Similar looking to B.
coracoideus
but is rarer in imports. The Aspredinidae family is
divided into two subfamilies, Bunocephalinae, and
Aspredininae and can be told apart by the longer anal
fin of the latter, and also the longer body. These
catfish are quite often overlooked by the aquarist,
most likely due to the fact that they usually hide
in the tank or just generally look as if they are
dead. The very fact that these catfish give the appearance
of death is a natural defense against potential predators—after
all, not many fish would be interested in eating something
resembling a fallen leaf. Their typical colouration,
which is predominantly brown, also helps them to blend
in with their natural surroundings. Habitat:
Frequently occurs in creeks where it plays the role
of a typical bottom cleaner, possessing a broad food
spectrum. Lives in the coastal rivers of northern
South America between Orinoco to Amazon mouths. Present
in all freshwater rivers except the Marowijne River
where it is replaced by B. aloikae. Aquarium
Care: Can be kept in groups and are non aggresive
inmates in a shallow tank. The main problem is seeing
them as they are a nocturnal species and you may be
able to spot them if you feed at lights out in the
dusk of a half lit room or fishhouse. Provide sand
as a substrate as they will dig themselves into this
and will smell food as it is introduced. Sexual
Differences: Sexing out this species is not
easy but a rule of thumb is that the females are larger
and fuller in the belly and usually a little darker
in colouration.
South America:
Coastal rivers of northern South America between Orinoco
to Amazon mouths. Type locality:
Konawaruk, British Guiana.
Size:
12.0cm. (4¾ins)
Temp:
25-28°c (77-83°f.)
p.H.
6.0-8.0.
Reference:
Friel, J.P.
2003 Aspredinidae (Banjo catfishes). p. 261-267. In:
R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.)
Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central
America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.
2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, version (01/2011). ScotCat
Factsheet
no. 275. May 2019
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