Fish Index

[john5748]

I have been going through the fish index on this site and while I find the information in there most informative and comprehensive I am still slightly confused on a few points:

Although some species of fish are easily placed into their correct category such as the catfish, livebearers and salt water fish.

What are the main characteristics of the following categories:

1. Characins

2. Cichlids - African

3. Cichlids - Central and South American

4. Cyprinids

5. Labyrinth


I hope someone can help to make this clearer, sorry if this is a stupid question

 

[john5748]

I think I have found the answer to a couple of these but if I am incorrect please feel free to correct me

Cyprinids = Usually consisting of Danios, Barbs, Rasboras, Sharks and a few others. They are generally toothless fish with sensory fingers, or barbels on their mouths. The toothed variety have teeth in their throats.

Characins = I think these may be schooling fish mainly from South America and certain areas of Africa.

 

[WILDER]

I thought sharks where cat fish.

 

[john5748]

I thought sharks where cat fish.

I think some sharks may be cat fish. I have two RTBS and they have little whiskers which is why I originally thought they would be in the catfish category but they are not.

I am going for a drink and then it may become more clearer when I get back

 

[WILDER]

I am going for a drink and then it may become more clearer when I get back
I will join you.

 

[OohFeeshy]

1. Characins- Tetras mainly.

2. Cichlids - African- Cichlids from the three biig lakes in.... Africa! Also other places in Africa.

3. Cichlids - Central and South American- All other cichlids

4. Cyprinids- Loaches and sharks I think

5. Labyrinth- Gouramis, bettas, all fish with a labyrinth organ.

EDITED because CFC was being nasty and laughing at me

 

[john5748]

Labyrinth- Gouramis, bettas, all fish with a labyrinth organ.

So what exactly is a labyrinth organ??

 

[OohFeeshy]

An organ that allows the fish to breathe air from the surface. Generaly the fish come from oxygen depleted waters where other fish would die.

 

[john5748]

An organ that allows the fish to breathe air from the surface. Generaly the fish come from oxygen depleted waters where other fish would die.

Oh right thanks, so I assume these fish would generally occupy the top of the tank or is that too much of a generalisation?

 

[Katchan]

1. Characins-most have a second smaller "dorsal" fin between the main dorsal and tail - NB it does have proper name I'm just to lazy to look it up

Cichlid - will rip your head if you look at it the wrong way

2. Cichlids - African- a few other places as well as the great lakes. eg kribensis


3. Labyrinth- Our daughter, oh and in fish its an organ alowing them to breath directly from the air

Katchan

 

[CFC]

1. Characins- Most fish seem to be. Tetras, loaches, sharks (I think) etc.

2. Cichlids - African- Cichlids from the three biig lakes in.... Africa!

3. Cichlids - Central and South American- All other cichlids

4. Cyprinids- No idea

5. Labyrinth- Gouramis, bettas, all fish with a labyrinth organ.

loaches and sharks are Cyprinids not Characins

African Cichlids come from Africa, they can come from anywhere in Africa and not just the "3 big lakes", there are many riverine species of Cichlid and those that come from other lakes such as Lake edward and Lake Chad

Cyprinids are found in Asia, Europe, and northern parts of America and Africa. Typical Cyprinids in the hobby are goldfish, sharks, danios, rasboros, barbs, shiners and loaches. Cyprinids can be identified by their toothless mouths and one or two sets of barbels on the underside of the mouth.

Characins are found in southern parts of America and Africa and can be clearly identified by the characteristic fleshy adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins (though a handful of species lack this) and the prominant teeth set into the front of the jaw. Some typical Characins are tetras, pirahnas, silver dollars and hatchet fish.

 

[john5748]

1. Characins- Most fish seem to be. Tetras, loaches, sharks (I think) etc.

2. Cichlids - African- Cichlids from the three biig lakes in.... Africa!

3. Cichlids - Central and South American- All other cichlids

4. Cyprinids- No idea

5. Labyrinth- Gouramis, bettas, all fish with a labyrinth organ.

loaches and sharks are Cyprinids not Characins

African Cichlids come from Africa, they can come from anywhere in Africa and not just the "3 big lakes", there are many riverine species of Cichlid and those that come from other lakes such as Lake edward and Lake Chad

Cyprinids are found in Asia, Europe, and northern parts of America and Africa. Typical Cyprinids in the hobby are goldfish, sharks, danios, rasboros, barbs, shiners and loaches. Cyprinids can be identified by their toothless mouths and one or two sets of barbels on the underside of the mouth.

Characins are found in southern parts of America and Africa and can be clearly identified by the characteristic fleshy adipose fin between the dorsal and caudal fins (though a handful of species lack this) and the prominant teeth set into the front of the jaw. Some typical Characins are tetras, pirahnas, silver dollars and hatchet fish.

Thats brilliant, thanks very much to everyone who has tried to educate me