Inhaltsverzeichnis für November 2025 in Practical Fishkeeping

AS AN AVID fishkeeper, I often find myself searching for the latest discoveries, the rarest species or the downright obscure. I'm a hobbyist of nearly 20 years and often fall into the trap of pushing to find the most outlandish, rare or exotic species I can. Why? Because I have become accustomed to simply ignoring the fish we see in most stores, usually because I had kept them previously but at least partially because of a near obsessive tendency to follow a Pokémon-like “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” mindset. As a child I was surrounded by exotic animals, my dad is not only an avid fishkeeper but he also has a long-running passion for exotics in general. I'd regularly be brought along on numerous visits to pet shops up and down…

OVER-SHADOWED PERHAPS BY their relatives from the great lakes of Africa, the cichlids of Central America still have a lot to recommend them as aquarium fish. From true dwarfs like Amatitlania nanolutea through to the tank-busting Parachromis dovii, there's something for everyone here. Better still, Central American cichlids tend to be hardy and adaptable, tolerating a broad range of water chemistry values. Indeed, some commonly inhabit brackish water lagoons, while others are notable for their tolerance of water with very low oxygen levels. While no fish wants to be kept badly, compared with other cichlids, with a few exceptions, Central Americans can be described as ‘tough as old boots’. So why aren't they more popular? One problem is that most Central American cichlids (but definitely not all) are aggressively territorial,…

AQUARISTS HAVE LONG been fascinated by fish species that are not only interesting but, above all, are beautifully coloured. From the western and central regions of Africa originate several vibrantly coloured, small-sized fish species perfect for our aquariums. Unfortunately, these species are only rarely imported, occasionally appearing as by-catch, and are therefore generally only available in limited numbers. In this article, a number of these species, belonging to the genera Neolebias and Nannaethiops, will be discussed. Hopefully, by giving more information about their natural distribution, habitats, water parameters, and aquarium requirements, I can inspire hobbyists to consider keeping one or perhaps even several of these species in their own aquariums. The family Distichontidae is very species rich, including 109 species across 16 genera, some growing very large but also some…

HAVING FINISHED KITTING up, we were now perched on the side of the dive boat, bobbing up and down alongside a Red Sea reef as the dive master went through our final safety briefing. As well as a run through of the dive site topography and the potential conditions beneath the waves, this was an opportunity to cover some of the more hazardous marine life we would likely encounter. It's quite a potent list in these parts – cone shells, scorpionfish, stonefish, coral catfish, tangs and lionfish all boast venomous weaponry, while various elasmobranchs, notably oceanic white-tip and mako sharks, along with ribbon-tail rays and electric rays, readily frequent these warm, shallow waters too. Unable to verbally communicate underwater, rather than just frantically gesticulating in the direction of noteworthy marine…

I AM LUCKY enough to own most of the aquascaping books by the famous Takashi Amano, the godfather of aquascaping and an inspiration to a generation (perhaps now two) of aquarists. The books are filled with beautiful, lush, planted displays, everything growing ardently, bursting with vibrant colours and maintained perfectly. Although Amano's company, Aquatic Design Amano, started by offering what we might consider now more basic equipment, the standard was always high and today, it is the Rolls Royce of the aquarium world, with price tags to match. This can make getting into ‘aquascaping’ feel quite daunting, when the bar has been set so high, especially for beginners. I wanted to challenge myself to have a go at creating a simple, colourful display which could be easily maintained over the…

THOSE WHO HAVE been following these monthly SHOAL conservation features will know that freshwater fish are in freefall. Populations are nosediving worldwide, declining at more than twice that of their marine and terrestrial counterparts, and freshwater fish rival amphibians as the most threatened vertebrate group on Earth. Yet in this sobering reality lies an exciting opportunity: aquarium hobbyists, many millions strong, spread globally and united, by a fascination with aquatic life, hold knowledge and passion that conservation organisations desperately need. If mobilised effectively, the hobby could become a cornerstone of global efforts to halt extinctions. Founded in 2019, SHOAL was created to connect hobbyists with impactful freshwater fish conservation. Since then, the initiative has made strong partnerships with the aquarium community, including with the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) and…

LIVEBEARERS ARE AMONG the most popular aquarium fish worldwide, loved for their vibrant colours, energetic personalities, and ease of breeding. Many fishkeepers will already be aware that the vast variety available, from their unique shapes and patterns to differences in health and lifespan, it all comes down to their genetics. Having a basic understanding of these principles can make a big difference for any hobbyist. It helps you confidently identify the species or strains in your tank, spot potential health vulnerabilities and recognise inherited traits. Healthy fish start with healthy genes, yet many keepers notice that modern livebearers aren't as tough as they used to be. They may be thinner, less active, and more prone to common issues like white spot or unexplained deaths despite attempts to provide the best…

I really love cooking. It's so satisfying to see how the ingredients of the dish I'm making turn into a delicious meal. Whenever I can, I pick my own meat, veggies and other raw materials to ensure the best quality dish but sometimes – especially when I'm in a hurry or I want to try a new taste without investing too much in ingredients – I resort to factory assembled kit boxes containing almost everything I need (think fajita kit or such). Professional cooks would of course look down at me, saying that it's not real cooking, but as long as the family is happy with the quality of the dinner, I'm happy too. Kit boxes can be hit and miss – they work well in certain cases or completely…