Hancock's Catfish (Platydoras hancockii)

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Hancock's Catfish
Platydoras hancockii
Hancock's Catfish (Platydoras hancockii)
Name Hancock's Catfish
Name Lat. Platydoras hancockii
Family Thorny Catfishes
Family lat. Doradidae
Order Catfishes
Order lat. Siluriformes
Origin South America
Habitat Streams, floodplains
Diet Omnivore
pH 5.8-7.5
Behavior Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping Individual, group
Care Level Easy
Reproduction Substrate spawner
Breeding None reported
Life Span 8-12 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 15 cm
Temperature 22-28 °C
Hardness 5-15 °dH
Aquarium ~ 240 l
US Units
Size 6"
Temperature 72-82 °F
Hardness 89-267 ppm
Aquarium ~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

Headline spiny catfish are common in eastern Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, and Guyana. They live in large schools in shallow, weedy waters, such as floodplains, where they are usually hidden under plants and roots during the day.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have dense planting, with plenty of hiding places, such as stone caves (e.g. perforated rock) and roots, as well as some free sandy areas. A sandy substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and strongly subdued light (e.g. floating plant cover) is ideal

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They are omnivores and unproblematic in feeding. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed at least once a day with a high-quality sinking dry food for catfish (food tablets, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and mosquito larvae (live or frozen) In addition, they also need vegetable food, such as algae leaves or dry food with high vegetable content.

Only feed as much as will be eaten overnight. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms

Behaviour and compatibility

These crepuscular to nocturnal fish are very peaceful and should be kept in a group of 3-5 animals. Keeping a group is only recommended in a larger and well structured aquarium. They can be socialized well with other calm and peaceful fish

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

Females have a creamy white underside of the abdomen, mottled brown in the slimmer male

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

They rummage through the substrate in search of food

With their shoulder girdle they can produce creaking sounds.

When catching them, use fine-meshed nets if possible; transparent cups are better so that the hard rays (with barbs) of the pectoral and dorsal fins do not get caught, which can cause painful stinging injuries when touched

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF