Edit Acanthodoras cataphractus
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Name
Scientific name
Acanthodoras cataphractus
Described by
Authority Linnaeus, Year 1758, Bracketed
Family
Doradidae
Common names
Chocolate Talking Catfish, Schokoladendornwels
Photograph credits
All 1 credited
Summary
The chocolate talking catfish, Acanthodoras cataphractus, is a doradid catfish from the northern Amazon basin and Atlantic drainages of the…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
115mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–26°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
4–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Amazon, Corantijn, Courantyne, Essequibo, Inírida, Madre De Dios, Orinoco
Writing
Etymology
Acanthodoras: from the Greek ákantha (Gr. ἄκανθα), meaning 'thorn,' probably in reference to the presence of spines on the body of type species A. cataphractus…
Distribution
Widespread throughout much of the northern Amazon basin in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru and Colombia plus Atlantic river drainages of Guyana, Suriname and French Guia…
Habitat
Slow-moving and standing waters including tributaries, backwaters, freshwater swamps and coastal mangroves where it's typically found sheltering among roots or…
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of at least 120 ∗ 30 cm are recommended.
Maintenance
Best maintained in a dimly-lit set-up with a soft, sandy substrate and plenty of cover in the form of aquatic vegetation, tangles of driftwood or artificial ca…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
This species is an omnivorous generalist and will accept most commonly-encountered prepared and frozen foods. A varied diet comprising good quality, dried, sin…
Behaviour and compatibility
Non-aggressive though adult individuals may consume very small fishes. It makes an excellent addition to a medium-to-large-sized community of Amazonian species…
Sexual dimorphism
Mature females tend to be noticeably fuller-bodied than males.
Reproduction
Very little information seems to exist but apparently this species forms pair bonds with reports suggesting that both male and female are involved in excavatin…
Notes
This species, which may also be referred to by the alternative vernacular names 'spiny catfish', 'painted talking catfish' or 'chocolate raphael', isn't partic…
References
References
No references