Edit Platystacus cotylephorus
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Name
Scientific name
Platystacus cotylephorus
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Aspredinidae
Common names
Banded Banjo Catfish
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The banded banjo catfish, Platystacus cotylephorus, is an aspredinid catfish from estuarine and coastal waters of northern South America an…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
320mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–25°C, pH 6–8.2
Hardness
12–30dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Predatory
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago.
Habitat
Inhabits estuarine and coastal waters, where it occurs in both fresh and brackish conditions, particularly silt-laden mangroves. It's often found buried in mud…
Aquarium size
A largely inactive species requiring relatively little space. A tank measuring 120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~108 litres is adequate.
Maintenance
Requires plenty of hiding places and dim lighting. Use sand as substrate, as the fish will partially bury themselves during daylight hours. Provide cover in th…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 25 °C pH: 6.0-8.2, preferably around neutral. It won't do well in very acidic water. Hardness: 12-30°H
Diet
Not a fussy feeder, and readily takes most foods that sink to the bottom. It relishes live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, earthworms etc., as well as sink…
Behaviour and compatibility
It will eat small fish, but is peaceful with anything too large to be considered food. Tankmates that enjoy similar water conditions should be selected, such a…
Sexual dimorphism
Mature males have a much longer dorsal fin spine and larger pectoral fins than females. Colour is not a reliable guide.[1]
Reproduction
Not yet fully achieved in aquaria, although the occasional egg-carrying female has been imported, and fry subsequently raised. Thought to spawn in brackish wat…
Notes
Not a particularly good catfish for the general community tank, as it's a largely inactive, secretive species that will only emerge and become active under cov…
References
References
1 on this profile