Amblydoras hancockii
(Culvier & Valenciennes, 1840)
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his month (Sept.2005) I am going back
to a not too distant memory when I was lucky enough to take a fish
catching trip to the Peruvian Amazon in 2000 and to attain a catfish
that seemed to appear in every catchment net back then, the "Croaking
Spiny Catfish" Amblydoras hancockii.
This species from the Doradidae family
were very abundant in the Rio Orosa, a small tributary of the
Rio Amazonas down the river from the city of Iquitos in Peru.
We were catching very small juveniles about
a ½ mile down this river in a small flooded cocha near
the head of a small lake. The month
was July and the waters were supposed to be quite low but were
a bit higher than normal for this time of year. These catfish
must have spawned a month or two earlier when the waters were
higher and having received fresh cool water from the rising floods.
They can be quite variable in colour pattern as they are widespread
in the Amazon region. Below can be seen one of my 6 sub-adults
from this catchment. This fish was approximately 2 years old when
photographed.
In common with most of the Doradidae family it can create a sound
by grating its fin bones in each socket and amplifying the noise
via the swim bladder which is one reason why it got its common
name of the “Croaking Spiny
Catfish”
Again in common with most members of this
family, they are easy to keep but are
very secretive and you may not see them from one week to the
next. I have found after a considerable time
in captivity that they will venture out at spead to pick up any
tasty morsels that is making its way to the substrate.
D 1/5; A 1/11; P 1/5. Dorsal fin-spine toothed
on both anterior and posterior surfaces. Spinous scutes confined
to the posterior half of the body. 3 pairs of barbels.
Dark brown to blue-black, with numerous pale
blotches on the head and body. Underside somewhat paler, similarly
blotched. Fins dark, with pale stripes and spots which may run together
to form transverse bars. Old individuals are almost uniformly dark
brown with white blotches on the belly.
No problem in a normal community tank
as long as you can give them plenty of hiding places to make them
feel more secure.
| Sexual
differences |
It is said that the females
underside is a dirty white colour whereas the males have a
flecked pattern.
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| Breeding |
There are no known documented spawnings of
this catfish in aquaria, but it is reported [Hancocki] that they
construct a nest of leaves in the substrate and the eggs are laid
during wet weather (flooded season), and once laid the eggs are
covered with leaves. Both parents guard the eggs and emerging fry.
Good quality flake food, frozen blood worms
and tablet food. Live worms such as whiteworm and cut up garden
worms.
| Etymology |
Amblydoras:
Amblys= blunt; doras = leathery skin, cuirass.
hancockii : In honour of M.
J. Hancock, the English naturalist.
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| Glossary
of Terms |
Anterior
- The head end.
Posterior - The tail end.
Scutes - Bony covering.
Swim Bladder - The air sac that gives fish
buoyancy and balance. Acts as sound resonator in some fish.
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| References |
Sterba, Gunther ; Freshwater
Fishes of the World no.1
Catfish
Study Group; Information Sheet no.15
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| Synonyms:
|
| Doras
hancockii |
| Common
Name: |
| Croaking
Spiny Catfish |
| Family: |
| Doradidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Doradinae |
| Distribution: |
| Guyana and eastern Brazil
to Peru and Bolivia. |
| Aquarium
size: |
| 24”
x 12” x 12” (60 x 30 x 30mm) |
| Size: |
| 12.5cm (5inch) |
| Temp: |
| 23-28°C (73-83°F)
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| pH.: |
| 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Hardness: |
| 2-20°dGH |
| Donation: |
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