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Catfish
/ Doradidae / Hancock's Catfish
Hancock's Catfish, Croaking Spiny Catfish, Talking Catfish
Amblydoras hancockii | Pictures
Synonyms: Amblydoras
affinis, Doras affinis, D. hancockii
Physical description:
A flattened, stocky fish having three pair of large barbels extending from the mouth.
The
dorsal fin is tall and a row of spines runs from gills to the caudal fin.
The body coloration is variable, although
usually ranges from light brown to gray with various lighter and darker markings.
Size/Length: To 6" (10 cm)
Similar species: Other Doradids.
H: Inhabits still and slow moving waters in South America; widespread throughout the Amazon
basin.
A: bottom
Aquarium: A 32" (81 cm) or 30 gallon (114 L) tank is sufficient.
The tank should be well-planted and
have hiding places among rocks, wood, and roots.
Leave open swimming areas and allow the growth of algae.
This
species appreciates a shallow tank with a low water level.
Water chemistry: pH 5.8-7.5 (7.2), 2-20 dH (10), 73-82°F (23-28°F)
Social behavior: A peaceful, nocturnal species that is suited for a community tank having medium to
large sized fish. This fish lives in large schools (exceeding 1000) in nature.
Social behavior: Angelfish, larger Characins,
Heros, Mesonauta, Eartheaters, Gouramis,
Pimelodus
FOOD: Algae; plant matter; live; insect larvae, worms, crustaceans; tablets.
Suggested companions: The belly of the female is said to be brownish-white, while the male has a speckled
belly.
Breeding techniques: Has not been successful in captivity, although has been observed in nature.
Spawning
is said to occur during the rains, after the male constructs a nest of leaves.
Breeding potential: 10.
No reports of spawning in captivity.
Remarks: When removed from the water this species makes a growling noise.
Difficulty of care: 3.
This robust species can be kept in a community tank having similarly sized fish.
Its
diet should include live foods.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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