Aquarium Fish Experts fish tanks

Apr 17

Gyrinocheilus aymonieni (Chinese Algae Eater)

Posted by: aquaau in Catfish No Comments »

Family: Gyrinocheilidae

Distribution: Despite their name, the Chinese algae eater is actually found in India and Thailand as well as China. They prefer medium to large lakes, rivers and flood plains with quick water.

PH: 7.0 pH

Temperature: 23 – 27 °C (73 – 81°F)

Hardness: 15 gdH

Description: A rather plain fish, the body of the Gyrinocheilus aymonien is yellow and the back is brown. They have an often-broken black stripe running the length of their sides and yellow eyes. They may also display black spotting on their back and at the base of the caudal and dorsal fins. The colouration often distinguish them: you can get Gold or Marble Sucking Asian Catfish.

Males can be differentiated by their horns when they mature. Females will be bigger.

You can keep Gyrinocheilus aymonien in a community tank whilst it is young. As they grow (between 15 – 20 centimetres) they will become more territorial and will often take bites out of their tank mates; thus, they are best kept away from docile fish. They also dislike their own kind and anything that looks like them when they mature.

Diet: When young they will happily live off algae. Once they’re introduced to other types of fish food, they won’t go back. Feed your Gyrinocheilus aymonien on a diet that is primarily herbivorous, supplemented occasionally by live foods.

Breeding: Due to their dislike of one another, it is extremely difficult to breed in captivity. There are known successful breeding reports.

Comments: This is a very hardy fish, but due to their aggressiveness, this fish is not recommended for beginners.

A tank needs to be at least 95L and a tight lid. Also include hiding places – caves, crevices, and so on – so that they may stake out their own territories and get along better.

The Chinese algae eater is often confused with the Siamese Algae Eater (Crossocheilus siamensis). Stores can mislabel them. It is important to ensure you are getting the right fish, as their temperaments when mature are contrary.

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Recommended Compatible Species: The best tank mates to include are turtles and crayfish. Some success may also be had with African cichlids – although expect them to try to bite one another occasionally. It is not advisable to use slow-moving or flat-sided fish, as the Gyrinocheilus aymonien will enjoy taking bites out of them.

Jan 26

Synodontis multipunctatus (Cuckoo Catfish)

Posted by: aquaau in Synodontis No Comments »

Family: Mochokidae

Distribution: Synodontis multipunctatus, commonly known as Cuckoo Catfish, is a freshwater species endemic to Lake Tanganyika, Africa. It can be found at depths of up to 65 metres.

PH: 8.0 – 9.0

Temperature: 21°C – 28C (70 – 82F)

Hardness: 8 – 18 dH

Description: Synodontis multipunctatus can reach a maximum length of around 15 cm in an aquarium. This attractive catfish has an elongated body and a beige-grey colouration. It has a white belly and large black spots that cover its entire body; its head is also dotted with spots. Difficult to sex, females have a round papilla; males have a more triangular shape and are generally longer.

Diet: Synodontis multipunctatus can be given sinking pellets and a quality flake; you should give it the occasional treat of bloodworm and brine shrimp.

Breeding: The Cuckoo Catfish will wait for a pair of cichlid mouthbrooders to spawn before the female drops her small eggs among the cichlid’s eggs. The female cichlid will pick up the Cuckoo Catfish’s eggs, believing they are in fact hers, and mouthbroods them until they hatch in her mouth. It’s a lazy but effective method of breeding.

Comments: A group of adult Synodontis multipunctatus should be kept in a tank of at least 20 – 30 gallons. Your tank should have plenty of open swimming areas, some rockwork and several hiding spaces. You should use a gravel or sandy substrate and ensure your water is nitrate-free and very clean. This bottom-dwelling species is probably more suitable for hobbyists with experience.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Synodontis multipunctatus is a peaceful species but can become aggressive within its own species if kept in small groups. You might like to keep it with mouthbrooding cichlids from Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria, as well as with livebearers and Rainbowfish.

Jan 17

Pseudomystus siamensis (Siamese Catfish / Bumblebee Catfish)

Posted by: aquaau in Catfish No Comments »

Family: Bagridae

Distribution: Pseudomystus siamensis, better known as either the Siamese Catfish or the Bumblebee Catfish, is an Asian freshwater species found in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins; it has been seen in the Malay Peninsula, Maeklong and Southeast Thailand river systems. This insect-feeding species is distributed in rivers and streams.

PH: 6.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 20°C – 26C (68 – 79F)

Hardness: 4 – 25 dH

Description: Pseudomystus siamensis will reach a maximum length of 15 cm. The Siamese Catfish has irregular vertical bars that slash across a yellow to dark-grey – but sometimes plain black – body. It has a matching pair of nasal barbells that sit slightly forward of its eyes. The caudal fin is clear to yellowish, and has some blotches in the lobes. Males are slender compared to the deeper-bodied females.

Diet: Pseudomystus siamensis is a carnivore, but will easily adapt to prepared foods such as catfish pellets and wafers. Initially, you should feed this species during the night, but in time it will learn to feed during the day.

Breeding: This species is yet to be bred in an aquarium environment. In the wild, Pseudomystus siamensis will spawn during the rainy season. This substrate spawner would probably require acidic conditions to breed successfully in a tank environment.

Comments: You will need to make sure you have a totally dark cave in your tank. Long PVC pipes will provide satisfactory shelter for this species. The more spacious your tank is, the better; you could house a group of Pseudomystus siamensis in a large tank with several hiding spots. This fish also has a preference for wood over stone. This species does require some care and should only be attempted by experienced hobbyists.

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Recommended Compatible Species: The Siamese Catfish can become aggressive to its own species if kept in a small tank. You can house it with smaller, non-aggressive fish.

Jan 17

Dianema urostriatum (Flagtail Catfish)

Posted by: aquaau in Catfish No Comments »

Family: Callichthyidae

Distribution: Dianema urostriatum, or Flagtail Catfish, is a species of catfish found in South America’s Amazon River basin, in Brazil. It is mostly distributed in slow-moving creeks, tributaries, lakes and ponds.

PH: 6.0 – 8.0

Temperature: 25°C – 28°C (77 – 84F)

Hardness: 5 – 19 dH

Description: Dianema urostriatum can reach up to 8 cm in length. This species has horizontal black and white stripes on its tail fin. The head and body are a grey-brown colour, while the upper body is covered in small, black spots. The lower body area is a silver-grey colour; the other fins are a pale tan. Sexing is difficult, but males tend to have thicker rays in their pectoral fins than female.

Diet: Dianema urostriatum will take most foods given to it. You can feed it a varied diet of dried sinking pellets, with bloodworms, earthworms and brine shrimp to keep it healthy.

Breeding: There is not a great deal of information available on the breeding of this species, but you should put a group of 4 – 6 fish together if you are hoping to spawn Dianema urostriatum successfully. This species is reportedly a bubble nester; large water changes and a lowering of temperature might trigger the spawning.

Comments: A small group of Flagtail Catfish should be kept in a 140 litre tank. You should provide a sandy substrate with some driftwood and roots to simulate its natural environment, along with some leaves scattered on the water’s surface.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Dianema urostriatum is very peaceful and can therefore be kept in a community tank with other non-aggressive species. They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates. It can be kept in small groups in a one-species tank if you desire; this fish is unaggressive towards its own species.

Jan 17

Dasyloricaria filamentosa (Whiptail Catfish)

Posted by: aquaau in Catfish No Comments »

Family: Loricariidae

Distribution: Dasyloricaria filamentosa, known commonly as Whiptail Catfish, is a freshwater species distributed in the Magdalena River basin, in South America, and possibly in the Catatumbo River.

PH: 5.0 – 7.0

Temperature: 24°C – 28°C (75 – 84F)

Hardness: 6 – 18 dH

Description: Dasyloricaria filamentosa can reach an impressive maximum length of 26 cm. This elongated catfish has a flat body adorned with rows of bony plates. It is notable for the 5 – 8 dark bars that run across its spine, and a mouth that is shaped like a suction cup. It is mostly a light brown colour, with some darker areas. Males are slimmer than females and have a broader head shape. This fish can live for up to 15 years.

Diet: Dasyloricaria filamentosa is an omnivore and will accept catfish pellets, lettuce, peas and cucumber. Provide it with brine shrimp and bloodworms to maintain a balanced diet.

Breeding: The Whiptail Catfish is tough to breed and is therefore not ideal for beginners, as it will require very specific water conditions. It is advised you set the breeding tank up with several spawning areas in the form of pipes or tubing; the female will lay 100 – 200 eggs in the pipe. Males will look after the eggs, and once the fry is hatched it should be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp.

Comments: This species is tough for beginners as it requires strict water conditions. You will need to keep the tank very clean and be careful when treating the water with medications. Give Dasyloricaria filamentosa plenty of hiding places – bogwood or rocks will be sufficient – and provide a sandy substrate for it to burrow in. The tank should be at least 100 litres in volume.

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Recommended Compatible Species: Dasyloricaria filamentosa is a very peaceful, compatible species that works well in a community tank. They will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.