Travel in Tropical Freshwater

It can breathe oxygen from the air, it stays at least half an hour under the surface between two breathes. Its tapered pectoral fins have a tactile and sensory role. Because of its large size, it is not recommended for the aquarium of a specimen.

It also feeds off of feces of other animals. To protect itself, it has sharp bony plates along its sides. It emits sounds reminiscent of grunts. It easily acclimate to the aquarium, but because of its large size, it can become cumbersome.

It is one of the most known species to aquarists. It breeds easily in captivity, but it is too often taken from the wild. For several years, it has started to being raised in it home region. It became a source of income for local people.

During breeding season, the males are very aggressive towards one another and it is also the case with females. The pair looks for a territory where there is a crevice to deposit their eggs. They will protect juveniles even after hatching. It accommodates well to life in the Aquarium.

Its attractive coloring is mainly due to the refraction of light on the scales. They breed easily in aquariums.

It is accommodated to life in freshwater. It is ovoviviparous: the eggs hatch in it body, and it gives birth to fully formed juveniles. It acclimate easily in aquariums, but beware of the stings from its tail that can inflict very painful wounds.

Like many catfish species, it hunts at night. The female is larger than the male and lays huge amounts of eggs (8 million eggs per kilo). Because of its size and its diet, you should not keep it in a private aquarium.

The stripes of it body allow it to hide. Parents lay their eggs in the vegetation, and provide for their offspring long parental care (custody, ventilation ...). Very popular among aquarists: there are many color varieties obtained through breeding.

Thanks to its small size, it is an ideal fish for beginner aquarists. It is easy to maintain and reproduce in the aquarium.

The cherry barb is a small freshwater fish endemic to the wet region of the lowlands in Sri Lanka. The males, cherry-colored, have long been intensively captured for the aquarium trade. The export of this fish is now better regulated, but it remains vulnerable to changes in its environment. The main causes: agricultural pollution, hydroelectric projects, and deforestation.

It is carnivorous, its sharp teeth have earned it the local name. (Pira = fish, Nha = tooth). Its dangerousness was often exaggerated: it serves as prey of many animals (alligators, giant otter ...). Piranhas are especially dangerous for humans in the dry season, when they lack food.

The pair defends its eggs and alevins against potential predators. The juveniles feed on the mucus secreted by the parents. Breeding in aquarium is possible, but complicated. There are many colorful varieties that sometimes reach exorbitant prices.

Its tapered pectoral fins have a tactile and sensorial role. The pair builds a floating nest using agglomerated bubbles in which are laid over 1000 eggs. It easily accommodates to life in the aquarium.

It is very easy to keep in aquariums, it reproduces easily. Eggs are laid in the vegetation and hatch after 30 hours. The alevin are very active and like to eat.