Happy Pets

The typical underslung mouths of these fishes are used as a means of locomotion and anchorage, as well as for feeding, in fast-flowing waters.

Sucker Catfish; Plecostomus Hypostomus (formerly Plecostomus) plecostomus 450 mm 18 in. South America : various waters. The long, wedge-shaped body is covered with bony plates, which may be in three or four ridged layers, instead of only two as in Corydoras. The body is dark brown with darker speckles. The dorsal fin is large and sail-like,while the caudal fin is asymmetric, with the lower lobe larger. A shy and retiring fish, but often dashes out for food. An ideal algae-remover that does not damage plants. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: all foods, but greenstuffs should predominate. Breeding: no details available.

Midget Sucker Catfish Otocinclus affinis 50 mm 2 in. South America : various waters. This miniature version of the sucking type of Catfish, has a broad; flattened head and tapering body. A dark line runs from the snout into the caudal fin, terminating as a black patch. The dorsal and anal fins are patterned. The back has dark blotches, while the belly is p^ale. This fish is often seen clinging to aquarium glass. It prefers a shoal of its own kind. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: mainly vegetable matter and worms, but will scavenge for scraps. Breeding: has been bred in the aquarium, and follows Corydoras pattern.

Wh ipta i I Catfish Rhinoloricaria (formerly Loricaria) parva 130 mm 54 in. South America : various waters.

The elongated body tapers into almost matchstick proportions. Filaments from the outside rays of the caudal fin are very extended. The body colour is grey-green with some transverse dark markings. The fins are patterned. A bottom-living fish, which often clings to rocks. It can control the amount of light entering the eye by covering the pupil as required. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: mainly vegetable matter, but other foods taken. Breeding: eggs are laid by the female on a pre-selected site ; the male guards the eggs and young.

Family Clariidae

Members of this family often leave the water in search of food and can survive long periods out of water. They are often kept for their novelty value.

Walking Catfish; Albino Clarias Clarias batrachus 610 mm 281 in. Far East : various waters. The torpedo- shaped, snake-like body is brown- green with pale dots, and has very long dorsal and anal fins. The dorsal fin may be patterned with dark dots. A pink ‘albino’ form exists and is a favourite with aquarists. The species can live for long periods out of water, and can travel overland ‘walking’ on its ventral fins. The tank should be kept securely covered. This fish can also be dangerous to small fishes. Temperature: 24^°C (75^°F). Diet: eats anything and becomes very distended. Breeding: not yet bred in the aquarium.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 12th, 2008 at 5:10 am and is filed under Fish, Snakes, Tropical Fish, aquarium. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.