Due to their unproblematic keeping, very attractive coloration, average level of aggression and relatively small size cichlids from Thorichthys genus are very popular in our aquaria. This makes these fish wonderful tankmates for a multi-species tank.
Aquarium titbits - Michał Pręgowski;
Convict cichlid – after a long research scientists found out that... they are dealing with four distinct species, not just one. Brain doesn’t count - ...at least as it comes to fish and their potential to colonize new areas. Set and maintain a virtual tank - Mercury Games company prepares an untypical games suitable for Nintendo DS console that is popular among children and teenagers. Not only panda catfish – catfish fanciers have for years admired species that reminds popular panda.
Unobtrusive charm of characids - Michał Pręgowski;
(...) Characids are found in warm freshwater inland basins on all continents except Australia. They are divided to two groups – seasonal characids that lay eggs in the substrate and non-seasonal ones that spawn among plants.
The private life of fish. Fish biology in a nutshell. Part IV. A charming little creature - galaxy rasbora - dr inż. Aleksandra Kwaśniak;
(...) An aquarium hobby career of galaxy rasbora began in August 2006. More or less at the same time it was found in the hilly plateau in the Shan State in eastern part of Burma. This area is mostly set at ca. 1000 m above sea level. (...) Galaxy rasbora belongs to the little creatures of the aquarium hobby. It achieves ca. 2 cm length. At my first encounter with these fish it was their graphite-grey coloration and golden spots on the skin that drew my attention. The pattern itself as well as its distinctiveness are very impressive.
Lamprologus ocellatus - Sławomir Siudakiewicz;
Lamprologus ocellatus is one of the most popular fish from the Lamprologus genus on Polish market. Besides its unique shape that attracts attention (oh, these eyes that protrude out of the head’s outline and visible teeth in the mouth!) the fish expresses very interesting behaviour. However these fish exhibit fierce intraspecies aggression one can find more docile specimen as well.
Decorative planted aquaria. Is the way leading to an underwater garden really that difficult? Part IV. Starting a planted aquarium - Arkadiusz Siurda;
(...) Once the tank is level, pour water in it and test its tightness (it applies to the newly bought tanks only) by leaving water in it for at least 48 hours. It’s a “dress rehearsal” of the stand’s and floor’s durability as well as the tank’s tightness. After such a trial you can safely and
securely begin working on setting the planted aquarium. We already know how important is the substrate in a planted aquarium and that is why it should be properly and carefully prepared.
XVII Ogólnopolska Giełda Terrarystyczna w Świętochłowicach (17th national terrarium fairs in Świętochłowice) - Witold Borkowski
Once more, the largest terrarium event in our country took place, this time on September 29th, 2007. Just as many fairs that were held in Świętochłowice before, this one was also organised in Centrum Kultury Śląskiej (Silesian culture centre) in the former MDK location, in the area of Zgoda at Krauzego square and was opened from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Study of the tarantula and scorpion species. Part II. Psalmopoeus genus – tree-dwelling hunters - Sebastian Żmudzki;
(...) Hunting territories of the tarantulas from the Avicularinae subfamily are to be found among the leafy maze and branches of trees that are few dozens of metres high. Genera such as: Avicularia, Tapinauchenius or Iridopelma are often kept in amateur terrariums in Europe, including Poland. This group of spiders is among the most valued ones. This is due to the fact that both keeping and breeding these spiders in unproblematic, they are docile, mature quickly and the chances of their proliferation are high.
Tiliqua gigas - Indonesian blue-tongued skink - Alicja Papiór, Szymon Najdora;
Tiliqua genus covers numerous species and subspecies of medium and large skinks. Many aquarium hobbyists get interested in these animals and that is due to several facts. These lizards are large, not too fast and easily tamed – they are a perfect choice if you want to have a pet lizard. Feeding them is very easy. Moreover they have an interesting appearance and varied, beautiful coloration. Taking care of Tiliqua is easy and even beginner in the terrarium hobby can cope it. I hope the following description will help you to gain some more knowledge of the lizard that so far has been poorly known in Poland. I’m writing the article having Tiliqua gigas on my mind because I’m experienced in keeping this exact species. On the whole, the care of all Tiliqua species is similar.
Foreign plant species in garden ponds - dr Hubert Zientek;
The garden pond owners in Poland hardly believe that some of the plants they introduce to the pond are in fact a real wolf in ship’s skin. Although they appear to be innocent and grace the garden pond by their presence, they grow quickly and abundantly. (...) Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), common water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), spongeplant (Limnobium spongia), parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), American water plantain (Alisma parviflora), Carolina mosquitofern (Azolla caroliniana), houttuynia (Houttuynia cordata), lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus), goldenclub (Orontium aquaticum), Indian rhubarb (Darmera peltata), umbrella plant (Cyperus involucratus, Cyperus alternifolius).
Aggression in Malawi mouth-brooders - Mateusz Topolanek
(...) Mouth-brooders are one of the few fish that precisely obey the hierarchy in their group. What seems to be obvious, every male aims at domination in his group. Being the so-called alpha male has a lot of advantages: access to females, possibility to choose the best and largest territory as well as precedence over other fish in the feeding time. Such a rivalry causes fish to try to take over a domination position on every possible occasion.
State of art technologies in aquarium fish breeding - Wojciech Górecki;
We have witnessed a huge progress in fish breeding in the last decade. In order to sustain a strong pressure of Asian fish farms that produce annually millions of aquatic animals kept in aquaria and garden ponds, European fish farms have to invest in modern technologies. It’s due to several facts.
The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest 2007
Mediterranea Discus Contest Lecce 2007 - Andrzej Sieniawski;
How Czechs do it. The 19th aquarium hobby exhibition in Rychnov nad Kněžnou – Andrzej Zabawski;
Rychnov nad Kněžnou is an enchanting small town, not far from the border between Czech Republic and Poland, about 40 km from the border crossing in Kudowa Zdrój. It’s a very active aquarium hobby centre and every year a dashing aquarium hobby exhibition is held there. This year it took place on September 15th – 19th in “Dom hodowcy” (breeder’s house).