Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: 3 Freshwater Tank Fish For Your Aquarium

The Glass Catfish, the Glass Tetra and the Golden
Otoclincus are three freshwater tank fish
suitable for your tropical aquarium. Find out
about their behavior, what they look like, water
conditions, how to feed them and how to breed
them.

Glass catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis (Family:
Siluridae)

Behavior: The Glass catfish is timid and prefers
to be in a small shoal with its own kind but is
alright in a community aquarium. Its is a
delicate tropical fish that will grow to about 11
cms. It has an unusual behavioral mode as it
sometimes rests on the tank bottom, quite still,
in the plants.

They may even be leaning to one side or have
their head down and appear to be in poor health
or even worse, dying! However they are not. This
is normal for them and they will suddenly shoot
away when disturbed.

Water and Tank Conditions: A water temperature of
between twenty-five and twenty-nine degrees
Celcius is about right for the fish. Because it
is shy you need to provide plenty of hiding
places, whether that be by plants or aquarium
ornaments

Features and Colors: The glass catfish, as the
name suggests, is practically see through.
Frequently, when the lighting is right, you will
have trouble actually seeing the fish. And at
other times you will be able to see its skeleton.
Another stand out feature is its two long barbels
(whiskers) projecting from the front.

With respect to its fins, the bottom area of the
caudal fin is bigger than the upper area. And
take note if your fish exhibits black spots on
its sides as this means that it has become ill
and remedial measures need to be put in place.

Feeding: If you sprinkle food on the surface this
fish will eat it as it drops down. Ideally it
prefers tiny live food to eat.

Breeding Conditions: It appears that the
Kryptopterus has not been bred successfully in
captivity.

Glass Tetra - Roeboides microlepis (Family:
Characidae)

Behavior: Also known as the small scaled glass
tetra, its is a sturdy fish that can be
argumentative and cause trouble at feeding times
so keep an eye out for that. It likes to stay
around the bottom of the tank with its head in a
downward position but is quite different in looks
from the 'headstander' fish.

Water Conditions: Standard tropical tank
temperatures will suffice.

Features and Colors: Its has a big mouth, curved
back, long body with small scales. Can grow up to
10 cms when adult. This fish is not a proper
glass fish like the glass catfish, because its
bones are not visible. The yellowish body has a
blue-green band along its side and under certain
lighting conditions you will see tiny shiny black
spots.

The female is a bit thicker in the body than the
male and when it is in a breeding status the
color in the fins of the male become deeper.

Feeding: Its diet should have a high percentage
of live food. As I mentioned earlier, beware of
its argumentative behavior when feeding comes
around.

Breeding Conditions: You might be successful in
breeding this species but I have no specific
detail on it despite apparent successful
outcomes. Due to their argumentative nature its
is essential that a compatible pair is identified
and used to improve the chances of success.
Conditioning and separation of the sexes prior to
courtship is also likely to be beneficial.
Ideally you will provide a large tank and take
note of the fact that coupling can get very
boisterous.

Golden Otocinclus - Otocinclus affinis (Family:
Loricariidae)

Behavior: Also known as the Dwarf sucking catfish
there are other species of the genus Otocinclus
that are nearly identical in all ways to the
species described here. Although not a true
'upside down' fish it will take up this position
below the surface. Even though it is a scavenger
your plants should be safe as long as it has
vegetable matter to have a go at.

Water and Tank Conditions: It doesn't like bright
light and will need plenty of foliage and places
to hide. If the water is sufficiently oxygenated
this fish can survive over a range of
temperatures, including low levels.

Features and Colors: It will grow to about 4.5
cms, and exhibits a general brownish color on its
lengthy slim body. It has a dark brown back with
a lighter shade underneath and darker mottling.
All species of the Otocinclus genus do not have
an adipose fin.

The male is smaller and thinner than the female.
As a scavenger it has a sucking mechanism formed
by the lips and as an armored catfish its scales
are rough bony plates. Its eyes are small and its
snout is pointed.

Feeding: Ideally you would feed tubifex and
vegetable stuff but overall it is not a fussy
eater.

Breeding Conditions: There is not a great deal of
information regarding breeding this freshwater
tank fish but it has been bred in captivity and
reports suggest that sticky eggs were laid on the
sides of the tank and that the eggs hatched after
about two days.

So there you are, three more freshwater tank fish
you can add to your community aquarium.

----------------------------------------------------
Paul Curran provides a care information system
for fresh water aquariums. Get your FREE E-Course
on how to set up and maintain a beautiful
aquarium, have the healthiest, happiest fish
around AND learn more about fresh water aquarium
fish at
http://www.fresh-water-aquariums-guide.com/freshwa
ter-tank-fish/

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