|
|
|
\n
CHARACINS
ALESTIIDAE FAMILY
The Alestiidae or African Tetra family is composed of, among others, the genera Alestes, Arnoldichthys, Brycinus, Hemigrammopetersius, Hydrocynus and Phenacogrammus and are exclusively found in Africa.
SIZE: The Alestiidae family includes fish from a great range of sizes. An adult Lepidarchus adonis grows no larger than 3 / 5 " (1.5 cm) while the African Tiger fish ( Hydrocynus goliath ) attains a length of 5'(150 cm).
S: The fish of this family usually swim in the middle water levels.
TANK: The tank size ranges depending on the size of the fish. For most, it should be at least 32"(80 cm) long or 30 gallons (114 L). The tank should be arranged in dark colors and have floating plants to diffuse the light. Many fish of this family are timid, thus hiding places should be provided.
WATER: These fish can tolerate a pH from 6.2-7.8, but prefer neutral water. They like medium to hard water ranging from 4-18 dH, and require a temperature of 72-79°F (22-26°C).
SB: Most Alestids are peaceful, schooling fish that can be kept in a community tank with fish having similar behaviors. However, there are exceptions, the species of the genus Hydrocynus are highly aggressive and predatory fish.
SC: In general, Alestids can be combined with Synodontis , Corydoras, and Loricarid catfish; some South American Characins, gouramis, Mormyrids, and many West African Cichlids.
FOOD: Most fish of the Alestiidae family are omnivorous and will eat most foods. Live; insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, aquatic insects; flakes; freeze-dried.
B: Several species have been bred, nearly all in soft water. Some are very prolific-up to 14,000 eggs being laid at one spawning-while others may lay as few as 20. No species in the Alestiidae Family participate in brood care.
BP: Breeding, if possible, is usually fairly difficult.
R: The fish of the genus Hydrocynus are not aquarium fish!
DC: For the most part, the fish of this family are fairly easy to care for, although frequent partial water changes are recommended for most species.
Congo Tetra, Congo Salmon[Pictures]
Phenacogrammas interruptus
SYN: Micralestesinterruptus, Alestopetersius interruptus, Hemigrammalestes interruptus, Petersius codalus
PD: The Congo Tetra has a laterally compressed body, large eyes, and large scales. The body in reflected light is iridescent green, blue, yellow, and sometimes even violet. the dorsal and caudal fins are transparent to brown, while the tail has a white fringe. The fins are elongated and flowing.
SIZE: 5" (13 cm)
SS: Golden Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammas aurantiacus ), Black Banded Congo Tetra( P. huloti )
HAB: Western Africa; Zaire (Congo) River watershed
S: bottom, middle
TANK: 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 L). Adult fish should be kept in a 40"(122 cm) or 45-55 gallon (170-209 L) tank. The tank should be well-planted with a cover of floating plants to diffuse the lighting. Leave open swimming areas. Use good filtration to keep the water clean.
WATER: 6-7.5 (6.7); 4-18 dH (7); 73-82°F (23-28°C)
SB: The Congo Tetra is a peaceful fish recommended for most community tanks. Do not combine this African Tetra with fish that have a fin-nipping nature. The Congo Tetra can be kept in pairs orin schools.
SC: Peaceful Synodontis, Pelvicachromis, South American tetras, Corydoras, Discus, Glass Catfish.
FOOD: The Congo Tetra is occasionally a timid eater that may not eat when it feels uncomfortable. Live; insect larvae, brine shrimp, aquatic insects, Tubifex ; flakes; vegetable matter.
SEX: Male is larger and more colorful. Males have elongated dorsal, anal, and caudal fins
B: A pair should be kept in heavily planted tank with soft water. Feed the pair a varied diet of mosquito larvae, blood worms, and brine shrimp. Courtship is initiated by the morning sun or bright light. A pair will spawn in the shallows and will drop 300 eggs. Remove the pair after the spawning is complete. The eggs develop a hard shell before hatching. Fry hatch in six days. Start feeding with brine shrimp nauplii and Infusoria.
BP: 8. Congo Tetras are challenging fish to breed.
R: The Congo Tetra is a timid and easily frightened fish. It is sensitive to noise and water pollutants. Frequent partial water changes are required for the Congo Tetra to thrive.
DC: 4. The Congo Tetra is sensitive to toxic compounds and needs a diet that includes live foods. Otherwise it is a hardy fish.
|
|
|
|
Recent news
Atlantic sturgeon gains protection under the Endangered Species Act
(02/01/2012)
The U.S. federal government has listed the massive and bizarre Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) under the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Historically overfishing decimated the Atlantic sturgeon, while on-going threats include pollution and infrastructure, like dams and bridges that destroy habitat. Fishing for the Atlantic sturgeon has been banned since 1998, they are still caught as bycatch.
Photos: 46 new species found in little-explored Amazonian nation
(01/25/2012)
South America's tiniest independent nation still hides a number of big surprises: a three week survey to the sourthern rainforests of Suriname found 46 potentially new species and recorded nearly 1,300 species in all. Undertaken by Conservation International's (CI) Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) the survey found new species of freshwater fish, insects, and a new frog dubbed the "cowboy frog" for the spur on its heel. While Suriname may be small, much of its forest, in the Guyana Shield region of the Amazon, remains intact and pristine. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 91 percent of Suriname is covered in primary forests, however this data has not been updated in over two decades.
Featured video: tuna industry bycatch includes sea turtles, dolphins, whales
(01/16/2012)
A Greenpeace video, using footage from a whistleblower, shows disturbing images of the tuna industry operating in the unregulated waters of the Pacific Ocean. Using fish aggregation devices (FADs) and purse seine nets, the industry is not only able to catch entire schools of tuna, including juvenile, but also whatever else is in the area of the net.
Bycatch-reducing fish trap wins $20,000
(01/11/2012)
An innovative fish trap that allows small non-target fish to escape won a new content by RARE Conservation and National Geographic to fund solutions to overfishing. Developed through studies in Curaçao and Kenya with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the trap has gaps for juvenile fish to swim out of reportedly reducing bycatch by 80 percent. The entry won a $20,000 grant.
World's most expensive tuna
(01/05/2012)
A 593 pound Pacific bluefin tuna sold for $735,000 (56.49 million yen) in Tokyo's Tsukiji market today. This beats the previous record price hit last year by over $260,000. Why so expensive? Bluefin tuna, considered the best sashimi and sushi in the world, have been fished to near extinction with the population of the Pacific bluefin the most stable to date.
Top 10 Environmental Stories of 2011
(12/22/2011)
Many of 2011's most dramatic stories on environmental issues came from people taking to the streets. With governments and corporations slow to tackle massive environmental problems, people have begun to assert themselves. Victories were seen on four continents: in Bolivia a draconian response to protestors embarrassed the government, causing them to drop plans to build a road through Tipnis, an indigenous Amazonian reserve; in Myanmar, a nation not known for bowing to public demands, large protests pushed the government to cancel a massive Chinese hydroelectric project; in Borneo a three-year struggle to stop the construction of a coal plant on the coast of the Coral Triangle ended in victory for activists; in Britain plans to privatize forests created such a public outcry that the government not only pulled back but also apologized; and in the U.S. civil disobedience and massive marches pressured the Obama Administration to delay a decision on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring tar sands from Canada to a global market.
|
|
