Freshwater

Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Platys sport some of the most beautiful colors of all freshwater fish. This
hardy species, which is native to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala, breeds
easily in the community aquarium and is very peaceful. Platys have been
developed extensively through commercial breeding and can be found with
different fin shapes and in almost every color imaginable. The platy is omnivorous,
swims in all levels of the tank, and is easy to breed.
Keep your platys in the same salt conditions as the previously mentioned
other livebearers and let them enjoy their water temperature in the 78–82
degree F range as well. Good tankmates include angelfish, mollies, swordtails,
corys, larger tetras, and plecostomus. The platy will grow to 3 inches and live
several years.
We have to admit that this is our favorite species of fish, simply because of
its beauty, cheery round body shape, and amazing colors. The platy also
seems very alert to the owner’s presence, and we have had many that would
swim up to the glass to greet us. You simply can’t help but love this amazing
little fish which comes in such fascinating varieties as the Mickey Mouse
Platy, Marigold Platy, Calico Platy, Painted Platy, Wag Tail Platy, and Sunburst,
just to name a few. With fish sporting cool names like that in your aquarium,
how can you go wrong?
Catfish
Chapter 8: Finding Your Species
Catfish play an important role in the aquarium system. These species generally
feed off the substrate as they gather unwanted debris. Catfish often survive
by using their barbels (specialized organs used for tasting) to locate the
leftovers that fall to the bottom of the tank, but should be provided with a
diet of sinking pellets as well. Many species are nocturnal (more active at
night), so feed them the sinking food formulated especially for them accordingly.
Catfish can be aggressive if they are not kept with species their own
size, and most are omnivorous.
It is not true that catfish eat fish waste. You have to feed them fish food just
like all other kinds of fish.
Bristlenose catfish (Ancistrus temmincki)
The bristlenose catfish is a prehistoric-looking member of the Loricariidae
family. Males of this species carry a double row of bristles on their snouts,
whereas the females bear only a single row. The bristlenose’s mouth is
formed into a sucker disk that it uses to feed on algae in its native habitat.
This South American catfish is herbivorous, lives in the lower level of the
aquarium, and is peaceful.
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