The Barred Spiny Basslet is shy and elusive, and is thus rarely seen in the aquarium trade.The body is brown with thin black bars, and broad white stripes on the cheek and nape. The fins and tail are red. These basslets need plenty of rock to feel secure, and should not be housed with large or aggressive fish.
Filed under Saltwater Fish by on Jan 7th, 2010. Comment. 
The True Parrot Cichlid, Hoplarchus psittacus, is native to the black waters of South America. They prefer soft, acidic, and very clean water, and do not tend to do well if pristine conditions are not met.True Parrots have a reputation for being notoriously difficult to spawn, lending to their rare offering in the aquarium trade. Males and females are nearly indistinguishable, both as juveniles and as adults. Juvenile specimens have camouflage coloration with dark green splotches alternating with light bands. At about 3-4 inches the fish begins to change to adult coloration, solid iridescent green.These fish require large spaces, as they reach an adult size of 10 to 13 inches. Not less than a 55 gallon tank is recommended for juveniles. The tank should be decorated with plenty of wood and other cover as they tend to be timid. They can also be finicky eaters, but will benefit from a varied offering of foods like spirulina, krill, cichlid pellets, and frozen foods as well.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Nov 14th, 2009. Comment.
The Rhino Pleco, also referred to in the trade as the Chocolate Pleco is native to the upper Amazon basin in South America. It is not a common offering in the aquarium trade, but can be distinguished by a hump on the snout and by chocolate brown color on the body, and a yellow-orange edge on the top edge of the tail. These plecos are non aggressive and will not harm other active fish. They are omnivores and must be supplied with drift wood, vegetative matter and worms or meaty pellets for a varied diet. They grow to 10-11 inches in length and should not be housed in an aquarium of less than 55 gallons.
Filed under Freshwater Fish by on Nov 11th, 2009. Comment.
Power’s Roundhead Grouper is rarely seen in the aquarium trade. Most of these fish are exported from Australia. They are related to other shy, small groupers like the Marine Betta and Assessors. This is a dark-colored fish with bright blue tips on the tips of its fins. Roundhead groupers are generally very shy and will spend much of their time hiding in rockwork and crevices. They will not usually bother larger peaceful fish but should not be kept with very small tankmates or crustaceans. Feed a variety of meaty foods.
Filed under Saltwater Fish by on Aug 10th, 2008. Comment.
