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Neosilurus brevidorsalis

Shortfin Tandan

(Günther, 1867)Formerly Copidoglanis brevidorsalis Günther, 1867 · Tandanus brevidorsalis Günther, 1867 · Anyperistius perugiae Ogilby, 1908 · Neosilurus bartoni Regan, 1908

Last revised 2026Edit this page

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This species is exceptionally rare in the aquarium trade.
This species is exceptionally rare in the aquarium trade.Neil Woodward

Quick factsEdit

Max size
200mm SL8in SL
Aquarium size
120 × 45cm48 × 18in
Temp
20–28°C68–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15dGH

Difficulty5 of 8 measures

Easy

How the rating is worked out

Space
large tank
Water
flexible
Temp
flexible
Diet
unknown
Temperament
unknown
Social
fine alone
Compatibility
choose tankmates carefully

Other demands

Each of these can raise the rating on its own, whatever the measures above say.

Hardiness
unknown

The shortfin tandan, Neosilurus brevidorsalis, is a plotosid catfish restricted to the tips of northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. In Australia it is recorded only from the Jardine and Jackson river systems on the Cape York Peninsula, and in Papua New Guinea from the Fly River and some other drainages.

Etymology

Edit

Neosilurus: from the Greek νέος (neo), meaning 'new', and the generic name Silurus.

brevidorsalis: from the Latin brevis, meaning 'short', and dorsalis, meaning 'dorsal, pertaining to the back', in reference to this species' relatively small dorsal-fin.

Distribution

Edit

Type locality is 'Nicol Bay, Cape York, Queensland, Australia', and this species is restricted to the tips of northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea.

In Australia records exist only from the Jardine and Jackson river systems on the Cape York Peninsula, while in Papua New Guinea it's known from the Fly River plus some other drainages.

Aquarium size

Write a noteEdit
Standard length
200mm SL8in SL
Aquarium base
120 × 45cm48 × 18in
Volume
~243litres~64US gal

Minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm48 ∗ 18 in or equivalent are recommended.

Water conditions

Edit
Temperature
20–28°C68–82°F
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15dGH

These recommendations come from this profile’s own figures. They contain affiliate links, so we may earn a commission.

References

  1. Ferraris, C. J., Jr. (2007). Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418, 1-628
  2. Roberts, T. R. (1978). An ichthyological survey of the Fly River in Papua New Guinea with descriptions of new species. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 281, 1-72

Species images · 1

This species is exceptionally rare in the aquarium trade.
This species is exceptionally rare in the aquarium trade.Neil Woodward

These photographs are used with each photographer's permission.

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Distribution

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Also missing: habitat, maintenance, water condition notes, diet, behaviour and compatibility, sexual dimorphism, reproduction, notes.

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