Dorsal soft rays (total):
5 - 5; Anal soft rays: 10 – 11; Vertebrae: 29 – 31.
Erethistoides sicula differs from both E. montana
and E. pipri in having a longer caudal peduncle (19.6– 22.3%
SL vs. 14.4–18.4) and shorter pectoral spine (14.6–28.0%
SL vs. 30.7–32.1). It further differs from E. montana
in having a dorsally projecting bony splint on the opercle immediately
posterior to its articular facet with the hyomandibula (vs. splint
absent; and from E. pipri in having a more slender head.
These specimens pictured were collected
at Mathabhanga in the Coochbehar District of West Bengal.
Aquarium Care: A tank with a sandy bottom, rounded
stones, pebbles and bogwood with a good water flow as befits an
asian hillstream setup. Good water quality is a must for this
family. Keep the water temperature on the cool side of a tropical
aquarium. Tank mates such as the zebra danio (Brachydanio
rerio) and Rasboras of the same small size will make good
tankmates. Diet: Prefers live foods such as bloodworm,
grindle worm and daphnia.
Common
Name:
None
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Erethistidae
Distribution:
Asia: known from
the Mansai River drainage, itself a tributary of the Brahmaputra
River in northern West Bengal state in India .
Size:
4.0cm (1½ins)
Temp:
18-24°C
(63-75°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Reference:
Ng, H. H.
2005 Erethistoides sicula, a new catfish (Teleostei: Erethistidae)
from India. Zootaxa 1021:1-12 www.asiancatfish.com
