Rainforest

Zone 14

Fish found in these waters:
Catfish, Arowana, Giant Gouramii, Barbs,Pacu, Mbu Pufferfish, Lake Malawi cichlids

Pacu are one of many piranha species that are mainly herbivorous i.e. they don’t eat meat! All piranha species are found in South America. Pacu eat fruit, nuts and other vegetation that wash or fall into the water. The things they eat may be very tough so they have powerful jaws that can crack open brazil nuts! When young, pacu swim in shoals of other fish that look like them, pretending to be one of them and getting protection from safety in numbers!
Max size – Approx 88cm
Distribution – South America, Amazon and Orinoco river basins
Feeds on – Decaying plants, fruit, insects

Giraffe Catfish – Auchenoglanis occidentalis

When young, giraffe catfish have very distinct patterning but this fades to a two-tone pattern as they age. Giraffe catfish construct a nest to hold eggs which is then guarded by the male. However, another catfish, Dinotopterus cunningtoni, takes advantage of this and, like the cuckoo, lays its eggs in the giraffe catfish nest. The interloper’s offspring then eats the giraffe catfish’s offspring!
Max size – Approx 70cm
Distribution – Africa
Feeds on – Plankton, molluscs, seeds and detritus

 
Mbu Pufferfish – Tetradon mbu

The mbu pufferfish is the largest of six species of pufferfish found in freshwater. They are known to be messy eaters! Their eyes can move independently of each other so they can look in two different directions at the same time! 
Max size – Approx 67cm
Distribution – Africa
Feeds on – Bottom dwelling shellfish

 
Tiger shovel-nose catfish – Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum

Tiger shovel-nose catfish get their name from their tiger-like stripes and nose that looks a bit like a shovel and is used to dig in mud to find food! They often hide beneath water plants by day and search for food on the river bed at night. They have three pairs of long whisker-like, sensory barbels that help them to feel and taste their way around.
Max size – Approx 104cm
Distribution – South American river basins
Feeds on – Fish, worms and crabs

 
Lake Malawi cichlids - Family Cichlidae

Lake Malawi is the most southern of the Great Rift Lakes in Africa. Its shores border Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania and it is thought to be the 10^th largest and 4^th deepest lake in the world. Like Lake Barombi Mbo, Lake Malawi is home to many species of cichlid. These tropical freshwater fish often show a high level of care for their young such as guarding their eggs or mouth-brooding to protect the eggs and tiny fry when they have hatched.     
Max Size – Approx 5cm - 110cm (depending on species)
Distribution – Lake Malawi
Feeds on – Varies with species