Aquarium Fishes of the World 2000 texts

PEARLFISH PRESS Back to top	*Aquarium Fishes of the World 2000* Sample texts: Fundulopanchax gardneri nigerianus (Clausen, 1963) var. Makurdi red Family: Aplocheilidae African; freshwater The killifish species Fundulopanchax gardneri (Boulenger, 1911) comprises a large complex of morphologically and chromatically distinct subspecies and populations inhabiting small bodies of water in rain forest and savanna areas of the Central West African countries of Nigeria and Cameroon. Indeed, the assimilation of such diverse forms within a lower order taxon must, at a glance, appear counterintuitive to novice fishkeepers trying to grapple with the seemingly impenetrable subject of killifish taxonomy. The species has generally been referred to the genus Aphyosemion in the killifish literature from about 1933 until 1981, with a major revision of the cyprinodontiform fishes having resurrected Fundulopanchax as a genus. This relatively large genus is further divided into five subgenera, with F. gardneri contained in the subgenus Paraphyosemion. Other Nigerian populations of the subspecies F. g. nigerianus include Biassa, Jos Plateau, Kano, Lafia, Lokoja, Misaje, and Rayfield. In contradistinction to the extreme variability seen in the F. gardneri complex with regard to coloration, little disparity is seen in terms of reproductive biology. While some forms of F. gardneri--particularly within the subspecies nigerianus--are reported to show a trend toward annualism, most can be characterized as archetypal "plant-spawning" killies, depositing eggs singly in fine-leafed vegetation or synthetic yarn spawning mops. Eggs from most populations hatch in two to three weeks at room temperatures, and the young are easily reared on a variety of living and prepared foods. Unlike many killifish species, most members of the F. gardneri group may be kept in mixed species--including non-killies of similar size and temperament--aquaria, requiring few special accommodations other than a tightly fitting cover. Single species set-ups, however, are considered optimal for breeding, with aquaria of no more than a few gallons capacity sufficing in this regard. Sexual distinctions are conspicuous and characteristic for aplocheilids, with the drab, uniformly olivaceous females impossible to mistake for their brilliantly colored mates. Maximum length is approximately three inches. Although, in the literature, common names are sometimes perfunctorily attached to F. gardneri and its various forms, the names are never actually used in conversation or otherwise. Instead, casual reference to members of this complex of subspecies and populations is typically by the specific or subspecific epithet combined with the name of the population. Thus, the fish pictured here would likely be identified as "gardneri Makurdi red," or, among killifish hobbyists where nomenclatural familiarity is inferred, simply "Makurdi red." Sterba's Corydoras Corydoras sterbai Knaack, 1962 Family: Callichthyidae South American; freshwater Corydoras species are among the most desirable scavengers for any freshwater aquarium. All are relatively small, peaceful omnivores with few special requirements other than a soft substrate to protect their delicate mouth parts. These species possess the ability to breath atmospheric air gulped at the water's surface, which is absorbed in a modified, highly vascularized intestine. This interesting behavior is easily observed even in a well oxygenated aquarium, wherein specimens will regularly, reflexively dart to the surface to gulp air. Taxonomically, Corydoras is a challenging genus, with approximately one hundred nominal species grouped according to color pattern into several species-complexes. C. sterbai's superficial resemblance to C. haraldschultzi is often stated in the literature, although the latter species displays a reversal of C. sterbai's color pattern on the face and nape, i.e., displaying dark spots on a lighter background, and these two species are therefore easy to separate upon close inspection. Like others in the genus, C. sterbai will tolerate a range of environmental conditions, but nevertheless has a preference for slightly acidic water and relatively cool temperatures ranging from the high 60s to about 74 F. Captive propagation of C. sterbai is a relatively straightforward endeavor. Breeding stock optimally consists of small groups of fish which deposit eggs on a variety of surfaces, including broad-leafed plants and the aquarium glass. Older individuals of both sexes may be suffused with a warm yellow-orange base color, especially evident on the pelvic and pectoral fins. The female specimen illustrated here is readily distinguished from her mate by a less slender body anteriorly, particularly as viewed from above, and slightly less saturated yellow-orange coloration; otherwise, sexual distinctions are minimal. C. sterbai is restricted to the upper Rio Guapore in Brazil, and grows to a length of approximately three inches.
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