Edit Ariopsis seemanni
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Name
Scientific name
Ariopsis seemanni
Described by
Authority Günther, Year 1864, Bracketed
Family
Ariidae
Common names
Colombian Shark Catfish
Photograph credits
All 1 credited
Summary
The Colombian shark catfish, Ariopsis seemanni, is an ariid catfish from river mouths along the Pacific coast of the Americas, from Mexico …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
350mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 240 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–26°C, pH 6.8–8.5
Hardness
10–30dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Widespread down the Pacific coastline of Central America and north-western South America. Populations exist in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa…
Habitat
Mainly inhabits the mouths of rivers emptying into the Pacific Ocean, sometimes travelling many miles inland. It's usually found in brackish conditions, but ca…
Aquarium size
Minimum base dimensions of 240 ∗ 60 cm should be considered mandatory.
Maintenance
It needs plenty of open swimming space to allow it to cruise around. A simple, but effective setup would consist of a river sand substrate decorated with some …
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Young specimens will take bloodworm and other small meaty foods, while larger fish appreciate earthworms, mussel, prawn and sinking tablets. It can sometimes b…
Behaviour and compatibility
It won't attack anything too large to be considered food, making it a good choice for the larger brackish tank. It's peaceful with conspecifics, and actually d…
Sexual dimorphism
Difficult to sex when young, but mature females are thicker-bodied than males.
Reproduction
It's a paternal mouthbrooder, but has probably not bred in the hobby due to difficulties replicating its natural reproductive behaviour. The fish spawn in the …
Notes
This species is not recommended to those lacking the facilities to house it for life. Sadly it's all too often seen for sale as an attractive, silvery 2-3" juv…
References
References
No references