Some new fishies?

[Firefly]

So I went to work today to buy my fluval and noticed we had gotten a large shipment of fish in.
Just need some info about the following. Any info would be nice.
(Please bear in mind I don't order these fish, so if they are BL, don't hit me. I'm just trying to earn some pocket-money)
Spiney Eel
Paddle Eel
Twig/whiptail catfish
Spotted Shovelnose cats (Think they are BL)
Albino Mooray
Flourecent Danios
upside down cats
Banded coolies
Giant halfbeaks and normal halfbeaks

Thanks
M

[SalmonAfrica]

Spiny Eel
This is a little ambiguous, as spiny eels comprise of a pretty large family across Africa and Southern Asia (family Mastacembelidae). In general, though, they are bottom dwelling fish that have a habit of digging into the substrate and a pure love for eating worms of any kind. Some stay relatively small (30cm), although there are a few monter sized ones that get from 70cm to 100cm. It's best to find out which so to accomodate them properly.

Paddle Eel
If this is the fish I'm thinking of, it is what is also known as the pink spaghetti eel, Moringua raitaborua. I had some a little while back, and loved them to bits. They can be tricky to get to feed, but the most important things to remember: they need slightly brackish water (SG 1.005) and may only accept live or frozen foods at first. Don't try to force feed them dry foods. They do look a little like morays, but act more like loaches.

Twig Catfish
A unique plec, there are several species on the market. There are some larger species, although average size tends to be around 15 to 20cm. Be sure to feed them up on good veggie based foods, and also include some shimp or other invertebrate foods from time to time as well.

Spotted Shovelnose Cats
Not blacklisted. However, you can expect them to get large, no matter what species of shovelnose they are. If they are what most stockists call a spotted shovelnose, it may very well be Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum. These fish can get to roughly a meter in your tank, and are quite capable predators, able to wolf down most fish that are less than half it's body length. High-bodied fish tend to get away safe. They like to eat lots of meaty foods (fish, shrimp, mussel etc), and because of this, make a lot of waste. Therefore a large tank volume with an extremely capable filtration system is required. A good tankmate for larger surface dwelling fish like arowanas.

Albino Moray
A different variety of what they call the 'freshwater' moray (Gymnothorax tile), which is in fact brackish. Eventually, adults of this species will move into the ocean. The young are found in freshwater but spend their later years in brackish and marine water. Often specimens kept in freshwater will become prone to disease, and may refuse to eat. They are very capable escape artists. They can and often do prey upon small fish species. Be sure to feed well on fresh meaty foods such as bait fish and shrimp, with squid occasionally as well. Does not mix well with copper medications and white spot treatment.

Flourescent danios
These may be one of two things - either a genetically modified danio, or a danio that has been injected with a flourescent dye. Both practices are frowned upon by the general fishkeeping community, although some find such fish attractive and novelties. They don't have different care requirements to other danio species, but may have short lifespans, and the injected fish are susceptible to skin disease.

Upside down catfish
Again, the upside down catfish make up an entire family (Mochokidae), with a huge variety of species from across Africa. This is most likely the 'true' upside down catfish, Synodontis nigriventris. These are an easy to keep species, which, while at first shy, will come to be more confident over time. They like to be kept in groups in tank with lots of rock work and woodwork, where they rest in the upside-down postition. Eventually they come to feed from the surface in the same upside down manner.

Banded Coolies
Just the standared coolie loach, Pangio kuhli. They are great community fish, and the more there are in a tank, the more confident they become. They prefer sinking foods and are much more active at night. Often the aquarist will think their fish have died becuase of their digging habits, where they may dissapear from sight under the substrate. They make quick prey for large fish, which should be avoided as tankmates.

Giant Halfbeaks
Some whole salers have been trying to sell Celebes halfbeaks (Nomorhamphus leimi) as 'giant halfbeaks'. These are in fact just larger Celebes halfbeaks. They are predominantly surface dwelling fish that like to be kept in schools, where they will feed. Some specimens won't accept dry foods at first, although eventually they will adapt. They may be kept in slightly brackish water if need be, although they will also do perfectly fine in freshwater.

PM me if you need more info.

[Firefly]

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! Helped me so out a lot. The spiney eel is in fact a peacock eel so that clears that up. Again, thank you.

[PeterWest]

Had a pair of peacock eels once, and loved them so much, that is when I saw them.

[Firefly]

Would 1 be O.K in a 3ft tank? Thinking of putting one peacock eel in with a black ghost.

[eel]

+1
I know this was long ago ,but I think salmonafrica deserves it for that great bit of information he gave! Most of those fish are not very common.