The most sought after of all the freshwater angels, the Altum or High Back Angel comes from the acidic blackwater reaches of the Orinoco River in Colombia and Venezuela. These beautiful but delicate fish require warm, soft water and excellent water quality to thrive. Best kept in groups of 5 or more, the Altum Angel is an unmistakable show fish ideal for a large display aquarium. Our Altum Angels are imported directly and conditioned carefully in soft water systems before being shipped, allowing us to offer only robust, healthy, well-acclimated fish to our customers.
One of the most distinctively patterned of all the Royal Plecos, the L330 Watermelon or Spotted Royal is a large growing and impressive Loricariid found in parts of the Caqueta basin in Colombia. Like all of their relatives in the genus Panaque, they have specialized teeth that they use to graze on driftwood. In the aquarium, they should be provided with plenty of driftwood and specialized foods for wood eaters like Repashy’s xylivore gel diet or Sera’s catfish chips. As a large growing and messy fish, they require a large aquarium and frequent water changes to ensure optimal water quality.
The vibrantly colored Red Mouthbrooder Severum is a recently described species from the Orinoco and Atabapo river drainages in Colombia and Venezuela. Adult fish in breeding condition color up to a deep reddish-pink and are easily the most attractive of the wild forms of Severum. Relatively easy to breed in aquaria, as the name implies this species is a mouthbrooder which exhibits strong parental care.
Among the rarest (and largest) pleco species in the aquarium hobby, the Blue Eye Pleco or Blue Eye Panaque is an incredible show fish for hobbyist with the very largest of aquariums. Like many Panaque species, it is found in fast moving waters – specifically, the Rio Magdalena in Colombia. In the aquarium, Blue Eye Plecos are generally hardy, although they will do best if given strong current and plenty of driftwood to both hide among and graze on. All Panaque species are wood eaters, and we recommend using a specialty diet like Repashy’s Morning Wood to ensure proper nutrition.
One of the smallest and most peaceful species of Pike Cichlids, the Regani Dwarf Pike is found in clear and black water rivers in the Brazilian Amazon, often in extreme shallows. Unlike most other members of its genus, these Pike Cichlids will do well in groups so long as adequate cover and hiding places are available in the aquarium. They are also generally safe with live plants and tend not to bother tankmates – although shrimp or very small fish may be viewed as prey.
With its combination of deep green body coloration and a distinctive orange stripe, the Eques Cory is a sought after species in the aquarium hobby. Although similar species have occasionally been sold (incorrectly) as C. eques, the True Eques Cory is found only in Amazonas State, Brazil, and is uncommonly imported. Similar to most species of Cory Catfish, the Eques Cory should be kept in groups (ideally 5 or more) and prefers a substrate of fine sand. Due to their larger adult size they make an attractive showpiece fish for a medium to large community aquarium and will do well with nearly any peaceful tankmates.
A beautifully colored and heavily armored pleco, the Scarlet Cactus or L025 is one of the most sought after species in its genus. Found in the fast-flowing rocky waters of Brazil’s Rio Xingu, they are almost prehistoric in appearance, with prominent spines along the pectoral, dorsal, and caudal fins. Growing to almost 18″ as adults, they require a large aquarium with excellent water quality and are recommended for experienced hobbyists.
A rarely seen and stunningly marked variant of the more well known Goldie Pleco, the L253 Black Royal Goldie is found in the Rio Iriri, a tributary of the Xingu in Brazil. Like its cousin the L014 Goldie Pleco, this species is peaceful and will thrive in most community aquariums as long as they are given sufficient space. In nature, they are a scavenger, but will typically do best when provided protein rich foods like frozen bloodworms, shrimp, or sinking carnivore diets. They require excellent water quality and will do best with regular large water changes and warm, well-oxygenated water in the aquarium.
The L081 is a color variation of the popular Gold Nugget Pleco distinguished by having many fine yellow spots along the body (compared to L018 and L177, both of which have large spots). Like its close relatives, it is found in rocky shallow areas in warm, well-oxygenated water. In the aquarium, it should be provided with plenty of cover and regular feedings of protein rich feeds such as Repashy gel diet or other prepared feeds. They will do best at high temperatures (82 – 86F), lots of water movement and a variety of rocks and caves in which to establish territories. This species can be a challenge to maintain long term and is best suited for experienced hobbyists who can ensure optimal water quality similar to what they would find in nature and a varied diet.
The L018 is the most well known of the popular Gold Nugget Plecos, distinguished by its large distinct gold spots. Like its close relatives, it is found in rocky shallow areas in warm, well-oxygenated water. In the aquarium, it should be provided with plenty of cover and regular feedings of protein rich feeds such as Repashy gel diet or other prepared feeds. They will do best at high temperatures (82 – 86F), lots of water movement and a variety of rocks and caves in which to establish territories. This species can be a challenge to maintain long term and is best suited for experienced hobbyists who can ensure optimal water quality similar to what they would find in nature and a varied diet.
A selectively bred color form of the popular Jack Dempsey cichlid, the Electric Blue Dempsey exhibits a beautiful base blue coloration which typically gets more vibrant as they grow. Although they share the same general care requirements as the standard Jack Dempsey, Electric Blues tend to be slower growing and much less aggressive. They should be kept with relatively peaceful fish, especially when young, and will benefit from frequent water changes to maintain excellent water quality.
One of several strikingly marked black and white species of Hypancistrus from the Rio Xingu in Brazil, the L066 King Tiger Pleco inhabits rocky areas of warm, fast-moving water. In the aquarium, they need excellent water quality and do best when provided lots of cover in the form of caves or driftwood. A carnivore, they should be fed protein rich foods like frozen bloodworms, carnivore pellets, or gel diets. The L066 can be distinguished from the similar L333 by its white (as opposed to off-white) base coloration. Like most plecos from the region, they will do best at warmer temperatures (80-85F) and plenty of current.
A medium-sized predatory characin found throughout the Amazon Basin, the Bucktooth Tetra or Exodon is a schooling fish and best kept in a group. In the wild, they feed off the fins, scales of larger fish. In the aquarium, they are best kept in a species tank, as they will harass most tankmates. They will readily accept most prepared and frozen foods.
One of the most striking of all the Pike Cichlids, the Lenticulata or Spotted Pike is a large growing species found in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. Like many large Pike Cichlids, they are territorial and can be extremely aggressive towards tankmates so any other fish in the aquarium should be chosen with care. The Red Spotted Lenticulata is a rare regional variant which exhibits intense coloration including red (as opposed to black) spots along the face and extensive spotting and marbling along the lateral line.
An amazing example of mimicry in nature, the Amazon Leaf Fish both looks and acts exactly like a dead leaf as a sneaky way to lull its prey into a sense of security. When small fish venture too close, it extends its surprisingly large mouth and inhales them in one quick motion. In the aquarium, they make for an extremely unique display fish, especially in small groups. They are peaceful with nearly any fish too big to be eaten, but tankmates should be chosen carefully as fast-moving or aggressive fish can cause them stress. Although they are relatively hardy, feeding can be a challenge as they can be difficult to wean off live food fish or insects.
With its prehistoric appearance and exaggerated, oversized mouth, the Gulper Catfish is hard to mistake for any other species. A voracious predator, they are amazingly able to consume fish even larger than they are. In the wild, they tend to inhabit deeper stretches of blackwater rivers, and their eyesight is relatively poor – relying instead on their sensitive barbels and sense of smell to find prey. Gulpers are relatively adaptable in the aquarium, but as a scaleless fish can be somewhat sensitive to water quality. Although they can be finicky eaters at first, they will quickly learn to accept frozen, protein rich feeds and even pellets.
One of the larger predatory fish found in the Amazon Basin, the Silver Arowana is part of an ancient family of fish known as the bonytongues. A highly adapted surface feeder, Arowana are usually found close to the water’s surface in heavily overgrown areas with lots of cover. They are incredible jumpers, with adults able to leap several feet out of the water, and need to be kept in securely covered aquariums. Due to their enormous adult size, the Silver Arowana is recommended only for dedicated aquarists who can accommodate these giants in either a large custom aquarium or even an indoor pond. Specimens offered for sale are acclimated to aquarium life and feeding well on frozen and prepared foods.
The Hifin Green Phantom Pleco – like the very similar common Green Phantom Pleco – originates in fast-moving, rocky areas of the Orinoco and Ventuari Rivers in Colombia and Venezuela. With their light green body coloration and distinctive yellow spots, this pleco makes a colorful and unique addition to most medium aquariums. As the name suggests, this species can be distinguished by an even more prominent dorsal fin than the common Green Phantom, as well as the fact that this species’ dorsal fin and adipose fin are fused. An omnivore, they will graze on algae but also accept a variety of sinking prepared foods – preferably a protein rich diet. Green Phantoms are sensitive to poor water quality so be sure to perform frequent water changes.
One of the true freshwater species of archerfish, the Burmese Clouded Archer is by far the most beautiful species in its genus. Found on the lower reaches of the Salween River in Southern Myanmar (Burma) along the Thai border, these fish inhabit shallow, clear waters far from the coast. As with all archerfish, this species has the remarkable ability to shoot bursts of water at insects above the water’s surface – which make up the majority of their diet. Care in the aquarium is relatively straightforward, but it is important to remember that like most archerfish they can be hesitant to feed at first, especially if kept with aggressive feeders like cichlids. Most can easily be trained onto prepared foods by offering live feeder insects and floating pellets at the same time, and clouded archers will generally wean onto frozen and prepared diets quickly. We offer specimens well acclimated to aquarium life and feeding on a variety of different prepared (non-live) items.
With its intricate pattern and active nature, the Zebra Loach is a beautiful and interesting addition to most medium-sized community aquariums. Generally peaceful, this smaller species of loach is a social fish and best kept in groups of 5 or more – single specimens may become shy and hide. In addition to their attractive coloration, Zebra Loaches serve a useful function for planted tanks, actively hunting down and consuming pest snails.
A unique, oddly-shaped Loricariid, the L034 Medusa Pleco is distinguished by its flattened body and prominent fleshy tentacles surrounding the nose which gives them their common name. This pleco is found in the clear, fast-moving waters of the Xingu in Brazil where it inhabits rocky shallows. In the aquarium, they prefer clean, well-oxygenated water and ample hiding places in the form of rocks, driftwood, or caves. Although both males and females have extensive bristles on the nose, mature males are easy to distinguish as the bristles grow to a huge size. An omnivore by nature, they will readily accept veggies, sinking prepared foods like Fluval Bug Bites Pleco formula, or Repashy Gel Diet.
A large, beautifully marked, and sought after species of Peacock Bass, Cichla temensis is found in the warm blackwater reaches of the Negro and Orinoco River basins in Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. in its native range, it is an important food fish, and its huge adult size and predatory nature make them suitable for only huge aquariums. These fish are powerful swimmers and need ample open space in the aquarium (which should also be tightly covered, as they can easily jump). An impressive show fish for the experienced hobbyist.
One of the smallest species of pleco known, the “new ranger” is an as-yet undescribed species originating from the Nanay River in Peru. They are an excellent algae eater, feeding on many species of nuisance algae in the aquarium (including diatoms). Although small for a pleco, they are still substantial fish and should be given ample space and cover in the aquarium. Supplement their diet regularly with algae-based sinking foods, gel foods, and fresh vegetables.
The L075 or Para Pleco is found in fast-flowing, rocky rivers throughout the Xingu and other Amazon Tributaries. As a medium growing and attractively marked pleco, it is a good addition for a medium to large aquarium and is generally peaceful towards tankmates. The L075 will usually coexist with other plecos as long as ample hiding places and cover is provided. An omnivore, they should be fed a varied diet of both algae/vegetable based and protein-rich foods.
A beautiful and personable large predatory fish, the Fire Eel is found in river systems throughout Southeast Asia. Although it will eat small fish, it is a generally peaceful fish and can be shy at first. Over time, however, they learn to recognize their owners and can often be fed by hand. A beautiful and hardy addition to a large predatory fish tank.
