Thaïlande - List of fishes

A small surface-dwelling cyprinodontiform, Aplocheilus panchax inhabits calm, vegetated waters of South and Southeast Asia. A predator of insects, particularly mosquito larvae, it plays an important role in regulating insect populations in stagnant areas.

It owes its name of "freshwater shark" only to the shape of its dorsal fin. It behavior and it food have nothing comparable. It acclimates easily to the aquarium.

Originating from the Malay Peninsula and the large islands of Sundaland, the spanner barb frequents well-oxygenated forest streams. Omnivorous and benthopelagic, it reaches up to 19 cm and remains locally common despite threats related to habitats and invasive species.

Small barbs located around its mouth enable it to detect food. It is easy to breed in captivity. The species is very prolific, nests often have over 500 juveniles.

Endemic to the Maha Chai region in Thailand, Betta mahachaiensis is distinguished by its green to blue-green iridescent scales and two bright bars on the operculum. A bubble nest builder, it uses the bracts of nipa palm as shelter for reproduction.

Native to the acidic and shallow forest streams of Thailand, Betta pallida is a paternal mouthbrooder evolving discreetly among leaf litter.

It has a brighter color than the female. In breeding season, it builds a bubble nest. After courtship and spawning, it collects and keeps the eggs in the nest until hatching. The males are so aggressive towards one another that in the Far East, fights are organized.

A camouflaged species found in flooded forest areas and acidic marshes, Channa lucius is a discreet predator that blends into the vegetation. Although locally threatened, it remains common in much of its range.

It lives in fresh water but also in brackish water. Like most puffer fish species, its flesh and organs are toxic. In captivity, adults can be aggressive towards other fish species.

It lips turn into suction organs and it corneas gums allow it to take algae off the rocks. It acclimatized well in aquariums. Unfortunately, because of the demand for the aquarium trade, it is threatened by excessive fishing in its original environment.

Much of it body is transparent. In the rainy season, it takes advantage of the floods to exit the riverbed where it lives to breed. It easily accommodates to life in the aquarium. Its flesh is used for the production of a "fish sauce".

It is not an eel, it owes its name to the shape of it body. It is a nocturnal species and during the day it hides in the sand. It is threatened because of overfishing. In captivity, it must be introduced in a large aquarium where there are no small fish.

Named bronze featherback for its shape, this nocturnal carnivorous fish with aerial respiration frequents flooded plains and lakes in South Asia.

Recognizable by its dark caudal spot, Opsarius bernatziki inhabits the swift rivers of the hills of the Malay Peninsula. Insectivorous and active in the current, it reaches 9 cm in length and remains locally uncommon, but globally not threatened.

It can breathe oxygen from the air, it stays at least half an hour under the surface between two breathes. Its tapered pectoral fins have a tactile and sensory role. Because of its large size, it is not recommended for the aquarium of a specimen.