Crinum calamistratum, also known as the African Onion Plant, is native to Africa. It is specifically found in the west and central areas of Africa, especially in Cameroon. It is a geophyte that has underground perennial organs that allow it to survive rough seasons. Crinum calamistratum is usually found in freshwater as well as brackish waters where it is fully submerged under water.
Leopard Frog Plecos (Peckoltia compta) have dark colored bodies with yellow stripes that goes along their entire body. As the fish mature, the bright yellow stripes on their body tends to turn into the darker hue. As they mature, the stripe pattern tend to turn into spots as well. Regardless of their pattern formation, a healthy fish should have a vibrant coloration. Fish that appear washed out could indicate that they are stressed or is unhealthy. They have small compact bodies and long fins that are partially translucent at the ends.
Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei) is one of the most common aquarium moss amongst aquarists. They are great additions to freshwater aquariums since they provide a lot of benefits for the aquatic creatures and the entire aquarium ecosystem as a whole. In addition, they are beautiful plants that are great for aquacaping as well.
Chocolate Gouramis (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides) have an oval-shaped body. When you look at them, they even look almost flat. They have small heads in proportion to their bodies, and they have a sharply pointed nose. As its name suggests, its body is a dark chocolate color. It can vary with different hues of brown from reddish to green. They have 5 stripes that run vertical along their bodies. These stripes can range in color from a yellowish gold to an orangish. Their black fins have an accordian fold look to them. The fins are tipped with the same colorations as the vertical stripes. Interestingly enough, the males tend to be a more reddish coloration. Male Chocolate Gouramis are larger at full maturity than the females are. Females tend to have a more rounded jaw. This is because the Chocolate Gourami female will brood her eggs in her mouth.
The Fahaka Puffer fish (Tetraodon lineatus) has a light tannish to brownish body that fades into a light yellowish white underbelly. Fahaka Puffer fish also have horizontal stripes on their bodies that run from the start of their pectoral fin to their tail. Fahaka Puffer fish, like all species of puffer fish, have the ability to puff themselves up with air or water when they feel threatened. When the Fahaka Puffer has puffed itself up, it reveals that it has tiny spikes all over its skin. These spikes are a form of self-defense that makes them a lot less appealing to predators.
Candy Cane Tetras (Hyphessobrycon bentosi) have an almost salmon colored hue to their bodies. This coloration can range from the light salmon to a more pinkish hue. They are similarly colored to the Rosy Tetra, but the Candy Cane Tetra has a more transparent body. The fins of the Candy Cane Tetra have a bright red on them, and they will always have white tipped dorsal fins. Candy Cane Tetra can also be identified by a faintly colored, greyish shoulder patch. It is easier to tell the males from the females when they reach maturity. The males tend to have longer dorsal fins, and the females tend to be more plump.
The Auratus Cichlid (Melanochromis auratus) are well-known for its aggressiveness as well as its unique features. They are considered the most aggressive member of the Mbuna group. Auratus cichlid are so aggressive that they are known to terrorize fish that are double their size. They are native to Lake Malawi in Africa. In their natural environment, they can normally be seen in groups of 8-10.
Starry Night Cichlid (Paratilapia Polleni) is a beautiful freshwater fish from Madagascar. It is a dark colored fish with silver-blue speckles that covers their entire body. These patterns on their body resembles a night full of stars, hence their name Starry Night Cichlid. In the wild, this pattern allows them to blend in with their surroundings. Since they are able camouflage with their environment, the smaller fish do not notice the Starry Night Cichlid in their midst. When the smaller fish gets close enough, they are swallowed whole. Their bodies are shaped like a Perch, and their dorsal fins often have yellow and white coloration.
Sumo Loaches can be identified by their long thin body, and their interesting markings. Sumo Loaches come from fast moving, low streams, and their coloration will vary depending on the location they are caught, but most Sumo Loaches display a tanish to yellowish-green body color with orange to black colored, vertical stripes on the middle of their bodies. Their fins are transparent, except for their dorsal fin. The Sumo Loach’s dorsal fin has black spots. Sumo Loaches have barbels under their mouths. These barbels help the Sumo Loach detect food.
The betta mahachaiensis is a wild species from the betta family. It is a tropical fish that originates from the Samut Sakhon Province in Thailand, which is southwest of Bangkok. It is a newly discovered fish, found recently in 2012, and there isn’t as much information on them as other fish since scientists are still studying all about them. The betta mahachaiensis live in stagnant brackish and fresh waters such as ponds, swamps and pools. They are actually hard to catch and find due to their habitat.
