Opaline

COMMON NAMES: Opaline or Moderlieschen.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Leueaspius delineates.

DESIGNATION: Coldwater, but may be kept intropical aquaria.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Mostly centraland eastern Europe and northwards up tosouthern Sweden.

SIZE: About 12 cm (c. 4.5 in).

WATER PREFERENCES: Not critical; canwithstand tropical temperatures and lowoxygen levels.

DIET: Will accept a range of foods but preferslivefoods.

BREEDING: Egg strips are looped aroundplants and are then guarded by the male. Nodetailed reports of aquarium spawnings areavailable yet.

DESCRIPTION: This fairly recentintroduction to the coldwater hobby is fastgaining popularity in Europe.