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Dianema urostriatum (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1912)

Image contributors to this species:

Helen Burns (1) Danny Blundell (2) Daniel Blom (1) Graeme Robson (1) Chris Ralph (2) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (5) Allan James (1) Benny Hubel Hansen (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

There are only two species in the genus Dianema, the other being Dianema longibarbus, the Porthole cat. This is of course the Flagtail cat as looking at the image you can see this trait in the caudal fin, it shares these unusual markings along with Brochis robineae, it is also placed in the same family, Callichthyidae. Aquarium Care: 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 Corydoras sp. Diet: 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. Reproduction: This fish has proved a challenge for quite a few catfish enthusiasts over the years. There has been unconfirmed reports of breeding triumphs but no documentation as yet to prove this theory. It is reported to be a bubblenest breeder just like its cousins in the Hoplo, Megalechis, Lepthoplosternum complex. Etymology: The specific name urostriatum: uro-, from ourá, tail; striatum (L.), furrowed or grooved (i.e., striped), referring to alternating black and white horizontal stripes on tail [spelled urotriatum in heading of account, but corrected in attached printed errata].

Common Name:

Flagtail Catfish

Synonyms:

Decapogon urostriatum

Family:

Callichthyidae

Distribution:

South America: Brazil, Amazon River basin. Type locality: Manáos, Brazil.

Size:

11.5cm (4½ins)

Temp:

22-26°C (71-79°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Dianema urostriatum is endemic to Brazil, known from the Amazon River basin. It has been recorded in the Madeira, Urucu, and Purus river basins, and in natural lakes along the Solimões River. Although there is a direct threat posed by the pressure of ornamental fishing, no evidence was found that this threat endangers the species' population. Dianema urostriatum is widely distributed, frequent, and naturally abundant. As no significant threats were identified, D. urostriatum was categorised as Least Concern (LC), (IUCN 2022).

Reference:

Burgess, W.E. 1989 An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes. A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p.
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) 2022. Dianema urostriatum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022.
Riehl, R. and H.A. Baensch 1987 Aquarien Atlas. Band. 1. Melle: Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde, Germany. 992 p.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 29. Nov.1998.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

Family: Callichthyidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Dianema urostriatum

Dianema urostriatum

Dianema urostriatum
Head profile

Dianema urostriatum

Dianema urostriatum
Head view

Dianema urostriatum

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