Edit Phalacronotus apogon
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Name
Scientific name
Phalacronotus apogon
Described by
Authority Bleeker, Year 1851, Bracketed
Family
Siluridae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
Phalacronotus apogon is a large silurid catfish from much of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, the Mekong basin and the Greater Sunda Isl…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
700mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Not recorded
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–27°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–15dGH
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
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Barito, Batang Hari, Chao Phraya, Indragiri, Kapuas, Mae Klong, Mekong, Rajang, Tonlé Sap
Writing
Etymology
apogon: from the Greek prefix a-, meaning 'without', and pogon, meaning 'beard', in reference to this species' short barbels.
Distribution
This species is currently understood to occur throughout much of Southeast Asia including major river systems in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Peninsul…
Habitat
Pelagic and inhabits main river channels and large streams which are often murky due to suspended sediment, and moves into temporarily-flooded zones during the…
Aquarium size
Suitable only for public installations or the very largest private aquaria.
Maintenance
Décor is relatively unimportant although this species prefers weakly-lit conditions. Do not add introduce it to a biologically immature aquarium as it can be s…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
An obligate but generalised piscivore which hunts pelagic fishes in the middle-and-upper water column in nature. Newly-imported specimens often refuse to accep…
Behaviour and compatibility
Best kept alone or with similarly-sized, non-aggressive fishes since it's actually quite peaceful with species too large to be considered food and can apparent…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males are noticeably slimmer than females and the posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine is serrated (vs. smooth in females).
Reproduction
Unrecorded in aquaria but in nature spawning coincides with the onset of the wet season and associated seasonal floods.
Notes
Arguably should not be considered a home aquarium subject at all given its eventual size and natural behaviour, and we know of only a handful of private aquari…
References
References
7 on this profile