Hoplosternum littorale
(Hancock, 1828)
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ue to the increased popularity of the new CW numbers of Corydoras
and the ever increasing L-numbers of the Loricariidae the Hoplosternum
genera tend to be overlooked as they have been available in the
hobby for as long as I can remember, but from recent comments
from aquarists this is still a real favourite among catfish aficionado's.
Hoplosternum littorale inhabits
swamps and during the rainy season adults consume a great quantity
of chironomids associated with detritus. During the dry season,
they feed mostly on terrestrial insects, micro-crustaceans,
aquatic Diptera, and detritus and absorb a great quantity of
anaerobic bacteria from the substrate. First reproduction occurs
after one year. Used to be cultured commercially in Guyana.
Cultured in Trinidad on a semi-commercial scale.
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Hoplosternum littorale
- head view
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Second infraorbital bone extremely developed,
articulating with the pterotic-supracleithrum and covering the entire
area of skin between eye and opercle; coracoids exposed ventrally
but not in contact in the midline even in fully matured males; 4-6
scutes of upper lateral series with lateral line perforations.
Upper parts of body and fins black/brown.
Underside slightly lighter.
| Aquarium
Care |
Provide large Echinodorus
plants in pots as they will dig plants up if planted in
the substrate. Provide floating plants at the surface to
darken the aquarium and also provide strong filtration in
the tank.
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| Compatibility |
Peaceful. As they can grow to a reasonable
size they will predate on small fish so as long as companions are
the same size in a good sized aquarium with plenty of room they
will be fine.
They are bubble nesters so the male will build
a nest at the surface. You could also place a piece of polystyrene
in the tank as the male will often use this to build the nest. After
the eggs are laid the male will chase the female away and guard
the nest. It may be advisable to move the female from the tank as
the male will get quite aggressive. The eggs will hatch in three
days and the fry should be fed small foods such as Brine shrimp
naupli and crushed flake or fry flakes, manufactered small grain
foods. You may have to remove the male at this point but this will
depend from species to species.
| Sexual
differences |
Sexually mature males
have a thick first ray to the pectoral fin which in adult
specimens can turn upwards. The
females have a thin first ray to the pectoral fin.
|
| Diet |
Worm foods, tablets, live and frozen foods.
Not a fussy eater.
| Glossary
of Terms |
Coracoid
: Middle
and lower section of the pectoral girdle.
Opercle :
The bony covering of the gills of fishes.
Caudal fin:
The tail.
Scutes
: Bony covering.
Lateral
line : A sensory
line, along the sides of the body.
Pectoral fin: The paired fins just behind the head.
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| Etymology |
Hoplosternum:
With
armed sternum, (breast).
|
| References |
Baensch, H.A.
and R. Riehl 1985 Aquarien
atlas. Band 2. Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde
GmbH, Melle, Germany. 1216 p.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009.FishBase.
World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version
(04/2011).
Reis, Roberto E. 1996. Hoplosternum Gill
1858. Version 29 April 1996 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Hoplosternum/15336/1996.04.29
in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
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| Photo
Credits |
©
 |
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|
| Synonyms:
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| Callichthys
littoralis, C.laevigatus, C.albidus, C.subulatus, C.chiquitos,
C.melampterus Hoplosternum laevigatum, H. stevardii, Cataphractops
melampterus, H.schreineri, Cascadura maculocephala, H.shirui,
H.littorale daillyi, H.littoralis daillyi, H.thoracatum cayennae
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| Common
Name: |
| Clay
Hoplo, Cascudo. |
| Family: |
| Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Callichthyinae |
| Distribution: |
| South
America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Fr Guiana, Guyana,
Peru, Surinam, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela
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| Size: |
| 20cm. (8ins) |
| Temp: |
| 18-26°C
(64-79°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.0 -8.0. |
| Donation: |
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