Brachyplatystoma
juruense (Boulenger, 1898)
|
rachyplatystoma juruense
is also known by its common name of the Zebra Catfish. This magnificent
catfish belongs to the family Pimelodidae, representatives
of which can be found widespread throughout the rivers of South
America. This catfish was first described by the famous ichthyologist
G. A. Boulenger of the British Natural
History Museum after the genus was erected in 1862 by Pieter Bleeker
on the basis of the type species Brachyplatystoma
filamentosum.
Brachyplatystoma
tigrinum is quite closely
related to our factsheet of the month, but
has a longer upper jaw, and the first rays of the dorsal and
pectoral fins are described as being flexible and not pungent.
Both of these catfish share a similar colour pattern of inclined
stripes on the body, although it has to be said that Brachyplatystoma
tigrinum is the more striking of the two fish. Brachyplatystoma
juruense is quite often referred to as the "False Tigrinus".
Fully grown specimens will lose the white
cross bands of the juvenile pattern and begin to sport a darker
body colour.
Aquarium Care: This
is of course a catfish for only the most experienced of catfish
keepers and as it will grow to a length of around the 2 ft (60cm)
mark, a large tank for an adult of at least 6' 0" (180cm),
or over, is called for. Subdued
lighting is best for this species as you may spot it out during
the day. Provide hiding places
such as large stone caves and driftwood strategically placed
throughout the aquarium so your specimen can move and seek out
another refuge in the tank. If
hiding places are not provided they will clamp there fins and
try to hide behind heaters and filter tubes. Only keep with
its own kind or larger non-catfish species such as large Pacu's
or similar Characins as they are out and out predators.
Head strongly flattened. Maxillery barbels
can grow to nearly body length. Upper and lower caudal filaments
greatly extended. Inner
premaxilary teeth: narrow and long, outer ones shorter, thicker
and curved strongly inward.
Body light brown to dirty grey with numerous
light brown to yellow vertical bands. Caudal fin with black and
yellow spotted pattern. Individuals can vary in colour pattern.
Suggested tank mates! anything that does
not constitute a meal, I would suggest some of the larger Characins
as opposed to any other catfish, which may compete for territory.
Most enthusiasts would keep this catfish as a single specimen
in a display aquarium.
| Sexing |
There are no known obvious
external sexual differences
|
| Breeding |
Not recorded.
As these are predatory catfish they prefer
meaty foods such as whole prawns, mussels, pieces of fish, beef
heart (sparingly) and earthworms etc.
| Etymology |
Brachyplatystoma:
Greek, brachys, eia = short + Greek, platys = flat + Greek,
stoma = mouth
juruense :
This "pim" (Brachyplatystoma)
named after the river of the type locality. Rio Jurua
|
| Glossary
of Terms: |
Maxillary
barbels : Pertaining
to the upper jaw. (maxillary barbels)
Premaxilary:
In relation to the premaxilla
(an upper jaw bone) e.g. premaxillary tooth band.
Caudal: The tail.
|
| Reference |
Schreiber, Roland;
Keeping Brachystoma juruense. Tropical fish Hobbyist
April 1994.
Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl 1995 Aquarien
Atlas. Band 4. Mergus Verlag GmbH, Verlag für Natur-
und Heimtierkunde, Melle, Germany. 864 p.
|
| Photo
Credits |
Top image: Daniel Blom.
Bottom image: © Enrico
Richter @  |
|
|
| Synonyms:
|
| Platystoma juruense,
Ginesia cunaguaro |
| Common
Name: |
| Zebra Catfish |
| Family: |
| Pimelodidae |
| Subfamily: |
| |
| Distribution: |
| South America:
Amazon and Orinoco River basin. Type locality:
Rio Jurua, an affluent of the Amazons, Brazil. |
| Size: |
| 60.0cm (24inch) |
| Temp: |
| 22
-27°C (71-81°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.0 - 7.2. |
| Donation: |
If you found this page
helpful you can help keep ScotCat running by making a small
donation, Thanks.
|
|
|
|
