NEWS 115
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Given the huge number of fish species in existence - some 32,700 species are
currently known to science,half of them from fresh water - the number kept in
the aquarium at least now and then is very small. In fact only around 400
species of freshwater fishes are permanently available in the trade. So it isn't
surprising that new species are constantly being discovered. Some recent new
imports by AquariumGlaser are briefly portrayed on the following pages.
Recent new freshwater imports
from all over the world
by Roman Neunkirchen
New freshwater imports
Myleus
cf.
lobatus
Many aquarists have an ambivalent
relationshipwith the genusMyleus.The form
and color of these plant-eating relatives of
the piranhas are fascinating and awaken the
desire to own these fishes. On the other
hand the majority of species grow rather
large,and their feeding habitsmake it almost
impossible to keep them together with
aquatic plants.
importers in the world!
Be that as it may, they are a member of the
genus
Myleus
. Of the total of 15 species
included in this genus, only three are
currently known from Peru: M
yleus lobatus,
M. rubripinnis,
and
M. schomburgkii.
The last
two of these are well known in the aquarium
hobby and look quite different, so it may be
that the new imports are
M.lobatus.
The largest,6 cm long,and the smallest,3 cm
long, specimens from the importation are
shown here. Two specimens have been
placed in the display facility at Aquarium
Glaser for long-term observation and to see
how they turn out.We are really excited! It is
tobe expected that these fisheswill attain an
eventual size of 20-30 cm. In the
Myleus
species known to date the anal fin in males
alters after they attain sexual maturity and
becomes three-lobed, which was the reason
given for the choice of name (lobatus =
lobed) in the original description in 1850.
Females retain the same fin formas juveniles.
Half-grown specimens of
Myleus
have a hook-shaped anal fin.
This individual is some 6 cm long.
Approximately 3 cm long specimen of the
new import.
This photo was taken immediately on the day of their arrival. All photos:Frank Schäfer
But these fishes are one of the standard
attractions of large display aquaria and hence
continue to be imported regularly. Aquarium
Glaser has recently imported some lurid
green specimens from Peru for the first time.
Nothing of the sort has ever been seen there
before, and that is saying something as they
are one of the largest ornamental-fish
