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Catfish
/ Loricariidae / Frogmouth Catfish
Frogmouth Catfish
Chaca bankanensis | Pictures
SYN: None
PD: An elongated species with a flattened, broad head, and a wide mouth. The eyes are located far apart, on top of the head. When viewed from above, this species
resembles a lead. The body is dark brown in color, and occasionally has some lighter markings. Protruding from the head are a number of small bumps.
SIZE: To 12" (30 cm), although not usually larger than 8" (20 cm) in an aquarium.
SS: C. chaca of the Ganges watershed of India and Bangladesh, and Burma (Myanmar), Borneo, and Sumatra. This species does not exceed 8" (20 cm) in length.
H: Inhabits shallow areas of leaf litter in still and slow moving rainforest waters in Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
A: bottom
TANK: A 36" (91 cm) or 35-45 gallon (142-170 L) tank is sufficient for fish up to 6" (15 cm) in length. Larger fish requires more space. Provide hiding
places among rocks, roots, wood, and plants. A cover of floating plants is suggested to dim the light.
WATER: pH 5.8-7.8 (6.8), 3-20 dH (10), 75-86°F (24-30°C)
SB: A nocturnal predator that will feast upon similar and smaller sized fish. This species has a large mouth, enabling it to swallow large prey. This species will
feed at night on other fish in the aquarium. Best suited for a species tank, although can be combined with large fish.
SB: Clown Knifefish, Giant Gourami, Tinfoil Barb, Sclerophagus
FOOD: Live; fish, crustaceans, insect larvae, worms; acclimated specimen may take chopped meat and tablets.
SC: Unknown
B: Unknown
BP: 10. Little is known about the breeding habits of this species.
R: This species may remain motionless even when touched, although it may grunt. The feeding habits of this species has been observed in nature. The fish
remains motionless on the bottom amongst leaves and debris. When a small fish, the barbels of this species are moved in such a way as to mimic a worm. When
the fish swims toward the lure, the Frogmouth Catfish grabs the prey.
DC: 6. This predatory species is tolerant of water chemistry, although its nature renders it incompatible with smaller fish. The Frogmouth Cat requires live
foods and reaches a large size.
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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