Freshwater Animal

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (Bolivian Butterfly Cichlid )

2010-09-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus is a species of fish endemic to the Amazon river basin, in Brazil and Bolivia respectively. The species is part of the family Cichlidae and is included in subfamily Geophaginae. It is a popular aquarium fish, traded under the common names of Bolivian butterfly, Bolivian ram and Ruby crown cichlid.

Range, geographic variants and habitat
The species occurs in the soft, acidic warm waters of the Mamoré and Guaporé river drainages in Bolivia and Brazil. Whether one morph of M. altispinosus, known to aquarium hobbyists as Mikrogeophagus sp. "Zweifleck/Two-patch", found in the upper Rio Guaporé in Brazil is a different species remains unclear The type locality is the Rio Mamoré at San Joaquin (Beni Province, Bolivia). In its natural habitat the species occurs in permanent freshwater streams and pools
Appearance and sexual dimorphism

The species is similar in profile to the larger geophagine cichlids. Maximum size is approximately 8 centimetres. The head and front half of the body is yellow fading to olive-grey at the rear. There is a vertical black band through the eye and six faint transverse stripes along the body the third stripe is dark at its centre. The first few rays of the dorsal fin are black and both the dorsal and caudal fin are edged in pinky-red. The anal and pelvic fins are the same shade of red throughout with bright blue rays and dots.

The species displays only limited sexual dimorphism, mature males being slightly larger and in some cases showing longer extensions on both the caudal fin and the posterior of the dorsal finDiet

Omnivorous. Sifts the substrate for plant material and small organisms.

Reproduction
Bolivian rams are biparental open spawning cichlids.Limited data are available on reproduction in the wild, in captivity, however, courtship is known to involve various body movements including head shaking, quivering and preparation of spawning sites, including shallow pits. These behaviours are mainly undertaken by the male and in aquaria are known to last approximately 48 hours. After courtship, the female will deposit some 100-200 ovoid brownish coloured eggs on the chosen surface, normally a flattened stone. The eggs are laid in lines, when the female has laid one line, the male will pass over it and fertilise the eggs, the female then continues on to the next line and so on until egg laying is complete. In aquariums at 27 ºC (80.5 ºF) eggs take approximately 60 hours to hatch. During this time, the clutch is primarily cared for by the female who fans the eggs and often adds sand to the clutch, possibly to camouflage the eggs. Newly hatched fry are transported via the mouths of the parents to the shallow pits dug by the male during courtship and moved regularly between pits. The fry become free-swimming after 7 days and are lead about in a dense school by the parents for foraging.
In the aquarium

Although less popular than its close relative Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, the Bolivian ram remains a commonly encountered cichlid for the aquarium.The species is also more tolerant of lower temperatures (22–26 °C, 72–79 °F) and a greater range of water chemistries than M. ramirezi.For these reasons, M. altispinosus can be kept in some community aquariums, however, assertive, active or aggressively-feeding fish are not ideal companions for this relatively shy species.

An aquarium which mimics the natural environment of the species, ie: soft, acidic water with hiding places in the form of dense planted regions, or bogwood is recommended. Aquarists classify M. altispinosus as a dwarf cichlid and as such it can be kept in relatively small aquariums, with minimum volumes being approximately of 80 litres (20 gallons). In captivity the species is an unfussy feeder and readily accepts many commercially available fish foods

References

^ ^a ^b Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Mikrogeophagus altispinosus" in FishBase. March 2007 version.
^ ^a ^b Richter H-J (1989) Complete book of dwarf cichlids. Tropical Fish Hobbyist, USA
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Linke H, Staeck L (1994) American cichlids I: Dwarf Cichlids. A handbook for their identification, care and breeding. Tetra Press. Germany. ISBN 1-56465-168-1
^ Newman L (2007) Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (Haseman, 1911) Ed Azas JMA. The Cichlidroom Companion
^ ^a ^b Stawikowski, Rainer, Ingo Kosloswki & Volker Bohnet (editors): Sudamerikanische Zwergcichliden/South American Dwarf Cichlids. New A-Numbers, Habitat, Care and Reproduction. ISBN 3-8001-0911-5
^ Baensch, H.A. & G. Fischer: Baensch Aquarium Atlas Photo Index 1-5 ISBN 388244083X
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Loiselle, Paul V. (1995). The Cichlid Aquarium. Germany: Tetra Press. ISBN 1-56465-146-0.

Picture of Fly River Turtle(Pig Nose Turtle)

2010-09-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

credit
http://www.siamreptile.com/webboard/webboard_show.php?id=22068
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/pignose.html
http://flyriverturtle.com/default.html
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-fly_river_turtle.htm
http://homepage3.nifty.com/yoshina/modoki/

Cyrtocara moorii

2009-06-24T05:54:00.000-07:00

Also called the blue dolphin of Lake Malawi. A very beautiful fish with an excellent coloration with all grades of blue. "Very peaceful for an African, it will only chase other fish if provoked or when spawning". At least this is what should happen. However, my male C. moorii hasn't read any books so it doesn't behave like that. Very peaceful with most species it fights ferociously with the strongest fish in my tank, the Nimbochromis venustus. Very often you can see both of them with scars and missing scales. Once these fights begin all other fish stay at the tank corners leaving the center to the two gladiators, who may spend an hour chasing each other. Strange as it may sound the moorii is the hyperdominant fish in my tank (something that will presumable change when my Buccochromis nototaenia male reaches adulthood, now a 21 cm "baby").

The moorii will eat any cichlid food offered in big quantities. Provided with lots of space they will spend most of their time swimming around (you must provide them with swimming space). Grows fairly large and should be kept in large tanks only (>500 Lt). Males may exceed 20 cm in length (mine is already about that size) and their body shape calls for too much space. It takes a very long time for this fish to start spawning (almost two years), but when they do they are like a clock ! My pair spawns every 45 days. When trying to remove the carrying female to her one tank you should be very patient and avoid any moves that may frighten the fish. The female will readily spit the eggs in the tank which will be eaten by the other fish on the spot. If caught in a gentle way the female may spit the eggs in the net. After placing her to the new tank, drop the eggs in it. The female will pick them up after an hour or so. Since the fry can't survive with their egg sacks still on their bellies it is preferable to wait at least 14 days before netting the female. Thus, if the eggs are spitted the fry still has a good chance to survive.

Minimum tank size : 150 cm / 500 liters, Recommended tank size : 200 cm / 750 liters. Recommended combination : One male with three or more females in a 1.000 liter tank. Tankmates : large size haps. In a community tank, one female is enough. Lots of open spaces.

Close-up shot: 100 ASA film, 125 mm lens, f/11, 1/60 sec, auto-bellows, Sunpack flash unit (GN:36 at 1/8th setting) taped over the lens, shot from a distance of 20 cm. Flash head tilted slightly to avoid reflections from the glass. Hand-held camera - a really difficult one.

credit http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/haps/malawi_moorii.html

South American Lungfish Amazonian Lungfish Family: Lepidosirenidae

2009-06-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

The South American Lungfish may not be pretty, ...but it is pretty amazing!

As its name implies the South American Lungfish actually does have lungs and needs to breath air. The young fish can be quite pretty with gold spots on a black background. As the fish grows, this color will fade to gray or brown.

This fish lives in swampy areas that have the potential to completely dry up during the dry season. When most of the water has dried up and all that is left is mud, it will burrow down leaving 2 or 3 small holes for breathing. A layer of mucous will form around its body to help seal in moisture. During this hibernation, its metabolism will decrease greatly, allowing it to survive for months underground. When the rains come again, it will come out of the mud to resume its life as a fish.

Distribution:
The South American Lungfish, also known as the Amazonian Lungfish, was described by Fitzinger in 1837. The are found in swampy areas throughout the Amazon, Paraguay and lower Paraná River basins.

Status:
The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
The body of the South American Lungfish looks rather eel like, being elongated and slender. Their pectoral fins are thin and thread-like, and their pelvic fins are a bit larger and set far back on the body. The newly hatched young look similar to tadpoles, but have branched external gills much like those of newts. After 7 weeks the young transform (called metamorphosis) into the adult form, loosing the external gills for gill openings.
Overall, adults have a dark gray or brown coloration. Juveniles will have gold spots on a black background. As the fish grows, this color will fade to gray or brown.

Size - Weight:
These fish can grow to over to 4 feet long (125 cm).

Care and feeding:
The South American Lungfish may be considered omnivores as it has been fairly recently reported that they do ingest some unidentified algae and plant stems. However, they are primarily carnivorous and will eat all types of protein foods. The easiest source of food is fish; live, dead or in pieces. They will also eat insects, shrimp, crayfish, clams or most any living animal that is not quick enough to escape their vacuum like mouth. Tongs can be used to hold food in front of them to make sure it is eaten quickly and won’t have a chance to foul the water.
Housing for this fish only needs to be large enough so that it can stretch out completely. They are not particularly active so a 60 gallon tank should be big enough for most home grown specimens. Lots of swimming space is not necessary. Ideally they like a lots of hiding places with dense vegetation along with some roots and rocks. However this fish must be able to reach the surface to breathe, so make sure the water’s surface is clear of obstructions or else they will drown.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
Other than when it is breathing, it will spend most of its time on the bottom of the tank.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
Temp: 75 - 82° F (24 - 28° C)

Social Behaviors:
They aren’t aggressive but may try to eat anything that will fit into their mouths. Although other large fish may survive in the tank with them, there is always the chance that the lungfish may attack or be attacked by other fish. In the case of the lungfish, this will not be caused by aggression but by hunger. Any fish that holds still long enough, including other lungfish, may end up with missing fins.

Sexual Differences:
Unknown.

Breeding/Reproduction:
Has not been bred in captivity. In the wild, adults construct tunnel type holes in the mud that they line with vegetal matter. They then retreat into the tunnel and seal it off. During breeding season the adults do not breath through their lungs, so do not need to go to the surface for air. Rather they breath through use of their gills and through many thin-branched appendages which develop temporarily during this time.
The eggs are laid in the tunnel and guarded by the male, even after the eggs hatch into larvae. When newly hatched the young resemble tadpoles. During the larvae stage they breath through thread-like external gills, much like those of newts. After 7 weeks the young transform (called metamorphosis) into the adult form, loosing the external gills for gill openings.

Availability:
The South American Lungfish are commonly available but this is not a fish that many stores will carry on a regular basis. It is definitely a candidate for a special order.

Author: Ken Childs
Additional Information: Clarice Brough, CFS
credit form web http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Misc_PseudoBony/SouthAmericanLungfish.php
http://www.primitivefishes.com/

Cetopsis coecutiens (Lichtenstein, 1819)

2009-06-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

Cetopsis coecutiens (Lichtenstein, 1819)
This month we welcome back our resident catfish contributor, Chris Ralph, writer and catfish expert in the U.K. fishkeeping magazines. This factsheet is close to my heart, so to speak, as I joined Chris and other catfish buffs on a memorable trip to Peru and the Amazon in 2000 and this catfish was one of the first that I had seen when we caught them from the boat on rod and line. They are not a pretty sight so I will let Chris explain and educate us on the "Whale Cat", Cetopsis coecutiens

Cetopsis coecutiens is one of the largest of the so called species of “Candiru” and is viewed with some trepidation amongst a number of catfish enthusiasts. Unfortunately or fortunately depending upon your personal views, Cetopsis coecutiens is not commonly available to the hobbyist. When this unusual catfish is available, expect to pay £20-£25 per fish. In their natural habitat these catfish are very much opportunist parasites feeding upon other fish, literally biting chunks of flesh from the body of their unfortunate victim. These catfish are often found inside the body cavities of larger fish such as the Red tail catfish – Phractocephalus hemioliopterus and Tiger shovelnose – Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum! These catfish are found in relatively large numbers in their natural habitats.

Cetopsis coecutiens belongs to the family Cetopsidae or Whale Catfishes from South America; namely the Amazon basin, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil - Tocantins and Orinoco River basins.

Although it is documented that this catfish reaches a size of 265mm, whilst collecting catfish in Peru in July 2000 a number of specimens were caught on rod and line ( see image below) which exceeded this length and were 300mm+!

Cetopsis coecutiens prefer to be kept in water which has a pH in the range of 6.0-7.4. This catfish is ideally suited to temperatures in the range of 22-28ºC. Cetopsis coecutiens is naturally an open water swimming fish and as such requires well aerated water with a strong current in order to keep it in optimum conditions.

I would suggest a minimum size of Aquaria to be 72” x 24” X 24” if you are going to keep these catfish until they attain adult size. There is no real preference of substrate when keeping these catfish however; I would suggest good quality aquarium sand such as BD Aquarium Sand, or very smooth rounded gravel. The aquarium should provide minimal shelter in the form of rocks or bogwood due to the fact that this catfish is constantly on the go, swimming in the midwater regions of the water body. As with all other species of fish, water quality and general husbandry is very important, and I would recommend that a minimum of 25% water is changed on a weekly basis due to the fact that these catfish are constantly looking for food and the diet is fish or meat based. Lighting should be dim, due to the poor eyesight of these catfish and the fact that they are found at relatively deep water levels in their natural habitat.

Did you know? – This particular catfish was recently featured in the BBC series Amazon Abyss, and was seen still feeding upon the carcass of a catfish even after it was taken out of the water!

Characteristics
The body shape of Cetopsis coecutiens is described as being cylindrical, torpedo or cigar shaped. The body is also best described as being naked or devoid of scales. The pectoral fin spines are not serrated. The eyes are small in comparison to the rest of the body and are often described as being “piggy”. The mouth is relatively large in comparison to the rest of the body with the mandible being under slung, with the maxilla protruding, almost giving the appearance that the fish is smiling

Colour
The base colour of the dorsolateral region of the body and head is blue, whilst the ventrolateral region is predominantly white in colour interspersed with some patches of blue towards the head. The dorsal and caudal fins have some blue colouration whilst the remaining fins are white in colour.

Compatibility
Wherever possible I would recommend that the aquarist keep these catfish in a species only aquarium in small groups, but as the absolute minimum I would suggest two to three specimens assuming that they are available in these numbers. In their natural habitat Cetopsis coecutiens would be found in very large shoals. This catfish is not a species to be trusted in with other species due to its ability to bite lumps out of other large fish, and would soon devour any small fish within the confines of its environment. With this information in mind I would not recommend that you keep any other fish with these catfish.

Breeding
As far as I am aware there are no documented records of Cetopsis coecutiens having been spawned in aquaria to date (but then who would want to?).

Sexual differences
The males tend to be more slender than the females. The dorsal fin of the male tends to be more pointed in mature specimens.

Feeding
As with all the other catfish that I have had the pleasure to keep over the years, Cetopsis coecutiens readily accepts a mixed but meaty varied diet. I found that these catfish relished meaty foods such as whole mussel, cockles, prawns and earthworms and after a while they even accepted the occasional sinking catfish pellet! A word of caution though, these catfish will easily gorge themselves if given too much food, so you need to ensure that these catfish are not overfed.

Etymology
Cetopsis: from the Greek cetos which means whale, and cosis which means like, hence the reference to this catfish being whale-like in appearance.

Glossary
Ventrolateral: is defined as extending from below and to the side.
Dorsolateral: is defined as extending from the top to the side.
Maxilla: is defined as the bone of the upper jaw.
Mandible: is defined as the lower jaw.

credit by http://www.scotcat.com/factsheets/cetopsis_coecutiens.htm

Crayfish and lobsters

2009-06-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Crayfish and lobsters can be found in a variety of cooler waters, and there have been some problems with crayfish making an overpowering appearance outside of their native waters. For that reason certain species can be hard to find in aquatics centres, and you may need a licence to keep non-native specimens. All varieties sport glorious colours, they are however best kept in a specimen or species aquarium. Their aquarium should be furnished with rocks and plastic plants and roots as real plants will be destroyed. If more than one crayfish is to be kept in a tank they will need a lot of space as they are both territorial and cannibalistic. Also after a cray has moulted it becomes very vulnerable, if it is kept with anything that may attack it (like another crayfish) then the cray should be removed/separated until the carapace hardens. Crayfish are nocturnal and are best viewed after lights out, they should also be fed around lights out until they adopt a diurnal existence. They will readily hand feed once settled. Feed an omnivorous diet, including shrimp pellets, small fish, lean meats, worms, cockles and other frozen foods. Any uneaten food should be removed quite quickly as they have a tendency to hide hoards of food.

In the more evolved form of reproduction, the fry are usually born as miniature versions of the adults. Usually limited to crayfish and shrimp, it is also found in some species of crabs; namely the Potamon family of land crabs.
The larvae will hatch after up to 28, days and the young are almost fully-formed within the eggs during this time. Once born the only anatomical feature not present is the reproductive organs.
They eat almost the same food as the parents (just scaled down in size), and will develop and grow very quickly.

They are usually fairly easy to breed under aquarium conditions, and will be cared for by their mother until released (when some cannibalism may occur).
As the more specialised fry have a much better survival rate than the primitive fry, the females produce fewer eggs (from only 7 up to 300 depending on species and condition) making the numbers more manageable.

The most important stage of their development is their first 24 hour period, during this time the fry will undergo their first moult, and many will not survive. Only the fry that survive the first two weeks have a good change of reaching adulthood.
The water should be changed frequently during this period, and quality needs to be kept good to assure a higher survival rate.

Some species, like the long-arm shrimp, will be born as floating larvae, and will only start crawling after this period. These species need to be fed small live feeds such as newly hatched brine shrimp or microworms, or Liquifry type foods, but care should be taken to ensure the water doesn't become too polluted.

The juveniles will look very different in colour to the parents, usually appearing transparent and well camouflaged. Their colours will change only when they reach sexual maturity, and start to attract a mate. Some species, especially crayfish, may predate on their smaller siblings too, so you may need to segregate them as they grow.

The mating process is rarely witnessed, the only evidence that it has happened is the eggs held within the females pleopods.
During the ritual, the males will attract (or entrap) a female, and they will copulate in the 'Y' position for a short time, continually cleaning and preening each other throughout.

Cherax holthuisi

Cherax zebra

Cherax sp. Tricolor

Cherax sp. blue moon

Cherax sp. redbrick

Cherax destructor

Procambarus clarkii blue

Procambarus clarkii

Procambarus clarkii orange ( My Cray :P )

Procambarus clarkii white ( My Cray too)

Cherax sp. Orange Tip

Cherax Preissii Black jet

credit from http://www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/

Atractosteus spatula ( alligator gar )

2009-06-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Type Locality
None given (Lacepède 1803:333).

Etymology/Derivation of Scientific Name
Atractosteus: spindle bone; spatula: spatula, in reference to the broad, elongate snout (Ross 2001).

Synonymy
- Lepisosteus spatula Lacepède 1803:333; Cook 1959:60.
- Lepidosteus spatula Wailes 1854:333.
- Atractosteus tristoechus Hay 1881:333.
- Lepisosteus tristoechus Evermann 1899:304; Hildebrand and Tower 1928:113 (Ross 2001).

Characters
Maximum size: Up to 300 cm TL (Lee and Wiley 1980). In 1951, a 127 kg fish from the Rio Grande in Texas captured the U.S. hook-and-line record (IGFA 1999).

Coloration: Generally dark olivaceous brown above and white to yellowish beneath (individuals in aquaria may be nearly black dorsally). Numerous dark spots may be present on sides, but only below lateral line anteriorly. Rays of all fins dark brown, with darker spots on the dorsal, anal and caudal. Young fish have a light median dorsal stripe which is bordered by dark brown area, extending from tip of snout to origin of dorsal, and from posterior insertion of dorsal to upper base of caudal fin; dark irregular lateral band present (Suttkus 1963).

Counts: 58-62 lateral line scales; 59-66 gill rakers; 7-10 dorsal rays; 7-10 anal rays (Suttkus 1963).

Body shape: Elongated, suited for surface feeding.

Mouth position: Short but broad. Terminal (Goldstein and Simon 1999).

External morphology: Diamond-shaped and stout ganoid scales; origin of dorsal fin posterior to origin of anal fin; abbreviated heterocercal caudal fin.

Internal morphology: Large teeth in upper jaw in two rows on each side (Hubbs et al. 1991; 2008).

Distribution (Native and Introduced)
U.S. distribution: Gulf of Mexico drainages from Florida to Mexico including Ohio and Missouri rivers of the Mississippi River drainage (Suttkus 1963; Wiley 1976); a disjunct population reported from the Rio Sapoa and Lake Nicaragua (Wiley 1976).

Texas distribution: Coastal streams from the Red River to the Rio Grande (Hubbs et al. 2008). Warren et al. (2000) listed the following drainage units for distribution of Atractosteus spatula in the state: Red River (from the mouth upstream to and including the Kiamichi River), Sabine Lake (including minor coastal drainages west to Galveston Bay), Galveston Bay (including minor coastal drainages west to mouth of Brazos River), Brazos River, Colorado River, San Antonio Bay (including minor coastal drainages west of mouth of Colorado River to mouth of Nueces River), Nueces River.

Abundance/Conservation status (Federal, State, NGO)

Listed as Vulnerable by the American Fisheries Society; categories of threats: present or threatened destruction, modification, or reduction of habitat or range; and over-exploitation for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes including intentional eradication or indirect impacts of fishing (Jelks et al. 2008). Vulnerable in southern US (Warren et al. 2000). Some states are listing alligator gar as a game fish to regulate harvest. Species appears to be declining in the upstream segment of the lower Rio Grande (Edwards and Contreras-Balderas 1991).

Habitat Associations
Macrohabitat: Large rivers, bays, and coastal marine waters (Suttkus 1963; Lee and Wiley 1980).

Mesohabitat: Generally associated with near surface habitats in slack water and backwater habitats of rivers. Preferred pool, pool-bank snag, pool-channel snag, pool-snag complex, pool-edge, and pool-vegetation habitat groups, in the Sulphur River, Texas (Gelwick and Morgan 2000). Zueg et al. (2005) reported collection of four specimens in the Middle Brazos River, Texas and one in a deep, frequently connected oxbow. Robertson et al. (2008) collected specimens from the Middle Brazos River, Texas and associated oxbow lakes; abundance significantly greater in oxbow habitats during a wet year. All specimens collected from oxbows were juveniles (409-810 mm), while only adults (1474-1850 mm) were captured in the river channel; this perhaps due to large individuals escaping capture in oxbow sampling, as evidenced by large holes in gillnet and the visual record of a large individual in an oxbow during flooding. Adults may move into oxbows during flooding to exploit abundant prey, returning to the river channel later. Factors including enhanced foraging, growth and survival may influence juveniles to remain in oxbows for extended periods (Robertson et al. 2008). Knapp (1953) noted that adults are abundant in brackish waters and in coastal harbors where they feed on refuse from fish cleaning houses; young fish taken in freshwater. Prior to 1955, large adults frequently taken from middle and upper parts of the Red River arm of Lake Texoma (Oklahoma-Texas); only a few captured annually since that time; no young known to have been taken in the lake (Riggs and Bonn 1959). May and Echelle (1968) reported collection of three young-of-the-year fish from shallow, turbid water in Wilson Creek cove (Red River arm of Lake Texoma), in July 1965. McCarley and Hill (1979) reported collection of two young-of-the-year specimens from a stockpond that connects to the main body of Lake Texoma when the lake level is high, and capture of a single young-of-the-year specimen from a cove in Lake Texoma (Red River arm), in July 1978. In May 1950, six larval fish were collected from a backwater slough off Red River (Oklahoma; Moore et al. 1970).

Biology
Spawning season: In Louisiana, April to June (Suttkus 1963; Lee and Wiley 1980); from early to mid-May, in Oklahoma (May and Echelle 1968); and late May, in Mississippi (Cook 1959).

Spawning Habitat: Phytophils; plant material nesters that have adhesive eggs and free embryos that attach to plants by cement glands (Simon and Wallus 1989; Simon 1999).

Spawning behavior: Nonguarders; open substratum spawners (Simon and Wallus 1989; Simon 1999). Cook (1959) observed spawning, noting that fish struck the water and created an uproar nearby.

Fecundity: Mean fecundity 157,291 eggs; mean egg diameter 2,060 microns (Ferrara 2001). Lifetime reproductive output = 90.4 female offspring per female, in Alabama (Ferrara 2001).

Age at maturation: Ferrara (2001) reported age of maturation to be 14 years.

Migration: NA

Growth and Population Structure: Unknown; first year growth is rapid (Douglas 1974).

Longevity: Long-lived. 50 years, in Alabama (Ferrara 2001).

Food habits: First and second trophic classifications are carnivore and whole body, respectively; trophic mode – ambush; very opportunistic predator (Goldstein and Simon 1999), consuming a variety of food items; primarily fishes (Bonham 1941) and crabs (Darnell 1958, 1961; Lambou 1961; Suttkus 1963); also birds (Raney 1942) and refuse (Goodyear 1967). Based on a limited sample size, shad and Suckers (Catastomidae) were the most important prey for this species in the Middle Brazos River, Texas (Robertson et al. 2008).

Phylogeny and morphologically similar fishes

Previously placed in Lepisosteus by Suttkus (1963); placed by Wiley (1976) in the genus Atractosteus (Lee and Wiley 1980). Species is separable from Lepisosteus osseus (longnose gar) and L. oculatus (spotted gar) by its large size and broad, short snout (Suttkus 1963); young A. spatula distinguishable from young of L. oculatus, L. osseus, and L. platostomus (shortnose gar) by the light dorsal stripe versus a dark middorsal streak (Suttkus 1963; Simon and Wallus 1989).

Hybridization between A. spatula and L. osseus has been reported (Gilbert 1992). Herrington et al. (2008) provided conclusive evidence of intergeneric hybridization in A. spatula and L. osseus and described hybrid specimens spawned in an aquarium: body coloration and transverse scale rows were similar to those of longnose gar; snout length and shape intermediate between those of longnose and alligator gars; two rows of teeth on the upper jaw as seen in alligator gar.

Descriptions of postlarval A. spatula provided by Moore et al. (1973), and juveniles described by Suttkus (1963) and May and Echelle (1968). Early development of specimens from Lake Texoma (Oklahoma-Texas) described by Simon and Wallus (1989).

Host Records
Cestoda: Proteocephalus ambloplitis. Trematoda: Clinostomum, Rhipidocotyle lepisostei. Nemata: Contracaecum spiculigerum, Dechelyne lepisosteus (Wardle 1990; Mayberry et al. 2000), and Crustacea: Ergalis versicolor (Hoffman 1967).

Commercial or Environmental Importance
Popular recreational target for bowfishing; some populations sustain a commercial harvest. With their large size, large teeth, and opportunistic feeding behavior, alligator gars are intimidating and often a concern to human swimmers. Attacks on humans have not been confirmed. However, one credible account was described by an old fisherman from the Rio Grande Valley. As a young boy, he and his brother were swimming in a deep, slack water area of the Rio Grande near a makeshift dock. While swimming, he felt something grasp and scrap his leg. Feeling pain, he turned and swum toward the dock. Halfway to the dock, he felt something attempt to grasp and then scrap his bare chest. He immediately grabbed for the attacker, feeling the mouth and head of a gar. After reaching the dock, he called for his brother to get out of the water. By this time his leg and chest were superficially scraped and bleeding although the gar’s teeth did not penetrate the dermis layer of his skin. He and his brother waited for a few minutes on the dock and visually confirmed the presence of an alligator gar in the immediate vicinity of the attack.

[Additional literature noting collection of this species from Texas locations includes, but is not limited to the following: Linam and Kleinsasser (1987); Gelwick et al. (2001); Morgan (2002).]

References

Bonham, K. 1941. Food of gars in Texas. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 70(1):356-362.

Cook, F.A. 1959. Freshwater fishes in Mississippi. Mississippi Game and Fish Commission, Jackson. 239 pp.

Darnell, R.M. 1958. Food habits of fishes and larger invertebrates of Lake Ponchartrain, Louisiana, an estuarine community. Univ. Texas, Publ. Inst. Mar. Sci. 5:353-406.

Darnell, R.M. 1961. Trophic spectrum of an estuarine community, based on studies of Lake Ponchartrain. Ecology 42(3):553-568.

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Edwards, R.J., and S. Contreras-Balderas. 1991. Historical changes in the ichthyofauna of the lower Rio Grande (Rio Bravo del Norte), Texas and Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 36(2):201-212.

Evermann, B.W. 1899. Report on investigations by the U.S. Fish Commission in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, in 1897. Rept. U.S. Fish Comm. 24:287-310.

Ferrara, A.M. 2001. Life-history strategy of Lepisosteidae: Implications for the conservation and management of alligator gar. Ph.D. dissertation, Auburn University, Auburn. 126 pp.

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Gelwick, F.P., S. Akin, A. Arrington, and K.O. Winemiller. 2001. Fish assemblage structure in relation to environmental variation in a Texas gulf coastal wetland. Estuaries 24(2):285-296.

Gilbert, C.R. 1992. Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida, Volume II. Fishes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.

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Hildebrand S.F. and I.L. Towers. 1928. Annotated list of fishes collected in the vicinity of Greenwood, Mississippi, with descriptions of three new species. Bull. of the Bureau of Fisheries 43(2):105-136.

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credit from http://www.bio.txstate.edu/~tbonner/txfishes/atractosteus%20spatula.htm

Characidae

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The Characidae, characids or characins are a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish, belonging to the order Characiformes. The name "characins" is the historical one, but scientists today tend to prefer "characids" to reflect their status as a by and large monophyletic group at family rank. To arrive there, this family has undergone much systematic and taxonomic change. Among those fishes that remain in the Characidae for the time being are the tetras, comprising the very similar genera Hemigrammus and Hyphessobrycon, as well as a few related forms such as the cave and neon tetras. Fish of this family are important as food and also include popular aquarium fish species.

These fish vary in length, though many are less than 3 centimetres (1 in). The smallest species[citation needed] grows to a maximum length of 13 millimetres (0.5 in).

These fish inhabit a wide range and a variety of habitats. They originate in the Americas from southwestern Texas and Mexico through Central and South America. Many of these fish come from rivers, but for example the blind cave tetra even inhabits caves.

This family has undergone a large amount of systematic and taxonomic change. More recent revision has moved many former members of the family into their own related but distinct families - the pencilfishes of the genus Nannostomus are a typical example, having now been moved into the Lebiasinidae, the assorted predatory species belonging to Hoplias and Hoplerythrinus have now been moved into the Erythrinidae, and the sabre-toothed fishes of the genus Hydrolycus have been moved into the Cynodontidae. The formner subfamily Alestiinae was promoted to family level (Alestiidae) and the subfamilies Crenuchinae and Characidiinae were moved to the family Crenuchidae.

Other fish families that were formerly classified as members of the Characidae, but which were moved into separate families of their own during recent taxonomic revisions (post-1994) include Acestrorhynchidae, Anostomidae, Chilodontidae, Citharinidae, Ctenoluciidae, Curimatidae, Distichodontidae, Gasteropelecidae, Hemiodontidae, Hepsetidae, Parodontidae, and Prochilodontidae.[citation needed]

The larger piranhas were originally classified as belonging to the Characidae, but various revisions place them in their own related family, the Serrasalmidae. This reassignment has yet to enjoy universal acceptance, but is gaining in popularity among taxonomists working with these fishes. Given the current state of flux of the Characidae, a number of other changes will doubtless take place, reassigning once-familiar species to other families. Indeed, the entire phylogeny of the Ostariophysi - fishes possessing a Weberian apparatus - has yet to be conclusively settled. Until that phylogeny is settled, the opportunity for yet more upheavals within the taxonomy of the characoid fishes is considerable.

credit by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characin

CORYDORAS COLLECTION

2009-06-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

If U want Thai Information http://deepmysterious.blogspot.com/
credit by Angle007 from http://aqua.c1ub.net/forum/index.php?topic=34418.0