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Tatia
aulopygia (Kner, 1858)
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Image contributors
to this species: |
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ScotCat
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Other Sources: |
 
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Relevant Information: |
Distinguished from all other species
of Tatia by having a short cranial fontanel, with the
opening restricted to the frontals, a genital papilla with thick
flap of skin around the deferent duct in males (Fig. 9); and a
notched anal fin in adult males (Fig. 9). The species also is
distinguished from congeners by a combination of characteristics:
nasal bone partially sutured to lateral margin of mesethmoid;
anal fin with 7-8 branched rays; 10-11 ribs; 38-39 post-Weberian
vertebrae. Additional features useful for distinguishing this
species include: third nuchal plate well projected laterally with
curved tip; and caudal-fin lobes of mature females similar in
length, but mature males with slightly elongated upper lobe. Body
coloration is somewhat variable, usually with large bands or blotches
irregularly distributed over sides of body. In some specimens
coloration is uniformly dark or pale brown, with caudal fin mottled.
Some young specimens have small spots over ventrolateral parts
of body and a barred caudal fin. Aquarium Care:
Give them small pipes, and they do seem to like to hide in the
crevices of bogwood as well. They appear to be happier if they
can jam themselves in with the use of their pectoral fins. Community
tanks are fine for this species although you may find that they
will predate on fry from other species, but apart from that they
come well recommended but don't expect to see them too often.
Diet: In its native habitat they feed on small
invertebrates and crustaceans and in the aquarium they will eat
anything given such as frozen bloodworm inserted in to their hideaway,
catfish tablets, white worm (sparingly) and prawns and shrimp.
They do like their food and you can see them shooting out of their
hideouts and swimming in a frenzied manner to try and take all
for themselves, especially when you feed them their favourite
food, frozen bloodworm. |
Common Name:
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Black Pigmy Driftwood
Cat |
Synonyms: |
None |
Family: |
Auchenipteridae |
Distribution: |
Soth Ameriica: occurs
in the Madeira river drainage of the Amazon basin. Most records
are from upper reaches, in the Guaporé and Mamoré
rivers. Type locality: Rio Guaporé, Brazil. |
Size: |
10cm (4ins) |
Temp: |
21-24°c (69 -75°f.) |
p.H. |
6.5 -7.5. |
Reference: |
Sarmento-Soares, Luisa Maria;
Martins-Pinheiro, Ronaldo Fernando A systematic revision
of Tatia (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae: Centromochlinae) Neotropical
Ichthyology, 6(3):495- 542, 2008.
ScotCat Factsheet
no. 48. June 2000 |
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