Dr
David Sands discusses the positives and pitfalls of
keeping cats and provides the essential background to
some catfish types for the aquarist who is about to
explore above and beyond their first community aquarium.
 nce
your initial apprenticeship of fishkeeping has been
served, curiosity naturally encourages a fully fledged
aquarist to explore the world of the mysterious and
unusual. It's not that there's anything wrong with shoals
of guppies and tetras, colourfully interspersed with
gouramies. It's that the time comes when everyone wants
to keep those fishes experienced aquarists seem to home
in on every time they visit the aquatic store.
Catfishes are popular
for a number of reasons; they hide, partly because they
are nocturnal and partly because they are mysterious.
Even though the novice aquarist has enjoyed keeping
the common species, such as the peppered and bristle
nosed catfishes, these do pale into insignificance when
compared to real exotics. How about a scribbled
plec' that is priced at more than the aquarium! The
primary targets for serious aquarists has always been
cichlids and catfishes. Despite being armed with the
latest books they can be still be difficult to identify
and quantify even into something simple such as community
friend or foe. There are literally hundreds of catfishes
and cichlids and many species have vastly different
juvenile and adult colourations. Little is really known
about their life histories in nature and much of the
aquarium care is based on educated guesswork.
The classification of many unidentified loricariids
(suckermouths) for example, now so numerous that they
are referred to under Log numbers' for discerning aquarists,
is a minefield for this and other reasons. With so many
expensively priced suckermouth species available, varying
in size from a few centimetres to a metre, it can be
extemely costly if the wrong catfish is purchased on
an impulse. The larger stores also display artificial
hybrid species that may appear familiar but may combine
giant species with more modest sized forms.
In the first part of
this series it is intended to discuss the positives
and pitfalls of purchasing weird and wonderful catfishes
with a build up guide of pointers to enable aquarists
to make a more considered selection. It's not just about
suckermouths, even purchasing rarer forms Corydoras
can set an expensive challenge for the fishkeeper who
wishes to move into the second gear' of aquarium communities.
Corydoras barbatus, for example, can be extremely
difficult to maintain in an established community system
that has become overcrowded, is probably too acidic
and contains a stagnating substrate. These catfishes
are usually imported after being held for some time
at South American export centres following capture and
they often arrive hollow bellied. If they are not provided
with the right water conditions and diet they rapidly
succumb to infections. The terrible net result' of husbandry
mistakes can be an expensive and sad loss of one of
the most beautiful catfish species available in the
hobby. With the right aquarium maintenance ie 50% partial
water change, combined with an aquascape that includes
a shallow sand substrate and open substrate spaces these
superb catfishes may adapt to captivity. In addition,
a diet of finely shredded shrimp and flaked food should
ensure the bearded catfishes survive the trauma of their
incredible journey from the coastal streams of Rio de
Janeiro to the aquarium in your living room. The following
catfish data sheets provided include tip and a unique
positives and pitfalls' summary. Collect them all to
build up an information library on the rare and the
unusual species that are for sale in the specialist
aquatic stores.
Catfish
data sheet 1:
Corydoras
barbatus 
(Rio form) (now Scleromystax
barbatus)
the Bearded Catfish, Southern Brazil. Habitat:
flowing coastal creeks on a sand and pebble substrate.
Maximum total length: 100 mm (4 in)
Natural diet: Insect larvae, aquatic worms,
small invertebrates and crustaceans. When spawning,
Corydoras barbatus place their eggs high
at the water surface on the aquarium glass in
batches of five and seven at one time. Males are
slender when viewed from above and are more distinctive
in colour than females. In breeding condition,
the males display fine cheek bristles.
Maintenance care: pH 6.7 - 7.3, hardness:
fairly soft, aquascape: a sand and pebble substrate,
a diet of finely shredded unshelled' shrimp and
flake.
One of the largest Corydoras species known,
the bearded catfish is found in at least two forms,
a white snouted type from Rio de Janeiro and a
gold striped type from Sao Paulo. The two types
will certainly be described as different species
in the future because science has already discovered
that both forms have distinct genetic identities.
The male of this handsome southern Brazilian species
is one of a few long snouted species within the
genus that develop cheek bristles during the breeding
season and sometimes beyond. Males are aggressively
territorial (not always acknowledged in aquarium
literature) especially during the spawning period.
These catfishes will thrive in a fairly wide range
of water conditions providing the pH is not too
acidic and the substrate is clean and made up
of shallow sand and pebbles. Once established
they prove relatively easy to spawn in the healthy
aquarium.
Positives: super colour, relatively large
peaceful' Corydoras, can be bred under
aquarium conditions. Active during some daylight
hours.
Pitfalls: Starved on export, can arrive
on the retail front extremely emaciated, hard
to settle in an established aquarium community.
Expensive to buy.
Catfish
data sheet 2: Liosomadorus
oncinus,
the Jaguar Catfish, Brazil.
Habitat: Small tributary rivers and streams.
Maximum total length: 150 mm (6 in)
Natural diet: crustaceans, small fishes
and assorted invertebrates.
The captive breeding of the Jaguar catfish has
not yet been achieved in aquaria although the
spawning method, through internal fertilisation,
is thought to be the same as that known in other
Driftwood catfishes. Adult males are believed
to be more ornately patterned and are probably
smaller and more slender than adult females.
Maintenance care: pH 6.5 - 7.5, hardness:
soft to medium, aquascape: a sand and pebble substrate,
bogwood, branches, a diet of unshelled' shrimp,
small earthworms food sticks, granules and flake.
The aquarium maintenance for this species hugely
depends on providing it with good water quality
in a larger than average system. As nocturnal
predators, these catfishes should only be maintained
with community fishes of equal or greater size.
As one of the most beautiful of all South American
catfishes, the Jaguar catfish can be recognised
by its striking yellow blotches and dark lines
on a brown and white body. The jaguar catfish
is unique in that it shares distinctive characteristics
of two very different families.
It is scaleless, in keeping with all of the auchenipterids,
and yet it possesses a gill spine and a long-based
adipose fin, which are distinctive traits of the
doradids, or Thorny Catfishes. The Jaguar Catfish
can be found in many colour pattern varieties,
some forms are thought to represent another species.
It has proved fairly easy to maintain because
it will accept a broad range of good water conditions
and a wide variety of foods.
Positives: Superb juvenile colour pattern,
Large adults reasonably peaceful when maintained
in spacious, uncrowded, aquarium conditions.
Pitfalls: Adults are predatory towards
small fishes and are therefore unsuited to small
fish aquarium communities. Extremely nocturnal
and totally inactive during daylight hours.
Catfish
data sheet 3:
Sorubim
lima,
Shovel-nosed Catfish, Widespread in South America.
Habitat: large flowing rivers, Maximum
total Length: 450 mm (18 in)
Natural diet: Small fishes, crustaceans
and anything small enough to be eaten!.
Unknown breeding habits and there are no recorded
sexual differences.
Maintenance care: pH 6.5 - 7.5,
hardness: soft to medium, aquascape: a sand and
pebble substrate, bog wood, branches, a diet of
unshelled' shrimp, earthworms, small strips of
fish and food sticks. Predatory towards smaller
fishes, but suitable for larger catfish/cichlid/barb/
characin fish communitities. The common Shovel-nosed
catfish is one of the few predatory species that
will easily to adapt to prepared foods. Healthy
specimens will consume shrimp, fish pieces and
earthworms if they are offered early and on a
regular basis. Sorubim lima will thrive
in a broad range of pH and hardness conditions,
demanding only bright well-filtered water. They
appear to be one of the few larger pimelodids
that can be maintained together in small groups,
especially if introduced as juveniles. Water quality
needs to be high with dissolved oxygen levels
especially important. Frequently made large scale
partial water changes will ensure the growth and
development of this species in captivity.
Positives: Smallest of the shovel nosed
catfishes', Large adults reasonably peaceful when
maintained alongside other large fishes. Active
during daylight hours.
Pitfalls: Adults require large, well oxygenated,
aquaria and are predatory towards small fishes.
Catfish
data sheet 4: Platydoras
costatus
( now Platydoras
armatulus
) the Humbug or Talking Catfish, from Brazil to
Peru.
Habitat: small tributary rivers and streams.
Maximum total length: 200 mm (8 in)
Natural diet: Snails, insect larvae, etc.
Maintenance care: pH 6.5 - 7.5,
Hardness: soft to hard, aquascape: a sand and
pebble substrate, a diet of shredded unshelled'
shrimp, food sticks, granules and flake. Success
for the Humbug catfish in captivity is dependant
on providing plenty of caves and wood. They can
be extremely territorial towards their own kind
are likely to dispute ownership of caves, nooks
and crannies with other nocturnal catfish. However,
the humbug catfish is not over aggressive and
will do little more than outspread its pectoral
and dorsal fin spines in defence. This action
is only dangerous when directed at scaleless fishes
disputing territory. This black Talking Catfish'
has a "humbug" white stripe across its
lateral line and this striking pattern makes it
popular among fishkeepers seeking an oddity for
the community aquarium.
The talking title is given to members of this
family of catfishes because they are able to create
sounds by grating fin bones in each socket and
amplify the noise via the swim bladder to give
potential predators a fright. In keeping with
most catfish species, Platydoras costatus
is extremely nocturnal and in captivity will predate
on small fishes during the hours of darkness.
Positives: Inexpensive to buy, attractive
colour pattern, Adults are reasonably peaceful
when maintained alongside medium sized community
fishes .
Pitfalls: Adults are predatory towards
very small fishes and are therefore unsuited to
small fish aquarium communities. Territorial and
extremely nocturnal.
Catfish
data sheet 5: Mystus
tengara
the False Pyjama Catfish,
Asia.
Habitat: small tributary creeks and flowing
rivers.
Maximum total length: 125-150 mm (4-5 in)
Natural diet: Invertebrate larvae, crustaceans
foods in nature.
Maintenance care: pH 6.5 - 7.5, hardness: soft
to hard, aquascape: a sand and pebble substrate,
bog wood, branches, a diet of unshelled' shrimp,
small earthworms, granules and flake. Known breeding
information confirms that they are egg scatterers.
Males are smaller and more slender than females.
Whilst this species is thought to be the most
familiar of Asian catfishes its exact identity
has been confused with Mystus vittatus over
the years. The true Pyjama catfish was spawned
in the aquarium. Dr Franke recorded that several
thousand eggs were produced in the one spawning
and that a high percentage hatched after several
days. This spawning information would appear to
be true for most Mystus species.
Positives: Inexpensive to buy, Adults are
reasonably peaceful when maintained alongside
medium sized community fishes . Some activity
shown during daylight hours.
Pitfalls: Adults are predatory towards
very small fishes and are therefore unsuited to
small fish aquarium communities.
Catfish
data sheet 6:
Synodontis
eupterus,
the Feather Fin Catfish, Africa, Niger River system.
Habitat: Large rivers. Max total length:
150-200 mm (6-8 in)
Natural diet: Invertebrates, small fishes
and crustaceans. Breeding: Adult males are smaller
than females.
Maintenance care: pH 6.5 - 7.5, hardness:
soft to hard, aquascape: a sand and pebble substrate,
bog wood, branches, a diet of unshelled' shrimp,
small chopped earthworms food sticks, granules
and flake. The Feather Fin Catfish, now commercially
farm bred with the use of hormone inducement,
when juvenile is very similar in appearance to
Synodontis nigrita. The latter species
lacks the distinctive dorsal fin extensions, although
juvenile Synodontis euptera do not display
them either. Young specimens can be distinguished
by the presence of a high, long-based, adipose
fin. A peaceful species ideally suited to most
medium-sized to large robust community fish systems
where it will take up the role as a true scavenger'
of food other fishes have missed.
Positives: Adults display a fantastic dorsal
fin and inexpensive juveniles show an attractive
colouration of spots, Large adults are reasonably
peaceful when maintained in spacious, uncrowded,
aquarium conditions. Active during daylight hours.
Pitfalls: Adults can be boisterous towards
small fishes and are therefore unsuited to small
fish aquarium communities.
Catfish
data sheet 7:
Pseudoacanthicus
species,
the Spiny catfishes, Brazil.
Habitat: Large tributary rivers and streams.
Maximum total length: 600 mm (24 in)
Natural diet: thought to be green debris,
small crustaceans, small fishes and assorted invertebrates.
Maintenance care: pH 6.5 - 7.5, hardness:
soft to medium, aquascape: a spacious sand substrate,
bog wood, branches, a diet of unshelled' shrimp,
green diet, food sticks, granules and flake. The
aquarium maintenance for these species also depends
on providing them with pristine water quality
(clean and high in dissolved oxygen) in a larger
than average system. The spiny catfishes (members
of the genera Acanthicus and Pseudoacanthicus)
are large suckermouth species that have a more
varied diet than many of the commonly known family
forms such as Ancistrus and Hypostomus.
They can quickly become emaciated in crowded aquarium
communities and need copious amount of food to
survive captivity.
Positives: Rare species, some with extremely
attractive colour patterns, Large adults are fairly
peaceful when maintained in spacious, uncrowded,
aquarium conditions. Partially active during daylight
hours.
Pitfalls: Expensive, adults are aggressively
territorial towards other suckermouth catfishes
and are therefore unsuited to some aquarium communities.
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