Page 120 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

118 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Platydoras costatus Hara hara
Chocolate Doradid These projections will become stuck in the Butterfly Catfish
material of a net, so Chocolate Doradids need to
ORIGINS South America, ranging from Peru eastward be caught with great care. This species occupies ORIGINS Asia, where it occurs in northern India,
through the Amazonas region of Brazil. the lower levels in an aquarium and will burrow Bangladesh, and Nepal.
1
1
SIZE 8 ⁄2 in (22 cm). down into the substrate, which must be fine- SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm).
DIET Catfish pellets, vegetable matter, and live foods. grained and kept clean to reduce the risk of DIET Small live foods preferred.
WATER Temperature 75–86°F (24–30°C); soft infection. Bogwood and partially buried clean WATER Temperature 64–82°F (18–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). flowerpots should also be included in the tank. (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Territorial toward its own kind. Chocolate Doradids are aggressive toward their TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive.
own kind, so they cannot be housed together.
The coloration of this species consists of distinct They can, however, be kept with other species,
brownish-black and whitish-cream stripes. The especially those that swim at higher levels in the
“costatus” part of the scientific name refers to the tank. There appear to be no records of this species
riblike projections along the sides of the body. being bred successfully in the home aquarium.
Relatively
large eyes

Though not often available, these small catfish
make interesting aquarium occupants—they are
social by nature and can be kept in groups. They
are attractively and individually marked in various
shades of brown, with some cream-colored areas on
their bodies, too. The only drawback is that they
are nocturnal and rather shy. Consequently, an
aquarium for Butterfly Catfish should incorporate
suitable retreats. Feed these catfish at dusk.

Gagata cenia Platydoras hancockii Oxydoras niger
Indian Clown Catfish Hancock’s Doradid Black Doradid

ORIGINS Southern Asia, occurring in northern India, ORIGINS Northern South America, ranging from ORIGINS South America, in the Amazon region, where it
Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar (Burma). Colombia eastward as far as Guyana. extends from Peru to parts of Brazil.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 30 in (80 cm).
DIET Floating foods and live foods. DIET Catfish pellets and live foods. DIET Catfish pellets, tablets, and live foods.
WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); hard WATER Temperature 77–84°F (25–29°C); soft WATER Temperature 70–75°F (21–24°C); soft
(100–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0 –7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful, despite its large size.
This species is one of the Asian hillstream catfish, Tall dorsal fin This is not a species to acquire without careful
so it requires well-filtered and aerated water to thought about its future accommodation, since
mimic the conditions in a relatively fast-flowing Variable dark markings it will attain a very large size. This catfish also
stream. These fish will not harm vegetation, has a big appetite, especially when growing, so
since they naturally feed on insects at the maintaining adequate filtration in the aquarium is
water’s surface. Consequently, it is better to essential for the health of both the catfish and any
give live foods (including freeze-dried items) companions. Black Doradids are gentle,
and flake foods rather than sinking pellets. bottom-dwelling fish that will not trouble
Indian Clown Catfish are lively, active fish and Pectoral fins smaller species, although when frightened
will thrive if kept in small groups. they may lash out powerfully with their tail. Their
Dark, mottled-brown shades predominate in breeding habits are not documented.
Hancock’s Doradid. These catfish belong to a group
often described as talking catfish, because of their Lighter spines along the
sides of the dark body
ability to make sounds by moving the spines of
their pectoral fins. The resulting sounds are
then amplified by the swim bladder. Hancock’s is
a bubble-nesting species. It builds its nest among
floating plants at the surface; the water level in the
tank should be kept low to assist this process.

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