SCOTCAT.COM  

Chris Ralph (3) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (3) Allan James (2)

Description: The body of Mystus bimaculatus is generally described as being torpedo, cigar shaped or moderately elongated. The nostrils are described as being well separated. There are four pairs of barbels, two pairs of mandibular barbels, one pair of maxillary barbels and one pair of nasal barbels. All of the barbels are described as being long with the nasal barbels extending beyond the eyes and the maxillary barbels extending beyond the base of the anal fin. The adipose fin is described as being much longer than the base of the anal fin starting directly behind the dorsal fin and extending almost to the base of the caudal fin. Habitat: In their natural habitat they would be found in relatively large shoals. Aquarium Care: Wherever possible it is to be recommended that the aquarist keep these catfish in a community aquarium in small groups of six or more, but as the absolute minimum three specimens assuming that they are available in these numbers. These catfish should not be kept with fish small enough to fit inside their mouths as they would soon form part of their diet. Ideal tank mates would include fish such as pearl gourami’s, golden barbs and Odessa barbs to name but a few. Etymology: The genus name Mystus: "Mystax" meaning whiskered (hair on the upper lip) Mystus was first used by Belon in 1553 to describe all fish with whiskers. The specific name bimaculatus: with two spots.

Two spot catfish

Macrones bimaculatus

Bagridae

Asia: Sumatra, Indonesia.

12.5cm (5ins)

22-27°C (71-81°F)

6.0-7.0.

Ralph, Chris, Factsheet of the Month : Jan. 2009