Page 184 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

182 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

OTHER AMERICAN SPECIES

This varied selection of popular American species
demonstrates the amazing adaptability of fish. For
example, the Amazon Puffer, whose relatives are
confined to marine and brackish waters, has
changed its body chemistry to enable it to
exploit salt-free environments. In other
species, such as Knifefish, Ocellated
Stingrays, and Violet Gobies, the body shape
has altered to help the fish merge into the
background or enable them to burrow in the
substrate. The streamlined Arawana, which
lurks much closer to the surface, has developed
the ability to breathe atmospheric air directly,
The Ocellated Stingray
an adaptation that enables it to catch prey (Potamotrygon motoro) swims
with a rippling motion of its
by leaping dramatically out of the water. greatly enlarged pectoral fins.

Colomesus asellus Gobioides broussonnetii Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Amazon Puffer Violet Goby Arawana

ORIGINS Ranges widely through tropical parts of South ORIGINS Ranges from the southern United States down ORIGINS South America, occurring in the Amazon and
America, including Brazil. through Central America to Santa Catarina, Brazil. western Orinoco regions, extending to Guyana.
SIZE 10 in (25 cm). SIZE 24 in (60 cm). SIZE 40 in (100 cm).
DIET Various live foods. DIET Small live foods. DIET Meat-based foods.
WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); hard WATER Temperature 73–77°F (23–25°C); hard WATER Temperature 75–86°F (24–30°C); soft
(100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Active. TEMPERAMENT Territorial and aggressive. TEMPERAMENT Predatory.
This puffer has a bright-yellow iris, a random These striking fish have a distinctive outline when
pattern of gold and brownish-black on its upper seen in profile. Their fins appear to merge around
body, and white undersides. Young individuals have the rear end of their body; adult males have longer
a more burnished appearance, with less intense anal fins than females. The problem with these fish
dark markings. Amazon Puffers are predatory, and is that they grow very large, and unless they can be
any snails in their aquarium are likely to be eaten, moved to an indoor pond (in temperate areas), it
since mollusks form part of their natural prey. may be impossible to keep them. Arawanas are
These fish may also dig in the substrate for incredibly agile, able to jump out of the water to
worms, so the tank should have a sandy base. seize invertebrates on overhanging branches. They
will also prey on fish.
The long, grayish body of
this fish is tinged with
violet and has a reflective
sheen. The tank should have a thick
layer of sand in which the fish can burrow, with
rockwork and caves to provide extra hiding places.
The Violet Goby must be kept alone. It may benefit
from the addition of some marine salt to the water.

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