Synonyms: None Physical description: A beautifully colored catfish. The back is slightly arched. It has large eyes and a large head. The Angel Catfish's mouth is located under the head and has three pairs of barbels. The body is black with white spots. The fins are white-striped and black. Different populations have slightly different spot patterns and color. Size/Length: To 10" (25 cm) Similar species: S. angelicus zonatus Habitat: Western Africa; found in the Zaire (Congo) River watershed (countries of Cameroon, Congo, and Zaire), in rivers which flow into Stanley Pool. S: bottom, middle Aquarium: A 40" (122 cm) or 45-55 gallon (170-209 L) tank is suggested. Provide hiding places with driftwood, rocks, and roots. The substrate should be fine gravel and algae growth should be encouraged. Use a powerful filter that produces strong current. Leave open areas for free-swimming. Use robust plants with large roots. Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (7.1); 4-15 dH (8); 75-82°F (24-28°C) Social behavior: Do not combine with fish that are under 2" in length, otherwise a good community fish. Often aggressive and territorial towards its own species. Suggested companions: African tetras, larger barbs, West African cichlids, Mormyrids, Knifefish FOOD: Live; Tubifex, insect larvae, crustaceans, earthworms, aquatic and terrestrial insects; vegetables; tablets; will graze algae. Feed at night or when lights are off. Sexual differences: Males are smaller, more slender, and retain their beautiful spots. Mature females lose spots and become brownish-black color. Breeding techniques: Unsuccessful Breeding potential: 10. The Angel Catfish has not spawned in captivity. Remarks: The true S. angelicus catfish is usually hard to find and expensive, although a sub-species has been identified. S. angelicus zonatus is legally exported and comes from the Lukulu River in Kantanga, Zaire. The Angel Catfish is sensitive to water pollutants, but especially nitrates. Difficulty of care: 5. A community catfish that is sensitive to water conditions, whose best coloration is displayed under favorable conditions. 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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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009 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. |
