Megalechis thoracata

Fawn calluses catfish ( Megalechis thoracata ), a relatively dark specimen.

The Reddish-brown calluses catfish or catfish Painted calluses ( Megalechis thoracata ) is a freshwater ornamental fish from the family of armored catfish and calluses, which is native to South America.

Description

This catfish shows the typical characteristics of calluses catfish. The maximum length is 15.5 cm SL. The sides are covered with overlapping scales that are formed into thick bony plates, covered, forming a rather stable protective armor. The body cross-section is triangular, the stomach flat. The body is built stocky, the fins relatively small. The mouth is inferior, elongated and provided with four barbels, of which the longer lower point straight forward, the shorter upper be placed between the bottom and used for sampling the soil. The pelvic fins are abdominal constantly. Is located on the pectoral fins a thorn, this is the male more than the female. The dorsal fin is large and rounded above, the first beam is significantly shorter than the following. The caudal fin is not notched, slightly rounded outwards and the approach is straight, she is getting about as long as the head. The coloring may vary reddish brown to brown to almost black by the environment of the fish, or even after his mind between. But Always present are the black spots on the entire body. How many other fish his family, he is also capable of breathing for colon, which allows it to absorb oxygen from the air through the intestines as a respiratory organ.

Behavior

In general, the Reddish-brown calluses Catfish is a peaceful fish. He is a soil- omnivore that feeds on both detritus and smaller invertebrates such as insect larvae and Tubifex ( larger specimens occasionally prey on small fish ). Aggressive it is only during the mating season.

Reproduction

At the water surface, the male is looking for a suitable place under leaves or floating plants and builds there a foam nest of schleimumhüllten air bubbles. After a courtship ritual consisting of common swimming around the nest, the female gives birth in a supine position and lays the eggs in this nest from. After it has ( up to 800 ) filed its slightly yellowish eggs, the male inseminated this and defends it aggressively until hatching of juveniles, which takes place after 3 to 4 days. These are self-employed and feed on small animals such as daphnia and their nauplii. They grow and develop very quickly.

Home and habitat

The Reddish-brown calluses catfish is found in Brazil and Venezuela. He lived there, the Amazon and Orinoco river basin and the upper catchment area of ​​the river Paraguay, and is also found in coastal rivers in northern Brazil and the three Guyanas. In the shallow pools of the oxygen content of the water often falls sharply, there helping him intestinal respiration described above survive.

Hunting and

In the aquarium, it is similar to the fishes of the genus Corydoras kept as ornamental fish, socialization is almost no problem. He is kept in quite large warm water pool. The pH should be maintained at 6.5, the hardness should be 5 to 10 ° GCH.

Frequently they got it under its synonym Hoplosternum thoracatum or similar names.