Zamora Woodcat (Auchenipterichthys coracoideus)

Zamora Woodcat Auchenipterichthys coracoideus
Name	Zamora Woodcat
Name Lat.	Auchenipterichthys coracoideus
Synonym	Trachycorystes coracoideus
Family	Driftwood Catfishes
Family lat.	Auchenipteridae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	South America
Habitat	Streams, ponds
Diet	Carnivore
pH	6.0-7.2
Behavior	Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping	Pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	N/A
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	9-11 cm
Temperature	22-25 °C
Hardness	1-10 °dH
Aquarium	150 l
US Units
Size	3.5"-4.3"
Temperature	72-77 °F
Hardness	18-178 ppm
Aquarium	40 gal

Distribution and habitat

The nocturnal Zamora Catfish are common in the upper Amazon River basin in Peru and Brazil. 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 a few 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; BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF