Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii)

The Murray Cod or Maccullochella peelii peelii is a very large freshwater fish that is found exclusively in Australia. Also known as Cod, Greenfish and Goodoo, these fish can grow to 183 cm, 113 Kg (6 ft, 250 lbs), and are the well represented in many pubs in Australia! Unfortunately, due to overfishing and habitat destruction the numbers of this once abundant fish have drop considerably. It is now listed as a threatened species.

Murray Cod have a lower jaw that protrudes out from its body with sharp, but small teeth. They are normally a light or dark green on its back and sides with a cream colored belly. Once these fish get so large they tend to widen out instead of getting longer. This can make for one fat fish!Murray Cod are ferocious carnivores that will eat just about anything that fits into their mouths including small fish, crayfish, shrimp, mussels, water fowl, frogs, small mammals and tortoises. This species of Australian freshwater fish takes care of its eggs a lot more than most fish. The Murray Cod spawns in the springtime after they are 4 to 6 years of age. They normally lay their eggs in hollows logs or around rocks normally no deeper than 3 meters. After the female lays her eggs she leaves, letting the male fertilize and guard the nest until about a week after the eggs hatch. They are very protective over their nest and young fry and will defend their nest at all costs. These fish can live for a very long time, some think even past 70 years of age, but again due to overfishing and habitat destruction, they rarely live anywhere close to that long.

While the Murray Cod is normally caught fishing, there are many people in Australia that actually keep these fish as an aquatic pet. You can check out a Murray Cod underwater in the video below...



If you have any more information about the Murray Cod that you would like to share please leave it below...

Scooter Red Blenny (Synchiropus stellatus)

The Scooter Red Blenny or Synchiropus stellatus has the typical Blenny shape with a blotchy red and white body. The male is normally brighter than the female and has a larger dorsal fin. This species of Blenny can breed in an aquarium without too much problem. You can check out the Scooter Red Blenny's mating ritual in the video below...

Also known as the Starry Dragonet and the Stellate Dragonet this type of salt water fish is often kept in an aquarium, at least 30 gallons is highly recommended. These fish are carnivores that should be fed brine shrimp, bloodworms and glassworms, and small invertebrates. They also should be given live rock to graze on and plenty of hiding spots.
Be careful, don't put them with too aggressive feeders as they will not compete for their food and may starve to death. Water conditions in the tank should be as follows, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, and sg 1.020-1.025.

Black Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

The Black Angelfish or Pterophyllum scalare is one of the most popular and easy to care for freshwater fish in the world. This species of Angelfish has a black body, hence the name and has very long and thin fins that make it very interesting to watch. They are not a very large fish growing to about 6" in maximum length. You can check out the Black Angelfish for yourself in the video below...

If you are thinking of buying a Black Angelfish make sure that you have an aquarium of at least 30 gallons with the following water conditions, 75-82° F, KH 1-5 and pH 5.8-7.0. Like with plenty of other fish these Angels like to have lots of room for swimming and a few places to hide out in.
This species of Angelfish is considered to be fairly easy to breed. If you have multiple Angelfish, wait till they pair off and then separate them into another aquarium. Be sure there is some sort of flat surface in the tank or the females will not lay their eggs. When the female Black Angelfish does choose a spot, the male it right behind her to fertilize the eggs. It only takes about 3 days before the eggs hatch and you will see your fry. They should be fed newly hatched brine shrimp until they are able to eat flake foods. Once they grow bigger they develop an omnivorous diet including vegetables and meaty foods. Brine Shrimp and Bloodworms along with flake food is acceptable as well.

Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda)

The Hitch or Lavinia exilicauda is a freshwater fish that is commonly found in California. It is from the Cyprinid family which has over 2,400 species in it, making it the largest freshwater fish family. Hitch used to be very commonly caught in California, but nowadays they are few and far between.

Hitch fish have a small head and a mouth that is always pointing upwards so they can feed off the surface of the water. Their bodies are silver all over when they are adults, but as juveniles they can have a black spot on their tail that fades with age. You can differentiate Hitch from other minnows by their longer anal fin and a dorsal fin that is further towards their forked tail.Hitch can reach about 36cm which is quite large for an minnow. They are easily confused with the Golden Shiner who has similar body characteristics. Hitch are omnivores that normally feed on insects, algae, and zooplankton. You will run across these fish in lakes and slow moving areas of rivers. This species of Minnow can tolerate warm and cool waters and can also survive in slightly salty waters as well. These fish used to be quite common to catch but recent damning and water diversion has divested their spawning grounds. Hitch fish can live for about 4-6 years. If you have any more information about Hitch that you would like to share please leave us a comment!

Lyretail Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare)

Lyretail Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) is a colorful saltwater fish that is often kept in an aquarium setting. Also known as the Lunare Wrasse, Crescent Wrasse and the Moon Wrasse, this fish has a green coloration as and adult with the striking facial and fin marks that make Wrasse fish so very popular. As a juvenile the Lyretail Wrasse will be different colors than as an adult. You might not even recognize them as the change from blue, yellow, green and red variations over their lifetimes. You can see just how active the Moon Wrasse are in the video below...

There are over 600 different species of Wrasse fish which makes them one of the largest families of fish in the world! The Lyretail Wrasse require a large aquarium of 125 gallons or more and should only be kept with other aggressive fish. Watch out this species of fish can even become territorial and attack new tankmates. It is best to add them into the tank last if at all possibel. As with more Wrasses they should be given plenty of hiding spots. They can grow to about 10" in maximum length and should be kept in the following water conditions 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025. Watch out this fish is a carnivore that will eat mantis shrimp and bristleworms, but it will not disturb your corals or live plants. In the aquarium the Lyretail Wrasse can be fed brine shrimp, bloodworms, flakes and marine pellet food.

Snowflake Eel (Echidna nebulosa)

The Snowflake Eel or Echidna nebulosa is a easy to care for saltwater eel that is often found around Hawaii or in the Indo-Pacific area. Also known as the Snowflake Moray Eel these fish have a great sense of smell which helps make up for their poor eyesight. The Snowflake Eel has the typical eel shaped body with a blotchy stripped body. They can grow to about 28" in maximum length. You can check out the Snowflake Eel underwater in the video below...

The Snowflake Eel is considered to be very house in an aquarium setting but you should be sure that your aquarium has a tight lid as they tend to try and escape. The following water conditions are recommended, temp. 72-78F, sg 1.020-1.026; pH 8.1-8.4; and dKH 8-12. A aquarium of 30 gallons or more is acceptable. Snowflake Eels can be fed clam, crab, shrimp, squid, scallop and fish meat.Please note these fish can go into hibernation mode sometimes and won't be seen or eat for several weeks. Be sure to provide them with plenty of hiding spots to keep them happy. Compatible tankmates for the Snowflake Eel include large semi-aggressive fish, such as Lionfish, Tangs, Triggerfish and Wrasses. If you would like to purchase a Snowflake Eel simply click the picture below...

Permit Fish (Trachinotus falcatus)

The Permit Fish or Trachinotus falcatus is a sporting fish that is often caught in the Western Atlantic Ocean. This fish belongs to the Carangidae family and will feed on shrimp, small fish and crabs. Permits are saltwater fish that can be distinguished from other fish by their dorsal fin that is shaped like a scythe. They also have a forked tail and their bodies look as if they were flatten. This gives the Permit the appearance of a tall and thin fish when viewed underwater. Permits can grow to about 56lbs in maximum weight and are gray with silvery sides.If you are fishing for Permits you can normally find them in shallow tropical waters with muddy bottoms and sometimes brackish waters too. They are often found in small schools close to the shore, but when they spawn they are found in deeper waters.

Permit fish are arguably one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. If you have caught one I am sure you would agree. If you have any fishing tips or recipes for the Permit that you would like to share please leave them in the comments below...

Cinnamon Clownfish (Amphiprion melanopus)

The Cinnamon Clownfish or Amphiprion melanopus is a popular saltwater aquarium fish that goes by many different names including the Fire Clownfish, Black Anemonefish, Red and Black Anemonefish and the Red and Black Clownfish. This species of Clownfish is orange and reddish brown with a white stripe that runs behind its eyes and a dark area towards the back of its body.If you are thinking of housing the Cinnamon Clownfish in an aquarium make sure you have one that is at least 40 gallons. They should not be kept with other Clownfish unless they are a mated pair as they can be territorial especially when they get older. You can see the Cinnamon Clownfish in action in the video below...

The recommended water conditions are as follows, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, and sg 1.020-1.025. Cinnamon Clownfish are omnivores that should be fed a variety of foods including flakes, pellets, brine shrimp and algae. They are considered to be a hardy fish that can grow to about 5" in maximum length.

If you would like to buy a Cinnamon Clownfish simply click the picture directly below and it will be shipped to your door...

White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The White Sturgeon or Acipenser transmontanus is the largest freshwater fish in North America growing to over 20' long and weighing in at almost 1,800lbs! Like other Sturgeons including the Sterlet this fish has no scales. Instead its body is covered with large bony scutes that help protect this fish from potential prehistoric predators. You see this fish has not changed since they are thought to come about over 175 million years ago!
The underside of this fish is white, hence the name the White Sturgeon. Also known as the Pacific sturgeon, Oregon sturgeon, Columbia sturgeon, and Sacramento sturgeon, it has four barbels on the bottom of its head that is uses to sense food. Like other Sturgeon it has a toothless mouth that acts like a vacuum cleaner to suck up its food. The White Sturgeon's internal bone structure is mostly cartilage which means that it is actually more similar to a Shark than a fish. You can learn more about these monster fish and see them in action in the video below...

The White Sturgeon has been overfished in recent years for its flesh and its eggs which make caviar. Today White Sturgeon fishing is highly restricted in many places. The habitat destruction and pollution makes the survival of the White Sturgeon in question. If you have any additional information about the White Sturgeon that you would like add please do so in the comments below...

Orbiculate Batfish (Platax orbicularis)

The Orbiculate Batfish or Platax orbicularis is a rather odd shaped saltwater fish that can be kept in an aquarium under the right conditions. Also known as the Round Batfish, Orbic Platax and the Orbic Batfish this fish has a round body accompanied by large round fins that make this fish a striking addition to any large aquarium of at least 180 gallons. This species of Batfish thrive in the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025. Despite their menacing looking presence, the Orbiculate Batfish is very peaceful and will not harass other tankmates. Just be sure not to put them in with Puffer Fish or Triggerfish as they will nip the fins of this Batfish.

Reach almost 2 feet long these fish are omnivores that should be fed feeder shrimp, scallops, snails, crabs, brine shrimp and frozen herbivore food. Feeding the Orbiculate Batfish three times a day is highly recommended. Be careful, like some Batfish they are susceptible to ich.

Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

The Channel Catfish or Ictalurus punctatus is the most popular Catfish in North America. Also known as the Willow Cat, Forked-tail Cat, Fiddler, Spotted Cat, and the Lady Cat, they can growing to a maximum length of about 4' and weight of 58lbs. These freshwater fish are often found in cool clean water with a sandy or gravel bottom. Channel Catfish don't have any scales and have a broad head with long whisker-like barbels around their mouths which they use as sensors. They can be distinguished from other Catfish by their forked tail which is shared only by one other species the Blue Catfish.

Channel Catfish are omnivores that feed on plant and animal matter. They often eat in the night time using their barbels to locate food in the dark waters. If you want to catch a Channel Catfish you should consider using minnows, frogs, nightcrawlers, crickets, chicken liver, cut baits or crawfish. The best time to fish for a Channel Catfish is from dusk through early night. Once caught this species of Catfish is said to have a remarkable flavor that rivals any Catfish in the world! Make sure to be cautious when removing the hook from these fish as their pectoral fins and dorsal fin contain sharp spines. Channel Catfish spawn after about 8 years of age in the late spring or early summer when the male builds a nest normally around submerged rocks or even in logs. After the eggs are laid and fertilized it only takes 5-10 days before they hatch. These young fry grow rather quickly and will feed on insects, crayfish and seeds that fall into the water. If they are lucky a Channel Catfish can live to about 25 years old!

If you have any Channel Catfish fishing tips, recipes or fishing stories please leave us a comment below...