Colombia - List of fishes

It is one of the most known species to aquarists. It breeds easily in captivity, but it is too often taken from the wild. For several years, it has started to being raised in it home region. It became a source of income for local people.

The female is larger than the male. Fertilization is internal and it is an ovoviviparous species. After a "gestation" of 28 days, the female "gives birth" to a variable number of juveniles: between 20 and 150. There are many varieties of color, the most common is black.

Like many catfish species, it hunts at night. The female is larger than the male and lays huge amounts of eggs (8 million eggs per kilo). Because of its size and its diet, you should not keep it in a private aquarium.

The stripes of it body allow it to hide. Parents lay their eggs in the vegetation, and provide for their offspring long parental care (custody, ventilation ...). Very popular among aquarists: there are many color varieties obtained through breeding.

It is carnivorous, its sharp teeth have earned it the local name. (Pira = fish, Nha = tooth). Its dangerousness was often exaggerated: it serves as prey of many animals (alligators, giant otter ...). Piranhas are especially dangerous for humans in the dry season, when they lack food.

It is a nocturnal hunter. It lives in the bottom of the rivers, where it remains upright to hide among the reeds. It fits well in a large aquarium. But we must avoid leaving it with small fish that it could eat.

The discus, an oviparous fish from the Amazon regions, reproduces at the beginning of the flood season, giving its young a better chance of survival. It naturally resides in slightly acidic waters, favoring flooded forest areas to protect and feed itself.

The pair defends its eggs and alevins against potential predators. The juveniles feed on the mucus secreted by the parents. Breeding in aquarium is possible, but complicated. There are many colorful varieties that sometimes reach exorbitant prices.