Edit Megalechis picta
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Name
Scientific name
Megalechis picta
Described by
Authority Müller & Troschel, Year 1849, Bracketed
Family
Callichthyidae
Common names
Bar-tailed Hoplo
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The bar-tailed hoplo, Megalechis picta, is a callichthyid catfish widely distributed east of the Andes in Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana. It …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
120mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 18–28°C, pH 5–7.5
Hardness
15–20dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Amazon, Essequibo, Orinoco
Writing
Etymology
Megalechis: from the Greek μέγας (mégas), meaning 'big, large', and λεκίς (lekis), meaning 'small shield', in reference to the greatly enlarged coracoid bones …
Distribution
Widely distributed east of the Andes mountains in Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana with records existing from the Amazon, Orinoco and upper Essequibo river system…
Habitat
An adaptable species that has been observed in a wide range of habitats and can even tolerate hypoxic conditions.
Aquarium size
Minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent are recommended.
Maintenance
Ideally use a substrate of fine sand, although rounded gravel is an acceptable alternative provided it's kept scrupulously clean. Other décor is largely down t…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Megalechis spp. are foraging omnivores and will accept most sinking dried foods, as well as small live and frozen varieties such as bloodworm, Tubifex, etc. On…
Behaviour and compatibility
Peaceful and hardy, although perhaps a little boisterous for communities containing much smaller or less robust species. It's an ideal resident of the larger S…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males develop greatly enlarged pectoral-fin spines and grow larger than females.
Reproduction
Bubblenester. The nest is constructed by the male and it's useful if floating plants are included in the breeding set-up as they're typically incorporated into…
Notes
This species was previously referred to as M. thoracata, but that name is now applied to the species with a relatively short dorsal-fin spine which was itself …
References
References
3 on this profile