Aquarium Glaser-GmbH

We received a limited number of this gorgeous guppy sport that is bred only occasionally. In this precious variety the appropriate females are supplied also, which show a pretty pattern of the tail fin.



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

male

This dwarf cichlid is probably one of the rarest species of all Apistogramma in the hobby. The reason for this rareness is that the habitats of the species in the wild are far from the areas where ornamental fish collectors usually search for fish. So we are quite proud that we were able once more to import a small number of specimens after many years. According to our supplier they have been collected in the border region between Peru and Ecuador.


male

The species is a close relative of Apistogramma cacatuoides and can be kept in aquaria in a similar way. However, breeding over generations has proved to be difficult in A. luelingi. This is probably due to the fact that in the natural habitats of the fish water temperatures can be as low as 15°C at times. On the other hand, the water temperature can also rise up to 26°C. Experiences with other fish species that live under comparable temperature conditions have shown that it is not good to keep such fish over years in the same range of temperatures of 24-26°C. The fish need cool phases from time to time.


female

Despite this, Apistogramma luelingi is a hardy and very pretty species that can be highly recommended. Moreover, the species is hardly shy at all.

For our customers: the animals have code 624004 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Apistogramma: ancient Greek, means "with unreliable line". It is not known wether the lateral line organ or the pattern is meant. luelingi: dedication name for the zoologist Karl Heinz Lüling (1913-1984) who discovered the species. cacatuoides: means "looks like a cockatoo". The author of the species was reminded by the dorsal fin of the males in the hood of an cockatoo.

Common name: Lueling´s dwarf cichlid

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

male&female

Just in: fantastic German bred specimens of this dwarf cichlid. The fish are in top condition and have a perfect size.

For our customers: the fish have code 562303 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer.

We managed to import a small number of the original strain of that breathtaking cichlid from Argentina. Although the fish are still very young (3-5 cm) they show already wonderful colours. Available in very limited numbers only!

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer.

We have beautiful, fully coloured German bred specimens of this splendid cichlid that originates from Lake Malawi in stock. Compared with other mbuna this species is quite peaceful. Moreover it is one of the smallest species of mbuna and becomes usually only 10 cm long.





Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

We received this beautiful and absolutely peaceful loach from China. The species is an ideal bottom dweller for unheated community tanks. The optimal temperatures for the fish are between 10 and 24°C. Females become around 10 cm long, while males stay much smaller. The fish, which could be named "Largespotted Spiny Loach", feeds readily on any type of usual fishfood.



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Nobody would keep this fascinating frogfish from South East Asia due to its coloration. The bizarre shape and the expressive eyes nevertheless make it a desirable species for the aquarium.

This frogfish lives in the wild in river mouths; although it is possible to keep the fish in pure freshwater, it is better to add some salt (5-15 g/litre). The broad mouth characerizes B. trispinosus as a predatory species. Among each other and against fish that do not fit as food the species is completely peaceful. This frogfish attains a length of approximately 30 cm.



One should be very careful when catching the fish, as the dorsal spines and probably also the spines on the opercle are poisonous. Generally speaking, the venom is not very strong, but painful and there is also always the danger of allergic reactions.





Lexicon: Batrachomoeus: combined from the ancient Greek word for "frog" and "to be roused", for the fish cry like a frog when they are take out of the water and feel upset. trispinosus: Latin, means "with three spines", due to the first dorsal fin.

Common name: Threespined toadfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

We already introduced to you a new sport of the dwarf pencil fish from Peru in an Extra-Newsletter this week. We took the opportunity to take a closer look than usual on our "regular" dwarf pencils from Brazil. Honestly - aren ´t they among the most beautiful species of ornamental fish at all?



Lexicon: Nannostomus: from ancient Greek, means "with a tiny mouth". marginatus: Latin, means "bordered".

Common name: Dwarf pencil tetra

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

This new type of Siamese fighter is a real dream! The fish reached us currently from Thailand. The name "Elephat Ear" refers to the coloured pectoral fins, which are the typical character of that sport. Available in limited numbers only!









Text & photo: Frank Schäfer.

We received this new variety of the dwarf pencil fish from Peru - or does it even represent a new species? Available in limited numbers only!





Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

For the first time ever we received German bred specimens of this attractive, mouthbrooding whiptail cat. The species is still undescribed scientifically, attains a maximum length of about 20 cm and is characterized by its unique harness stripes.



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Once more we were able to import these charming, tiny, free-swimming dwarf catfish (maximum length: 2-3 cm). This time the fish originate from Paraguay. For more information, please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=396

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

This dwarf cichlid has been described finally scientifically under the name of A. megaptera. It is known in the aquarium hobby for decades already under the name of Apistogramma sp. "Breitbinden". The German word "Breitbinden" means "broad band". This refers to the broad dark band under the eye.

Currently we have wonderful wild collected specimens of this species, which occurs in the upper Orinoco area (rios Inirida, Atabapo, and Mavaca) in Colombia and Venezuela in stock. The dwarf cichlids have show size and are real eye burners.



Apistogramma megaptera is a hardy species. However, one should keep in mind that all fish from this area prefer higher water temperatures than usual, e.g. 26-28°C. The water must be - at least for breeding - soft and acidic. As in all dwarf cichlids the bottom of the tank should be covered with fine sand.

The males of A. megaptera become around 7 cm long, females stay much smaller and reach only 4 cm.



For our customers: the fish have code 616495 on our stock list. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Apistogramma: ancient Greek, means "with unreliable line". It is not known wether the lateral line organ or the pattern is meant. megaptera: ancient Greek, means "with very large fins".

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Pyrrhulina vittata


We received the very rare Pyrrhulina vittata and the similar, also very beautiful Pyrrhulina spilota from Peru. Both species do not only look very nice, but also have a fascinating behavior, for the males take care for the eggs and brood!

Pyrrhulina spilota, male


Pyrrhulina vittata becomes only 3.5 to 4 cm long and is one of the smallest members of the genus, P. spilota becomes around 7 cm long.

spilota, female


For our customers: P. spilota has code 286784, P. vittata code 286733 on our stock list. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer.

We received this beautiful colour morph of the Bronze corydoras that exhibits a lot of orange colours from Peru. It belongs to the "Gold Shoulder" group, which is sometimes named Corydoras schultzei; however, this name is currently considered to be a synonym of C. aeneus. The fish is very rare and available in limited numbers only!



For our customers: the fish have code 220654 on our stock list. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Corydoras sp. C91, male


Corydoras sp. C91, female


The pretty Corydoras sp. C91 is already a well known aquarium fish, although it is available only occasionally and very rarely. This species is a typical shortnose or roundnose Cory, which can be kept in the very same way as the common species Corydoras julii or C. trilineatus. The latter represent without any doubt the closest relatives of C91. Please see also http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/corydoras-sp-c91_en_1150.html

Corydoras sp. C91 Longnose, female


Corydoras sp. C91 Longnose, pair


For the first time ever we were able now to import also the long snouted species that has the very same pattern as C91. Sadly we have no information where the fish have been collected. C91 is said to originate from the Rio Huallaga, which is an approx. 1.100 km long tributary of the Maranon, the larger of the two headstreams of the Amazon river. The longsnouted species imitating C91is a very attractive fish, that resembles much to Corydoras leopardus. However, the new species has a much more contrasting pattern in the caudal fin.

Corydoras sp. C115/116, variety with caudal stripe, no shoulder spot


Corydoras sp. C115/116, variety with caudal stripe and shoulder spot


Corydoras sp. C115/116, variety without caudal stripe, but with shoulder spot


Corydoras sp. C115/116, variety without caudal stripe and shoulder spot


From the Rio Madre de Dios originates the saddle noses species C115/116. The Madre de Dios is also about 1.100 km long and is the largest tributary of the Rio Madeira. The Madre de Dios flows between the countries Bolivia and Peru. C115/116 also resembles much in C91, at least some specimens. For C115/116 has a very variable coloration, which is the reason that initially it was thought that it represents two different species. However, breeding the fish showed clearly that it is only one variable species (please see also http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/corydoras-sp-c-115116_de_1043.html). Now we received for the first time ever very nice wild collected specimens that show the complete number of varieties: animals with and without lateral stripe and animals with or without a shoulder spot.

Keeping all these new Corydoras is easy, but one should keep in mind that only C91 and the long snouted species are schooling fish in the closer sense, while the saddle nosed types rather prefer to live individually or in small groups.

For our customers: C91 has code number 229593, C91 "Longnose" has code 229603, and C115/116 has code 225304 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Corydoras: from ancient Greek, means „with helmet and spear“. This refers to the strong armor and fin spines.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

We obtained the rare, fascinating Six eyed tetra (Phenacogaster (formerly: Vesicatrus) tegatus) from Paraguay. The peaceful, about 6 cm long schooling fish confuses predatory fish with its pattern. In the middle of the body and on the caudal peduncle P. tegatus has eye-spots; thus it looks like that the fish has three eyes on each side of the body. Predatory fish target always the eye of their prey, so the unique "six-eye-pattern" guarantees the greatest safety one can think of.







Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

A completely new species of Apistogramma reached us recently from Peru. It was named "Apistogramma Cristal" by the exporter. However, this name has no scientific value at all. Available in very limited numbers only!









Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Killifish, in general, are beautiful fish. Now we managed to import a spectacular animal from Peru, which has not only wonderful colours, but also an extraordinary size of about 11 cm. Sadly the single male was the only specimen our supplier was able to collect, but we hope for more specimens in the near future.

The unusual name "quiii" refers to Belinda Peck, who got the nickname Qui-i-i from an Ese Eja shaman. Thus the species is named in honour of Mrs. Peck.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer.

Sillaginopsis panijus



Currently arrived Longfin surferfish from India. The animals have a perfect size and are very healthy. For more information, please check http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/sillaginopsis-panijus_de_1278.html

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer.

Retroculus lapidifer



The species belonging to the genus Retroculus - currently three species are described scientifically, one additional species is still undescribed - have ever been extremely rarities in the aquarium hobby. Finally we are able to offer once more the beautiful Retroculus lapidifer from Brazil. The fish have ideal sizes (3-6 cm and 6-8 cm), but are, however, available in very limited numbers only.

Despite the similarity to the species of Geophagus, Retroculus are no closer relatives of these cichlids. Retroculus are members of a cichlid subfamily - the Retroculinae - on their own and are regarded to be the most basal living cichlids of the New World.

The swimming bladder of Retroculus is much reduced, so they are not able to hover free in the water column. In nature, these fish dwell nearby rapids. In case of danger they flee in the strongest current where almost no other fish can follow. When the danger is gone, Retroculus rest in very quite or standing water. A good current is thus necessary in the tank (this is also necessary due to the fact that Retroculus are very sensitive against pollution), but the fish need also resting places.

The scientific name "lapidifer" means "stone-bearer", for it was known already in 1855 that these fish build nests for spawning which are made from small stones. Each stone is carried to nest with the mouth by the parent fish. Retroculus have spawned now and then in aquaria already, it was also possible to raise some of the offspring, but to the best of my knowledge a complete natural breeding success has not been reported yet.



Retroculus should be kept always in groups (four specimens or more), otherwise they become very shy. The ground of the tank should be made mainly from fine sand, which is used by the fish quite often to search for food. Feeding Retroculus is not difficult at all, for almost any usual fishfood is taken readily. The water should be soft and slightly acidic (pH 5,5 - 6,8 ). In the wild, water temperatures between 21.5 and 35°C have been measured in the biotopes of Retroculus, but in aquaria it is best to keep them between 22 and 28°C. The temperature may be 2° higher for breeding attempts. Retroculus lapidifer becomes about 20-25 cm long.

Lexicon: Retroculus: Latin, means about "With eyes placed far behind". lapidifer: Latin, means "stone-bearer".

Common name: Rapid eartheater

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Ancistrus sp. L89 wild



We received wild collected specimens of one of the most sought-after for species of Ancistrus from Brazil: the pretty L89 from the Purus. In L89 the nice "honeycomb-decor" stays life-long, whereas in most other similar species of Ancistrus this pattern becomes more and more dark during life. Available in limited numbers only!



Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Megalops atlanticus – The tarpon



This up to 2.5 metres long giant is certainly no typical aquarium fish. Nevertheless the small number of specimens recently imported from Nigeria by Aquarium Glaser were literally snapped up like hot cakes!

This really is a very extraordinary creature. One reason is, of course, its gigantic size – this predator can attain a weight of up to 160 kg! Then it is euryhaline, and hence can move freely from fresh to salt water and back again. And it has accessory respiration via its swimbladder, enabling it to survive in oxygen-depleted waters. The tarpon is truly a prime example of evolutionary success and is found on both sides of the Atlantic.

There is only one other species, M. cyprinoides, which remains significantly smaller (maximum length reported is 150 cm, but usually the fish reaches only 30-40 cm in the wild) and inhabits the Pacific. Aquarium Glaser was now able to import this second species also in small numbers.



Although at first glance the tarpon resembles a clupeid, it actually has very little in common with the herring family. Its larvae are much more like those of the eels! They are so called leptocephalus larvae, which resemble the elongate-oval leaves of a willow tree. In the aquarium Megalops require fish as food and can consume astonishingly large pieces.

The most fascinating fact is that these large predators are in no way shy and never panic in the aquarium. The observer always has the feeling that a Megalops reflects its actions and studies carefully everything that goes on outside its tank. After only a few weeks Megalops become acclimated to frozen feeder fish (smelt), which they will take from forceps. They are fascinating and elegant predators!

Lexikon: Megalops: from ancient Greek, means "of big appearance". atlanticus: Latin, means "deriving from the Atlantic ocean". cyprinoides: Latin, means "similiar to a carp-like fish".

Common names: Megalops atlanticus: Atlantic Tarpon, M. cyprinoides: Pazific Tarpon

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer.

Liposarcus cf. disjunctivus



We received this extraordinary beautiful "Snowking-Pleco" from Peru. It originates from the area around Puerto Maldonado. There is no doubt that it belongs to Liposarcus, which contains currently four species. L. disjunctivus is the only known species that has a worm-line-pattern on the belly, which our fish clearly show. So our snowkings belong either to L. disjunctivus or represent a so far undescribed species. We offer these snowking plecos for the first time ever and have only a very limited number of specimens available.





Liposarcus can reach a maximum size of 50- 60 cm (most specimens in the wild have 25 - 40 cm). Apart from this they are extremely easy to keep and hardy fish.

The photo of the adult fish has been made in Peru immediately after collecting it.

Lexicon: Liposarcus: ancient Greek, means "fat meat". disjunctivus: Latin, means "with differing distribution".

Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: Aquarium Glaser and Frank Schäfer.