Author name: mark.yan

No two male guppies are identical. They each have a unique tail, which makes them truly eye-catching in aquariums. They are particularly exciting to watch at breeding time. Even the courtship display that male guppies (Poecilia reticulata) put on to impress the inconspicuous females is an impressive show: the males fan out their colourful tail fins and dance around until a female shows herself to be a willing partner. As the males will not necessarily accept rejection though, in the wild, the inconspicuous females often choose to stay in areas that are regularly frequented by predators – forcing their admirers to keep their distance as their bright colours make them easy prey. Impressive miniature fish in aquariums In aquariums, guppies are therefore always kept in groups, with far more females than males. If a female indicates that she is willing to mate, the male swims up to her and inserts his sperm directly into the female’s copulatory opening via a small, thickened groove in his anal fin. This is known as internal insemination and leads to an exciting characteristic seen in guppies: they are live-bearers. As this name infers, rather than laying eggs, female guppies give birth to live fish. A fascinating sight for people of all ages The chance to see this miracle of life fascinates both young and old aquarium owners alike. The fact that it is great fun to watch the little fish grow and change colour is quite probably one of the reasons why the fishkeeping industry has so much to thank guppies for. These three to five-centimetre fish are the ones who first trigger many people’s interest in aquariums. It also helps that these lively little fish are relatively unshy and extremely easy to look after. However, you should think about what you want to do with any new offspring. Guppies are very industrious when it comes to reproduction – a female can bear up to 100 babies. Mosquito larvae hunters In community tanks, the problem often resolves itself. It might sound harsh but other fish sometimes use the young guppies as meals. Anyone who wants to prevent this needs to provide thick vegetation or separate the young fish. When in the wild in their native habitat of Central or South America, the little fish like to hide in the thick vegetation along embankments. This also provides these omnivores with a great hunting ground for mosquito larvae. Thanks to this useful habit and the low impact they have on their environment, some tropical countries have even intentionally introduced guppies in order to decimate the mosquito population. However, they are also regularly released into water bodies that they are not native to. In many places, guppies are therefore known as introduced species: non-native species that have established themselves in a new environment. This is the case in Germany and Austria, for example, although only in water bodies that are warm enough for the fish, such as thermal springs or water near power plants.

Characteristics & Origin These barbs are native to Sri Lanka, where they are an endemic species. They are brownish-red in colour with a dark-brown line along the length of their body. During the spawning season, the males turn deep red. The females are far paler in comparison. When kept correctly, the fish can grow to a length of up to 5 cm. During the spawning season, the male cherry barbs perform an impressive show dance to obtain the favour of the females and defend their territory. Inferior males remain pale during this period to avoid territorial fights. Aquarium and water The aquarium should have a volume of at least 80 litres. To create an appropriate habitat, we recommend a water temperature of 23 to 26°C. Furthermore, a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH value (approx. 6.5 – 7.5) is recommended. The aquarium water should ideally be medium-hard (GH value: approx. 5 – 19°dGH) although cherry barbs can also be kept in slightly softer or harder water. Keeping conditions Cherry barbs are shoaling fish and are therefore happiest in a group. They are active swimmers and need plenty of space in an aquarium. Although the males can become very territorial during the spawning season, the cherry barbs’ peaceful nature makes them very well-suited to community tanks. They mix well with other peaceful fish like small labyrinth fish. During the spawning season, the larger shoal breaks up into smaller groups in which a dominant male surrounds himself with several females. The barbs prefer the middle region of the aquarium. A Pair of Cheery Barb (Puntius Titteya) Planting and decoration Cherry barbs prefer aquariums with abundant, densely planted vegetation. Roots should also be used to provide them with plenty of places to hide and withdraw. However, the barbs also need enough space to swim around freely. A dark substrate is furthermore recommended.  Diet Puntius titteya are omnivores but primarily prefer food that is small. Flakes or granulated food like TetraMin or Tetra Micro Granules are particularly ideal for feeding these fish. If you wish to enhance the red colour vibrancy of the barbs, feed them TetraPro Colour.

Characteristics & Origin Dwarf gourami are labyrinth fish and foam nest builders. They therefore lay their fertilised eggs in a foam nest that they have built in advance. The males alone build the nests and are responsible for brooding. This gourami species is native to Southern Asia, or to be more specific, India. They are primarily found in rivers and the weedy waters of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. Kept correctly, they can grow to 5 cm in length and live to be 4 years old. Dwarf gourami have a reddish base colour and turquoise, horizontal stripes all over their body. However, only the males have this striking colouring; the females are paler. Gouramis are now also found in several other colours. Aquarium and water The aquarium should have a volume of at least 60 litres. To create an appropriate habitat for dwarf gourami, we recommend a water temperature of 22 to 28°C. Furthermore, a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH value (approx. 6.0 – 7.5) is recommended. The water hardness should be 4 – 10°dGH. The fish also dislike a strong current in the tank. Keeping conditions Trichogaster lalius should ideally be kept in pairs. Their quiet and peaceful nature makes them very well-suited to community tanks. However, they should only be kept with other peaceful species and not with aggressive or fin-nibbling fish. Like with all foam nest building fish, the female is usually banished once she has laid her eggs. Gouramis prefer the upper to middle regions of the aquarium. Planting and decoration Dwarf gouramis prefer aquariums with abundant, densely planted vegetation as well as floating plants. The aquarium should also contain plants that reach the surface of the water to make it easier for the fish to build foam nests. A dark substrate is also recommended as this sets off the gouramis’ colours even better. Diet Dwarf gouramis are omnivores but prefer high-quality flake food like TetraMin or TetraPro Menu. To add variety, the fish should also be occasionally given plant-based food, such as TetraPro Algae.

Characteristics & Origin Paradise fish were the first tropical ornamental fish to be introduced in Europe after the goldfish. Not only are they among the most brightly coloured fish, but they are also considered one of the most robust species of aquarium fish. The vertical blue stripes on their reddish-brown body are particularly striking. Macropodus opercularis can be found from Southern China to Northern Vietnam, where they primarily prefer swampy areas. As paradise fish are labyrinth fish, they are also able to breathe atmospheric oxygen. If kept correctly, they can live for up to 10 years. Male paradise fish can grow to a length of up to 10 cm thanks to their wide, pointed dorsal and anal fins. The females remain far smaller with a maximum length of just 7 cm. Females are also slightly paler in colour. Aquarium and water The aquarium should have a volume of at least 100 litres. We recommend a water temperature of 18 to 26°C. This makes it possible to keep paradise fish at room temperature without heating. The aquarium water should ideally be slightly acidic to alkaline (pH value: approx. 6.0 – 8.5). A medium hardness level (GH value: approx. 5 – 19°dH) is also frequently recommended, but these fish can also be kept in softer or harder water. Paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis) Keeping conditions Macropodus opercularis should ideally be kept in pairs. Even through the males can be very territorial, they are generally regarded as peaceful fish that are well-suited to large community tanks. They mix particularly well with loaches and Asian barbs. Keeping two or more males is not recommended as they would fight with one another. Paradise fish tend to prefer the upper regions of aquariums. Planting and decoration This species prefers dense vegetation in aquariums. The addition of several floating plants is also recommended as they act as an anchor for the Macropodus opercularis when they build their foam nests. Caves and roots should also be used to provide the fish with places to hide. Diet Paradise fish are omnivores but prefer smaller types of food like Tetra Micro Crisps or even TetraMin. To add variety, you can also feed paradise fish natural foods such as Tetra FreshDelica.

Characteristics & Origin The distinctive copper colour of the silvertip tetra makes it particularly popular with aquarists, although it is only the males that have this colouring. The females are much paler and tend to be more yellowish-brown to silver. The fish also have white fin tips and a forked fin tail with a black stripe down the middle. However, this species does not have the adipose fin otherwise characteristic of tetras. Hasemania nana are native to South America, where they can primarily be found in the white and black-water rivers of Brazil. Kept correctly, the tetras can grow to up to 5 cm in length and live to 10 years of age. They belong to the characin family. Aquarium and water To create an appropriate habitat, Hasemania nana should be kept in an aquarium with good water circulation and a minimum volume of 100 litres. They can be kept in aquarium water at tropical temperatures of 24°C to 28°C. The water should ideally have a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH value of 6.0 – 7.8. Soft water with a hardness of 2 – 15°dGH is also recommended for this tetra species. Silvertip Tetra (Hasemania nana) Keeping conditions Hasemania nana is a relatively peaceful shoaling fish, which is happiest in a shoal with lots of conspecifics. The fish are well-suited to community tanks although these should be sufficiently large as the males can become extremely territorial during the spawning season. If the aquarium is big enough, silvertip tetras can be kept with other species of fish. Catfish and small tetras that reside in the upper regions of the tank are particularly good choices. Silvertip tetras tend to prefer the middle region of the aquarium. Planting and decoration Finely feathered aquatic plants should be loosely (and in some areas densely) planted around the edges of the aquarium. There should also be plenty of space for these active fish to swim around. A dark substrate is furthermore recommended as the tetras’ colours show up well against this. Diet Hasemania nana are omnivores and can therefore eat various types of small food, but they prefer fine flakes and granulated food, such as TetraMin or TetraPro Menu. To add variety and as a special treat, you can also feed silvertip tetras natural foods such as Tetra Delica.

Origin and appearance Highly adaptable with a vibrant colouring, Congo tetras are a very popular choice for aquariums. They have iridescent red and blue stripes running the length of their bodies. The Congo tetra is named for its origins. Phenacogrammus interruptus comes mainly from the central Congo Basin, where it typically lives in rainforest rivers, and belongs to the African tetra family. Kept correctly, Phenacogrammus interruptus can grow to 6 – 9 cm and live to be 10 years old. The males have a more intense colouring than the females, which are a little smaller overall. Male Congo tetras typically have extended middle rays on their tail fins. Aquarium and water To create an appropriate habitat, the aquarium should have a volume of at least 200 litres. Congo tetras prefer tropical temperatures of 23°C to 27°C. The water should be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH value: approx. 6.0 – 7.8). A general hardness of 5 – 19° dGH is also recommended for this species of tetra, but they can also be kept in a tank with slightly softer or harder water. Congo tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) Keeping conditions Phenacogrammus interruptus are shoaling fish and very active swimmers. They should therefore be kept in a group of at least 6 creatures. Congo tetras are very peaceful fish, making them well-suited to community tanks. However, they should not be mixed with “fin pickers”. They mainly swim in the middle region of the tank. Planting and decoration The aquarium should have vegetation around the edges in particular and plenty of space for the fish to swim. The plants should be placed at the back of the aquarium. There should also be places for the fish to hide. Try to replicate the natural habitat of the rainforest rivers in the Congo Basin with a dark substrate and floating plants. Diet Congo tetras eat insects. They prefer bloodworms and frozen food but can also be fed plant-based dry food on occasion, which means you can feed them various foods such as TetraMin or Tetra Delica.

Characteristics/origin True to their name, firehead tetras are characterised by a red head. The rest of their body is silvery to translucent and they have black and white zebra-like tail fins. Hemigrammus bleheri are also known as Bleher’s rummy nose tetras after the man who discovered them, Heiko Bleher. The fish are native to the northern part of South America and are particularly found in blackwater rivers in Colombia and Brazil, for example in the Rio Meta and Rio Negro. Kept correctly, they can grow to 6 cm in length and live to be 9 years old. They belong to the characin family and the males are generally thinner than the females. Aquarium and water Aquariums for these tetras should have a volume of at least 112 litres. To create an appropriate habitat, the water temperature should be between 23°C and 26°C. Hemigrammus bleheri are happiest in water that is slightly acidic (pH value: approx. 6.0 – 7.0) and soft to medium-hard (GH value: approx. 2 – 10°dGH). Keeping conditions Hemigrammus bleheri should be kept in a shoal with lots of members of the same species. Due to their peaceful nature, they are extremely suitable for community tanks and particularly like sharing their home with other tetra species like red neons. They also mix well with catfish and dwarf cichlids. Firehead tetras tend to favour the middle region of the aquarium. Planting and decoration Firehead tetras feel most comfortable in a loosely planted aquarium with vegetation around the edges that provides them with a safe haven. The rest of the aquarium can be diversely decorated with roots or other types of aquarium wood. As firehead tetras live in a shoal, they still need plenty of space to swim around. You should use a dark substrate and bogwood to try and replicate the conditions in blackwater rivers. You can naturally also use Tetra ToruMin to assist you. This creates water that is identical to naturally occurring tropical water. Diet Firehead tetras can be fed normal flake food, such as TetraMin, as well as extra-fine granules, such as Tetra Micro Granules. If you wish to give your firehead tetras a special treat, you can also feed them Tetra Delica Bloodworms – a natural food for some welcome variety

Characteristics/origin Ram cichlids are extremely popular ornamental fish that are available in cultivated varieties of varying colours. In their natural form, they generally have an orange body at the head, turning yellowish and then slightly blueish towards the tail fin. They also have a black spot that spans the middle of their body and their dorsal fin as well as a black stripe that runs vertically down their head through their eye. As mentioned above though, there are now also several cultivated varieties of ram cichlid. The ‘electric blue’ and ‘gold’ varieties have become particularly popular. Mikrogeophagus ramirezi are native to South America where they can be found in the Orinico and other neighbouring water bodies in Venezuela and Colombia. Male ram cichlids can grow to up to 7 cm in length whereas females remain smaller at up to 5 cm. The females also tend to have a reddish stomach. If kept correctly, ram cichlids can live for up to 3 years. Aquarium and water To create an appropriate habitat for ram cichlids, the aquarium should have a volume of at least 60 litres. Ram cichlids are happiest in warm, soft water with tropical temperatures of 24°C to 28°C. If possible, the water should be slightly acidic (pH value: approx. 5.0 – 7.0) and have a general hardness of 2 – 10° dGH. Keeping conditions Mikrogeophagus ramirezi should be kept in pairs. It is also possible to keep multiple pairs in the same aquarium providing this is sufficiently large. The fish are extremely placid, making them highly suited to community tanks, although they create their own territories in pairs during the spawning season. Ram cichlids should ideally be kept with other peaceful fish. They mix particularly well with small tetras such as red neons, danios or catfish. Ram cichlids tend to favour the lower regions of the aquarium. Planting and decoration Ram cichlids prefer abundant vegetation around the edges. Above all, this provides females with a safe haven. Half of the aquarium should be kept clear for the active fish to swim around in. Diet Mikrogeophagus ramirezi are primarily carnivorous. They can be fed with a wide range of dry food in the form of granules, tablets or flakes, for example TetraMin or Tetra Micro Granules. Above all, their diet should be balanced and varied. Live food therefore provides welcome variety and the fish will also love being given Tetra FreshDelica Bloodworms.

The Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) owes its common name to the bright honey-yellow to orange colouring of the male fish during the mating season, whereas female honey gouramis are light-yellow to brown in colour. Trichogaster chuna originally come from North-East India and Bangladesh. One of their main discovery sites is the Ghaghara, a tributary of the famous Ganges River, but they can also be found in stagnant bodies of water, such as swamps. Trichogaster chuna have a life expectancy of around 4 years and typically grow to up to 5 centimetres in length. Previously, the scientific name for honey gouramis was “Colisa chuna”, but according to more recent classifications, the honey gourami has since been attributed to the Trichogaster genus. As honey gouramis are labyrinth fish they also breathe atmospheric oxygen. This phenomenon enables the fish to adapt to their natural environment. As such, labyrinth fish can use the extra oxygen in the air to survive, even when there is a lack of oxygen in the water. Aquarium and water The aquarium should have a volume of at least 54 litres. This corresponds to the Tetra Starter Line LED aquarium with the following dimensions: 60 x 30 x 30 cm. The water temperature should meet the natural needs of honey gouramis. We recommend tropical temperatures of 22 to 28°C. Ideally, the water should be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, (pH value: approx. 6.5-8.5) and medium-hard (GH value: approx. 8-15°dH), but Trichogaster chuna can also be kept in slightly softer or harder water. Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna) Keeping conditions Trichogaster chuna should be kept in pairs, bearing in mind that the males chase the females around during the mating season. The aquarium should therefore offer enough retreats and hiding places for the females. Honey gouramis are peaceful fish that are ideal for keeping in community tanks. They particularly like sharing the aquarium with smaller and quiet fish, such as catfish, and should not be kept together with rough fish or “fin pickers” such as Sumatra barbs. Gouramis tend to prefer the upper regions of the aquarium. Planting and decoration The aquarium should contain a large number of plants. Dense vegetation around the edges of the tank offers places for female honey gouramis to hide when beset by males during the mating season. Like many other labyrinth fish, honey gouramis are bubble nest builders. During the breeding season, the males build bubble nests made up of little air bubbles coated in saliva. They attach these “nests” to floating plants. If you wish to observe this phenomenon, you need to keep a pair of honey gouramis in a largish aquarium, where they are undisturbed. Diet Trichogaster chuna are omnivores, which means you can feed them various foods such as TetraMin or Tetra Menu. However, you should always make sure that the food is fine-grained and not too big. To enhance their colour vibrancy, you can also feed honey gouramis Tetra Rubin. The colour-enhancing effect of Tetra Rubin can be seen in just two weeks.

Endler guppies (Poecilia wingei) have a tail fin that looks rather like a double sword due to its colour markings, but in actual fact it is round. The striking markings on their caudal fin makes their round tail look like a double sword, which is why they are sometimes called “pseudo swordtails”. Endler guppies are native to Venezuela. They can mainly be found in freshwater lagoons in the north-east of this South American country and one of their main discovery sites is the Laguna de Campoma. Poecilia wingei have a life expectancy of around 4 years and typically grow to a length of 3 to 5 centimetres. Endler guppies are popular aquarium fish due to their green, silver and orange-coloured markings. They are also characterised by a black patch on their sides. However, other breeds with different colourings and fins are also commonly found in aquariums. The colouring and colour vibrancy tend to be more prominent in the males than the females. Aquarium and water The aquarium should have a volume of at least 54 litres. This corresponds to the Tetra Starter Line LED aquarium with the following dimensions: 60 x 30 x 30 cm. We recommend tropical temperatures of 23 to 26°C. Ideally, the aquarium water should be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH value: approx. 6.5-8.5) and medium-hard (GH value: approx. 8-15°dH), but Endler guppies can also be kept in slightly softer or harder water. Keeping conditions Poecilia wingei are schooling fish and should therefore be kept with other conspecifics. To avoid excessive competition between the males, the shoal should be made up of more females than males. As Endler guppies are peaceful fish, they are ideal for community aquariums. The only fish that they shouldn’t be kept with are very quiet species which could feel stressed out by the active swimming behaviour of Poecilia wingei. Endler guppies tend to prefer the middle to upper regions of the aquarium. As they are live-bearing toothcarps, Ender guppy females carry eggs in their womb until the fry hatch. This mode of reproduction is known as ovoviviparity. Planting and decoration The tank should be set up in a way that meets the Endler guppies’ needs. Poecilia wingei require a brightly lit aquarium. In addition to the lighting, plants are an essential part of creating an appropriate habitat for Endler guppies. Lush plants around the edges of the tank offer retreats where females and young fish can hide and rest. Diet Poecilia wingei are omnivores, however, given their small size you should make sure that the food is not too big. The most appropriate foods for this species are Tetra Guppy and Tetra Micro Crisps. For extra diversity, you can also feed Endler guppies natural foods such as Tetra Delica Brine Shrimps.

Characteristics/origin The celestial pearl danio was only discovered in 2006. Since then, the appearance and size of the fish, which belong to the carp family, have made them a particularly popular choice for aquariums. Danio margaritatus are native to South-East Asia, or to Myanmar and Thailand to be more precise. They can grow to 3 cm in length and live to be 3 years old. They have a dark blue body covered in yellow dots and their stomach is usually orange to reddish. This species also has orange and black striped fins. The females are slightly paler in colour and can also be clearly distinguished from the males by their transparent anal fin.  Aquarium and water To create an appropriate habitat, celestial pearl danios should be kept in an aquarium with a minimum volume of 54 litres. Due to their small size, however, these danios are classed as nano fish and can therefore also be kept in a nano aquarium. The fish are happiest at an aquarium temperature of 20°C to 25°C. Ideally, the water should be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (pH value: approx. 6.0 – 8.0) and medium-hard (GH value: approx. 5 – 20°dH) although Danio margaritatus can also be kept in slightly softer or harder water. Keeping conditions Celestial pearl danios are shoaling fish and should therefore be kept in a larger group with multiple conspecifics. As peaceful fish, they can easily be kept in community aquariums with other species. Due to their small size though, they tend to be unhappy if sharing an aquarium with far larger fish. They therefore mix particularly well with other active swimmers such as cardinal fish as well as other small barbs or danios like cherry barbs. Celestial pearl danios tend to favour the middle region of the tank. Planting and decoration Celestial pearl danios have special requirements with regard to the plants and decorative items in an aquarium. We recommend planting abundant vegetation around the edges as Danio margaritatus are extremely lively and need plenty of room to swim around in the rest of the aquarium. They prefer aquariums to be stocked with finely feathered and floating plants. The latter are particularly recommended as the fish are not keen on bright lighting. You can decorate the rest of the aquarium with bogwood roots or other types of aquarium wood. This creates a harmonious underwater landscape that makes this fish species feel at home. Diet Danio margaritatus are omnivores and can eat normal flake food, such as TetraMin. Small food products like Tetra Micro Granules are also ideal for the little fish. To add variety, you can also give them natural foods such as Tetra Delica Daphnie. Celestial pearl danios mainly feed in the middle section of the aquarium.

Characteristics/origin Angelfish belong to the cichlid family and can be divided into three species: altum angelfish (Pterophyllum altum), teardrop angelfish (Pterophyllum leopoldi) and angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), as described here. Although Pterophyllum scalare can reach a length of up to 15 cm and height of approx. 25 cm, making them far larger than other aquarium fish, they are still among the most popular fish in the fishkeeping sector. This is largely due to their extraordinary appearance. They look like they have been flattened from the side and have a rather pointed mouth. Their unusual body shape and different-length fin rays on the dorsal and anal fins therefore make them look somewhat triangular. Angelfish are native to South America, where they can mainly be found in calm, slow-flowing water bodies and rain forest rivers in Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Guyana. If kept correctly, they can live for up to 15 years. It is hard to distinguish between males and females. Pterophyllum scalare are naturally silvery in colour with four characteristic black stripes down their body, although cultivated varieties in other colours are now also available. Aquarium and water To create an appropriate habitat, Pterophyllum scalare should be kept in large and, above all, tall aquariums. We recommend tropical temperatures of 24°C to 30°C. The aquarium water should ideally be slightly acidic to alkaline (pH value: approx. 6.0 – 7.5) and medium-hard (GH value: approx. 5 – 19°dH), although angelfish are extremely adaptable and can therefore also be kept in softer or harder water. Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare; Shutterstock ID 383415619; Kostenstelle / Nummer: 54410; Projekt (Nummer): 54410 Buecker, Sarah Keeping conditions Pterophyllum scalare should be kept in extremely large aquariums as a group (loose shoal). During the spawning season, they form pairs that create a territory and defend it against all other aquarium dwellers. In the case of slightly smaller aquariums, the fish can also be optimally kept as a single pair. Despite creating territories, Pterophyllum scalare are peaceful fish that are well-suited to large community tanks. They mix particularly well with larger fish like larger tetras or catfish. Small fish like neon tetras are not recommended as they may be eaten by adult angelfish. Angelfish tend to favour the middle region of the aquarium. Planting and decoration This species prefers aquariums with dense edge vegetation. When choosing plants, Vallisneria species are especially recommended. Angelfish also particularly like aquariums with roots, as they offer them safe havens where they can hide. Due to their size, the fish also need plenty of free space to swim around though. Diet As omnivores, angelfish can be optimally fed with premium dry food products such as TetraMin or Tetra Menu. The food should not be too small for the fish. To add welcome variety, you can also give angelfish natural foods such as Tetra FreshDelica Bloodworms. It is also advisable to provide a little plant-based food now and again.