Orinocodoras eigenmanni (Myers,
1927)
|
he common name for this Dorad catfish is the “Long-nosed Raphael
Catfish” to differentiate it from the similar looking “Raphael
Catfish” Platydoras costatus. The genus Orinocodoras
is Monotypic (containing only one species). In the U.K. the common
name for costatus 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. costatus, for
if you look into a tank of the latter in any shop you will usually
find one or two eigenmanni there. They are quite easy to
spot with experience, as 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 costatus.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 costatus it
can get quite heavy in the body.
Orinocodoras eigenmanni - showing scutes
|
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. costatus.
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 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.)
|
| 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.
|
| References |
Northern Area Catfish Group; Information sheet 08
Top Picture: 
Bottom Picture: Billy Grant |
