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Catfish
/ Auchenipteridae / Wood Catfish
Wood Catfish
Trachycorystes insignis | Pictures
Trachycorystes insignis
Synonyms: Auchenipterichthys
insignis, Parauchenipterus insignis
Physical description: An elongated species having a stocky body in the frontal regions, while becoming compressed
near rear parts. The back profile is straight and the dorsal fin is tall when erect.
There is a small adipose fin, and the
caudal fin is large and slightly forked.
The first ray of the anal fin in the male is modified into a reproductive
organ for internal fertilization.
The rest of the anal fin has a long base and is rounded.
The coloration is variable, although
the back is generally dark brown and the flanks are brownish-pink with dark brown markings.
The fins are similarly marked.
There
are three pair of barbels branching off the mouth.
Size/Length: To 6" (15 cm)
Similar species: Other Driftwood Catfish.
H: South America; widespread throughout Amazon watershed
A: bottom
Aquarium: A 36" (91 cm) or 35-45 gallon (132-170 L) tank is sufficient.
The substrate should be fine gravel
or sand.
Provide hiding places among rocks, roots, and plants.
Water chemistry: pH 5.8-7.7 (6.9), 2-18 dH (10), 68-77°F (20-25°C)
Social behavior: A nocturnal, peaceful species that will eat small fish.
Young fish school and may be day-active.
Combine
with larger fish.
Social behavior: Pacus, Silver Dollars,
Pimelodus, Cichlasoma, Anostomus, Hypostomus
FOOD: Live; fish, worms, crustaceans, insect larvae; tablets
Suggested companions: Males have a modified anal fin (urinogenital organ) which is slightly concave.
The
pelvic and dorsal fins are more pointed in the male.
Breeding techniques: The male embraces the female by holding her between his dorsal fins.
The eggs are deposited in a cleaned
area and are guarded.
The eggs hatch after five days and the fry can be first fed small live foods.
Breeding potential: 9.
Breeding is unusual in captivity and has only been accomplished on a few occasions accidentally.
Remarks: This species is the most commonly seen Driftwood catfish in the hobby.
Like other Driftwood Cats, this species
has a slimy coat.
Difficulty of care: 6.
This predatory species requires 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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