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In the wild, discus fish live in the slow-moving dimly lit waters of the Amazon River and its lakes, swimming among the thick root systems supported by the Amazon’s huge freshwater supply. In this dark wild environment, the waters are murky, warm and pristine. The root systems of the Amazon create very soft waters too, with little mineral content and acidic pH.

Wild discus fish thrive in these soft acidic warm conditions in small to medium family groups. Discus evolved a flat shape to allow them to hide easily in the deep root structures that penetrate the Amazon. Their colored bars (nine in total) help them to camouflage as they glide in and out of vertical plants.

The biggest challenge of keeping wild caught discus fish is diet. Wild discus fish do best on live food and should be gradually switched to flake and beef heart, if at all. Wild discus fish are notorious for refusing to eat. Exposing them to live food will entice their appetite in the tank and encourage balanced growth.

Wild discus fish are rare and challenging amongtropical fish species, but there’s nothing more beautiful than a South American biotope tank with a group of wild discus.

Corydoras metae.

(also known as the Bandit Cory)

This species can be confused with Corydoras davidsandsi and C.melini but the revealing factor is the position of the black body stripe on C.metae which runs over the ridge of the back whereas in C.melini it breaks and divides into two over the back and continues to almost the end of the lower lobe of the caudal fin, in other words it shows the body colouration on the ridge of the back, while metae, on the ridge of the back, is black. The difference between C.metae and C.davidsandsi is that the latter has a broader black band which covers the ridge of the back, whereas metae has a thinner band and has also a thinner black band over its eyes, compared to C.davidsandsi. The latter has also a lighter body colour.

These corys originate from the white waters of the Rio Metae in Colombia so a higher Ph and not too acidic would suit this species.

C. metae will thrive in a tank set up to replicate an Amazonian biotope. This would be very simple to arrange. Use a substrate of river sand and add a few driftwood branches (if you can’t find driftwood of the desired shape, common beech is safe to use if thoroughly dried and stripped of bark) and twisted roots. A few handfuls of dried leaves (again beech can be used, or oak leaves are also suitable) would complete the natural feel. Aquatic plants are not a feature of this species natural waters. Allow the wood and leaves to stain the water the colour of weak tea, removing old leaves and replacing them every few weeks so they don’t rot and foul the water. A small net bag filled with aquarium safe peat can be added to the filter to aid in the simulation of black water conditions. Use fairly dim lighting.  

Alternatively, it also does well in a more standard, preferably well-planted tank. A good maintenance regime is essential with this species as it’s sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. As with all corys, don’t use under-gravel filtration and ensure the substrate is kept scrupulously clean. These catfish are sensitive to poorly maintained or dirty substrates and can lose their barbel's if kept in poor conditions.

The Flag Cichlid (Mesonauta festivus).

The Flag Cichlid also called the "Festivum" was described by Heckel in 1840. They are one of the most common Cichlids in the central Amazon. This fish has a truly unique look. An oval-shaped cichlid with some lateral compression. The dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are elongated and whitish-yellow in color.  A diagonal band extends from the tip of the dorsal fin to the eye. 

This species is sensitive to chemicals and nitrates. Festivum should not be kept with Neons as they are a preferred food and will be eaten, they are best combined with Pterophyllum scalare. In the wild they inhabit white, clear, and blackwaters in lakes, rivers, and streams where the water is slow moving and there is vegetation for hiding. They eat a variety of benthic weeds and algae along with benthic crustaceans, insects, annelids (worms), and plankton.

Wild Nhamundá Discus.

The Nhamunda River rises in the mountainous terra incognita of northern Brazil below the Guyana border and, flowing southeast, enters the Amazon River about threequarters of the way down its fourthousand-mile length. Compared with some of the Amazon’s other tributaries, seven of which are over a thousand miles long, the Nhamunda is minor-league-only around four hundred miles long. Because there is no abundance of gold, bauxite, iron, uranium, rubber, or commercial hardwoods to attract people to the Nhamunda Valley, it is virtually uninhabited, with no airstrips or roads to link them to the outside world. Amongst this Wilderness you will find the beautiful Nhamunda Discus Fish in its varius colour forms.

The Nhamunda is thought to be the home of the legendary Indian tribe that consisted only of women & children - the Amazons. The first Europeans to travel the length of the Amazon River maintained that they had been attacked by female warriors. An account of the engagement appears in the chronicles of the Dominican friar Gaspar de Carvajal, who began his journey on Dec. 26, 1541 with the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana and 60 of his soldiers.

Pterophyllum altum

In 1903, Pellegrin first described P. altum as a distinct species, and to date it has been found only in the waters of the Rio Orinoco and Rio Negro in Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia. P. altum differs physiologically from P. scalare in a number of ways — most obviously, the higher count of soft dorsal and anal fin rays. In addition, its long dorsal and anal fins, more vertical form and strongly concaved forehead area give it an unmistakably regal appearance. P. altum has very rarely been spawned in captivity. As a result, nearly all specimens that you chance to see in retailers' aquariums have been imported from the wild.

Documentary - Breeding the Freshwater Angelfish - Part 1 of 2 

Documentary - Breeding the Freshwater Angelfish - Part 2 of 2 

How to Identify Male and Female German Blue Rams.

This video shows how to tell the difference between male and female blue rams by identifying the following ways to identify male from female - very important if you want to pick a pair and the shop assistant has no idea.....

Amazon Biotope.

His Majesty is 16cm total length.

Name: Hypancistrus sp."Last Emperor"

Trade name: none

Site / Distribution: Similar animals were imported from Belo Monte, Rio Xingu, Pará, Brazil to Japan

Introduction: animals are not commercially available

Description: The picture shows a male Specimen 16cm total length. The animal is estimated 4 years old and can not be associated with any known variants. Particularly striking are the relatively large eyes and flat and viewed from above, very pointed head.

Features / variability: Whether this variation is a false color, or a very rare type, we can not say exactly. By internet research we have found some of the animals in Japan, where they were sold, and fit in terms of body shape and pattern. However, the animals have been introduced there too rarely.

L 173 with the typical banding. Not all animals look alike.

  Name: Hypancistrus sp.(L 173)

Trade name: zebra catfish

Site / Distribution: Belo Monte, Rio Xingu, Pará, Brazil

Introduction: DATZ 8/1994

Description: L 173 was in the DATZ 08/94 presented as deviating from Altamira Hypancistrus zebra on the Rio Xingu. The attached picture is in fact a catfish that matches the body shape and the habit of H. zebra. Only in the front torso area, the drawing is different. The typical black parallel bands perform just before striking taping some disordered waves. Significantly different to the Hypancistrus Zebra.

Features / variability:

Said in advance - Hypancistrus sp. (L 173) - is one of the most expensive member of the genus. 3 cm juveniles are sometimes offered for 300 Euros and also sold. The animals arouse desires the little hobby, but have much to do with status. As with L 236, rarity and demand has led to a confusing situation in which intentional fraud and unintentional hybridization many serious breeders make life difficult.

Certainly Hypancistrus is sp.(L 173) very closely related to H. zebra. However, the animals show very marked differences. Although H. zebra forms, variants with irregular banding remains the body shape and body size a good way to differentiate. With more than 12 cm total length L 173 is quite large. Then there are the elongated caudal lobe, which can not be found in H. zebra.

The Peruvian Altum, or Wild Peruvian Angelfish, Is not really a "Altum" but a Scalare. (Pterophyllum scalare).

A peaceful fish that can be combined in any community tank with other peaceful, medium to large sized fishes. Do not combine with small fishes or shrimps as these will likely be eaten.

Breeding is rather easy. In soft acidic water up to 1000 eggs are laid on a leaf of a plant or on any other flat substrate. Both parents take care of the fry. After about 60 hours the eggs hatch and another 5 days later the young fishes are swimming free.

Wild Type Angelfish at the Montreal Biodome.

Pterophyllum scalare, the species most commonly referred to as angelfish or freshwater angelfish, is the most common species of Pterophyllum held in captivity.

Its natural habitat Amazon River basin in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, particularly the Ucayali, Solimões and Amazon rivers, as well as the rivers of Amapá in Brazil, the Oyapock River in French Guiana and the Essequibo River in Guyana, where It is found in swamps or flooded grounds where vegetation is dense and the water is either clear or silty, Its native water conditions range from a pH of 6.0 to 8.0, a water hardness range of 5 - 13 dH, and water temperature ranging from 24 to 30 °C (75 to 86 °F).

The smallest member of the three Angelfish species, Pterophyllum leopoldi, occurs in the headwaters of the Amazon river.

Photo: K.Dreymann

  Mature females Hypancistrus sp.var (L 236).No wonder so attractive animals come as L 236 in the market.

Hypancistrus sp.var (L 236).This animal shows light coloration in the photo tank.

Name: Hypancistrus sp.var (L 236)

Trade name: Hypancistrus sp.L 236, Iriri Mega Clown, Dark Devil

Site / Distribution: Location of this variation is not known.Had bought it from a breeder of individual animals led to other copies.Meanwhile, the breeding is done and protect the business for now.

Introduction: No

Summary: The animals shown here were sold as L 236 and offspring have been circulated under this ID.Very few animals were originally imported.The assignment to L 236 and was subsequently is doubtful.The reference to the Catfish Atlas shown, very similar animal ranges, in my eyes is not enough.The animals can also be assigned to any other variant.

Features / variability: juveniles of this variant, a creamy white body coloration in the area of the nuchal ligament ocher colored.Otherwise dominated by a rough irregular banding, which is oriented from head to tail.In adult animals reverses the color.A brownish-black body color is interrupted by irregular thin lines.Schreck in coloration occurs solarization on the drawing.The animals remain relatively small with 12 cm.Body shape is short and stocky with a superb Beflossung that is often stretched sail shape.The caudal lobe are extended but not stretched far.The most attractive way to retain its attractive design as they age and not turn gray, like many other animals of the species.To make a separation L 333 can easily be defined by the body shape.The animals are elongated and flat.The head is longer and much more pointed tapering.

Special: This variant is very rare and highly sought after due to the high attractiveness.Although an association with L 236 is certainly wrong, is understandable why such beautiful animals were sold under that name.Especially young animals in your drawing remind us of the famous pictures of L 236, even if the body color is not true.It is hoped that the wrong name has not resulted in a mixture with other "L 236".

Juveniles Hypancistrus sp.var 236 "Dark Devil" among the most attractive members of the genus.The body color is environmentally dependent.Depending on external conditions, the animals show a yellow or white body color

ADG Amazon Biotope: Angels with Fry.

The ADG Gallery has had a couple of pairs of these wild caught angelfish spawn with fry reaching the free-swimming stage. While not an especially difficult fish to breed, it is always rewarding and very enjoyable to watch these cycles of nature play out right before your eyes.

It's absurd.As previously reported, the emerging industrial nation Brazil willingly sacrificed their ecosystem for incredible growth.Amidst one of the most biodiverse regions in the world at present, a dam is built.Belo Monte.Exactly from the affected area are described on this page of the armored catfish genus Hypancistrus.

Damming the river Xingu: field update

In this article, Dr. Mark Sabaj Pérez, a renowned ichthyologist, which fish will disappear first from the region.Some are not even scientifically known.Ironically, the small L 174, now a particularly absurd end will have.The Article indicates that the animals are just scientifically described.With luck, this description still manages to extinction of the species Yes, you read that right: L 173 comes only at great depths before and will most likely not survive if the water level will fall due to the dam.This will disappear, a special representative of the genus.It may be that the one or the other will be happy still rising prices for these fish - it's a sad spectacle.