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 e are back to the Callichyidae family again this month but instead of the sub-family of Corydoradinae we are visiting a member of the Callichthyinae sub-family and the "Spotted hoplo", Hoplosternum punctatum. This species is similar looking to Dianema longibarbus but D. longibarbus has much larger eyes.

    Hoplosternum punctatum

This species occurs in streams, rivers, swamps, floodplain lakes, ponds, and pools characterised by high turbidity, little to no water movement, and reduced dissolved oxygen (Breder 1927, Nirchio et al. 2006). First reproduction probably occurs at two years of age (Breder 1927). Diet comprises a broad range of food items, including insects, crustaceans, fishes and organic debris (Breder 1927). This species reaches a maximum reported body size of 7.7 cm standard length (SL) (Reis et al. 2003).

Spotted hoplo

None

Callichthyinae

South America: Pacific coastal drainages of Panama and Atrato River basin, Colombia. Type locality: Rio Marte Arnade, 6 miles east of Panama City, Panama.

8.0cm (3¼ins)

18-26°C (64-79°F)

Head 2.96 to 3.26; depth 3.1 to 3.54; D. I, 7 or8; A. 1,6; lateral scutes, 25 above lateral line and 23 or 24 elaine it. Body rather robust; dorsal region moderately elevated; anterior profile straight or gently convex; head broader than deep; snout obtuse, its length 2.2 to 2.36 in head; eye lateral, 7.45 to 8; interorbital 1.6 to 1.67; mouth subterminal, rather small, its width less than length of snout; barbels varying in length, the longest reaching from lower third to opposite distal third of pectoral spine; the lower lip with 2 fleshy lobes; fontanel elongate in young, oval to nearly circular in adult; occipital failing to reach fontanel; the scutes without carinations; 5 or 6 azygous plates in front of adipose spine; coracoids close together anteriorly, or overlapping in the male, separated posteriorly by a V-shaped naked area; distance between pectorals equal to or slightly shorter than length of coracoid plates; dorsal fin inserted notably nearer tip of snout than adipose; dorsal spine about equal to length of snout; adipose with a rather strong spine, the membrane adnate to the back; caudal fin with concave margin, but not as deep as in H. magdalenae; anal fin small, its origin by 2 scutes in advance of adipose; ventral fins about as long as snout and eye, a naked area between them, extending back to vent; pectoral fins failing to reach base of ventrals except in young, the spine with serrations on the back side, its length 1.56 to 1.73 in head.

This is a peaceful midwater to bottom swimmer that will do better if kept in a group of at least 4 as individuals on their own tend to sulk and never seem to progress too well. Try to resist placing them in an aquarium with aggressive species such as some Cichlids, they will do better with the usual community type fish and of course along with any member of the Corydoradinae species.

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, manufactured small grain foods. You may have to remove the male at this point but this will depend from species to species.

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.

Omnivorous, taking most foods but preferring live and frozen such as daphnia, worms, white and grindal, and bloodworms. Will also accept good quality flake and tablet foods.

Adipose fine: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Fontanel: The space(s) between the bones on top of the skull covered by skin.
Lateral line: A sensory line, along the sides of the body.
Pectoral fins: The paired fins just behind the head.
Ventral fins: The paired fins, between the pectorals and the anal fins.
Scutes: Bony covering.

Hoplosternum: With armed sternum, (breast).
punctatum: Latin for spotted, referring to small, roundish black spots on entire body (except upper surface of head and dorsal region) and on dorsal and caudal-fin rays.

Photo Credits

© Ivan Sokol
© Danny Blundell
© Map: Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia 2025.