Butterfly loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis) hillstream loach for sale at Joes Aqua World 98-33-89-89-01

Butterfly loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis)

butterfly hillstream loach (Beaufortia kweichowensis) is a small and very unusual fish. If you want to keep it in a tank you’ll have to recreate the conditions like the ones the fish used to have in the wild.

Chinese butterfly loach inhabits in Jiangxi river system (West river), in the South of China, main tributary of Zhu Jiang river (Pearl River). This species was described in the upper part of Guizhou province and it’s widely spread in independent region Guangxi and in Guangdong province.

The fish inhabits mainly in depthless rivers with fast flow and upstreams highly saturated with oxygen, small tributaries of rivers and streams; zones restricted with crests and sometimes with waterfalls.

Bottom substrate is mainly composed of small rocks, sand, gravel and roundstones. In such places there no even streamside vegetation. The water is crystal clear there with small amount of dissolved oxygen.

Such water and sunlight are good for biofilm development which consists of different types of microorganisms and algae. The biofilm covers all stones and rocks surface like a blanket.

Temperature: the fish inhabits in humid, subtropical area where the air temperature is seldom lower than 15,5 °C and it can be significantly higher in summer.

The tank water temperature range 17-24˚C is considered preferable for Beaufortia fishes care. However, the experience shows that the fish is rather good with higher temperature 68°F to 75°F (20 to 23.8°C) (including 30˚C but not for a long term) at the condition of high water aeration.

In such case it’s also good to raise the intensity of water circulation. Hillstream loaches group are mountain river loaches united by common conditions of inhabitance in the wild, therefore they require strong water filtration in a tank.

Such a filtration and powerful flow imitating violent natural stream can be created by installing a filter or a pump that ideally should be able to pump more than 10 water volumes per hour.

Of course, high aeration and flow are desirable in the tank, however some aquarists consider that high flow is necessary only during the adjustment cycle.

Later the fishes can do with common water flow created by the filter or they can even do without the filter provided with sufficient amount of oxygen in the water.

Bottom substrate can be made of gravel, sand or their mixture. Loach needs numerous rocky covers therefore it’s obligatory to add flat rocks, pebbles and roundstones, where the fish eagerly feeds by browsing soft algae from them.

Pacific blue-eye (Pseudomugil signifer) signifer rainbow for sale at Joes Aqua World 9833898901

The Pacific blue-eye (Pseudomugil signifer) is a species of fish in the subfamily Pseudomugilinae native to eastern Australia. Described by Austrian naturalist Rudolf Kner in 1866, it comprises two subspecies that have been regarded as separate species in the past and may be once again with further study. It is a common fish of rivers and estuaries along the eastern seaboard from Cape York in north Queensland to southern New South Wales, the Burdekin Gap in central-north Queensland dividing the ranges of the two subspecies.

A small silvery fish averaging around 3–3.5 cm (1 ¹⁄₈–1 ³⁄₈ in) in total length, the Pacific blue-eye is recognisable by its blue eye ring and two dorsal fins. It forms loose schools of tens to thousands of individuals. It eats water-borne insects as well as flying insects that land on the water's surface, foraging for them by sight. The Pacific blue-eye adapts readily to captivity.

Pseudomugil signifer is a small, colourful, endemic native fish species inhabiting freshwater streams and estuaries in coastal drainages along much of the east coast of Australia and offshore islands.

galaxy rasbora Celestial pearl danios for sale at Joes Aqua World 9833898901

This miniature cyprinid was first given the scientific name Celestichthys margaritatus, meaning “heavenly fish adorned with pearls”. The genus Celestichthys was created just for them. Over the next few years, they were reclassified as a Danio species and thus renamed Danio margaritatus (source). In the hobby, these fish are generally sold under the names Danio margaritatus, Celestichthys margaritatus, Celestial Pearl Danio, Microrasbora sp. ‘galaxy’, and Galaxy Rasbora.

The common name galaxy rasbora was popularized by those who brought the species to the hobby before it was scientifically classified. Because of its small size, it was thought to be a species of rasbora. They were later classified as a Danio species, but the common name stuck.

Celestial pearl danios are relatively easy to care for and don’t require excessively large tanks. A 10 gallon would work well for a smaller group of 6-10 fish. This makes them ideal for nano setups or for beginner keepers who are looking for something different. While they don’t require a highly specialized setup, they will do best in a planted tank.

Because they prefer to be kept in the low to mid 70s (Fahrenheit), these little stunners can be kept at room temperature and don’t require a heater. While they will tolerate temperatures as low as 65°F all the way up 80°F, I highly suggest keeping them in their preferred temperature range. If your house’s ambient temperature drops below 70°F, I recommend investing in a heater with an adjustable thermostat.

Galaxy rasbora setups require the same basic equipment all other setups do: a tank, lighting, filtration, substrate, décor, water change equipment and monitoring equipment. Because these fish come from ponds with thick vegetation, a planted setup is strongly recommended.

Nerite Snails for sale at Joes Aqua World 9833898901

Although they thrive in both freshwater and salt water, they require salt water to reproduce. Thus, they are quite incapable of overpopulating any freshwater aquarium. Nerite Snails are completely peaceful, and therefore safe to keep with any fish, shrimp, live plants, or other snails.

Nerite snails are one of the best options when trying to keep your tank clean, whether it’s freshwater or saltwater. They spend most of their time moving around the tank, consuming any algae in their path.

Snails are ideal for beginner, as they are likely . They are very easy to care for and have few demands once you’ve added them to your tank

Nerite Snails Are Great Tank Cleaners

Nerite Snails are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium snails these days and are almost always available at local pet stores and chain stores. Nerites are often sold as freshwater aquarium snails, although there are some saltwater varieties as well. Nerite Snails have a reputation for being outstanding tank cleaners and one of the most proficient algae eating snails around. That’s why Nerite Snails are frequently referred as members of an aquarium cleaning crew along with Amano Shrimp. Nerite Snails can be described as being docile, peaceful and tranquil in temperament, and are able to move throughout the tank with ease.

Nerite Snails are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium snails these days and are almost always available at local pet stores and chain stores. Nerites are often sold as freshwater aquarium snails, although there are some saltwater varieties as well. Nerite Snails have a reputation for being outstanding tank cleaners and one of the most proficient algae eating snails around. That’s why Nerite Snails are frequently referred as members of an aquarium cleaning crew along with Amano Shrimp. Nerite Snails can be described as being docile, peaceful and tranquil in temperament, and are able to move throughout the tank with ease.

Apistogramma for sale at Joes Aqua World 9833898901

Apistogramma is a large genus of freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae found in South America, but also commonly kept in aquariums. They are dwarf cichlids that mostly feed on tiny animals and have breeding behaviors that vary depending on the exact species.

These fish grow to be about 3” and 3.5” maximum in size. They originate from South America and the Amazon rainforest. They do require a tank of about 20 gallons or larger. They’re best for a neutral pH water and don’t really require a low pH. The water should be between 72 and 86 degrees. They do prefer planted groupings in the tank, too.

BLACK TIGER BADIS (DARIO SP. “MYANMAR”) for sale at Joes Aqua World 9833898901

The Black Tiger Badis (Dario sp. “Myanmar”), is a nano-sized member of the perch family indigenous to Northern Myanmar.  This rare fish displays brilliant red, cream, and black vertical striping with black and blue highlights on the fins of mature males, which are more vibrantly colored than females.  As the Black Tiger Badis reaches maturity, males will often display even more intense coloration, especially when competing for the attention of females.

The Black Tiger Badis is a micropredator requiring a diet of meaty foods.  Many specimens will not accept dry flake and pellet foods, so live and frozen foods should be regularly offered.  In nature, this fish eats various small worms, small crustaceans, insects and insect larvae.  In the aquarium, cyclops, glassworms, enriched Artemia, and Daphnia will make an excellent staple diet.  Bloodworms and Tubifex worms can be fed on occasion if no other appropriate foods are available, but should generally be avoided since they can lead to obesity problems and disease with badis species.

The aquarium of the Black Tiger Badis should include plenty of plants, rockwork, and driftwood.  Plenty of cover is necessary for this species and will ensure the most activity and least stress.

killifish for at joes aqua world 9833898901

A killifish is any of various oviparous (egg-laying) cyprinodontiform fish (including families Aplocheilidae, Cyprinodontidae, Fundulidae, Profundulidae and Valenciidae). All together, there are some 1270 species of killifish, the biggest family being Rivulidae, containing more than 320 species.^[1] As an adaptation to living in ephemeral waters, the eggs of most killifish can survive periods of partial dehydration. Many of the species rely on such a diapause, since the eggs would not survive more than a few weeks if entirely submerged in water. Like seeds, the eggs can be sent by mail without water. The adults of some species, such as Kryptolebias marmoratus, can additionally survive out of the water for several weeks.^[2] Most killies are small fish, from one to two inches (2.5 to 5 cm), with the largest species growing to just under six inches (15 cm).

The word killifish is of uncertain origin, but is likely to have come from the Dutch kil for a kill (small stream).^[3] Although killifish is sometimes used as an English equivalent to the taxonomical term Cyprinodontidae, some species belonging to that family have their own common names, such as the pupfish and the mummichog.

Killifish are found mainly in fresh or brackish waters in the Americas, as far south as Argentina and as far north as southern Ontario. There are also species in southern Europe, in much of Africa as far south as KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in the Middle East and Asia (as far east as Vietnam), and on several Indian Ocean islands. Killifish are not found in Australia, Antarctica, or northern Europe.

The majority of killifish are found in permanent streams, rivers, and lakes, and live between two and three years. Such killifish are common in the Americas (Cyprinodon, Fundulus and Rivulus) as well as in Africa and Asia (including Aphyosemion, Aplocheilus, Epiplatys, Fundulopanchax and Lacustricola) and southern Europe (Aphanius). Some of these habitats can be rather extreme; the only natural habitat of the Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) is Devils Hole: a cavern at least 300 feet (91 m) deep, branching out from a small opening at the surface, approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) by 18 feet (5.5 m) wide.

Some specialized forms live in temporary ponds and flood plains, and typically have a much shorter lifespan. Such species, known as "annuals", live no longer than nine months, and are used as models for studies on aging. Examples include the African genus Nothobranchius and South American genera ranging from the cold water Austrolebias of Argentina and Uruguay to the more tropical Gnatholebias, Pterolebias, Simpsonichthys and Terranatos.

Killifish feed primarily on aquatic arthropods such as insect (mosquito) larvae, aquatic crustaceans and worms. It is reported by the killifish collector Rudolf Koubek that areas in Gabon where the streams lack killifish (due to pollution or other causes) are rife with malaria, which is spread by a mosquito. Some species of Orestias from Lake Titicaca are planktonic filter feeders. Others, such as Cynolebias and Megalebias species and Nothobranchius ocellatus are predatory and feed mainly on other fish. The American Flagfish (Jordanella floridae) feeds heavily on algae and other plant matter as well as aquatic invertebrates. Nothobranchius furzeri needs much food because it grows quickly, so when food supplied is inadequate, bigger fish will eat the smaller fish.^[4]