These catfish are demersal, spending almost all their time on the bottom, at times being quite active during the day, but principally hunting for food by dark of night. Selection: Know Your Species! Planning ahead: Tank size, shape and tankmates. Size-wise: Whereas some of the smaller pimelodids max out at a few inches in length (genus Microglanis), the not-uncommonly offered Red Tailed Cat, Phractocephalus hemilopterus can grow to more than 4 foot in length, and Zungaro zungaro at five are dwarfed by the giant of the family, Brachyplatystoma filamentosum at about 3 meters. Pimelodids are characterized as possessing a pair of long maxillary/upper barbels/whiskers and two pair of shorter mandibular ones, naked (scaleless) bodies, possess elongated adipose fins, and importantly possessing or not stout spines on the anterior of their dorsal and pectoral fins (more about the latter below). This Central and South American and some of the larger Caribbean islands catfish family is composed of some 56 genera and 300 and counting species. Here we'll detail the more common species available, their simple husbandry and some pointers on what to avoid in their aquarium care.įor those who thought they knew about all because they've seen a striped and pictus catfish, a really big red-tailed cat, a shovel nose and crosses of the same, you're in for a bit of a shock. There are only a few "rules" to abide by in the keeping of pimelodids selection of initially healthy stock, some basic water quality provision, avoidance of toxic, but common medications. And some of this families members are amongst the largest of freshwater fishes, reaching several feet in length, and quickly so under propitious aquarium conditions. Tropical Freshwater Catfish (Pimelodidae)Īs far as catfish go, pimelodids are far more "eat 'em uppers" than cleaner uppers, with even small species possessing and utilizing relatively large mouths to suck up their tankmates, particularly at night.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |