TheDoradidae or Thorny Catfish family includes, among others, the genera
Amblydoras, Agamyxis
,
Platydoras
and
Pseudodoras.
This family is scattered throughoutCentral and South America and includes over 30 genera and 70 species.
SIZE
: The Doradidae Family includes mostly medium to large sized fish, not usually morethan 12" (30 cm); although
Pseudodorasniger
can reach 24" (60 cm) in a large aquarium.
A: The fish of this family usually swim in the lower levels.
TANK
: The tank should be at least 32" (80 cm) long or 30 gallons (75 L). The tankshould be arranged in dark colors and have floating plants to diffuse the light. The substrate should be fine,for these fish like to burrow.Provide a hiding place for each fish.
WATER
: These fish can tolerate a pH from 5.5-7.8, but prefer slightly acidic water. Theyprefer soft water ranging from 1-25 dH, and require a temperature of 72-82°F (22-28°C).
SB
: The Doradidae Family is a peaceful, nocturnal family. These fish can be combined ina community tank with nearly all other fish.
SB
: The catfish of the Doradidae family, depending on their size, can be combined witha variety of fish.Generally the following fish are suitable tank mate
S
:
Cichlasoma, Heros,
larger characins, andlarger gouramis (
Helostoma,Trichogaster, Osphronemus
)
FOOD
: Small live, dry, and frozen foods that reach the bottom are recommended. These fishshould be fed in the evening.
B
: Little success with breeding has been reported.
BP
: Unsuccessful.
R
: These fish possess spines and should be handled carefully. Doradidae Catfish are closely relatedto the fish of the Auchenipteridae Family.The fish of this family are nocturnal.
DC
: This family is hardy.
White-spot Dorydid, Talking Catfish, Spotted Talking Catfish, Spotted Raphael Catfish
[
Pictures
]
Agamyxis pectinfrons
SYN
:
Doraspectinfrons
PD
: The body is black in color with an irregular pattern of white spots. The back has 6-8 ridges of spines thatrun from the gill cover to the caudal fin.The mouth is large and has three pairs of barbels-one on the upperjaw and two on the lower.The dorsal fin stands erect, and like all the fins, are body color.
SIZE
: To 6" (15 cm)
SS
: None
H: Shallow flood ponds.South America; in Eastern
Peru
and Ecuador
A: bottom
TANK
: 36" (91 cm) or 35-45 gallons (132-170 L) is sufficient. The tank should be well-planted witha cover of floating plants to diffuse the light.Use a fine gravel bottom and provide hiding places with caves,rocks, wood, and roots.
WATER
: pH 5.8-7.5 (7.0), 2-20 dH (10), 66-82°F (19-28°C)
FOOD
: Live;
Tubifex
,
insect larvae
,
Brine Shrimp
, fish fry; tablets
SB
: A calm, peaceful fish that is recommended for a community tank. It can be kept with medium to largefish, but not with fish under 1.6" (4 cm), as they may be eaten. A nocturnal species.
SB
: South and Central American cichlids, larger characins,
Pimelodus, Trichogaster.
SC
: Females are plumper than males.
B
: Spawning success has been reported, although it is usually accidental. Eggs are laid among floating plants.
BP
: 10.The White Spotted Dorydid has rarely been bred in captivity. Little information is available.
R
: Has the ability to make an audible "growling" sound by rotating its pectoralfins.This sound is amplified by the swim bladder. No two individuals have the identical color orpattern.Like other fish of this family, the White Spotted Doradid becomes easily entangled in a net, soa glass jar or plastic bag should be used.
DC
: 3.A robust catfish suggested for a community tank.
Amblydoras hancockii
SYN
:
Amblydorasaffinis, Doras affinis, D. hancockii
PD
:A flattened, stocky fish having three pair of large barbels extending from the mouth. Thedorsal fin is tall and a row of spines runs from gills to the caudal fin. The body coloration is variable, althoughusually ranges from light brown to gray with various lighter and darker markings.
SIZE
: To 6" (10 cm)
SS
: Other Doradids.
H: Inhabits still and slow moving waters in South America; widespread throughout the Amazonbasin.
A: bottom
TANK
: A 32" (81 cm) or 30 gallon (114 L) tank is sufficient. The tank should be well-planted andhave hiding places among rocks, wood, and roots.Leave open swimming areas and allow the growth of algae. Thisspecies appreciates a shallow tank with a low water level.
WATER
: pH 5.8-7.5 (7.2), 2-20 dH (10), 73-82°F (23-28°F)
SB
: A peaceful, nocturnal species that is suited for a community tank having medium tolarge sized fish. This fish lives in large schools (exceeding 1000) in nature.
SB
: Angelfish, larger Characins,
Heros, Mesonauta,
Eartheaters, Gouramis,
Pimelodus
FOOD
: Algae; plant matter; live;
insect larvae
, worms, crustaceans; tablets.
SC
: The belly of the female is said to be brownish-white, while the male has a speckledbelly.
B
: Has not been successful in captivity, although has been observed in nature. Spawningis said to occur during the rains, after the male constructs a nest of leaves.
BP
: 10.No reports of spawning in captivity.
R
: When removed from the water this species makes a growling noise.
DC
: 3.This robust species can be kept in a community tank having similarly sized fish. Itsdiet should include live foods.
STYLE="mso-tab-count : 4">
Striped Raphael Catfish, Chocolate Doradid, Chocolate Catfish[
Pictures
]
Platydoras costatus
SYN
:
Cataphractuscostatus, Doras costatus, Silurus costatus
PD
: This fish is almost tadpole shaped when viewed from above. The body widens and endsat a point at the tail. The belly has a straight profile. The base body color is chocolate brown. Three white stripesform an attractive pattern on the fish. The first extends along the jaw from the tip of the snout to the end ofthe pectoral fin. The second runs from the middle of the forehead along a spiny ridge to the tail. The third runsalong the top of the fish's back. There are two pairs of barbels, one on each the lower and upper jaw. The coloringon the tail makes a Y-shape.
SIZE
: To 8.5" (22 cm)
SS
: None
HAB
: South America; the Putumayo and
Amazon River
s in
Peru
S
: bottom
TANK
: 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 L) is adequate. The tank should be well-planted witha cover of floating plants to diffuse the light.Use a fine gravel bottom and provide hiding places with caves,rocks, wood, and roots.Algae growth is welcomed.
WATER
: pH 5.8-7.5 (7.0), 2-20 dH (10), 75-86°F (24-30°C)
SB
: A peaceful fish that is territorial towards its own species. In territorial disputes, no harm isdone, but simply a display of pectoral and dorsal spines is performed. Ideal for a community tank with fishesover 2" (5 cm), as fish smaller than this size may be eaten. It often hides during the day, and comesout to feed at dusk.
SC
: South and Central American cichlids, larger characins,
Pimelodus, Trichogaster.
FOOD
: Live; snails,
Tubifex
, crustaceans,
insect larvae
, small fish;tablets; will graze on algae
SEX
: Females may be larger.
B
: Unsuccessful
BP
: 10.Breeding attempts of the Striped Raphael Catfish have been unsuccessful.
R
: Handle this fish with care; it has several sets of spines. The spines on the inner sideof the pectoral fin can be used to sting.This catfish emits a talking-like sound when it rubs its pectoral finsagainst one another. Easily get entangled in a net, so use a glass jar or plastic bag.
DC
: 3.A hardy fish that is not difficult to care for.
Shark-repelling fishing gear in the works
(4/23/2008) Fishing gear that produces an electric field in sea water could help prevent sharks from becoming accidental bycatch, say scientists at NOAA.
Feds flood the Grand Canyon to save endangered fish
(3/5/2008) Federal government officials unleashed a flood of water from Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona to help restore the Grand Canyon's ecosystem which has suffered as a result of changes caused by the dam.
The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me.
