Ninja Tatia (Tatia musaica)
| Ninja Tatia Tatia musaica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Ninja Tatia |
| Name Lat. | Tatia musaica |
| Synonym | Centromochlus musaicus |
| Family | Driftwood Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Auchenipteridae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | South America |
| Habitat | Streams |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | None reported |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 8 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | 100 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | 25 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The nocturnal ninja tatia are common in the upper Orinoco River basin in Venezuela and in the Rio Atabapo and Rio Atuana river systems. They live mostly near the banks of small rivers and streams, where they hide in crevices and joints of driftwood during the day.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have border planting, with many hiding places, such as stone caves (e.g. perforated rock), tubes and roots, as well as free sand areas and provide sufficient swimming space. A soft substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), subdued light (floating plants) and a weak to medium current is ideal
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable in the water, and 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 problem-free in feeding. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for catfish (granules, pellets) as well as daphnia, cyclops, artemia, mysis and mosquito larvae (live or frozen). Feeding should be done with the lights off or in the dark.
Only feed as much as will be eaten overnight. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance
Behaviour and compatibility
They are compatible and sociable fish and should be kept in pairs or better in a group of 3-5 animals. However, keeping a group is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They are very well suited for a South America community tank with e.g. cory catfish, tetras or dwarf cichlids. Fish that are too small are considered food
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Adult males have an anal fin (gonopodium) that has been converted to a mating organ. The females appear more rounded.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium
Fertilization of the eggs occurs through the male's gonopodium inside the female. They can store the sperm in their genital tract for months, ready for fertilization. The females spawn in burrows. The parents do not engage in any special brood care.
Important
With a red night light, the fish can be well observed when foraging.
When catching, use as fine-meshed nets as possible, transparent cups are better so that the hard rays (with barbs) of the pectoral and dorsal fins do not get caught
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has 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: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF