Introduction
Welcome to AquadeepNL. This website offers a deep dive into freshwater fish species I have kept (including those my father kept). You will find insightful bite-sized articles accompanied by photos and videos dating back to 1999. The species are sectioned geographically into South America, Central America, Africa, and Asia. AquadeepNL currently contains around 80 species, 50 articles, 35 videos, and more than 1000 original photos. I hope you will find the information helpful in exploring these fascinating creatures.
Articles index
Below are the articles about freshwater fish species I have written about. These species were either kept by me or my father.
South America
List of freshwater fish species from the continent of South America.
Peckoltia compta
Leopard frog pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Peckoltia compta - L134 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/peckoltia-compta/thumbnail/peckoltia-compta-thumbnail-47.jpg)
Pseudacanthicus sp. (L273)
Titanicus pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Pseudacanthicus sp. L273 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/pseudacanthicus-sp-l273/thumbnail/pseudacanthicus-sp-l273-thumbnail-35.jpg)
Hypoptopoma 'nannoptopoma' sp. 'peru'
Robocop pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hypoptopoma 'nannoptopoma' sp. 'peru' pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/hypoptopoma-nannoptopoma-sp-peru/thumbnail/hypoptopoma-nannoptopoma-sp-peru-thumbnail-14.jpg)
Hypancistrus zebra
Zebra pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hypancistrus zebra - L46 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/hypancistrus-zebra/thumbnail/hypancistrus-zebra-thumbnail-50.jpg)
Geophagus sp. 'tapajos orange head'
Tapajos orange head cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Geophagus sp. 'tapajos orange head'](./assets/img/species/south-america/geophagus-sp-tapajos-orange-head/thumbnail/geophagus-sp-tapajos-orange-head-thumbnail-30.jpg)
Pseudacanthicus leopardus
L600 pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Pseudacanthicus leopardus - L600 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/pseudacanthicus-leopardus/thumbnail/pseudacanthicus-leopardus-thumbnail-17.jpg)
Pseudacanthicus cf. leopardus
Leopard cactus pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Pseudacanthicus cf. leopardus - L114 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/pseudacanthicus-cf-leopardus/thumbnail/pseudacanthicus-cf-leopardus-thumbnail-14.jpg)
Corydoras hastatus
Dwarf corydoras photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Corydoras hastatus (Dwarf corydoras)](./assets/img/species/south-america/corydoras-hastatus/thumbnail/corydoras-hastatus-thumbnail-4.jpg)
Nematobrycon palmeri
Emperor tetra photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Nematobrycon palmeri (Emperor tetra)](./assets/img/species/south-america/nematobrycon-palmeri/thumbnail/nematobrycon-palmeri-thumbnail-9.jpg)
Astronotus cf. orbicularis
Bumblebee oscar photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Astronotus cf. orbicularis cichlid](./assets/img/species/south-america/astronotus-cf-orbicularis/thumbnail/astronotus-cf-orbicularis-thumbnail-37.jpg)
Astronotus sp. 'rio orinoco'
Rio Orinoco oscar photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Astronotus sp. 'rio orinoco' cichlid](./assets/img/species/south-america/astronotus-sp-rio-orinoco/thumbnail/astronotus-sp-rio-orinoco-thumbnail-18.jpg)
Astronotus ocellatus
Tiger oscar photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Astronotus ocellatus cichlid](./assets/img/species/south-america/astronotus-ocellatus/thumbnail/astronotus-ocellatus-thumbnail-12.jpg)
Hypancistrus sp. (L201)
Orinoco angel pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hypancistrus sp. L201 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/hypancistrus-sp-l201/thumbnail/hypancistrus-sp-l201-thumbnail-69.jpg)
Hypancistrus sp. (L260)
Queen arabesque pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hypancistrus sp. (L260) pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/hypancistrus-sp-l260/thumbnail/hypancistrus-sp-l260-thumbnail-4.jpg)
Hemiancistrus sp. (L128)
Blue phantom pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hemiancistrus sp. L128 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/hemiancistrus-sp-l128/thumbnail/hemiancistrus-sp-l128-thumbnail-6.jpg)
Hemiancistrus subviridis
Green phantom pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hemiancistrus subviridis L200 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/hemiancistrus-subviridis/thumbnail/hemiancistrus-subviridis-thumbnail-6.jpg)
Hemiancistrus guahiborum
Spotted orange seam pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hemiancistrus guahiborum (L106) pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/hemiancistrus-guahiborum/thumbnail/hemiancistrus-guahiborum-thumbnail-2.jpg)
Dekeyseria brachyura
Butterfly pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Dekeyseria brachyura - L168 pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/dekeyseria-brachyura/thumbnail/dekeyseria-brachyura-thumbnail-8.jpg)
Apistogramma cacatuoides
Cockatoo cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Apistogramma cacatuoides (Cockatoo dwarf cichlid)](./assets/img/species/south-america/apistogramma-cacatuoides/thumbnail/apistogramma-cacatuoides-thumbnail-14.jpg)
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Ram cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (Ram cichlid)](./assets/img/species/south-america/mikrogeophagus-ramirezi/thumbnail/mikrogeophagus-ramirezi-thumbnail-8.jpg)
Dicrossus filamentosus
Checkerboard cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Dicrossus filamentosus (Checkerboard cichlid)](./assets/img/species/south-america/dicrossus-filamentosus/thumbnail/dicrossus-filamentosus-thumbnail-4.jpg)
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus 'red'
Longfin super red bristlenose pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus 'longfin super red' bristlenose pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/ancistrus-cf-cirrhosus-red/thumbnail/ancistrus-cf-cirrhosus-red-thumbnail-35.jpg)
Ancistrus sp. (false L144)
Longfin blue eye lemon bristlenose pleco photo, video and more.
![A featured photograph of Ancistrus sp. 'longfin blue eye lemon' (false L144) bristlenose pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/ancistrus-cf-cirrhosus-lemon/thumbnail/ancistrus-cf-cirrhosus-lemon-thumbnail-13.jpg)
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
Bristlenose pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus bristlenose pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/ancistrus-cf-cirrhosus/thumbnail/ancistrus-cf-cirrhosus-thumbnail-7.jpg)
Ancistrus dolichopterus
Starlight bristlenose catfish photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Ancistrus dolichopterus (L183) pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/ancistrus-dolichopterus/thumbnail/ancistrus-dolichopterus-thumbnail-1.jpg)
Baryancistrus xanthellus
Gold nugget pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Baryancistrus xanthellus (Gold nugget pleco)](./assets/img/species/south-america/baryancistrus-xanthellus/thumbnail/baryancistrus-xanthellus-thumbnail-15.jpg)
Rineloricaria sp. (L010a)
Red lizard catfish photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Rineloricaria sp. red L010a pleco](./assets/img/species/south-america/rineloricaria-sp-l010a/thumbnail/rineloricaria-sp-l010a-thumbnail-3.jpg)
Asterophysus batrachus
Gulper catfish photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Asterophysus batrachus (Gulper catfish)](./assets/img/species/south-america/asterophysus-batrachus/thumbnail/asterophysus-batrachus-thumbnail-26.jpg)
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Black phantom tetra photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hyphessobrycon megalopterus (Black phantom tetra)](./assets/img/species/south-america/hyphessobrycon-megalopterus/thumbnail/hyphessobrycon-megalopterus-thumbnail-7.jpg)
Hypostomus cochliodon
Cochliodon pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hypostomus cochliodon](./assets/img/species/south-america/hypostomus-cochliodon/thumbnail/hypostomus-cochliodon-thumbnail-4.jpg)
Panaque nigrolineatus
Royal pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Panaque nigrolineatus (L190) (Royal pleco)](./assets/img/species/south-america/panaque-nigrolineatus/thumbnail/panaque-nigrolineatus-thumbnail-6.jpg)
Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae
Watermelon pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Panaque nigrolineatus laurafabianae (L330) (Watermelon pleco)](./assets/img/species/south-america/panaque-nigrolineatus-laurafabianae/thumbnail/panaque-nigrolineatus-laurafabianae-thumbnail-5.jpg)
Panaque sp. (L191)
Dull eyed royal pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Panaque sp. (L191) (Dull eyed royal pleco)](./assets/img/species/south-america/panaque-sp-l191/thumbnail/panaque-sp-l191-thumbnail-5.jpg)
Panaqolus albomaculatus
Mustard spot pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Panaqolus albomaculatus (Mustard spot pleco)](./assets/img/species/south-america/panaqolus-albomaculatus/thumbnail/panaqolus-albomaculatus-thumbnail-1.jpg)
Chaetostoma formosae
Blonde bulldog pleco photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Chaetostoma formosae (Blonde bulldog pleco)](./assets/img/species/south-america/chaetostoma-formosae/thumbnail/chaetostoma-formosae-thumbnail-5.jpg)
Otocinclus vittatus
Dwarf Sucker photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Otocinclus vittatus (Common otocinclus)](./assets/img/species/south-america/otocinclus-vittatus/thumbnail/otocinclus-vittatus-thumbnail-1.jpg)
Hypselecara temporalis
Emerald cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Hypselecara temporalis (Chocolate cichlid)](./assets/img/species/south-america/hypselecara-temporalis/thumbnail/hypselecara-temporalis-thumbnail-19.jpg)
Heros efasciatus 'ucayali blue'
Severum cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Heros efasciatus 'ucayali blue'](./assets/img/species/south-america/heros-efasciatus-ucayali-blue/thumbnail/heros-efasciatus-ucayali-blue-thumbnail-3.jpg)
Agamyxis pectinifrons
Spotted talking catfish photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Agamyxis pectinifrons (Spotted talking catfish)](./assets/img/species/south-america/agamyxis-pectinifrons/thumbnail/agamyxis-pectinifrons-thumbnail-1.jpg)
North and Central America
List of freshwater fish species from the North and Central American continents.
Paratheraps bifasciatus
Redhead cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Paratheraps bifasciatus (Redhead cichlid)](./assets/img/species/central-and-north-america/paratheraps-bifasciatus/thumbnail/paratheraps-bifasciatus-thumbnail-4a.jpg)
Vieja breidohri
Angostura cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Vieja breidohri (Angostura cichlid)](./assets/img/species/central-and-north-america/vieja-breidohri/thumbnail/vieja-breidohri-thumbnail-6.jpg)
Africa
List of freshwater fish species from the continent of Africa, mainly Lake Tanganyika.
Tropheus sp. 'ikola'
Tropheus moorii ikola photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Tropheus sp. 'ikola' cichlid](./assets/img/species/africa/tropheus-sp-ikola/thumbnail/tropheus-sp-ikola-thumbnail-26.jpg)
Tropheus sp. black 'bulu point'
Tropheus moorii bemba photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Tropheus sp. black 'bulu point' cichlid](./assets/img/species/africa/tropheus-sp-black-bulu-point/thumbnail/tropheus-sp-black-bulu-point-thumbnail-8.jpg)
Tropheus moorii 'mpulungu'
Tropheus moorii sunset photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Tropheus moorii 'mpulungu' cichlid](./assets/img/species/africa/tropheus-moorii-mpulungu/thumbnail/tropheus-moorii-mpulungu-thumbnail-5.jpg)
Tropheus moorii 'ilangi'
Tropheus sp. ilangi photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Tropheus moorii 'ilangi' cichlid](./assets/img/species/africa/tropheus-moorii-ilangi/thumbnail/tropheus-moorii-ilangi-thumbnail-7.jpg)
Tropheus duboisi 'maswa'
White spotted cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Tropheus duboisi 'maswa' (White spotted cichlid)](./assets/img/species/africa/tropheus-duboisi-maswa/thumbnail/tropheus-duboisi-maswa-thumbnail-15.jpg)
Eretmodus cyanostictus
Striped goby cichlid photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Eretmodus cyanostictus (Striped goby cichlid)](./assets/img/species/africa/eretmodus-cyanostictus/thumbnail/eretmodus-cyanostictus-thumbnail-1.jpg)
Asia
List of freshwater fish species from the continent of Asia.
Neocaridina davidi
Cherry shrimp photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Neocaridina davidi shrimp (Cherry shrimp)](./assets/img/species/asia/neocaridina-davidi/thumbnail/neocaridina-davidi-thumbnail-1.jpg)
Anentome helena
Assassin snail photo, video, and more.
![A featured photograph of Anentome (clea) helena snail](./assets/img/species/asia/anentome-helena/thumbnail/anentome-helena-thumbnail-1.jpg)
About
AquadeepNL provides information about less common tropical aquarium fish species and shares experience.
The goals for this project are simple:
- Provide helpful information about freshwater tropical aquarium fish, e.g., plecos, cichlids, and catfish.
- Collect photographs and videos from the species my father and I have cared for in the past and present.
- Answer questions and provide advice.
AquadeepNL has a dedicated YouTube channel for all the species' videos.
If you have any questions or suggestions? Please drop a mail by using the contact form.
Acknowledgment
Project AquadeepNL was initiated in by Sherwin Pirs.
This project is dedicated to my father (Menno), a hobby fish keeper for over 60 years. Thank you for involving me with this beautiful hobby.
Special thanks go to Patrice. Also, thanks, Johan and Patrick.
Trivia
AquadeepNL is ad-free and will always stay ad-free. A vast amount of time and effort is spent creating and maintaining this project. Hopefully, the provided information will help you. If you find any bugs or want to say Hi, please get in touch with me using the contact form.
While the current domain name of AquadeepNL is aquadeep.sherwinpirs.com, the former domain names were aquadeep.nl and aquadeep.spdevs.com.
The media (photos and videos) on AquadeepNL date between 1999 and the present.
The color scheme of the AquadeepNL website (version 3.x) is inspired by the Amazon River, hence the brown, milky, and tea color direction. The previous version (v2.x) focused on a greenish color spectrum.
AquadeepNL was designed and developed solely from scratch by Sherwin Pirs.
Most of the species from Central America and Africa (Lake Tanganyika) were kept by my father, whereas I kept most species from South America and Asia. I am especially interested in the Loricariidae family (plecos).
The list below is from the rest of the species that my father and I have kept, but still need a dedicated article section.
South America
- Aspidoras pauciradiatus
- Corydoras adolfoi
- Corydoras habrosus
- Corydoras pygmaeus
- Geophagus altifrons proximus
- Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
- Hypostomus plecostomus
- Loricaria simillima
- Paracheirodon axelrodi
- Peckoltia sp.
- Platydoras armatulus
- Poecilia reticulata
- Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
- Pterophyllum scalare
- Pygocentrus nattereri
- Sturisoma panamense
- Symphysodon aequifasciatus
- Xiphophorous hellerii
- Xiphophorus maculatus
North and Central America
- Cichlasoma octofasciatum
- Hypsophrys nicaraguensis
- Parachromis friedrichsthalii
- Petenia splendida
- Vieja argentea
- Vieja synspilum
Africa
- Hemichromis bimaculatus
- Cyprichromis leptosoma blue flash isanga
Asia
- Boraras brigittae
- Chromobotia macracanthus
- Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
Footnote
*I always strive to provide the best possible care and environment for any fish I keep and learn from my mistakes. There is always room for improvement. Please keep in mind that AquadeepNL was created in the hope that it would be informative but without any warranty. Try to use multiple and trustworthy sources for your fish-keeping journey. Also, please remember that some species described here are challenging to care for; thus, they are not geared toward inexperienced fish-keepers. Please be a caring fish-keeper with any fish you keep.
Contact
For any questions or suggestions you can use the contact form below.