Common name(s) : Lake Guinas Dwarf Kurper, Lake Guinas Tilapia, Otjikoto Tilapia
Latin name : Tilapia guinasana
Family : Cichlidae
Distribution : Namibia
Found in a deep sinkhole lake, Lake Guinas, Namibia which is over 100 m deep, with moderately clear water and with water temperatures ranging from 19 to 27°C. There is an introduced population in Lake Otjikoto. Feeds mainly on algae and diatoms from the rock walls. Generally congregate, breed and feed from the near-vertical shores. Use narrow shelves for breeding, with established and defended territories, both parents guard and tend eggs. Threatened due to depletion of local groundwater resources and impact of introduced species. Individuals tend to display different colour patterns ranging from pure black to mottled black and blue, pink and white.
Conservation Status : Critically endangered
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Spotted Gar
Latin name : Lepisosteus oculatus
Family : Lepistosteidae
Distribution : USA
Occurs in quiet, clear pools and backwaters of lowland creeks, small to large rivers, oxbow lakes, swamps and sloughs. Occasionally enters brackish waters. A voracious predator feeding on various kinds of fishes and crustaceans.
Conservation Status : Not in IUCN Red List
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Scat, Spotted Scat
Latin name : Scatophagus argus
Family : Scatophaghidae
Distribution : Kuwait to Indo-Pacific region
Inhabit harbours, natural embayments, brackish estuaries and the lower reaches of freshwater streams, frequently occurring among mangroves. Feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter, and is common around areas of human habitation where it feeds on refuse. The dorsal, anal and pelvic spines are believed by Philippine fishers to be venomous and capable of inflicting wounds. Used in Chinese medicine. In Hong Kong sold live in fish markets.
Conservation Status : Not in IUCN Red List
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Longfin Tetra
Latin name : Brycinus longipinnis
Family : Alestiidae
Distribution : West Africa: the Atlantic border of the African continent from Gambia to Dem. Rep. Congo.
Generally found in the upper and lower reaches of big rivers. The only Brycinus species to penetrate small rivers and streams. Found in large shoals, feeding largely on surface insects. It is a popular species for aquaria, imported in large numbers from Nigeria and Cameroon.
Conservation Status : Not in IUCN Red List
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Ebrardt’s Halfbeak
Latin name : Dermogenys ebrardtii
Family : Hemirhamphidae
Distribution : Sulawesi
This Halfbeak inhabits shallow streams and lake edges, where it feeds mostly on insects, but will take small fish and other foods. They give birth to live babies, each female bearing up to 20 babies, which are immediately able to fend for themselves. Males remain smaller than females, which reach a maximum of 12 cm.
Conservation : Not in IUCN Red List
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Crenicichla sp. Xingu 1, Orange Pike Cichlid
Latin name : Undescribed sp.
Family : Cichlidae
Distribution : Brazil
A predatory fish that lives in the turbulent Rio Xingu in North-eastern Brazil. When breeding both parents will fiercely guard the eggs and fry. The young stay together in a large shoal until theyare several inches long.
Conservation Status : Not in IUCN Red List
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Spotted Damba
Latin name : Paretroplus maculatus
Family : Cichlidae
Distribution : Madagascar
Endemic to north-west of Madagascar (Kamoro area), this species has been heavily impacted by habitat alteration and introduction of non-native species. They have specially adapted teeth to allow them to feed on their natural diet of snails. They are brood-guarders, laying their eggs on a rock or fallen tree branch.
Conservation Status : Critically endangered
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Redfin Ptychochromis, Ptchyochromis sp. 'Mandritsara'
Latin name : Undescribed sp.
Family : Cichlidae
Distribution : Madagascar
This fish is from a very restricted distribution area, but is closely related to Ptychochromis oligacanthus. Little is known about its natural history in the wild, but it adapts easily to aquarium life.
Spawns are large, with both parents caring for the eggs and fry.
Conservation Status : Endangered
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common names :
Latin name : Pachypanchax omalonotus
Family : Aplocheilidae
Country of origin : Madagascar
Occurs in brooks in the mountainous area. Feeds mostly on small invertebrates at the surface, especially insects. Males are more colourful than females, and also get slightly larger at up to 10 cm. This fish spawns in aquatic vegetation, laying a few eggs each day, but neither parent provides any care for the eggs and fry, and are likely to eat any babies they encounter.
The fry on hatching are immediately able to hunt down tiny crustaceans and other aquatic life.
Conservation Status : Vulnerable
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Sarasin’s Duckbill fish
Latin name : Xenopoecilus sarasinorum
Family : Adrianichthyidae
Distribution : Sulawesi
A very unusual small fish that has an remarkable means of protecting the eggs. They are carried round attached to the body of the female by filaments until the eggs hatch. Adult fish reach a maximum length of 10 cm. They feed mostly at the surface, but are also able to use their wide mouth to graze off plants. Many of the fish species from Sulawesi are under threat from deforestation, pollution, overfishing and introduction of non-native species.
Conservation Status : Endangered
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Barton’s Cichlid
Latin name : Herichthys bartoni
Family : Cichlidae
Distribution : Mexico
Endemic to the upper Rio Verde and the Laguna de la Media Luna systems of the Rio Panuco basin, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Occurs in the same waters as a similar but larger fish. C. labridens. Inhabits rivers and lagoons. Feeds on other smaller fishes, aquatic insects, algae and other invertebrates. Reaches a maximum size of under 18 cm.
When breeding, both parents develop striking black and white coloration, which serves both to warn away other fish and act as a signal for the fry to follow. They care for the fry for several weeks. They are threatened through water abstraction and the introduction of non-native species to their habitat.
Conservation Status : Vulnerable
[ TOP OF PAGE ]
Common name(s) : Butterfly Goodeid
Latin name : Ameca splendens
Family : Goodeidae
Distribution : Mexico
This once very numerous species is restricted to one artificial pond in Mexico. Fortunately there are many captive populations in Zoos, Universities and with private aquarists, from where it is hoped re-introductions can take place. They do not lay eggs, instead giving birth to well-developed young which are able to actively swim at birth, and begin feeding shortly after.
Males are much more colourful than females, with shiny scales on the flanks and a yellow and black rear edge to the tail. Both sexes reach a maximum size of around 10cm.
Conservation Status : Extinct in wild
[ TOP OF PAGE ]