Aquarium Glaser-GmbH

Metynnis cf. lippincottianus



We received very pretty spotted silverdollars from Brazil. The particular variety is sexually differentiated at a very early stage. In our specimens, which are about 6 cm long, the sexes are already distinguished. The males have an orange spot on the shoulder, shining scales on the back and the outer border border of the anal fin has another shape than in the females.




Female


Male

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Caridina sp. Mosura Shrimp



We received a shipment of this extremely charming sport of the Crystal Red or Red Bee Shrimp from Indonesia.



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Marbled Dwarf Ghosts



The most important species New World Knifefishes or Ghosts in the ornamental fish trade are without any doubt the Black Ghost (Apteronotus albifrons) and the Brown Ghost (A. leptorhynchus). We have both species in stock on a regular basis, the Black Ghost both as wild collected from Colombia/Venezuela and bred ones, the Brown Ghost wild collected from Colombia/Venezuela.

Now we have a third species from Venezuela in stock, which is currently only rarely available, but which has the potential to compete with the two species mentioned already: the Marbled Dwarf Ghost, Adontosternarchus clarkae. This pretty species is as fascinating as the Apteronotus species, eg the special way of swimming in all directions that reminds the observer in watching a underwater ballet, but has the advantage that is grows only to a maximum length of about 20 cm; the most specimens stay much smaller. In contrast to that, A. albifrons, attains a length of 50 cm and A. leptorhynchus of 30 cm.



Against tankmates, may they belong to the same or to different species, A. clarkae are completely peaceful.They need hiding places and a well structured aquarium. Blodworm is the food they like most, but the fish also take readily any other type of live, frozen or granulated fishfood. One should take care that the ghosts get enough food, for especially during acclimatisation the fish are preferably crepuscular.

The fish are totally undemanding regarding water chemistry. The water temperature should be between 24 and 28°C.

Lexicon: Apteronotus: ancient Greek, means "without fin on the back". albifrons: Latin, means "with a white forehead". leptorhynchus: ancient Greek, means "with a small snout". Adontosternarchus: Latin, means "toothless Sternarchus"; Sternarchus is another genus of New Worls Knifefish. clarkae: dedication name for Kate Clark, the collector of the species.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Crenicichla sp. Bela Union, Uruguay




We received very nice German bred specimens (current size: 5-7 cm) of this pretty pike cichlid. The bright red eyes make it peculiarly attractive. For additional pictures of adult specimens please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/crenicichla-sp-bela-union-uruguay_de_1253.html





Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Many fantastic Apistogramma arrived!

Our staff member Harald Jahn returned this week from his trip to Brazil and soon after him came the very special selected Apistogramma he ordered from the fishermen. Of course the fish have to settle a bit before we can make nice photos of them, so we show you the species in the famous pictures made by Dieter Bork from fully grown males.

The following species reached us:


Apistogramma diplotaenia - one of the most wanted Apistogramma at all


Apistogramma elizabethae - the red bellied variety from Sao Gabriel


Apistogramma mendezi Santa Isabel - also a red bellied variety of that beautiful animal


Apistogramma mendezi - even the "normal" variety is a real eyeburner and rarely seen in the market


Apistogramma sp. Miua - similar to the former, but with a different caudal fin pattern


Apistogramma sp. Wilhelmi - a breathtaking beautiful relative of A. agassizi with a lilac chin spot

Indostomus paradoxus



This last Newsletter for 2012 presents to you a small peculiarity: the Burmese Dwarf Stickleback or Paradox Fish, Indostomus paradoxus. This tiny species becomes only 2-3 cm long and originates from the northern parts of Burma. The charming creature should be kept in single species tanks, so called nano-tanks fit perfectly. Indostomus are very peaceful against conspecifics, but they are too weak to compete with other species. The Paradox Fish feeds exclusively on small live food.



The species should be kept best at room temperature (18-22°C), the water should be medium hard to hard and the pH should be around 6.5 - 8. Despite its diminutiveness the fish is rather hardy and can live for a long time in aquaria. It has been bred occassionally already, females become larger than males, otherwise the sexes are difficult to distinguish. The Burmese Dwarf Stickleback breeds in caves like bamboo stems etc..



Lexicon: Indostomus: means about "with a very tiny mouth". paradoxus: means "very strange, paradox".

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Wonderful wild collected Discus!

The season for Discus has finally started and we are very glad that we can offer a broad selection of different wild collected fish in many sizes and a superb quality. All pictures are taken from the current stock in our fishhouse (no archives photos).


Discus Nhamunda-Maracanha, code 731315, size 12-15 cm


Diskus Heckel wild, code 734005, size 12-15 cm


Discus Heckel Jatapu, code 735055, size 11-15 cm


Discus Heckel Jatapu, code 735056, size 13-16 cm


Discus wild Paraconi / A-selected, code 739046, size 14-16 cm


Discus wild Nanay many spots, code 749944, size 10-14 cm

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

The World´s largest species of freshwater fish arrived!



Arapaima gigas from South America is said to be the World´s largest species of freshwater fish. It attains a maximum length of 4.5 m and a weight of up to 200 kg. This fact makes the airbreathing species to a subject for specialized hobbyists and public aquaria only. Since 1979 Arapaima gigas, which is the only existing species in the genus, is listed on CITES, Appendix II. This means that it is a protected species which might be traded only with a special permission to do so. This is the reason why Arapaima is hardly ever imported for most ornamental fish wholesalers do not like the considerable expenditure. The situation of the wild population is unknown. The only fact that is known is that the hunt for large specimens makes it hard nowadays to find really large Arapaima in the natural habitat.



But Arapaima gigas is also bred commercially in fish farms. Juveniles are not difficult to keep, but rather shy. Arapaima gigas are carnivorous fish that are fed most easily with feeder fish of suitable size. Like most of their relatives, the bony tongues, Arapaima like high water temperatures, but they are completely undemanding regarding the water chemistry. In the wild, Arapaima gigas burrows a nest in the ground for breeding. The nest is about 15 cm deep and has a diameter of about 50 cm. It is said that both parents guard the offspring and act very aggressively against any disturber. Arapaima gigas make a loud sound when they take breath on the water surface.

Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: B. Migge, Sch. Nakano.

Barbus rhomboocellatus


male

We received wonderful wild collected specimens from Borneo. The males have a lot of red in their basic coloration. Keeping and breeding are comparable to the better known close relative, Barbus pentazona.


female


Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Xiphophorus kallmani


male

The Catemaco Swordtail is a splendid, large species of swordtail. Females can reach a length up to 12 cm! The wonderful metallic golden shine is species-specific and led to the alternative popular name "Brass Swordtail" in the hobby, long before the species has been described scientifically.


female

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Acnodon normani



We are able to import this rare and comparably small (up to 13.5 cm), pretty pacu only very occasionally. This is due to the fact that Acnodon represents a type of fish that lives in open waters. This is also obvious from its typical pattern, consisting of thin vertical stripes on a light blue body, which perform an excellent camouflage when the sun shines in natural waters. These fish try to escape in stampede when disturbed. This behaviour makes it very difficult to collect them and the collectors also need a lot of patience and knowledge until the fish have settled down.

When kept in aquaria, these fish need a comparably large tank. Acnodon does not represent a genus of specialized plant eaters. like many other pacus are, but they need nevertheless some plant food (special flakes for example) to stay healthy.

Against tankmates, may they belong to their own or to other species, sheep pacus (this is their common name) are usually peaceful. They need warm (26-30°C), clean and oxygen rich water and love a strong current.

Lexicon:

Acnodon: from ancient Greek, means "without the projections on a hunting spear"; this name was chosen in the erroneous believe that the type species, A. oligacanthus, lacks the predorsal spine. However, this spine is present in the genus.

normani: dedication name for John Roxbrough Norman (1898-1944).

Common name: sheep pacu

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer.

Hoplias cf. teres



For the first time ever we were able to import this trahira from Venezuela. We received only very few specimens. The new species differs from all Hoplias imported so far by the brillant coloured eye. However, we are not able to confirm the scientific name of H. teres, a species described by Valenciennes in 1847 from Lake Maracibo in Venezuela, for sure. Our specimens are currently 14-18 cm long.







Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: Andreas Jekel.

Showfish arrived!

We received 3 specimens of very nice Lepisosteus oculatus and also 3 specimens of pretty Polypterus ornatipinnis. Both have sizes of 40-50 cm, so they make ideal show fish!

Lepisosteus oculatus






Polypterus ornatipinnis





Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Metynnis sp. Big Spots Peru



For the first time ever we received this beautiful fish from Peru. According to specialists for silver dollars it is very likely that the fish represents a species new to science.



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Micropoecilia parae Red Tiger


Male

Once more we obtained a number of this beautiful livebearer, M. parae. Micropoecilia parae represents a wild form of livebearing fish, not a bred sport. The fish are not close relatives of the guppys and cannot be crossbred with them. The females of M. parae can be recognized by the shoulder spot.


Female

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Pterophyllum scalare Santa Isabel





We received wonderful wild collected angelfish from the municipality of the city Santa Isabel at the Rio Negro. Like many other fishes from that area - mainly discus and Apistogramma - the angels show a high degree of red coloration on the body. The reason for that phenomenon is unknown to us. The water in the upper reaches of the Rio Negro is very soft and acidic. Like all larger wild fish, these angels have their experience with fin-eating piranhas. However, the angels are very healthy and stable and regenerate their finneage very fast. So after a few weeks nothing of the hurts of the wild will be visible any more.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Discus Gold Xingu



We were able to obtain for the first time some brown discus from the Rio Xingu. The animals are very stout and healthy. Dominant individuals become yellow-golden all over the body.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Discus wild Royal Green Tefé



This wonderful coloured green discus from Tefé is available in very limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Crenicichla lugubris "Jutai"



Jutai is a municipality in western Brazil, named after the Rio Jutai, which is an affluent to the Amazon river. From this region originates the impressive, beautiful Crenicichla lugubris, which we could import in very small numbers. The females can be recognized by the broad white seam in the dorsal fin. Currently our specimens are 20-25 cm long.


Male


Female

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Cherax sp. Papua



This Cherax represents in all probability a still undescribed species. We received a small number of the attractive animal from Papua New Guinea. The crayfish are very pretty due to the rusty red spots on the back. The animal can be kept along with fish, but feeds often on plants.



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Microctenopoma ansorgii



We received very nice and stable wild collected red dwarf bushfish from the congo. The species belongs to the bubble-nest builders and becomes about 6-8 cm long. Currently the fish are 3-4 cm long.


Male


Female

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Hemigrammus filamentosus



Once more we can offer currently this beautiful new dwarf tetra as German bred. At the time we received the fish for the first time it was still undescribed scientifically. The most similar known species was Hyphessobrycon stegemanni. The latter, however, does not have the beautiful long filaments on the fins. In the meantime our new fish has been described scientifically under the name of Hemigrammus filamentosus.


Male

The ancestors of our new fish came via Belem from Brazil, nothing more was known initially. But now it has been published that the species originates from the Rio Araguaia. The maximum total length is around 3-4 cm. Males differ from females by the longer filaments on the fins and a red (instead of translucent) caudal fin.


Female

Regarding keeping the species can be told a hardy one. The fish are very peaceful and do no harm to any tankmate, may it be a member of the same or another species. Plants are also left alone completely. When the water temperature rises over 28°C the fish start mating and the males begin to fight with each other. These fights are wonderful to look at and absolutely harmless; not even the elongate fin filaments become harmed during the fights.

This extraordinary new fish might become a very popular ornamental fish - at least it has all requirements to become one.

Lexicon: Hyphessobrycon: ancient Greek, means "small Brycon". Brycon is another genus of tetras. stegemanni: dedication name. Hemigrammus: ancient Greek, means "with half line", referring to the incomplete lateral line, which is genus-specific. filamentosus: Latin, means "with filaments", referring to the long fins of the males.

Suggestion of a common name: Phoenix tetra

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer.

A great variety of Indian Badis in stock

Currently we can offer six different species of Indian Badids. These extremely colorful dwarf perches - no species becomes larger than 6-8 cm, most of them are much smaller - are ideal aquarium inhabitants.

All species of Badis take broodcare. The males are the broodcaring part of the family. In breeding condition they occupy a cave (a flower pot, the half of a coconut etc., in their natural habitat they build a cave with their body in masses of filamentous algae). Displaying males are wonderful to look at and show brilliant colours. By the way: the ability to change colours in Badis is amazing, laymen often think that they belong to different species. That is why Badis are also called chameleon fish.

Once the male has impressed a female and the female follows the male in the cave, spawning appears, which is quite similar to that of the labyrinth fishes, eg the male twins around the female in an U-kind manner. The eggs attach at the walls of the cave. The male guards them until the fry swims free.

Regarding water chemistry Badis are undemanding. The Indian species can be kept at room temperature, an additional heater is not necessary. The temperature range can be between 18 and 30°C, the fish will adapt. However, specimens kept in the lower temperature level will live much longer. Fluctuating temperatures are also very healthy for the fish.

Plants and tankmates will be ignored by Badis. Only very small other fish may be taken for food.

A close relative of Badis is the Scarlet, Dario dario. In contrast to Badis species, members of the genus Dario do not spawn in caves but between fine plant material.

All Badidae refuse dried food, but can be easily fed with frozen or live food. Now let´s have a look on the different species:


Badis assamensis

Badis assamensis: this is the largest of all species of Badis known so far and attains a maximum length of about 8 cm. This makes the fish a small predator. The species originates from northern India (Assam).


Badis badis

Badis badis: this species is a classic among aquarium fish for more than 100 years. Maximum length of the peaceful animal is about 5 cm. The picture shows a male in breeding condition. Otherwise the species looks reddish-brown with vertical black bars. A real chameleon fish!


Badis blosyrus

Badis blosyrus: this species is very similar to B. assamensis and even specialists have sometimes problems in telling the species apart. However, B. blosyrus stays a bit smaller (6 cm) and the basic colour is an orange (compared to the deep red in B. assamensis).


Badis singenensis

Badis singenensis: this is the smallest species of Badis and becomes only 4 cm in length. The species has adapted to the natural habitat (small, fast running brooks) by the reduction of the swimming bladder. So the fish often prefers to jump instead of regular swimming.


Badis tuivaiei

Badis tuivaiei: for the first time we can offer this beautiful, only recently discovered species. The elongate fish has a red spot on each scale. Maximum length is about 6 cm. This species also originates from the north of India.


Dario dario

Dario dario: the scarlet is a real gem among the ornamental fish! We can offer always females, too. Females have no colours at all. Maximum size of the scarlet is 2 cm.

Lexicon: Badis: after the vernacular name in Bengal. blosyrus: ancient Greek, means "grim facial expression", due to the large jaws of the species. singenensis: after the type locality, the Singen river. assamensis: named after the type locality, Assam. tuivaiei: named after the type locality, the Tuivai river. Dario: after the vernacular name of the species in Bengal.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Steatocranus sp. Dwarf



For the first time ever we can offer this type of humphead cichlid. The scientifically still undescribed species represents the smallest member of the genus Steatocranus. Males can attain a maximum length of about 8 cm, females stay smaller. The fish originate from the Congo, but our fish are German bred ones.



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.