Orinocodoras eigenmanni (Myers,
1927)
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he common name for this Dorad catfish is the
“Long-nosed Raphael Catfish” to differentiate it from
the similar looking “Raphael Catfish” Platydoras armulatus
(previously known as P.costatus). The genus Orinocodoras
is Monotypic (containing only one species). In the U.K. the common
name for P.armulatus is usually “Humbug” or “Chocolate
Talking Catfish” pertaining to them being able to create a
sound by grating their fin bones in each socket and amplifying the
noise via the swim bladder, this also applies to O.eigenmanni.
This fish is probably imported alongside
P. armulatus, for if you look into a tank of the latter in
any shop you will usually find one or two 0. eigenmanni
there. They are quite easy to spot with experience, as O. eigenmanni,
as the common name suggests, has a longer nose, plus the
scutes that adorn the sides of the body are smaller, and I find
that it is usually a bit darker in colouration than P. armulatus.
This is a very nocturnal catfish, so give it plenty of hiding
places such as pipes or rockwork and you will get the added bonus
of seeing it on the odd occasion.
As can be seen in the photograph this can
be a very impressive looking catfish when adult and in common
with P. armulatus it can get quite heavy in the body.
Orinocodoras eigenmanni
- showing scutes
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The picture above shows the impressive
scutes that adorn both sides of its body.
Body; 29 lateral scutes,
all fairly even in size. The plates are all small leaving much of
the sides of the body naked.
Dorsal Spine; Serrated on both anterior and posterior
edges.
Fontanel; Continued as a groove to the base of
the dorsal fin.
Adipose; Continued forward very slightly into a
keel.
Caudal Peduncle; Covered with caudal fulcra above
and below.
Body black with a creamy white lateral stripe
from the eye, running along the lateral plates and faintly continuing
through the caudal fin. Underside of head and coracoid, white to
cream. Belly is darkly mottled. Dorsal lightish mottled, the first
soft ray and membrane blackish. Leading edge of the dorsal spine
light.
This is quite a peaceful catfish in a aquarium
with similar sized tankmates, but I wouldn't advise keeping them
with small characins, such as neon's, as this fish foraging at night
would view them as lunch!, but apart from that a good addition to
a tank instead of the more common P. armulatus.
Not recorded.
Will eat anything hence the body shape it
attains. You could also feed tablet food at lights out, just to
make sure that it is getting its fair share. If you feed your usual
fare to your aquarium inhabitants you will usually find a very large
and fat O. eigenmanni the odd times that you do view it.
| Etymology |
Orinocodoras:
From the Orinoco River; doras = cuirass ( helmeted)
eigenmanni : In honour of Dr.Carl
H.Eigenmann, Professor of Ichthyology in Indiana. ( 1863-1927.)
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| Glossary
of Terms |
Fontanel
- The space(s) between the bones on top of the skull covered
by skin.
Caudal Peduncle - The area between the dorsal
fin and the tail.
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| References |
Northern Area Catfish Group; Information
sheet 08
Top Picture: Allan
James @ 
Bottom Picture: Billy Grant |
