| Tropical Fish | Rasbora & Barbs |
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Kubotai Rasbora
$2.20
Size: Approx. 0.5″
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful, schooling/shoaling
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-7.9° F, KH 2-10, pH 6.0-7.0
Max. Size: 0.8″
Color Form: Sparkling neon green color
Diet: Omnivorous. Will readily accept most flake foods and algae wafers, as well as freeze-dried daphnia, bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp
Compatibility: Suitable for peaceful community tanks
Origin: Thailand
Family: Cyprinidae
Lifespan: 2-5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
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Glass Catfish
Approx. 2" - 2.5"
Glass Catfish lack body pigment and are transparent. They have a slender body, an anal fin that extends almost from the head to the forked caudal fin, two long barbels, and usually only grow to about 3″ in length. Most of their organs are located towards the head and although they are transparent, they have an iridescent rainbow color when the light strikes them at the right angle.
Glass Catfish are a timid, non-aggressive, mid water swimming species that prefer hiding in the darker areas of the river. They are frequently collected while hiding under logs, elevated rock outcroppings, and in the shadows of overhanging vegetation in areas with a good amount of water movement.
In an aquarium environment, they need a densely planted tank with a lot of swimming area, a gentle amount of current, and some driftwood
roots for shelter. A generous growth of aquatic plants is imperative to their well being, and floating plants should also be included in their tank to filter out bright lighting. In their natural habitat they are found in small schools, and should be kept with at least 5 or 6 of their own kind in a community tank setting with other peaceful fish of the same size. They do well with the smaller tetras, Corydoras, etc.
Glass catfish are relatively delicate and are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality and pH. They do best in soft (less than 10 ° dGH), slightly acidic (pH 6.5) water, at a temperature around 77 °F. A good quality filter that provides some water movement is necessary for this species.
Glass Catfish in an aquarium environment are reputedly finicky eaters however, they will accept live, frozen, or freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. They can be weaned to accept flake foods.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 75-80° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.5-7.0
Max. Size: 3″”
Color Form: Clear
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Community
Origin: Thailand
Family: Siluridae
Lifespan: 3-6 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate/Advanced
roots for shelter. A generous growth of aquatic plants is imperative to their well being, and floating plants should also be included in their tank to filter out bright lighting. In their natural habitat they are found in small schools, and should be kept with at least 5 or 6 of their own kind in a community tank setting with other peaceful fish of the same size. They do well with the smaller tetras, Corydoras, etc.
Glass catfish are relatively delicate and are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality and pH. They do best in soft (less than 10 ° dGH), slightly acidic (pH 6.5) water, at a temperature around 77 °F. A good quality filter that provides some water movement is necessary for this species.
Glass Catfish in an aquarium environment are reputedly finicky eaters however, they will accept live, frozen, or freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. They can be weaned to accept flake foods.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 75-80° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.5-7.0
Max. Size: 3″”
Color Form: Clear
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Community
Origin: Thailand
Family: Siluridae
Lifespan: 3-6 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate/Advanced 
Botia Dario
Approx. 2.5"
The body of the Dario Botia Loach is tan and black in color, and like other Botia loaches can be identified by their four pairs of barbels protruding from the mouth area. The entire body and fins of this Loach is barred with alternating stripes of both tan and black, which gives the fish its unique look.
The Dario Botia Loach is an active, semi-aggressive, social, bottom dwelling scavenger that enjoys the company of its own species and other semi-aggressive fish. Like some other Loaches, they frequently school with others of their own species, size, and age and in the aquarium should be kept in groups of 4 to 8 fish.
Dario Botia Loaches are inquisitive and seem to enjoy exploring their surroundings. They are shy of bright light, prefer low light conditions and love to hide in caves, holes in banks, plants,driftwood, nooks, and tight crannies, especially when they sleep. They are reclusive during the day and become most active towards dusk.
In the aquarium, be sure to provide Dario Botias with plenty of cover in the form of rocks, wood, flower pots and aquarium ornaments. Natural style arrangements should include a substrate of sand or fine gravel, plenty of smooth water worn rocks, smooth pebbles, and driftwoodroots or branches.
Dario Botia Loaches will squeeze themselves into any tiny gaps or crevices they can find, so items with sharp edges should not be placed in the tank. Any gaps or holes that are small enough for the fish to become trapped in should be filled in with aquarium silicone sealant. Because they are jumpers, a tight fitting cover is a must for these loaches.
Dario Botia Loaches come from streams and require currents in the aquarium. They are intolerant to accumulations of organic wastes and need spotlessly clean water to thrive. A good filtering system and a small power head will achieve the desired well oxygenated water and moderate current conditions they require.
Since Dario Botias are subject to low light conditions in their native habitat, lighting in the aquarium should be relatively subdued. Plants like Microsorum pteropus (Java fern), Taxiphyllum barbieri (‘Java’ moss) or Anubias spp. that grow well in low light conditions, will benefit the fish, and when attached to driftwood or other tank furniture will provide additional shade for the fish.
Dario Botia Loaches will easily adapt to and should only be introduced to stable, biologically mature aquariums. Weekly water changes of 30-50% tank volume should be considered routine maintenance.
The Dario Botia Loach is a grazer and requires small amounts of food several times a day. Young Dario Botia Loaches will eat most high quality commercially prepared foods but older fish may be more finicky. Feed them a varied diet of freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp and a quality flake or pellet food. They relish snails and will feast on them with gusto.
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-86° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.0-7.5
Max Size: 6″
Color Form: Black, Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Social with peaceful, open water dwelling cyprinids
Origin: India, Bangladesh
Family: Cobitidae
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
, nooks, and tight crannies, especially when they sleep. They are reclusive during the day and become most active towards dusk.
In the aquarium, be sure to provide Dario Botias with plenty of cover in the form of rocks, wood, flower pots and aquarium ornaments. Natural style arrangements should include a substrate of sand or fine gravel, plenty of smooth water worn rocks, smooth pebbles, and driftwoodroots or branches.
Dario Botia Loaches will squeeze themselves into any tiny gaps or crevices they can find, so items with sharp edges should not be placed in the tank. Any gaps or holes that are small enough for the fish to become trapped in should be filled in with aquarium silicone sealant. Because they are jumpers, a tight fitting cover is a must for these loaches.
Dario Botia Loaches come from streams and require currents in the aquarium. They are intolerant to accumulations of organic wastes and need spotlessly clean water to thrive. A good filtering system and a small power head will achieve the desired well oxygenated water and moderate current conditions they require.
Since Dario Botias are subject to low light conditions in their native habitat, lighting in the aquarium should be relatively subdued. Plants like Microsorum pteropus (Java fern), Taxiphyllum barbieri (‘Java’ moss) or Anubias spp. that grow well in low light conditions, will benefit the fish, and when attached to driftwood or other tank furniture will provide additional shade for the fish.
Dario Botia Loaches will easily adapt to and should only be introduced to stable, biologically mature aquariums. Weekly water changes of 30-50% tank volume should be considered routine maintenance.
The Dario Botia Loach is a grazer and requires small amounts of food several times a day. Young Dario Botia Loaches will eat most high quality commercially prepared foods but older fish may be more finicky. Feed them a varied diet of freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp and a quality flake or pellet food. They relish snails and will feast on them with gusto.
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 72-86° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.0-7.5
Max Size: 6″
Color Form: Black, Tan
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Social with peaceful, open water dwelling cyprinids
Origin: India, Bangladesh
Family: Cobitidae
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate 
Guppy
Approx. 1.5"
Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Maximum Size: 2" Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons Water Conditions: 64-82° F, KH 10-30, pH 5.5-8.4 Diet: Omnivore Origin: South America, Caribbean Family: Poeciliidae Species: Guppies Aquarium Type: Community
Green Scat
Approx. 2"
The Spotted Scat has a compressed, squarish body with a steeply slanted head profile. The body is colored a shiny silver with a light greenish cast and is covered with black spots all across the body extending onto the fins.
Juveniles are more rounded in shape and become more square as they mature. Juvenile Green Scats are brown or green with black leopard like spots over the body and some stripes on the head. As the juveniles mature, they lose their stripes and their body color becomes silvery or bronze.
In mature adults, the spots are often faded and visible only on the back and upper parts of the fish.
In the wild, the Spotted Scat can reach a length of 15″ but in an aquarium environment, they usually grow to 6 or 8 inches in length, depending on the size of the tank.
Spotted Scats are a peaceful species that do best in groups of at least four or five. They are lively, curious, outgoing and will quickly become tame and accustomed to the company of their keepers.
Many tropical fish keeping enthusiasts keep them in mixed schools with Monos, and except for some aggressive species, Spotted Scats will get along well with most other types of larger fish.
They will usually not bother other fish unless they are small enough to be considered on their menu.
To begin with, juvenile Spotted Scats need a tank of at least 60 gallons when they can be kept in freshwater, however, as they grow, they should be gradually transitioned to brackish and eventually salt water to keep them in top condition. They need a fine gravel or sand substrate with driftwood branches or roots for them to hide among. Plants can be added to their tank but will be eaten as the fish grow.
The addition of 2 to 3 teaspoons of marine salt per gallon of tank water will initially keep Spotted Scats healthy and bring out their colors. As they mature, they require additional salt added to their water until a marine salinity is achieved.
Because Spotted Scats are sloppy eaters and extremely sensitive to nitrites, they need a good biological filtration system with plenty of water movement and swimming space to thrive. Weekly tank maintenance with 20 to 30% water changes are also required.
In the wild, Spotted Scats feed on worms, insects, crustaceans, and plant matter. In an aquarium environment they will eat almost anything put into their tank. They are more herbivorous than many other brackish water species and need a good amount of vegetable matter such as algae, dried or fresh seaweed, blanched spinach or lettuce, zucchini or cucumber slices, and frozen peas. Occasional feedings of shrimp, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, or bloodworms will keep their diet balanced.
Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 68-82° F, 12 – 18 dGH, pH 7.5-8.5
Max. Size: 15″
Color Form: Silver, Green, Black
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Multiple species brackish water tank
Origin: Thailand
Family: Scatophagidae
Lifespan: 20 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced
branches or roots for them to hide among. Plants can be added to their tank but will be eaten as the fish grow.
The addition of 2 to 3 teaspoons of marine salt per gallon of tank water will initially keep Spotted Scats healthy and bring out their colors. As they mature, they require additional salt added to their water until a marine salinity is achieved.
Because Spotted Scats are sloppy eaters and extremely sensitive to nitrites, they need a good biological filtration system with plenty of water movement and swimming space to thrive. Weekly tank maintenance with 20 to 30% water changes are also required.
In the wild, Spotted Scats feed on worms, insects, crustaceans, and plant matter. In an aquarium environment they will eat almost anything put into their tank. They are more herbivorous than many other brackish water species and need a good amount of vegetable matter such as algae, dried or fresh seaweed, blanched spinach or lettuce, zucchini or cucumber slices, and frozen peas. Occasional feedings of shrimp, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, or bloodworms will keep their diet balanced.
Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 68-82° F, 12 – 18 dGH, pH 7.5-8.5
Max. Size: 15″
Color Form: Silver, Green, Black
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Multiple species brackish water tank
Origin: Thailand
Family: Scatophagidae
Lifespan: 20 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced
Clown Loach
The Clown Loach (Botia macracantha) is a peaceful schooling fish native to the inland waters in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
In their native habitat, the Clown Loach is found in fast moving streams with water temperature ranges between 77 and 86 °F, a pH between 5.0 and 8.0, and water hardness between 5 and 12 dH. For a good portion of the year, monsoons force the Clown Loach into blackwater river areas and murky water conditions encountered when the plains become flooded.
Clown Loaches get their name from their bright colors. The main body is light to bright orange with three wide black, triangular, vertical bands that gives it it’s unmistakeable appearance. The front band runs from the top of the head through the eye, the middle band runs between the head and the dorsal fin and wraps around the body, and the rear band wraps around the caudal and anal fins around the body. Clown Loaches are wide bodied fish that have a large moveable spine set in a groove below each of the fish’s eyes that is used for defense and holding onto rocks in swift currents.
Clown Loaches are shy fish and benefit from having live plants and river rocks in the aquarium to hide amongst. They appreciate having caves, holes, driftwood and other hiding places strategically positioned around heavy aquarium plantings.
The Clown Loach is one of the “must have” fish for tropical fish keeping enthusiasts. They get along well with most other members of a community tank and have some interesting habits like swimming upside down or on their sides, and laying on their sides and “playhing dead” on the botttom of the tank. This is normal behavior for these fish.
Unlike most nocturnal loaches, Clown Loaches are active during the day but need cover, and shy away from bright light. Because they are schooling fish, they do best in groups of 6 or more individuals and need a large tank with good water movement. When kept in groups smaller than five, they will spend a lot of time hiding. Since they grow up to a foot long in their natural environment, a 100 gallon tank or larger is not inappropriate to keep these fish happy. Clown Loaches are susceptible to Ichthyophthirius (ich) or white spot disease when stressed or subjeted to rapid water temperature changes.
Clown Loaches should be fed several small meals throughout the day instead of only once a day. They are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods like vegetable flakes, “Pleco tablets”, live, frozen, or freeze-dried worms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and banana or other plant matter. Botia macracantha are voracious eaters of those nuisance snails that sometimes sneak into your aquarium on live plants.
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Semi-aggressive Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy Water Conditions: 72-86° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.0-7.5 Max. Size: 1′ Color Form: Black, Orange, Red, Tan Diet: Omnivore Compatibility: Good community tank fish Origin: Indonesia Family: Cobitidae Lifespan: 15 years + Aquarist Experience Level: BeginnerChinese High-Fin Banded Shark
Approx. 3.5"
Chinese High Fin Banded Shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) are one of only two known suckers that are found in Asia, the other being the Siberian Cotostomus rotratus. They originate from the highly aerated mountain streams in the Yangtze River of China and despite their size (up to 4’6″ in length) are popular community tank fish. Because of pollution and over collection for the aquarium trade, the Chinese High Fin Banded Shark has been placed on the endangered species list and is a state protected species in China.
Juvenile Myxocyprinus asiaticus have light to white bodies with three dark brown to black slanting bands that veer towards the rear of the fish and a high triangular dorsal fin that extends to the rear of the anal fin. Their colors change with their moods and as they grow into adulthood, usually around 12 to 14″ in length, they lose their white stripes and their bodies become more elongated, losing their distinctive high dorsal fin.
During the breeding season, adult males can be distinguished from the females by their more reddish coloration. Adult females become almost a dark purple in color and develop a broad vertical reddish area along their bodies.
Chinese High Fin Banded Sharks have thick fleshy lips with small papillae and a single row of pharyngeal teeth. They are docile, slow moving bottom dwellers that make perfect community tank residents and although they can be kept as individuals, they are frequently kept in small shoals in an aquarium environment. Because they are slow growing and long lived (up to 25 years) they will eventually require a large aquarium to keep them healthy.
Chinese High Fin Banded Shark are best kept in at least a 55 gallon aquarium with a sandy or fine gravel substrate that is densely planted and aquascaped with some driftwood or bogwood, and some rocks if desired. They can tolerate a wide range of temperature variations but because they are subject to abrupt changes in water quality and highly susceptible to nitrates; good aeration, regular partial water changes, and a good filtration system is necessary to keep these fish healthy and happy.
In nature, Chinese High Fin Banded Sharks migrate into the relatively fast flowing, shallow headwaters of the Yangtze River to spawn but as of this date, almost nothing is known about the breeding of the Myxocyprinus asiaticus other than it is believed that their breeding habits are similar to that of Cotostomus cotostomus.
The Chinese High Fin Banded Shark is easy to feed. In their natural habitat and in the aquarium, they are constantly on the move over the bottom searching for food. They can be fed a variety of foods such as brine shrimp (which makes the orange flecks in the fish’s coloration more pink), live, fresh or frozen bloodworms, tubifex, prawn, earthworms, insects, crustaceans, small molluscs, annelids, algae, along with a quality sinking omnivore pellet or flake. If they should stop eating, it is usually due to water quality. Perform a water change and begin feeding them live foods only until they resume eating normally.
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallon
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Docile
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 65-82° F, 36 – 357 ppm, pH 6.0-8.0
Max Size: 4′ 6″
Color Form: Brown, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Large community tanks
Origin: China
Family: Catostomidae
Life Span: 25+ years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
or bogwood, and some rocks if desired. They can tolerate a wide range of temperature variations but because they are subject to abrupt changes in water quality and highly susceptible to nitrates; good aeration, regular partial water changes, and a good filtration system is necessary to keep these fish healthy and happy.
In nature, Chinese High Fin Banded Sharks migrate into the relatively fast flowing, shallow headwaters of the Yangtze River to spawn but as of this date, almost nothing is known about the breeding of the Myxocyprinus asiaticus other than it is believed that their breeding habits are similar to that of Cotostomus cotostomus.
The Chinese High Fin Banded Shark is easy to feed. In their natural habitat and in the aquarium, they are constantly on the move over the bottom searching for food. They can be fed a variety of foods such as brine shrimp (which makes the orange flecks in the fish’s coloration more pink), live, fresh or frozen bloodworms, tubifex, prawn, earthworms, insects, crustaceans, small molluscs, annelids, algae, along with a quality sinking omnivore pellet or flake. If they should stop eating, it is usually due to water quality. Perform a water change and begin feeding them live foods only until they resume eating normally.
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallon
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Docile
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 65-82° F, 36 – 357 ppm, pH 6.0-8.0
Max Size: 4′ 6″
Color Form: Brown, White
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Large community tanks
Origin: China
Family: Catostomidae
Life Span: 25+ years
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate 
Archerfish
Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Water Conditions: 77-86 °F°, 20 – 30°H, pH 7.0-8.0
Max. Size: 16″
Color Form: Black, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Freshwater or multiple species brackish water tank
Origin: Indo Pacific
Family: Toxotidae
Life Span: 10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Advanced
Weather Loach
Approx. 4" - 5"
The Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) is also known as the Weather Loach, Oriental weatherfish, Chinese Weatherfish and Pond Loach. These remarkable fish are called Weather Loaches or Weatherfish because of their habit of becoming extremely active when there is a change in the weather, possiblly due to barometric pressure changes.
The Dojo Loach has poor eyesight, a smooth elongated body that is absent or covered with reduced scales, and a mouth that is surrounded by barbels that they use for locating food. This
loach is available in both its wild form and in a gold variety called the Golden Dojo Loach.
The wild form of the Dojo Loach has dark greenish gray to dark brown spots over a yellowish brown, often mottled body and a noticeably paler belly. The Golden Dojo Loachhas a much thinner body and is pink to gold in coloration.
Both forms of Dojo Loach are peaceful and very efficient scavengers that make a welcome addition to any community aquarium. They normally will not bother other fish in the aquarium and are one tropical fish species than can be kept with fancy goldfish to help clean the bottom of the tank. Dojo Loaches wiggle about in an eel like fashion scavenging the bottom for leftover bits of food and even munching on snails.
Dojo Loaches do well in potted plant aquariums with a soft sand or fine gravel substrate. They enjoy digging and burrowing into the substrate and will eventually uproot unpotted plants. They are most active during the evening hours and like to hide during the day in rocks, caves and around driftwood.
In addition to being very playful, Dojo Loaches have some very unique qualities. They can be trained to take food from your hand and enjoy being touched.
Since Dojo Loaches can be jumpers, you should have a tight fitting top on your tank, however, if they do jump out, they can survive out of water for quite some time. They produce a thick mucus coating that keeps their body moist and are able to swallow air by absorbing atmospheric oxygen through their hind gut.
The Dojo Loach is primarily carnivorous. They prefer freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, chopped worms, and other frozen or live meaty foods. They are also fond of snails and will quickly rid your tank of an infestation.
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 50-82° F, KH 3-5, pH 6.5-8.0
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Good community tank fish
Origin: China, Korea, Japan; Farm Raised in Singapore
Family: Cobitidae
Lifespan: 70-10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
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In addition to being very playful, Dojo Loaches have some very unique qualities. They can be trained to take food from your hand and enjoy being touched.
Since Dojo Loaches can be jumpers, you should have a tight fitting top on your tank, however, if they do jump out, they can survive out of water for quite some time. They produce a thick mucus coating that keeps their body moist and are able to swallow air by absorbing atmospheric oxygen through their hind gut.
The Dojo Loach is primarily carnivorous. They prefer freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, chopped worms, and other frozen or live meaty foods. They are also fond of snails and will quickly rid your tank of an infestation.
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 50-82° F, KH 3-5, pH 6.5-8.0
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: Good community tank fish
Origin: China, Korea, Japan; Farm Raised in Singapore
Family: Cobitidae
Lifespan: 70-10 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner 
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