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Danny Blundell (4) Frants Lehmann (1 Stamp) Jean-Francois Helias (3) Allan James (3)

One of the main characteristics of the doradids is the presence of thorn like projections along the side of the body, which are known as scutes. These scutes are very sharp, so care should be taken when moving these fish. A real “Tank buster” if ever there was one. Habitat: Occurs over mud in streams and lakes. Forms schools. Feeds on detritus, chironomid and ephemeropteran larvae, and crustaceans. Known from temperatures ranging from 24-29.8 °C, pH range of 5-9, and an alkalinity range of 42-142. Aquarium Care: Quite a character obviously suited to large accommodation especially if keeping a number of fish together. Peaceful towards other fish and members of its own kind with doradids such as Agamyxis pectinifrons (Spotted Dora), Platydoras costatus (Striped Dora), Oscars and any other fish of a compatible size. Large pieces of bogwood and clean plastic drainpipe of suitable diameter for them to hide under. Ideally heater guards should be provided in order for the fish not to burn themselves. Etymology: The specific name niger: Latin for dark or black, presumably referring to its dark-brown or black colouration.

Mother of Snails Catfish, Ripsaw Catfish & Black Doradid

Doras niger, Doras humboldti, Pseudodoras niger, Corydoras edentatus, Rhinodoras niger, Rhinodoras prionomus, Rhinodoras teffeanus

Doradidae

South America: Amazon region, Peru, Brazil, Rio Purus, Rio Sao Francisco.

In excess of 90.0cm (36ins)

21-24°C (70-75°F)

6.0-7.8.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (04/2009).
Sabaj, M.H. and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. 2003 Doradidae (Thorny catfishes). p. 456-469. 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.
ScotCat Factsheet: no. 114. Dec. 2005.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.
Usma, S., Mojica, J.I., Herrera-Collazos, E.E., Rodríguez-Olarte, D., Taphorn, D.C. & Villa-Navarro, F. 2022. Oxydoras niger. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.