The Home of Biotoping

Author: Chris Englezou

Biotope
Chris Englezou

A new species of Pterophyllum?

Having been deeply fascinated with the Pterophyllum genus for many years, I have found myself waist deep in research, analysing data, images and footage and even taking trips into the jungle to better understand the majestic freshwater Angelfish and the factors which influence their distribution and taxonomy. One area of

Read More »
potamon freshwater crab malta
Chris Englezou
Chris Englezou

An Endangered Freshwater Crab in Malta | Potamon fluviatile lanfrancoi

Potamon fluviatile lanfrancoi is definitely not the short name for the Maltese freshwater crab. In Maltese language it is referred to as Qabru and was originally described from seven localities across Malta and Gozo islands by D. Capolongo and J. L. Cilia in 1990.  Ten years later the subspecies status

Read More »
Fish Health
Chris Englezou

Whirling Disease | Uncovering the truth

For some time there has been a debate about the causes of the so-called “whirling disease” in discus fish (Symphysodon) and other tropical ornamental fish species. I hope via this article to inspire further research and discussion and highlight some of the facts and myths surrounding this problem. The illness

Read More »
Community
Chris Englezou

Can owner interaction improve fish digestion?

Here at C.E. Fish Essentials, we receive questions upon questions daily about the best products, best way to feed fish and occasionally a question or two from the more scientifically literate about digestion. Finding ways to improve nutritional uptake and digestion in ornamental fish species is central to the core

Read More »
Conservation
Chris Englezou

The history of Salaria fluviatilis in Cyprus

Roland L. N. Michell was a British National who lived on the island of Cyprus periodically in the early 1900’s, he was not an ichthyologist nor was he a naturalist, his interest was mainly in ethnography but yet he must have been somewhat enamoured with the wildlife of Cyprus because

Read More »
Biotope
Chris Englezou

Apistogramma lineata | Biotope & First live photo!

We are in the mid to lower Rio Atabapo, Colombia and back from travelling for many days exploring the Upper Atacavi river in Venezuela. We stop to prepare lunch next to the native ‘Piroa’ community of Gualloval Vitina, this village are the only natives of ‘Piroa’ descent along this river,

Read More »
Biotope
Chris Englezou

Exploring the Rio Atabapo; The search for true Altum Angels

In September 2014, I had the opportunity to travel along the border of Colombia and Venezuela and deep into the Venezuelan rainforest in search of the elusive Altum Angel of the Rio Atabapo and many other amazing species. Here is an account of my journey which was published in the

Read More »
Biotope
Chris Englezou

Biodiversity of the Kryos River, Cyprus

It was 05/08/2012 and our first stop location on the way to our destination was the Kouris Dam, it is situated at approximately 250m above sea level and is fed by three tributaries, the rivers Kouris, Limnatis and Kryos, the latter of which was of particular interest this day; water

Read More »
Biotope
Chris Englezou

Fish collecting along the Rio Jandiatuba, Brasil.

The moment the reflection of the morning sun touches the surface of the river you understand why they call it white water; the milky reflection of the silt-laden flow makes you wonder how any aquatic creature navigates a daily existence here. Immediately I understand the necessity of the long whiskers

Read More »
News
Chris Englezou

Visit to CH.A.KY Aquaristik Ltd (Larnaca, Cyprus)

Last week, I took a trip over to the sunny Mediterranean island of Cyprus to visit one of the largest wholesale aquatic distribution companies on the island. CH.A.KY Aquaristik LTD is based on a large industrial estate in the town of Aradippou on the outskirts of the city of Larnaca

Read More »
Discus Fish
Chris Englezou

Finding the Rio Xingú Golden Discus

  Brian Middleton was his name, the first man to breed the elusive and incredible Xingu River Discus fish. I tried for years to find him, but he had literally disappeared from the aquarium hobby sometime in the late 1990’s or soon thereafter and seemed unreachable. All I had was

Read More »