LIVEBEARERS T Phallichthys tico - - a dainty new ... - Aqualog
LIVEBEARERS T Phallichthys tico - - a dainty new ... - Aqualog
LIVEBEARERS T Phallichthys tico - - a dainty new ... - Aqualog
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<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 2<br />
In dieser Ausgabe lesen Sie:<br />
Wilde Killis aus Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3<br />
Schmetterlingsbarben . . . . . . . . . . .6<br />
Neue Zebra-Plecos aus Peru . . . . . .9<br />
Jaguar-Skalare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11<br />
Ein neuer Lebendgebärender . . .13<br />
Diskus-Wildfänge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14<br />
Der Bayreuther Schwertträger . . .17<br />
Serranocirrhitus latus . . . . . . . . . . .20<br />
Cyperus helferi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22<br />
Jeder Zoofachhändler, jede Tierarztpraxis und jeder<br />
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Placidochromis cf. phenochilus . . .24<br />
Meerwasser und Nano? . . . . . . . . .27<br />
Polypterus mokelembembe . . . . . .28<br />
Hyperolius riggenbachi . . . . . . . . . .30<br />
Vorschau:<br />
Die TERRALOG<strong>new</strong>s No 95<br />
erscheint am 17.11.2010<br />
Nicht verpassen!<br />
WIE UND WO ERHALTEN SIE DIE <strong>new</strong>s?<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung<br />
impressum<br />
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Layout: Bärbel Waldeyer<br />
Übersetzungen: Mary Bailey<br />
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Filialen mit Zoofachabteilung
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 3<br />
Wild killies<br />
from Peru<br />
by Wolfgang Löll<br />
T<br />
he first mention of the name in the<br />
literature dates from the year 1788,<br />
when D. J. Schoepf published a paper<br />
entitled “Beschreibungen einiger Nord-<br />
Amerikanischer Fische, vorzüglich aus den<br />
Neu-Yorkischen Gewässern” (= Descriptions<br />
of some North American fishes, mainly from<br />
the waters of New York) in the journal<br />
Schriften der Berlinischen Gesellschaft<br />
naturforschender Freunde. In this paper he<br />
gives the local common name for the abovementioned<br />
Fundulus as “Killfish”,but doesn’t<br />
explain it.There are two possible derivations<br />
for the name: the commonest is that the<br />
word killifish comes from the Dutch word kill<br />
(meaning river) plus fish,in other words,“river<br />
fish”.However,this Fundulus hardly ever lives<br />
in rivers; hence the second derivation may<br />
well be the correct one, according to which<br />
the phrase “killing bait” is used for a<br />
particularly effective angling bait. To the<br />
present day Fundulus heteroclitus is used as a<br />
bait fish in the area around New York.Be that<br />
as it may, the name killifish in no way reflects<br />
the behavior of these wonderful creatures in<br />
the aquarium!<br />
Wild-caught or captive-bred?<br />
Only a few groups of fishes have so many<br />
aquarium populations as the killifishes,or are<br />
bred to such a high level of (scientifically<br />
demanding) expertise. In theory there is no<br />
need to rely on imports for the hobby.<br />
Nevertheless the recent importation by<br />
Aquarium Glaser of a whole series of<br />
different wild-caught killifish species from<br />
KILLIFISHES<br />
The name “killifish” for the egg-laying toothcarps has become current<br />
all over the world.To the uninitiated it may sound somewhat brutal, but<br />
it has nothing to do with the English word “kill”. The name killifish<br />
originated in the New York area, where it was used for the species<br />
Fundulus heteroclitus macrolepidotus.<br />
Aphyolebias schleseri,male all Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
Aphyolebias schleseri,female<br />
Peru is very welcome, as although<br />
inbreeding isn’t usually a significant problem<br />
in aquarium fishes (the high reproductive<br />
rate of fishes invariably permits any<br />
inheritable defects in captive-bred strains to<br />
be eliminated by careful selection), the<br />
majority of aquarium strains trace their<br />
ancestry to only a very small number of<br />
founder specimens. This means that often<br />
only very little is known about the range of<br />
natural intraspecific variation. The<br />
importation of comparatively large numbers<br />
of specimens can fill these gaps in our<br />
knowledge and thus help us understand the
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 4<br />
Rivulus ornatus,female<br />
Aphyolebias peruensis,female<br />
biology of such species.The capture of these<br />
fishes for live maintenance poses no<br />
problems from a conservation viewpoint, so<br />
there is really no need to have a guilty<br />
conscience about buying wild-caught<br />
specimens.<br />
Seasonal fishes and survival specialists<br />
All the species discussed here live under<br />
extreme conditions in the wild. For starters,<br />
there are the classic seasonal fishes,<br />
including Austrolebias schleseri, A. peruensis,<br />
and Moema cf. pirana.Seasonal fishes is the<br />
term used for killifishes that in the wild<br />
sometimes inhabit waters that dry up the<br />
periodically. A feature they have in common<br />
is the ability to grow incredibly rapidly: from<br />
hatching to sexual maturity takes only a few<br />
weeks. And Moema cf. pirana, for example,<br />
Rivulus ornatus,male<br />
Aphyolebias peruensis,male<br />
can readily reach 15 cm long! But others,<br />
such as Austrolebias schleseri,attain barely 5<br />
cm in length. From the moment that they<br />
attain sexual maturity these fishes mate<br />
every day. The species discussed here are<br />
bottom-divers, ie the spawning pair dive
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 5<br />
right into the substrate of the body of water<br />
and lay their eggs “underground”.<br />
In the wild the lifespan of such fishes is<br />
usually only a few months. Then their home<br />
waters dry up and they die. Only the eggs<br />
Moema cf.ortegai,male<br />
Rivulus retrocaudatus,male<br />
survive in the substrate and hatch many<br />
months later when it next rains. They live<br />
considerably longer in the aquarium.<br />
Moema cf.ortegai,female<br />
Rivulus retrocaudatus,female<br />
Rivulus, the “grasshoppers”<br />
The strategy of the Rivulus species is quite<br />
different. These slender fishes have learned<br />
to travel on land. In wet weather they jump<br />
out of the water and cling to damp terrestrial<br />
plants. In this way they significantly reduce<br />
predation pressure from piscivorous fishes<br />
and can simultaneously colonize small<br />
waters that in fact hardly deserve the name,<br />
such as damp meadows containing a few<br />
small puddles. These fishes live considerably<br />
longer than their fellow killies, the seasonal<br />
fishes. Rivulus are adhesive spawners that lay<br />
their eggs on plants, among fine roots, etc.<br />
The eggs usually develop within 2-3 weeks.<br />
Because Rivulus are particularly fond of<br />
mosquito larvae they are of great interest for<br />
the biological combating of mosquitoes.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 6<br />
L<br />
ong unavailable<br />
Although the first butterfly barbs<br />
reached Europe back in the 1960s and the<br />
secret of breeding them was also revealed at<br />
that time, they subsequently disappeared<br />
again from our aquaria.Breeding them is not<br />
a viable economic prospect for professionals.<br />
And then we had the Malawi and Tanganyika<br />
BARBS<br />
Butterfly barbs<br />
by Frank Schäfer<br />
The Congo is home to a group of dwarf barbs that are collectively<br />
termed under the name “butterfly barbs” on account of their <strong>dainty</strong><br />
appearance. None of them grows larger than 3 cm.<br />
Barbus hulstaerti,male.This species has the most colorful fins. All Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
boom, which swept numerous barbs and<br />
tetras from our tanks, as the vast majority of<br />
aquarists were prepared to reach deep into<br />
their wallets only for cichlids from the lakes<br />
of the Great Rift.<br />
No fashion lasts forever, but when interest<br />
once again turned to these little jewels it was<br />
impossible to obtain them. The terrible civil<br />
war in the Congo made access to the<br />
collecting regions impossible.<br />
It wasn’t until a few years ago (2006) that<br />
Roland Numrich of Mimbon Aquarium in<br />
Cologne,once again succeeded in importing<br />
butterfly barbs to Germany. He exhibited<br />
them at the Interzoo in Nuremberg, where<br />
they aroused great interest. Soon afterwards<br />
Aquarium Glaser and others were also able<br />
to import these fishes.<br />
The initial hysteria about these fishes has by<br />
now subsided somewhat and importations<br />
are more regular. Nevertheless butterfly<br />
barbs have remained comparatively<br />
expensive fishes, because the collecting<br />
regions can be reached only with great<br />
logistical difficulty and expense,and one fact<br />
Barbus hulstaerti,female<br />
hasn’t altered to the present day: these little<br />
fishes are rather unproductive and hence<br />
uninteresting to professional breeders.<br />
The species<br />
To date three species of butterfly barbs have<br />
been scientifically described:Barbus candens,
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 7<br />
Barbus candens,male in excited mood. The mid-lateral spot is expanded.<br />
B. hulstaerti,and B. papilio.Two additional species are already known<br />
(see Schliewen, 2006), so there are at least five species, three of which<br />
are currently available in the trade.<br />
All species look extraordinarily similar and can probably be<br />
distinguished from one another only in live coloration. It is also in no<br />
way certain that the method of identification used here is actually<br />
correct, as all who have explored the region ichthyologically are<br />
agreed that every stream contains its own different-looking<br />
population of butterfly barbs. Perhaps they are also all different<br />
Barbus candens,Weibchen<br />
TIERÄRZTE IN IHRER NÄHE<br />
Jan Wolter<br />
Praktischer Tierarzt,<br />
Zierfischpraxis<br />
Tegeler Weg 24<br />
D-10589 Berlin<br />
Tel. 030 34502210<br />
K. Alexandra Dörnath<br />
prakt. Tierärztin<br />
MSc Wild Animal Health, MRCVS<br />
Tierarztpraxis Klein Mexiko<br />
Bennigsenstraße 1b<br />
D-28205 Bremen<br />
0421 4915000<br />
www.exotenpraxis-bremen.de<br />
species and any future revision will require<br />
the collection of live material from the type<br />
localities in order to be quite sure to which<br />
species the existing scientific names relate.<br />
The three species presented in this article are<br />
B. candens, male, neutral mood.<br />
currently being imported by Aquarium Glaser. Unfortunately they<br />
sometimes arrive mixed together and then it isn’t easy to sort out the<br />
appropriate females.<br />
Tierärztliche Praxis für<br />
Kleintiere Scharnhorst GmbH<br />
Leitender Tierarzt:<br />
Volker Borchers<br />
Bücherstr. 1<br />
44328 Dortmund<br />
T 0231 239051<br />
F 0231 239052<br />
I www.petdoc.de<br />
E info@petdoc.de<br />
Praxis für Kleintiere und Exoten<br />
Dr. med.vet.Jürgen Seybold<br />
Kleintierzentrum Mitteltal<br />
Max-Eyth-Str. 36<br />
72270 Baiersbronn-Mitteltal<br />
Telefon: 0 74 49 - 91 32 45<br />
Telefax: 0 74 49 - 91 32 51<br />
praxis@kleintierzentrum-mitteltal.de
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 8<br />
Barbus sp.“Lompole”,male in neutral mood. This species remains very slender and small.<br />
Breeding<br />
In addition to their attractive coloration the<br />
butterfly barbs are also interesting on account<br />
of their method of reproduction. Specifically,<br />
unlike all the other small barbs, these species<br />
are not egg-scatterers or adhesive-spawners,<br />
but lay their eggs in the substrate,quite similar<br />
to many killifishes - with which they also share<br />
their habitat in the wild!<br />
And precisely like in the killifishes, some of<br />
the eggs at least take an immensely long<br />
time to develop. Although it has been<br />
reported that sometimes the young hatch<br />
after only three days, it usually takes around<br />
two weeks. And butterfly barbs also differ<br />
from their cousins in one additional detail:<br />
they spawn only at 21-23 °C. Other barbs<br />
breed at 26 °C upwards.<br />
Barbus sp.“Lompole”,displaying male.<br />
Barbus sp.“Lompole”,female.<br />
Literature:<br />
Evers,H.(2007): Gelungen:die Nachzucht<br />
der Schmetterlingsbarbe Barbus<br />
hulstaerti. Amazonas 3 (1): 52-57<br />
Sans, W. (1962): Barbus candens (Nichols<br />
et Griscom). Datz 10 (9): 264-266<br />
Schliewen, U. (2006): Barbus hulstaerti.<br />
Schmetterlingsbarbe wieder eingeführt.<br />
Datz 59 (7): 40
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 9<br />
New zebra plecs from Peru<br />
by Harald Jahn<br />
Many armored catfishes (Loricariidae) are very variable in their coloration. This phenomenon is extremely<br />
strongly developed in species of the genus Hypancistrus and extends to individual coloration: in some species<br />
no two individuals are colored the same. In other genera the variation in coloration appears to be more<br />
geographical in origin.<br />
F<br />
rom a purely zoological viewpoint the<br />
species discussed here,first imported in<br />
June/July 2010 by Aquarium Glaser in<br />
Rodgau, Germany, probably belong to the<br />
L-NUMBERS<br />
species Panaqolus changae.P.changae is well<br />
known in the aquarium hobby and has<br />
already received several L- and LDAnumbers<br />
(LDA26, L206, L226). The first<br />
Panaqolus sp.“New Zebra Jutai”, light-colored<br />
specimen.<br />
specimens arrived in Europe in the mid<br />
1990s, and the species was scientifically<br />
described in 2002. It should be mentioned<br />
again here that L- and LDA-numbers do not<br />
necessarily indicate different species, but<br />
only that the specimens in question look<br />
different.The question of what constitutes a<br />
species and what is just a population is<br />
philosophical in nature and the subject of<br />
controversy in scientific circles. However,<br />
this question is of lesser importance for the<br />
aquarium hobby. If fishes from river X are<br />
red in color and those from river Y yellow,<br />
then fundamentally we should breed only<br />
with identically-colored specimens from<br />
the same source region, even if red and<br />
yellow happen to be currently regarded as<br />
the same species.<br />
Panaqolus sp.“New Zebra Jutai”<br />
The two <strong>new</strong> Panaqolus just imported by<br />
Aquarium Glaser should also be viewed in<br />
this light. The “New Zebra Jutai” reached<br />
Aquarium Glaser in June 2010. The<br />
significance of the locality “Jutai”is unclear,as<br />
Panaqolus sp.“New Zebra Jutai”, dark-colored<br />
specimen.<br />
the Rio Jutai lies in Brazil but these fishes<br />
undoubtedly originate from Peru.<br />
The importation contained two clearly<br />
distinguishable phenotypes: high-backed<br />
fishes with an almost white body base color<br />
and shallower-bodied individuals with an
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 10<br />
orange base color. At present it is impossible to say whether this<br />
denotes sexual dichromatism or perhaps that two very similar<br />
species were represented in the consignment. Be that as it may, the<br />
imported fishes were 4-6 cm long, and the eventual length of P.<br />
changae is about 12 cm.<br />
Panaqolus sp.“Pucallpa”<br />
This may well be a local variant of P. changae. Juveniles of 3-4 cm are<br />
Panaqolus sp.“Pucallpa”,female<br />
long and fully sexable.<br />
the most attractively<br />
colored, but<br />
unfortunately the<br />
colors become<br />
ever duller with<br />
increasing age.<br />
The largest specimens<br />
imported<br />
were about 8 cm<br />
Wood eaters<br />
Panaqolus are chiefly wood eaters, just like their larger cousins the<br />
Panaque species. Soft wood is, essentially, an indispensable<br />
component of the diet of these fishes.In addition they can be offered<br />
numerous other foods, eg food tablets, dead leaves, cucumber, slices<br />
of potato, pieces of carrot, etc,but it is very important to avoid high<br />
Panaqolus sp.“Pucallpa”,juvenile all Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
Panaqolus sp.“Pucallpa”,Männchen<br />
levels of protein as well as of carbohydrate.<br />
The digestive system of these fishes is not<br />
designed for such foods, and in the worst<br />
case scenario incorrect feeding can lead to<br />
the death of the fishes. Because they eat very<br />
large amounts efficient filtration is essential<br />
to remain in control of the resulting huge<br />
quantities of excreta.<br />
Breeding<br />
Panaqolus changae has proved to be<br />
relatively easy to breed. The breeding tank<br />
should, however, be rather large (say 120 cm<br />
upwards in length), as these fishes can be<br />
very rough in their courtship fervor. P.<br />
changae are typical cave-brooders. They<br />
have no special requirements as regards<br />
water parameters, and breeding usually<br />
Aquaristik<br />
Streng<br />
Spezialmischungen - Einzelsaaten - Zubehör<br />
91735 Muhr am See - Bahnhofstraße 48<br />
Telefon 09831 / 99 54 - Telefax 09831 / 88 835<br />
takes place in normal mains water at 28-30<br />
°C. It is very important to give the fry<br />
droppings from the parents to eat at an early<br />
stage, so that they obtain the symbiotic<br />
bacteria they require to survive,as it is known<br />
that no individual can obtain nourishment<br />
from plant material without such symbionts.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 11<br />
The Jaguar Angelfish<br />
by Roman Neunkirchen<br />
T<br />
his often leads to hybrids between<br />
different species, and invariably<br />
combines genetic material from<br />
individuals that are only very distantly<br />
related. The result is an increased<br />
F ANCY FISH<br />
Angelfishes are among the most popular of all ornamental fishes.<br />
Because the systematics of these fishes has to date been studied only<br />
very inadequately, individuals from totally different geographical<br />
regions have been (and still are) frequently mated to one another.<br />
Angelfish of the “jaguar” cultivated form. Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
occurrence of genetically dictated changes that may affect<br />
coloration or even body form – we have only to think of the veiltailed<br />
forms. Accidental mutations can be genetically fixed<br />
relatively quickly through back-crossing to the parents. This is<br />
how <strong>new</strong> cultivated forms usually arise.<br />
Wild angelfishes - a single species?<br />
It is, of course, also the case that <strong>new</strong> variants can suddenly turn<br />
up in long-bred strains as a result of mutation. But this happens<br />
comparatively less frequently. Be that as it may, it is very<br />
noticeable that it is those species of aquarium fishes that already<br />
occur in the wild in a large number of different-colored<br />
populations – examples are the Guppy and Platy – that very<br />
rapidly give rise to a wide variety of<br />
cultivated forms. Here too the boundaries<br />
between “variant” and “species” are fluid<br />
and not sharply drawn, precisely as in the<br />
angelfishes. Pterophyllum scalare is very<br />
widely distributed in Brazil, French Guiana,<br />
Guyana, Columbia, and Peru and numerous<br />
local populations also have their own<br />
names in the hobby: examples are the<br />
“Peruvian Altum”, the “Redback”, the<br />
“Eimekei”, etc, all technically members of<br />
the species P. scalare.<br />
Cultivated forms – only for beginners?<br />
It is a great pity that the precise origins of<br />
cultivated forms of aquarium fishes are<br />
generally only very inaccurately or<br />
anecdotally documented. The reasons for<br />
this are manifold, but usually commercial<br />
interests are at the root of the secrecy.That
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 12<br />
is a great shame, as cultivated forms teach<br />
us the mechanisms of evolution. They<br />
demonstrate – within a much reduced<br />
time-frame - in what directions an animal<br />
species can develop, where its genetic<br />
potential lies. At the same time the<br />
cultivated forms of ornamental fishes are<br />
still very young; the first importation of<br />
angelfishes to Germany took place in 1909,<br />
but the first cultivated forms didn’t appear<br />
until considerably later.<br />
The jaguar angelfish<br />
Although as far as we know this cultivated<br />
form has not previously been portrayed in<br />
the literature using photos taken in life, it<br />
has nevertheless been known for quite<br />
some time.The strain that Aquarium Glaser<br />
is now offering under the name “Jaguar<br />
Angelfish” originates from two specimens<br />
that were discovered by chance and<br />
purchased at a fish-club auction in autumn<br />
2009. These specimens were passed to a<br />
professional breeder who has now bred<br />
Jaguar angelfish<br />
them successfully, a good year later.<br />
Because it was necessary to pair the two<br />
original specimens with other angelfishes,<br />
at present only about 50% of the offspring<br />
turn out to be “jaguar”.Only the future can<br />
tell whether it will be possible to produce a<br />
strain of jaguar angelfish that breeds true.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 13<br />
<strong>Phallichthys</strong> <strong>tico</strong> -<br />
- a <strong>dainty</strong> <strong>new</strong> livebearer<br />
by Sarah Nieten<br />
The long copulatory organ in males is the reason for<br />
the genus name: the word <strong>Phallichthys</strong> means<br />
“penis fish”!<br />
T<br />
Phallichtys <strong>tico</strong>,male. Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
he mating and reproductive habits of their study subjects<br />
have always been of particular interest to zoologists. Think<br />
what you will about zoologists: the size of the gonopodium (the<br />
term for the copulatory organ in male livebearing toothcarps,<br />
formed by the modification of the anal fin) is an important<br />
indicator of mating behavior without the need to observe the<br />
fishes for a long period of time.<br />
All a matter of length<br />
Livebearing toothcarps with a short gonopodium – these include<br />
the extensive Molly assemblage, to which the Guppy also belongs<br />
- as a rule have a highly differentiated and complicated courtship<br />
<strong>LIVEBEARERS</strong><br />
behavior. In these<br />
species the female<br />
decides<br />
with which male<br />
she will mate and<br />
thus makes an<br />
active mate<br />
choice.<br />
By contrast, in<br />
species with a<br />
long gonopo-
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 14<br />
dium mating takes the form of rape. In<br />
these species the male swims up behind<br />
the female with his gonopodium<br />
extended and inseminates her without<br />
her having any active choice of partner.<br />
Maintenance of <strong>Phallichthys</strong> <strong>tico</strong><br />
<strong>Phallichthys</strong> <strong>tico</strong> is a small, fabulously<br />
beautiful species. Males grow to only<br />
about 2.5 cm, females up to 4.5 cm long.<br />
The species occurs only in the upper<br />
course of the river San Juan in Costa Rica<br />
and Nicaragua. These fishes are not<br />
particularly demanding as regards<br />
maintenance, although they do require<br />
constantly fresh, clean water with as low a<br />
germ count as possible. Water parameters<br />
Wild-caught discus<br />
by Klaus Diehl<br />
DISCUS<br />
The fascination exerted by discus is something the aquarist can escape<br />
only with difficulty. Even if the desire to keep them is perhaps not very<br />
marked, everyone finds them beautiful!<br />
Heckel Discus from the Rio Jatapu.<br />
are of lesser importance, though extremes<br />
should be avoided. Suitable values are pH<br />
7 – 7.5, a hardness of 3-10 °dGH, and a<br />
temperature of 24-28°C. In addition to<br />
frozen and dried foods, these little fishes<br />
also require vegetable fare.<br />
<strong>Phallichthys</strong> <strong>tico</strong>,female<br />
T<br />
he mythos surrounding these fishes,<br />
generally regarded as extremely tricky<br />
and demanding, originates from the days<br />
when we still k<strong>new</strong> very little about the<br />
ecological requirements of fishes.To be sure,<br />
during the 1950s and 1960s it was already<br />
rumored that pH value and water hardness<br />
were important parameters for many fishes;<br />
but in terms of equipment and animal<br />
medicine the aquarium science of those<br />
days was in no way comparable with our<br />
clearly advanced standards nowadays.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 15
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 16<br />
Royal Blue Discus “Novo Ariguana”<br />
Wild-caught discus<br />
The main difference in the maintenance of<br />
wild-caught discus (such as the splendid<br />
specimens illustrating this article, imported<br />
in summer 2010 by Aquarium Glaser), and<br />
captive-bred stocks lies in the multitude of<br />
potential parasites that they may bring with<br />
them from the wild. Every animal, be it wild<br />
or domestic pet, has a few parasites. This is<br />
completely normal and no reason for<br />
concern. But if the immune response of an<br />
animal becomes impaired (capture,<br />
transportation, unaccustomed food), then<br />
the parasites can proliferate out of hand and<br />
pose a threat to their host. For this reason<br />
only experienced aquarists, capable of<br />
dealing with the results of such a<br />
proliferation of parasites, should keep <strong>new</strong>ly<br />
wild-caught discus. But once they are settled<br />
in their maintenance and breeding are no<br />
different than for tank-breds. They are<br />
splendid fishes that will give a huge amount<br />
of pleasure.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 17<br />
FANCY FISH<br />
Around the cities with Xiphophorus hellerii<br />
The Bayreuth Swordtail cross<br />
by John Dawes<br />
Bayreuth is a north Bavarian city with a population of around 73,000<br />
people. It is widely known among music lovers for its annual Bayreuth<br />
Festival of opera, and for its association with the German composer,<br />
Richard Wagner, who lived in Bayreuth between the years 1872 and his<br />
death in 1883.<br />
U<br />
Male of the Bayreuth Swordtail cross. Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
Among fish lovers, Bayreuth is<br />
known as the city where a<br />
distinctive swordtail was exhibited for<br />
the first time in 1968 (reported in<br />
Nordbayerischer Kurier on 11 October<br />
of that year). In common with other<br />
varieties of swordtail, e.g. the Hamburg,<br />
Wiesbaden and Berlin swords, this<br />
particular variety adopted the name of<br />
the city, thus becoming known as the<br />
Bayreuth swordtail.<br />
This was not the first time, however,<br />
that a ‘Bayreuth-type’ swordtail had<br />
been produced. In fact, five years<br />
earlier, Hawaiian breeders Eric and<br />
Larry Nishida had crossed a red<br />
Simpson (high-finned) male and a<br />
normal-finned Hamburg female.<br />
Hamburg swordtails are predominantly<br />
black fish in which the body is overlaid<br />
with reflective green scales. While the<br />
black pigmentation can extend into<br />
the fins, some specimens have reddish<br />
or clear fins instead.<br />
The resulting offspring from this cross<br />
had high fins (a Simpson characteristic)<br />
and Hamburg body coloration, with a<br />
well-formed sword, bright red throat<br />
area and red fins. An article referring to<br />
this ‘Nishida Highfin-hellerii’ first<br />
appeared in the US hobby magazine,<br />
The Aquarium, in November 1963.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 18<br />
The Bayreuth specimens produced by<br />
Walter F. Ranninger in 1968 were first<br />
exhibited at a fish club show and<br />
auction as the ‘Bayreuth cross’. A little<br />
under a year later, in August 1969, the<br />
<strong>new</strong> fish was presented to the general<br />
public at the Second International<br />
Competition and Exhibition staged in<br />
Mönchengladbach, followed, another<br />
year later, by the same variety being<br />
produced by Karl W. Hamel from<br />
Bensheim in southern Hesse.<br />
In tips afforded to potential breeders of<br />
this fish, which can contain either red<br />
or yellow coloration, in addition to<br />
black, it is recommended never to cross<br />
two high-finned fish, but, rather, to<br />
choose a high-finned female and a<br />
normal-finned male. This reportedly<br />
results in more high-finned offspring<br />
than if the cross were reversed, i.e. a<br />
high-finned male and a normal-finned<br />
female.<br />
I have encountered a similar situation<br />
several times over the years, with<br />
hybrids produced between two related<br />
species sometimes ending up with<br />
more characteristics from their mother<br />
than their father, e.g. higher number of<br />
body spots in Limia vittata x L.<br />
melanogaster hybrids in which the<br />
mother was a L. vittata, and more body<br />
stripes when the mother was a L.<br />
melanogaster.<br />
The Simpson fin of this specimen is very beautifully developed.<br />
While, at first sight, this seems a little<br />
confusing – since both parents<br />
contribute equally in terms of<br />
chromosomes – there could be an<br />
explanation. Such a phenomenon is<br />
well known in biology and is referred to<br />
as cytoplasmic, extra-nuclear or<br />
maternal inheritance, i.e. inheritance of<br />
maternal characteristics which are not<br />
directly linked to the genes found in<br />
chromosomes.<br />
Because (in the vast majority of cases)<br />
sperm contain no cytoplasm, or very<br />
little, but eggs contain a lot, including<br />
genes not located on the<br />
chromosomes but in other structures<br />
such as mitochondria (involved in<br />
energy production), mothers may end<br />
up contributing more genetic material<br />
overall to their offspring than fathers.<br />
This can result in offspring inheriting<br />
and exhibiting a larger number of<br />
characteristics (not necessarily<br />
physical, but biochemical as well) from<br />
their mother than their father.<br />
This is not to say that the situation<br />
observed in Bayreuth swords is down<br />
to cytoplasmic inheritance…but it<br />
could, at least, have a bearing on the<br />
reported results. Will we ever know?
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 19<br />
RARITIES<br />
In brief:<br />
Zenarchopterus<br />
dunckeri<br />
by Roman Neunkirchen<br />
Zenarchopterus cf. dunckeri from Taiwan. Photo: Frank Schäfer<br />
The halfbeak genus Zenarchopterus contains 20 species<br />
which all occur along the Pacific coast of tropical Asia.<br />
Maximum length is around 15 cm, with only a few species<br />
growing somewhat longer and all usually remaining<br />
significantly smaller. The species look extraordinarily similar<br />
to one another and the only way they can be identified with<br />
any certainty is on the basis of the externally visible sex<br />
organ in adult males, in which the posterior part of the anal<br />
fin is modified into a copulatory organ termed the<br />
andropodium. Only one species, Z. quadrimaculatus,exhibits<br />
any body patterning, while all the others are silver in color.<br />
Aquarium Glaser has now imported a Zenarchopterus from<br />
Taiwan, thought to perhaps be Z. dunckeri.<br />
Zenarchopterus are fascinating brackish-water fishes (salt<br />
content 5-15 g/l.) that always swim near the water’s surface.<br />
In the wild they feed on insects that fall into the water, while<br />
in the aquarium they will also take flake food very readily.<br />
Zenarchopterus are very peaceful among themselves and<br />
towards other fishes, but are easily frightened and hence<br />
should not be kept in combination with "outgoing" species.<br />
All species<br />
are probably<br />
egg-layers<br />
with internal<br />
fertilization,<br />
but as yet no<br />
detailed<br />
breeding<br />
reports are<br />
available.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 20<br />
Serranocirrhitus latus-<br />
- the Fathead Anthias is far<br />
from easy to maintain<br />
by Joachim Frische<br />
This anthias differs markedly in its behavior from other anthias from<br />
the genus Pseudanthias.<br />
MARINES<br />
Fathead Anthias Photo: Frank Schäfer<br />
N<br />
ot a “true” anthias<br />
Many anthias are popular in the marine<br />
aquarium hobby and generally problemfree<br />
in their maintenance. The challenge<br />
with the Fathead Anthias involves its<br />
feeding: in the past mine would eat nothing<br />
but larger crustaceans such as Mysis and –<br />
albeit less readily – Artemia. In my 800-liter<br />
aquarium, which has a rich population of<br />
Xenia, small Krill became their preferred<br />
food within a short time. My two specimens<br />
have proved to be cautious feeders that can<br />
be quickly scared away by greedy<br />
competitors for food. Unlike the norm for<br />
other anthias, the two of them are not<br />
unrestrained feeders that greedily gulp<br />
down whatever food is offered.<br />
Several meals a day<br />
This surprising behavior makes it necessary<br />
to give several meals of frozen food per day,<br />
as so far dried food has been rejected.Hence<br />
the maintenance of the Fathead Anthias is<br />
time-consuming in terms of feeding.<br />
Not group-forming<br />
These fishes spend most of the day in<br />
separate areas of the aquarium without too<br />
much swimming activity. Adult specimens<br />
attain a length of at least 13 cm.<br />
Fenner (2004) states that males are more<br />
orange-red in color while females have a<br />
relatively large amount of lilac in their<br />
coloration. I place no reliance on body<br />
coloration but hope for the protogynous<br />
hermaphroditism usual in anthias.<br />
Ecology in the wild<br />
Michael (1998) describes the social behavior<br />
as solitary or in pairs. He also states that he<br />
has sometimes seen the species in a group<br />
of three.They are tightly “bound”to the reef,<br />
where they always keep the underside of<br />
their bodies pointing towards the substrate.<br />
Preferred habitats are stony coral formations<br />
and aggregations of soft corals and<br />
gorgonians. Other authors report small<br />
groups on the outside of the reef where the<br />
drop-off descends into the fathomless<br />
abyss.<br />
Hawkfish or grouper?<br />
An interesting story lies behind the scientific<br />
name of the monotypic genus Serranocirrhitus.<br />
“Serrano” derives from the family
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 21<br />
Serranidae (sea basses, groupers, and fairy<br />
basslets, including the anthias) and<br />
“cirrhitus” from the hawkfish family<br />
(Cirrhitidae). In naming this species in 1949<br />
its author, Watanabe, was unable to decide<br />
to which family the <strong>new</strong>ly discovered<br />
species latus should be assigned.So he gave<br />
it the genus name Serranocirrhitus and<br />
placed it in the Hawkfish family. Thirteen<br />
years later Whitley described an attractive<br />
little perciform which he gave the name<br />
Dactylanthias mcmichaeli. Because the<br />
holotype differed somewhat in color from<br />
that of Watanabe, the two species were<br />
regarded as distinct until 1978. It was<br />
Randall who spotted this error in 1978 and<br />
recognized the purported two species as<br />
being just one. He placed it in the subfamily<br />
Anthiinae (anthias) of the family Serranidae<br />
(groupers, etc), where it remains to the<br />
present day.<br />
If, despite the time-consuming feeding, you<br />
are interested in keeping this unusual fish<br />
Literature:<br />
Fenner, R. (2004): Serranocirrhitus latus ist<br />
ein nicht alltäglicher Aquarienfisch. Das<br />
Aquarium 38(10), 41-42<br />
Michael, S.W. (1998): Reef Fishes,Volume 1.<br />
Microcosm Ltd. Shelburne.<br />
In my aquarium. Photo: Joachim Frische<br />
then your aquarium dealer can<br />
undoubtedly order them for you from a<br />
wholesaler of his acquaintance – for<br />
example Meeresaquaristik-Reising in<br />
Alzenau-Wasserlos, Germany,<br />
Fax +49 (0)6023 - 31502.<br />
Sex change in fishes<br />
In the vast majority of freshwater fishes sex<br />
is a permanent attribute that cannot be<br />
altered in the individual specimen.<br />
Things are very different in very many<br />
marine fishes. Here changing sex is almost<br />
the rule.<br />
We distinguish protogynous species,<br />
which begin life as females and have the<br />
potential to end up as males, and<br />
protandrous species in which the situation<br />
is reversed. Whether or not an individual<br />
changes sex depends on, inter alia,<br />
whether the other sex is present. Thus<br />
anemonefishes (Amphiprion) are protandrous,<br />
for example. But only the highestranking<br />
individual in a group can<br />
transform into a female.<br />
Serranocirrhitus latus is gloriously colored. Photo: Frank Schäfer
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 22<br />
Cyperus helferi<br />
T<br />
PLANTS<br />
by Claus Christensen – www.AquaDiscover.com - Danmark<br />
A large percentage of the most popular aquarium plants come from<br />
Thailand. It is possible to find more than 25 species along a 200 km<br />
stretch in southern Thailand.<br />
The natural habitat of Cyperus helferi. Inset:Close-up of part of the section of bank seen above, with Cyperus<br />
helferi in the water. Photos: Claus Christensen<br />
his part of the country is also very suitable for visiting by travelers with no previous<br />
experience of the tropics, and provides an excellent opportunity to study our<br />
aquarium plants in the wild.This series of articles, of which this is the first, will cover a region<br />
that can be reached from the most popular holiday destinations<br />
such as Phuket, Khao Lak, and Krabi. The majority of travel agents<br />
offer charter flights to these destinations. So join me now on the<br />
first stage of our journey…….<br />
Bad luck with the weather<br />
It was November, and the rain bucketed down.The approached to<br />
the villages were flooded and the roads had transformed into<br />
streams. We were traveling south through Thailand and the rainy<br />
season should in fact have been over. But the weather gods had<br />
apparently decided to leave us in the lurch this time!<br />
20 kilometers south of Ranong we visited a place where we had<br />
been before and where we k<strong>new</strong> that Cyperus helferi grew. We<br />
were hoping to collect lots of seeds there to enable us to<br />
propagate <strong>new</strong> plants. Unfortunately it turned out that Cyperus<br />
wasn’t widespread there and the original discovery in 1991 had<br />
been simply a lucky one-off. But we did find Barclaya longifolia in<br />
flower there.<br />
During his first visit with a native collector Holger Windeløv had<br />
been told that Cyperus was just a weed and not suitable for the<br />
aquarium. This attitude is widespread – if you want to find good<br />
plants for the aquarium then you often need to look at things<br />
from a different perspective.<br />
The habitat of Cyperus helferi<br />
The little stream in which the plants were<br />
growing back then flowed through a small<br />
stand of bushes and small trees. The water<br />
was crystal clear, although the stream was<br />
used by the local population for bathing<br />
and washing clothes. Cyperus helferi grew<br />
in small populations at the edge of the<br />
stream in a substrate of fine white sand.<br />
Cyperus is widespread everywhere in the
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 23<br />
Cyperus helferi in the aquarium. Photo:Jan Ole Pedersen<br />
Tropics, but only a few species are good<br />
underwater plants. Cyperus helferi was the<br />
first Cyperus species to be used in the<br />
aquarium. This plant requires a relatively<br />
large amount of light and the addition of<br />
CO2 encourages growth.<br />
The leaves grow from the base of the<br />
Thanks to Philips the mainten-<br />
ance of freshwater water purifier<br />
is now finally child’s play!<br />
by Philips<br />
Clear water, healthier fishes, and less effort on<br />
maintenance, with the Philips Tropical Water Purifier for<br />
tropical aquaria.<br />
T<br />
ropical freshwater aquaria normally<br />
require constant maintenance:uneaten<br />
food, fish droppings, and plant remains<br />
pollute the water and endanger the health of<br />
tropical fishes. But with the Philips Tropical<br />
Water Purifier for tropical aquaria all that is a<br />
thing of the past. Because this innovative<br />
piece of equipment releases very small, safe<br />
amounts of ozone into the water, waste<br />
products, bacteria, and viruses are<br />
transformed into harmless elements. In<br />
shoots. They are narrow, light green, and<br />
have smooth margins. Sometimes parts of<br />
the leaves are deformed in a zig-zag shape.<br />
In aquaria with good water movement<br />
these plants wave attractively in the<br />
current.<br />
Holger Windeløv, founder of the firm<br />
Tropica, was the first to introduce Cyperus<br />
helferi to aquarium culture.<br />
Ranong<br />
Ranong is a good place to stay in this<br />
region - the only spot within a radius of<br />
several hundred kilometers where you will<br />
find a hotel! In addition Ranong is an<br />
exciting town filled with impressions and<br />
aromas of the Orient - mysterious and<br />
wonderful. In the restaurant of the Jansons<br />
Terra Hotel we experienced the Thai<br />
version of karaoke: "Sing a song". The local<br />
musical talents took turns to try and<br />
entertain their public by singing<br />
melancholy songs of lost love.<br />
The evening was relatively cool, and we<br />
were soon hungry. The best Pad-Thai in<br />
addition the ozone limits the growth of<br />
algae.<br />
The result? Less effort on maintenance,<br />
crystal clear water, and healthier fishes for up<br />
to 150 days! The aquarium water needs to be<br />
changed only twice per year instead of a<br />
third 1/3 of the content every 3 weeks. And<br />
not only that: the device also neutralizes the<br />
toxic nitrite peak in <strong>new</strong>ly established<br />
aquaria and hence makes it possible to add<br />
Ranong can be obtained at the night-time<br />
market. At first glance the standards of<br />
hygiene might appear somewhat<br />
dangerous for delicate European<br />
stomachs, but the food is fresh and<br />
painstakingly prepared. Pad-Thai consists<br />
of roasted vegetables with noodles and<br />
expensive spices and often includes<br />
aquatic plants such as Blyxa<br />
example. (to be continued).<br />
spp., for<br />
fishes after only 3 days instead of 2 to 3<br />
weeks.<br />
So that every aquarium enthusiast can enjoy<br />
these numerous benefits, the Philips Tropical<br />
Water Purifier for tropical aquaria now comes<br />
in 5 different models – each with a venturi or<br />
aerator – for aquaria of 10 to 700 liters.<br />
Further information can be found at<br />
www.ifeelgoood.com
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 24<br />
MALAWI CICHLIDS<br />
Placidochromis cf.phenochilus “Tanzania” -<br />
not only beautiful, but also peaceful<br />
by Frank Schäfer<br />
The generic classification of the<br />
Haplochromis-like cichlids of<br />
Lake Malawi is based on their<br />
so-called melanin patterns, in<br />
other words the black elements<br />
in the basic pattern.<br />
Unfortunately these pattern<br />
elements cannot be seen in the<br />
type specimen of Haplochromis<br />
phenochilus, described in 1935,<br />
so that its correct generic<br />
placement remains unclear to<br />
the present day.<br />
T<br />
Placidochromis cf.phenochilus,juvenile male. Photo: Frank Schäfer<br />
hese fabulous fishes, currently<br />
available as German tank-breds,<br />
undoubtedly belong to the genus<br />
Placidochromis and in all probability to the<br />
species phenochilus, but the species<br />
designation used above should be
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 25<br />
employed by preference until the matter<br />
is clarified by science.<br />
Interesting behavior<br />
Placidochromis cf. phenochilus “Tanzania"<br />
is one of the most peaceful Malawi<br />
cichlids. It grows to about 17 cm long (in<br />
males, females remain smaller). In the wild<br />
it earns its living as a “follower”, in other<br />
words it swims in the wake of larger,<br />
bottom-churning cichlids such as<br />
Fossorochromis and Taeniolethrinops and<br />
snaps up any small organisms and other<br />
food particles stirred up and ignored by<br />
Halfgrown female. Photo: F. Schäfer Adult male. Photo: E. Schraml<br />
the big fellows. Because this behavior<br />
doesn’t allow for territoriality, they are<br />
able to get on peacefully with<br />
conspecifics and fishes of other species.<br />
Special characteristics<br />
One of the peculiarities of the<br />
"Phenochilus Tanzania" is that from the<br />
age of 1-2 years the males begin to<br />
develop white scales in their coloration.<br />
They attain adulthood at the age of<br />
around 4 years and their coloration<br />
remains static thereafter. Like Cyrtocara<br />
moorii, the Malawi Blue Dolphin Cichlid,<br />
full-grown males of Placidochromis cf.<br />
phenochilus “Tanzania" develop a nuchal<br />
hump, though it is nothing like as<br />
imposing by a long chalk.<br />
Tankmates<br />
Even as juveniles, members of this species<br />
are exceptionally beautifully colored, as<br />
can be seen from the photos. Because of<br />
their peaceful temperament these fishes<br />
should not be kept with aggressive<br />
mbuna. Other utaka or Aulonocara species<br />
are appropriate companion fishes. It is<br />
particularly interesting to keep them<br />
together with the big diggers, ie<br />
Fossorochromis or Taeniolethrinops. This<br />
Ulm aquarium hobby event<br />
30th October to 1st November 2010<br />
Highlights:<br />
Freshwater and marine aquarium hobby,<br />
reef aquaria, nano – the <strong>new</strong> trend.<br />
ULM.The preparations for the special <strong>new</strong><br />
exhibition are in full swing.<br />
An ideal opportunity for enthusiastic<br />
aquarists, whether beginner or<br />
professional, to obtain information and<br />
make purchases.<br />
The wide range of products and retail<br />
goods at this specialist exhibition will be<br />
complemented by an informative lecture<br />
program. Hobby breeders will be selling<br />
their tank-breds at the fish auction. A<br />
splendid opportunity to swap knowledge<br />
and experiences with like-minded people<br />
and gain <strong>new</strong> inspiration.<br />
requires a large aquarium with an<br />
expanse of sand as décor. But these<br />
splendid fishes are certainly worth the<br />
effort involved, and observing such a<br />
community is something else!
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<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 27<br />
Sea water and nano?<br />
by Jochen Franz & Team<br />
B<br />
Eviota pellucida grows to only 3 cm long. Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
ut there is also no lack of critics of<br />
nano aquaria. However, nano aquaria<br />
are in no way a recent invention, and<br />
particularly small and delicate organisms<br />
have been maintained, studied, and bred in<br />
special aquaria containing only a few liters<br />
since the very beginning of the aquarium<br />
hobby.<br />
What are the negatives of nano?<br />
The main point of criticism of nano aquaria<br />
relates to the small water volume of these<br />
tanks, which makes them very sensitive to<br />
ZOO & CO<br />
negative influences. Overfeed slightly just<br />
once, and the water quality goes into<br />
meltdown. Negative changes in water<br />
chemistry can very rapidly prove<br />
devastating, particularly in marine tanks. By<br />
contrast the limited swimming space, an<br />
objection often raised by the uninitiated,<br />
plays no role given the correct population.<br />
Not for impulse purchases<br />
It is a fact that anyone who wants to run a<br />
nano aquarium must first of all do their<br />
homework and learn to be an aquarist. This<br />
The victorious progress of the nano aquarium<br />
knows no end. Everyone is talking about these<br />
miniature living worlds behind glass and there is<br />
no doubt that they are inordinately captivating.<br />
Trimma cf.cana ist is likewise tiny, with a maximum length of 2.5 cm.<br />
is even more important in the case of<br />
marine nano aquaria than for freshwater<br />
nanos. You cannot be an aquarist based on<br />
instinct or empathy alone, you have to<br />
“learn your trade”. But anyone who is<br />
prepared to do so can and will get a lot of<br />
pleasure from a nano aquarium, be it<br />
freshwater or marine.<br />
Your aquatic dealer will be pleased to advise<br />
you if the fascination of the nano-aquarium<br />
hobby is threatening to overwhelm you –<br />
you may as well give in gracefully!
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 92 28<br />
P<br />
rior to that it was confused with<br />
Polypterus retropinnis.<br />
Sexual dimorphism<br />
Polypterus mokelembembe is an<br />
inhabitant of small blackwater streams<br />
in the Congo region and grows to about<br />
25 cm long. As in all Polypterus species,<br />
male and female can easily be told apart<br />
by the different form of the anal fin,<br />
which is more than twice as large in<br />
males as in females.<br />
Mating behavior<br />
During mating this anal fin is spread out<br />
like a bowl. The male swims side by side<br />
with the female and embraces her analfin<br />
region with his extended anal fin,<br />
thus ensuring the fertilization of the<br />
ANCIENT FISHES<br />
Polypterus mokelembembe -<br />
the cute monster from the Congo<br />
by Frank Schäfer<br />
Bichirs (Polypterus) are so-called living fossils, and real fossils 60 million<br />
years old have been found that can be assigned to species still alive today.<br />
Yet there are only 16 species known, all of them from Africa. The smallest<br />
species and that most recently discovered is Polypterus mokelembembe,<br />
which was first described as a distinct species in 2006.<br />
Polypteus mokelembembe,Portrait<br />
eggs on their release into the water.<br />
Bichirs do not practice any brood care.<br />
The fry have external gills and hence<br />
look very similar to young <strong>new</strong>ts.<br />
Aquarium maintenance<br />
In the aquarium Polypterus<br />
mokelembembe is very peaceful towards<br />
all tankmates that don’t represent<br />
potential food. They will eat larger live<br />
and frozen foods of all types, as long as<br />
the latter are of animal origin. P.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 29<br />
Mokele-Mbembe -<br />
the monster from the Congo<br />
In 1913 there was a German expedition to<br />
Lausnitz in the Congo under the<br />
leadership of Captain von Stein, in order<br />
to perform cartographic and geological<br />
research there. In his official report to the<br />
German government, von Stein wrote<br />
about a monster that wrought terror and<br />
dread among the people in large parts of<br />
the Congo basin and the regions around<br />
the lower Ubangi, the Sanga, and<br />
Ikelemba in Cameroon. The natives all<br />
portrayed this creature in the same way,<br />
independently of one another. Here an<br />
extract from von Stein’s report (translated<br />
from German):<br />
“The creature is gray-brown with a<br />
smooth skin and is the size of an<br />
elephant, or at least a hippo. It possesses a<br />
Female Polypterus mokelembembe. Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
mokelembembe is somewhat more<br />
demanding than other members of its<br />
genus when it comes to water<br />
chemistry. The species prefers soft,<br />
slightly acid water, stained slightly<br />
brown by vegetable material. These<br />
water parameters are particularly<br />
desirable during the acclimatization<br />
period. Being forest-dwellers, these<br />
bichirs do not like either bright lighting<br />
or excessively high temperatures – 22-<br />
24 °C is just right.<br />
Like all bichirs Polypterus<br />
very long and flexible neck and<br />
purportedly only one tooth, which is,<br />
however, very long. Some natives state<br />
that it isn’t a tooth but a horn. The tail is<br />
long and muscular like that of a crocodile.<br />
It is thought to be dangerous to approach<br />
this monster in boats, as it overturns them<br />
and kills the people, but doesn’t eat them.<br />
The Mokele-Mbembe lives in underwater<br />
caves in steep banks. By day it crawls onto<br />
the bank to search for food. The creature<br />
is a plant-eater. I was shown its favorite<br />
food - a liana with large white flowers,<br />
milky sap, and fruits similar to apples. By<br />
the Sombo River I saw a path which the<br />
creature supposedly used to reach the<br />
lake in order to search for food; the plants<br />
mentioned above grew close to this path.<br />
However, the path was so heavily used by<br />
elephants, hippos, and other animals that<br />
there was no possibility of investigating<br />
the individual tracks.”<br />
mokelembembe is an air-breather. Even<br />
in oxygen-rich water they rise to the<br />
water’s surface from time to time to take<br />
in air. These fishes don’t like strong<br />
currents.<br />
As already mentioned they will take<br />
Birnbaumskamp 4b<br />
31139 Hildesheim<br />
Tel (05121) 47671 Fax 45750<br />
www.michalski-aquaristik.de<br />
mainly coarser frozen foods , but once<br />
acclimatized most specimens will also<br />
readily accept strong-smelling granulates.
<strong>Aqualog</strong><strong>new</strong>s NUMBER 94 30<br />
T<br />
wo standard color phases and<br />
additional morphs are distinguished<br />
in Hyperolius. The difference<br />
between phases and morphs is that a<br />
phase can vary in the course of the<br />
individual’s life, while a morph remains<br />
constant throughout life.<br />
Color phases<br />
Immediately after the metamorphosis<br />
from tadpole to frog all Hyperolius exhibit<br />
the color phase “J”, with the letter “J”<br />
standing for “juvenile”. The majority of<br />
FROGS<br />
Hyperolius riggenbachi -<br />
what a stunner!<br />
by Thorsten Holtmann<br />
The reed frogs (Hyperolius) include 128 currently recognized species<br />
and are distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. This wealth of forms is<br />
interesting in itself, but Hyperolius go one further: all species exist in at<br />
least two color forms, in many cases more. More often than not the male<br />
and female don’t look alike! This includes the fantastic Hyperolius<br />
riggenbachi.<br />
Hyperolius riggenbachi,female all Photos: Frank Schäfer<br />
males remain in this color phase “J” all<br />
their lives, while all females and a small<br />
number of males change to color phase<br />
“F” with the onset of sexual maturity.<br />
Morphs or subspecies?<br />
In addition to the phases that occur in all<br />
species, there may also be morphs within<br />
a population, and these are permanent<br />
once the frogs have changed color. Thus<br />
there are individuals, particularly in phase<br />
F, which are quite different in appearance.<br />
Two subspecies of H. riggenbachi have<br />
been described, the nominate form and H.<br />
r. hieroglyphicus. The difference between<br />
the two is that H. r. riggenbachi in is<br />
tricolored in phase F, with a complex<br />
dorsal pattern composed of red, black, and<br />
white, while H. r. hieroglyphicus is bicolored
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Females attain a length of about 4 cm.<br />
in phase F, ie the dorsal pattern comprises<br />
only black and white. Nowadays there is a<br />
tendency to regard the two forms not as<br />
subspecies but simply as morphs, as firstly<br />
the phase J coloration is the same in both<br />
of them, and secondly the distribution of<br />
H. r. riggenbachi lies in the middle of that<br />
of H. r. hieroglyphicus.The photos show all<br />
the hieroglyphicus morphs. The species is<br />
distributed in the highlands of western<br />
Cameroon and the adjacent part of<br />
Nigeria.<br />
Breeding<br />
This Hyperolius species lays its eggs on<br />
land in the immediate vicinity of water.<br />
Hyperolius riggenbachi,male.Males remain smaller than females at about 3 cm in length.<br />
Hyperolius riggenbachi,female<br />
After hatching the tadpoles wriggle into<br />
the water. Because males predominate in<br />
importations (they congregate to call and<br />
hence can easily be collected in large<br />
numbers), the species is nowadays also<br />
bred for the pet trade.<br />
If you are now filled with the desire to<br />
keep these splendid frogs, then your pet<br />
dealer can undoubtedly order them for<br />
you from a wholesaler of his<br />
acquaintance, for example Tropenparadies<br />
in Oberhausen, Germany, fax +49<br />
(0)208-665997.