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Joining in on the Halloween fun is the ninth edition of the Rare Fish of the Week! This week's fish is one of the craziest fish you'll ever see. To some it's ugly, but I think it looks cool.

RFotW #9 -- Parambassis pulcinella -- Rhino Glassfish, Humphead Glassfish



Meet the Humphead Glassfish, Parambassis pulcinella! This fish was recently discovered in just 2003, so it is not only a new species to the hobby, but a new species to science! Perhaps the novelty is the reason these fish have yet to become popular in the fish store; hopefully these fish will become more widespread as time goes on.

What's with the head? Honestly, I have no idea. Obviously because of it's newness to science there isn't much data on what it's for. All I know is that the grotesque growth makes it look kinda cool... Or maybe I just have weird tastes.

This fish may be a Glassfish, but it doesn't require the same water as your normal Glassfish. This fish is found in the fast-moving, well-oxygenated freshwater of Asia, making it appropriate for an Asian community of fish with like habitats. On the other hand, like Glassfish, this fish is best kept in groups.

Of course, keeping it in groups is gonna hit your wallet. At about $30 each at this time, a good school is gonna cost ya. But if these fish strike your fancy, the money can be worth it!

[ PicOlio has kept these fish and photographed them... Dunno if PicOlio still visits FP very much. ]

Links:

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=61401&genusname=Parambassis&speciesname=pulcinella

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=121

http://www.picolio.com/index.php?topic=Aquariums

Past RFOTW:
1. Polynemus paradiseus -- Paradise threadfin
2. Anableps anableps -- Four-Eyed Fish
3. Hypancistrus zebra -- Zebra Plec
4. Potamotrygon sp. -- Pearl Ray
5. Merodontotus Tigrinus -- Tigrinus Catfish, Zebra Shovelnose
6. Rhinopias aphanes -- Merlet's Scorpionfish, Lacy Scorpionfish
7. Tetraodon pustulatus
8. Astronotus orbicularis -- Bumblebee Oscar

Last edited by Shinigami at 31-Oct-2004 21:29[/font]

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

doesn't picolio have fish like that?

edit: i guess i should have read the last line before the links

Last edited by moondog at 31-Oct-2004 21:47

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

I didn't realize this guy was rare. The 2 lfs's I haunt have had them for several months and last week Petsmart had one. Definately an odd looking fish!

If you have room Solf buy them!!!

A rare fish is always cool addition to your aquarium

Looks kinda like a cassowary!

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I see these guys a good bit, they're very cute. They don't seem to school much but then I've never seen more than 6 in an LFS tank, it's be interesting to watch a big group of them in a larger tank.

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

i just got 4 of these fish. i will let u know what i find out.