NEWS 115
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relatives of the danios, and hence, like
Goldfishes and Koi, belong to the
cypriniform fishes. There are three species,
with Zacco platypus most usually available.
These minnows grow up to 20 cm long, but
usually only 12-15 cm. It is important to be
aware that fishes can continue to grow
throughout their lives, and hence it makes
sense to give not only the record size (i.e.
maximum length) but also the size that 80-
90% of individuals will normally never
exceed.
Zaccoplatypus
is widespread in eastern Asia,
with imports coming mainly from southern
China and the island of Taiwan. The species
has a fairly high oxygen requirement, and
hence is more suitable for shaded ponds. A
cascade water feature is ideal for this
species. It is a shoaling fish that prefers to
swim close to the water's surface. These
fishes are little predators, and in the wild
they consume any small creatures that will
fit into their mouths, mainly insects. In the
aquarium and garden pond they will very
readily accept flake and frozen foods.
Given adequately deep ponds (more than a
meter) these fishes are even winter-hardy in
mild areas, otherwise they should be
overwintered in an aquarium at least 120
cm in length.
Cichlids
Cichlids in the garden pond? How can that
be? There are in fact no cichlid species
that are truly winter-hardy in central
Europe (for an exception see below under
Australoheros
). There are, however, several
species that require the somewhat
harsher living conditions of the outdoor
aquarium or pond from spring to autumn
in order to develop optimally. Many
species can't generally be kept healthy
otherwise! This applies mainly to the
species of the genus
Gymnogeophagus
from southern South America. If you want
to keep these gorgeous fishes then they
should always be housed outdoors from
May to October. The various species can
grow to 10-20 cm long, but usually stop at
the lower limit. Some of these cichlid
species are mouthbrooders, usually
larvophilous, that lay their eggs on leaves,
stones, etc and guard them there, and
only when the larvae hatch are the latter
taken into the mouth for further rearing.
Others are open brooders (see next
species).
This treatment isn't so essential for the
Texas Cichlid,
Herichthys cyanoguttatus
,
the only cichlid species indigenous to the
USA, where it is found in the Rio Grande. If
kept outdoors in summer this species too
develops into splendid specimens such as
are rarely seen in the aquarium. The Texas
Cichlid can grow up to 30 cm long, but 15-
20 cm long is more usual. These fishes are
open-brooders; both parents tend the
eggs and numerous offspring together.
Australoheros
species live in similar biotopes
to
Gymnogeophagus
species.
A. facetus
, the
Chanchito, was the first cichlid to be
imported for the aquarium hobby, back in
1890. Because it tolerates low temperatures
Gymnogeophagus meridionalis
Chanchito,
Australoheros facetus
.
A splendid Texas Cichlid seen on netting out
in autumn.
The photo shows
Herichthys carpintis,
a very
close relative of
H. cyanoguttatus. H. carpintis
comes from Mexico, however, and is NOT
suitable for the garden pond as it requires higher
temperatures.
H. cyanoguttatus
has a lot fewer
spots on the body,but otherwise the two species
look similar.
so well, it was ideal for the aquarists of the
late 19th century, when heating the
aquariumstill posedproblems.There is also a
report, dating from 1920, of Chanchitos
having survived the winter unscathed in the
garden pond at water temperatures of only
2-3 °C!
