Ageneiosus magoi Castillo
& Brull G., 1989 |
here is a school of thought that the Ageneiosus genera
should be in its own family of Ageneiosidae (Walsh and Eschmeyer,
1990) but the thirteen species in this genus have been placed
in the Auchenipteridae family ( Ferraris, 1988a) with Auchenipterinae
as the sub-family. In addition to this Walsh also feels that A.
magoi is a synonym of A.vittatus.
As you can see by the above image that
this is indeed a very pretty species but beware as
it is very predatory, as all Ageneiosi are, and would need to
be housed in a large tank of 6ft (180cm) or over. This is one
of the smallest of the Ageneiosus
but they do need a lot of swimming space especially if
keeping more than one.
As mentioned, a good sized aquarium furnished
with driftwood and high plants around the edges. The type of substrate
is not too much of a problem but will need good fltration with
a external filter the best option. The main criterea is to give
them plenty of swimming space as, unusual for this family, they
will swim about sometimes during the day.
The other common names of this sub-family
apart from Slopehead catfishes are "bottlenose" or "barbelless
catfishes". Ageneiosus magoi only possess very small
maxillary barbels but in common with the rest of the Auchenipteridae
family the males possess an elongated and
thickened anal fin, a genital papilla. The male has it modified
into a copulatory organ with the first and second ray thickened
and longer, it is thought that the male uses this to clasp the
female during the spawning embrace.
The above close up image shows the lack
of any discerning barbels.
Head flattened and wedge shaped. Profile almost
straight, sloping slightly towards snout. Dorsal 6/7 rays. Small
adipose fin and a long anal fin. The ventral fins are placed behind
the dorsal fin and has 7/8 rays. Eyes
lateral.
Marbled markings to body. Two black bands
along body split by a white band. Some specimens have a yellow
tinge but may lose this in captivity. There can be differences
in seperate individuals.
If kept with other species they would need
to be the same size or larger species, such as Loriicarids and larger
Characins such as Silver Dollars. Can
be kept with equal sized conspecifics.
There are no documented reports of aquarium
spawnings.
| Sexual
Differences |
In common with the rest
of the Auchenipteridae family
the males possess an elongated and thickened anal fin, a genital
papilla. The male has it modified into a copulatory organ
with the first and second ray thickened and longer, it is
thought that the male uses this to clasp the female during
the spawning embrace. Sexually active males
also have an elongated and curved dorsal spine and the maxillary
barbels are also elongated.
|
| Feeding |
Primarily meat
eaters so will need this somewhere in their diet. Earthworms, shrimp,
beafheart and fish flesh would be an adequate diet.
| Glossary
of Terms |
Dorsal fin
is defined as the medial fin on top of the back.
Adipose is defined as a second dorsal fin.
Anal fin is defined as the medial fin immediately
posterior to the anus.
Ventral fins are defined as the paired
fins between the pectoral and anal fins.
Dorsal is defined as being top or above.
Maxillary is defined as being in relation
to the maxilla, the bone of the upper jaw
|
| Etymology |
Ageneiosus:
Beardless, pertaining to the very small maxillary
barbels
|
| References |
Burgess, W.E.
1989 An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes. A preliminary
survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune
City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p. UPDATE Burgess, W.E.
and Finley, L. 1996, 163-174p
|
| Photo
Credits |
© Allan
James @
 |
