Leptodoras linnelli
Eigenmann, 1912
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he month of October 2015 brings us to the Doradidae family and
to a little known genera, namely Leptodoras. This is
not your usual hardy and bomb proof Dorad that you don't see for
months on end only to spot it one night with a huge girth and
a size to match, no this genera usually known as mouse cats are
a different kettle of fish, so to speak.
This very pretty and unusual species
demands good water quality and water flow throughout the aquarium.
A sand substrate with branches and rockwork as cover to make
them feel secure in their own surroundings. The overhead lighting
should not be too bright and a dark corner in the tank would
be a good idea for a retreat. A lower temperature around the
18-22°C (64-72°F) mark
as they do not take kindly to long periods with high temperatures
as in their natural habitat they are found in deep waters with
low light.
Unlike some of the more common Dorads
the Mouse cats like their own company, so if you can afford
a large tank over 4ft, three or four individuals is a good benchmark
to aim for.
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Postorbital length 37.6–41.8%
of predorsal distance…..Leptodoras linnelli
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The most characteristic
feature of this species is the structure of the barbels which
readily distiguish Leptodoras from similar genera,
Opsodoras and Hassar.
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays
(total): 6; Anal soft rays: 12 - 16. Upper labial extension very
elongate, straight to weakly curved medially and nearly uniform
in width with a bluntly rounded tip. Body moderately elongate and
slender with a single series of 38-39 bony plates down each side
of body. Snout fairly long and roughly conical. The barbels form
a complex structure. The maxillary barbels divides into a short
simple process and a longer branched process. The two pairs of mental
barbels also have a short, fringed edge.
Upper half of body light brown/yellow, darkening
dorsally. Lower half creamy white. Two dusky bands in the caudal
fin.
| Aquarium
Care |
Best kept in a group
in a tank of 48ins or over with a sand substrate, rock and
branchwork. Floating plants is a good addition to cut down
on the overhead light.
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| Compatibility |
Peaceful and will
do well alongside species such as Geophagus Cichlids and
other larger Characins that will appreciate flowing water.
There are no documented records
| Sexual
differences |
As with most other species
of catfish the males tend to be more slender than the females.
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| Diet |
Insect larvae,, frozen foods, mosquito larvae
and shrimp.
| Glossary
of Terms |
Dorsal fin:
The primary rayed
fin(s) on top of the body.
Maxillary barbels: Pertaining
to the upper jaw. (maxillary barbels).
Mental barbels:
Pertaining to the chin, on the lower jaw. (mental barbels)
Caudal
fin: The tail.
Anal
fin: The
median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind
the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
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| Etymology |
Leptodorus:
Greek,
leptos = thin + Greek, doras = skin
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| References |
CAGB magazine
no. 41 January 1984.
Sabaj, M.H. and C.J. Ferraris
Jr., 2003. Doradidae (Thorny catfishes). p. 456-469.
In R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.)
Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central
America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2008.FishBase.World
Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version
(02/2009).
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| Photo
Credits |
Top: © Richard A. Smith
Bottom: © Mark
Sabaj Pérez @
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| Synonyms:
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| Leptodoras
acipenserinus, Hemidoras linnelli |
| Common
Name: |
| Elongate
Mouse Catfish |
| Family: |
| Doradidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Doradinae |
| Distribution: |
| South
America: Upper Orinoco (rios Ventuari and Mavaca) and
Casiquiare River basin in Venezuela; Atlantic Coast drainages
of the Guianas and northern Brazil such as Essequibo, Demerara
and Araguari); the rios Uatumã, Tacutu and Demini in
Brazil. |
| Size: |
| 23cm. (9ins) |
| Temp: |
| 18-22°C
(64-72°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.0 - 7.0. |
| Donation: |
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