much fuller females. The diet is easy: the fish greedily attack food tablets and eagerly eat small live foods such as brine shrimp or Grindal worms, which remain near the bottom. To rest, the little catfish sometimes burrow into the substrate (which should consist of fine sand) so that only their eyes are visible. Sometimes they like to hide in clay pipes or under plants.

Most specimens have the spot pattern shown in the photo, but every now and then these dark spots disappear and the fish become a monochrome reddish brown.

Keeping them in hard water is possible, but it is not clear whether it is conducive to breeding. In the wild, the

H.-G. EVERS

Caridina sp. “Neon Yellow”

Zaireichthys sp. “Majamazi”

species occurs in soft water of around 4–5°dGH. The water temperature should not be too high, because the Majamazi, a tributary of the Malagarasi in which these catfish occur, has a high flow rate and, because the river is at an altitude of over 3,280 feet (1,000 m), the water is cool, reaching about 73°F (23°C) in the dry season.

The mouthbrooding rheophilic cichlid Orthochromis rubrolabialis also occurs there, among other species.

Zaireichthys sp. “Majamazi” are peaceful, as might be expected from their size, and ours have shown no aggressiveness toward small tetras, barbs, or other small fishes. Among themselves, males chase each other in the aquarium, but do not seriously attack or injure one another.

Nothing is known about breeding Zaireichthys, so there is still plenty to be discovered. This fish could be a plant spawner—the Majamazi has dense stands of Podostemaceae "riverweeds," but it is also possible that these fish bury their eggs in the sand.

—Anton Lamboj

Melanotaenia sp. “Suswa Village”

A. LAMBOJ

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This very pretty rainbowfish has been available since 2007 in Europe and has been maintained by a few devotees, especially the members of the International Society for Rainbowfish (IRG). The subtle pastel tones of adolescent animals develop with age into a more intense, yet still subtle orange in sexually active males.

The females are plain gray, with a black longitudinal stripe in the midsection. The males also sport this stripe, but during courtship it is reduced to a black bar on the tail. Imposing males often show a black blotch behind the gill covers. The species grows to

about 4 inches (10 cm), but the animals spawn at an even smaller size.

We anticipate several new rainbowfish species from the Vogelkop Peninsula in the west of Indonesia’s West Papua province. According to the latest scientific findings, Melanotaenia sp. “Suswa Village” is an undescribed species that is probably genetically more closely related to Melanotaenia boesemani than to M. irianjaya, as was originally thought. The species originates from the western Vogelkop Peninsula, near the city of Sorong. We do not know the exact location because the first animals were handed over to a bush pilot by locals who knew of his interest in these fish.

Sometimes new species of fish make their way into the aquarium hobby in unconventional, "once in lifetime" ways. This means it is all the more important that some people maintain them by breeding!

—Hans-Georg Evers REFERENCE

Graf, J. 2008. Zwei neue Regenbogenfische: Melanotaenia affinis “Bonggo” und Melanotaenia sp. “Suswa Village.” Aquar Fachmag 204, 40 (6): 36–9.

Melanotaenia sp. “Suswa Village” males: a new rainbowfish from West Papua, Indonesia.

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Melanotaenia sp. “Sembra Creek,” growing into its full colors in the author's aquarium.

Melanotaenia sp. “Sembra Creek”

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A team of Indonesian and French scientists has made three collection expeditions to New Guinea. One of the new species they described is likely Melanotaenia sp.

“Sembra Creek,” a rainbowfish that inhabits the Sungai Sembra, a river not far from the famous Lake Aytinyo. So far, it has not been possible to import live specimens of these or other new species from the area. An Indonesian breeding station on Java breeds several species, and the expedition brought home live material from these to make it accessible to the aquarium hobby. However, these species have not yet surfaced in the trade.

Jeffrey Christian and Mikael Håkanson have now succeeded in collecting Melanotaenia sp. “Sembra Creek” and bringing them home alive. Thankfully, I received five animals from Jeffrey via Aquarium Dietzenbach. The largest male is currently 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and is still growing.

Whether they will show any more color has yet to be seen. Even so, I find the black and orange bar pattern interesting and the orange-trimmed fins quite pretty. It is well known that rainbowfishes need a bit longer than some other fishes to fully develop their colors and really look their best. Let’s just wait and see.

—Hans-Georg Evers

Betta sp. “Riau Red”

AMAZONAS

An apparently new dwarf fighting fish from the group around Betta coccina has been discov-

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—Hans-Georg Evers

Male Betta sp. “Riau Red” H.-G. EVERS

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ered recently on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

According to Maju Aquarium in Cibinong (Java), the species was found in the province of Riau in eastern Sumatra. From the Riau Islands (Pulau Bintan) off the coast, we know Betta miniopinna, a rare species from the marsh habitats of northern Bintan. At about 1.6 inches (4 cm) total length, Betta sp. “Riau Red” is tiny and delicate, like the dark green Betta miniopinna.

However, in addition to bright red fins, the males also have a bright red to reddish-brown body color. Another striking feature is the white trim on the dorsal fin and on the top edge of the tail fin in males. The species is still poorly represented in the western countries, but is selling for very high prices in Asia, where aquarists are willing to pay handsomely for rare fighting fishes. I got a pair from Aquarium Dietzenbach, and they quickly adapted to a small species aquarium with soft water and plenty of foliage litter.

Sicyopus sp. “Greenbelly”

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The climbing gobies of the genera Stiphodon and Sicyopus are now regularly found in pet stores.

They are small, absolutely peaceful toward shrimps, and on top of that can be very attractive.

In the summer of 2013, Aquarium Dietzenbach imported a previously unknown species from Indonesia that currently cannot be assigned to any scientifically described species. In both sexes, there is a characteristic white-framed green spot on the second dorsal fin.

When comfortable, the tiny (2 inches/5 cm) fish sport

a bright blue-green abdominal area. According to the exporter, Maju Aquarium (Cibinong), these gobies are caught in fast-flowing waters in the southwestern part of Java. Their behavior in a well-structured aquarium, equipped with a strong current-making pump, is interesting. When two animals meet, the lower-ranking animal exhibits a greeting behavior, bending the caudal peduncle upward, as shown below.

From the island of Java, another Sicyopus species is regularly imported that I once mistakenly named Lentipes sp. “Lipstick.” The species is also known as Sicyopus jonklaasi, which is also incorrect. The latter species originates from the island of Sri Lanka and is far less colorful. The pretty Lipstick Goby must be correctly listed as Sicyopus exallisquamulus (see www. seriouslyfish.com).

Both species are very suitable for the aquarium, although rearing the tiny larvae is difficult.

—Hans-Georg Evers

Sicyopus sp. “Greenbelly" gobies during the “greeting ceremony.”

AMAZONAS

H.-G. EVERS

The Lipstick Goby, Sicyopus exallisquamulus.

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A DV E RTI S E R S

INDEX

Amazonas Back Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 www.reef2rainforest.com/shop Amazonas Retail Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 91 www.reef2rainforest.com/source-directory Amazonas Subscriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 www.amazonasmagazine.com Amazonas Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.reef2rainforest.com American Livebearer Association . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 www.ALA2014.com Boyd Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 www.chemipure.com Brightwell Aquatics . . . . . . . . . . . inside front cover www.brightwellaquatics.com Columbus Area Fish Enthusiasts . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 www.columbusfishclub.org Dr. Tim’s Aquatics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 www.DrTimsAquatics.com EcoTech Marine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 www.ecotechmarine.com Fritz Aquatics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside back cover www.fritzaquatics.com Hikari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 69 www.hikariusa.com Hydor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 www.hydor.com Invertebrates by Msjinkzd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 www.msjinkzd.com Lifegard Aquatics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 www.lifegardaquatics.com Milwaukee Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 www.milwaukeeinstruments.com NEC Aquarium Societies Convention . . . . . . . . . 16 www.northeastcouncil.org New Era – Living Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 www.livingcolor.com

Ocean Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 www.oceannutrition.com Omega Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 www.omegasea.net Piscine Energetics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 www.mysis.com Poly-Bio Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 www.poly-bio-marine.com Prodibio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 www.prodibio.com Riparium Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 www.ripariumsupply.com San Francisco Bay Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 www.sfbb.com Segrest Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 www.segrestfarms.com South Central Cichlids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 www.southcentralcichlids.com Swiss Tropicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 www.swisstropicals.com Tropical Fish Club of Burlington . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 www.tfcb.org Tunze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 www.tunze.com Two Little Fishies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 27 www.twolittlefishies.com The Wet Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 www.wetspottropicalfish.com ZooMed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, back cover www.zoomed.com

For an AMAZONAS Media Kit please contact: James Lawrence, Publisher • 802.985.9977 Ext. 7, James.Lawrence@reef2rainforest.com

We’ll be there, how ‘bout YOU? Columbus Area Fish Enthusiasts are sponsoring an

All Tropical Fish Convention March 28-30, 2014 at the Courtyard Columbus West 2350 Westbelt Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228

Anticipated Speakers:

Eric Brodrock, Ted Judy & Mike Hellweg Visit us at

www.columbusfishclub.org for further details!

AMAZONAS

Gigantic Sunday Fish Auction! Swap Meet & Vendors!

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by Morrell Devlin