Otocinclus affinis Popular name Midget Sucker Catfish. Origin Southeast Brazil. Size 2 inches. Appearance A gray-green to brown fish of not very attractive appearance. Behavior This is the supreme algae eater for the usual community tank, which will not damage even the finest-leaved plant. One or more should be used, depending on the size of the tank. A long lived hardy species if right conditions are provided. Feeding Unless algae are available this fish will not survive long. Also accepts the other usual foods including dried foods. Water conditions Not critical. Wide temperature range, does well at 78°F. and also at 65°F. for considerable periods. I have kept them in tanks housing fancy Goldfish. Sexing Adult female markedly fatter than male. Breeding This is similar to the Corydoras. Eggs are laid on the glass and on plant leaves. Young hatch in 2 or 3 days and cling to glass or plants for a similar period before they drop to the bottom searching for food. Fry reared on mashed worms, algae, and dried foods. Recommended feedlng system Aquaze tropical.

Origin Paraguay. Size 4.5 inches.Appearance The main interest here is in the long tapering body and the upper lobe of the caudal fin, which terminates in a long whiplike filament. It is a brownish fish with mottled black markings, which blend with the aquarium gravel. Behavior A peaceful community fish which would no doubt be more popular if it were freely available.Recommended feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

The Loricariidae, like the Callichthyidae, are armored Catfishes from Northern and Central America. They have three or four series of bony plates on their sides, in contrast to the Callichthyidae which have only two. The head and the dorsal (back) and ventral (under)surfaces (except the abdomen) are also protected by bony plates in most species. The first ray of all fins except the caudal is stiffened to form a spine.Recommended feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Corydoras melanistius Regan 1912 Popular name Black-spotted Corydoras. Origin Guiana, Venezuela. Size 2.5 inches.Appearance Silver-gray body covered with evenly placed small black dots. Wedge-shaped blotch on nape of neck entending to dorsal fin. Black band across eye and head.Behavior, Water conditions, Feeding, Sexing, Breeding As described earlier for other Corydoras.Recommended feeding syastem Aquaze Tropical.

Corydoras julii Steindachner 1906. Popular name Leopard Corydoras. Origin Tributaries of the Lower Amazon. Size 2.5 inches.Appearance Probably the most attractively marked Corydoras. The silver-gray body is traversed by a longitudinal stripe and numerous dark spots. Behavior Typical peaceful Corydoras Feeding Water conditions Sexing Breeding As for other Corydoras.Recommended feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Corydoras aeneus Gill 1858 Popular name Bronze Corydoras. Origin Trinidad, Venezuela. Size 2.5 inches.Appearance One of the hardiest and most popular of aquarium Catfishes. It has a greenish flank and a pinkish body. Behavior A perfect community fish. Very peaceful will not molest even very tiny fishes. Feeding Eats dried food that falls to the bottom. Loves Whiteworms and Tulbifex. Water conditions Neutral to alkaline, moderately hard water. Intolerant of salt (NaCl) in water. Sexing, Breeding As described earlier for Coryrloras.Recommended feedlnig system Aquaze Tropical.

The family Callichthyidae contains the genus Corydoras a most charming and popular group of small Catfishes suitable for the aquarium. Not only are they hardy, inquisitive, droll creatures interesting in their own right but they also perform a useful sanitary function by going over the aquarium floor and disposing of food left by other fishes, which might otherwise cause pollution. Recommended feedlng system Aquaze tropical.