[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Freshwater Fish – Catfish – Bagrids

Directory of Freshwater Fish

Catfish

Bagrids

Giraffe Catfish (Auchenoglanis occidentalis)

• ORIGINS: Africa, in the Nile, Congo, and Niger Rivers, plus Lake Tanganyika, Lake Chad, and others.
• SIZE: 18 in (45 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 70–77°F (21–25°C); soft to hard (50–300 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Not to be trusted with smaller fish.

The distinctive soft, mottled, brown-and-white patterning of this catfish resembles that of a giraffe. The actual markings may vary between individuals, with several dark dots apparent on both sides of the body. The Giraffe Catfish is active during the day, when it searches the substrate for edible items. It requires a fine floor covering, bogwood for retreats, and spacious accommodation in view of its likely adult size. Successful aquarium breeding is very unlikely.

Asian Bumblebee Catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis)

• ORIGINS: Southeast Asia, occurring in both Thailand and Cambodia (Kampuchea).
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft to hard (50–300 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Not social.

A coloration of light and dark bands characterizes these Asian catfish, which have relatively short barbels and a tubular body shape. They do not live well together, especially once mature, and are best housed individually. Asian Bumblebees are nocturnal by nature, so try to incorporate a variety of suitable retreats into their aquarium. They are quite adaptable in terms of their water chemistry needs—they even occur in brackish waters in parts of their range—but avoid making sudden changes, which will be stressful for the fish.

Banded Mystus (Mystus vittatus)

• ORIGINS: Asia, occurring in parts of India, Myanmar (Burma), and Nepal, plus Thailand and Malaysia.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); soft to hard (50–300 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Reasonably peaceful.

Stripes running horizontally down the sides of the body help to identify this catfish, which also has long barbels and a blackish spot behind the gills. Banded Mystus are lively during the day and can be kept safely with other fish of similar size. When mating, the pair utter sounds resembling tweeting birds, and the large eggs are laid among aquatic vegetation. Unfortunately, breeding in aquarium surroundings is uncommon

Two-Spot Catfish (Mystus nigriceps)

• ORIGINS: Southeast Asia, extending from Thailand to the islands of Java, Sumatra, and Borneo.
• SIZE: 6 in (15 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft to hard (50–200 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.8).
• TEMPERAMENT: Relatively social.

The Two-Spot can be differentiated from the Banded Mystus (see top right) by the presence of a dark spot on the caudal peduncle. The body is pinkish, and in healthy fish there is a golden hue around the black spot behind the gill cover. These active fish can be housed with their own kind, or with placid fish of a similar size, but smaller companions are likely to be eaten.TwoSpots prefer live foods, and will comb the floor of the aquarium seeking edible items, such as worms. They require relatively clear areas in their tank for swimming, as well as an efficient filtration system. Breeding is unusual, but placing several females (recognizable by their plumper appearance) in with a male and lowering the water temperature to 68°F (20°C) may trigger spawning behavior.

PROTECTIVE FIN RAYS

Many catfish of the Bagridae family, and some members of other families, too, are protected by sharp rays on their dorsal fins, which can be locked in an upright position. The small ray at the front of this fin is not conspicuous, but it plays a vital part in this process. When under threat, the catfish immediately raises its dorsal fin, causing this ray to hold the longer second ray upright. With this defensive mechanism in place, the catfish is harder for a predator to swallow. With luck, the catfish may be spat out largely unharmed, allowing it to swim away to safety

Stappers’ Catfish (Bathybagrus stappersi)

• ORIGINS: East Africa, found in Lake Tanganyika, within Zairean territory.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods, algae, and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 72–75°F (22–24°C); hard (150–300 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 8.0–9.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Not to be trusted with small fish.

This silver-bodied catfish has large eyes, which are especially prominent in juveniles of the species. Like many other African catfish, Stappers’ Catfish is only occasionally available, but it makes an interesting addition to an aquarium housing larger Lake Tanganyika cichlids, with which it is often imported. The scientific name commemorates the discoverer of the fish, Dr. L. Stappers.

Mottled Catfish (Chrysichthys ornatus)

• ORIGINS: West Africa, with its distribution centered on the Congo and Zaire.
• SIZE: 8 in (20 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft to hard (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Predatory, solitary as adults.

These catfish display a combination of blackish and silvery coloration, although these areas are not well defined, creating obvious mottling over much of the body. There are sharp spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins. Young Mottled Catfish are reasonably social and are also active during the day, but as they become adults, they develop into more solitary, nocturnal predators. Part of the area of the substrate should consist of sand, in which these catfish can dig. Little is known about the breeding habits of this bagrid.

Flatnose Catfish (Notoglanidium macrostoma)

• ORIGINS: Found in West Africa, where it is restricted to Niger and Upper Volta.
• SIZE: 10 in (25 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods and live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); soft to hard (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5).
• TEMPERAMENT: Predatory and solitary

The background of the Flatnose Catfish is pinkish in color, but brown spots, often overlapping, cover the entire body, including the fins. The sexes are similar in appearance. Shy by nature, the Flatnose Catfish requires a secluded environment, with the surface of the water covered by floating plants. Adequate retreats must be provided, and tank furniture should be rearranged to suit the requirements of the catfish as it grows.

Ornate Bagrid (Hyalobagrus ornatus)

• ORIGINS: Southeast Asia, occurring in Indonesia and Malaysia, where it frequents the Muar River.
• SIZE: 1 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm).
• DIET: Prepared catfish foods and small live foods.
• WATER: Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); hard (100–200 mg/l) and near neutral (pH 7.0).
• TEMPERAMENT: Highly social by nature.

A dark streak running along each side of the body and a slightly golden area on the side of the head behind the eye help to distinguish this tiny catfish. The body is otherwise sufficiently transparent to allow the green eggs in the female’s reproductive tract to be visible prior to spawning. The eggs are scattered among fine-leaved aquatic vegetation such as Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana). These bagrids are very active swimmers, and they should always be kept in shoals. They can be housed safely with other nonaggressive species.