Data sheet catfish
German name:
catfish
Scientific name:
ancistrus
Origin:
South America: Amazon tributaries
Size:
8-13 cm
Aquarium
Length:
80 cm
Contents:
From 112 liters
Lighting:
Shady
Furnishings:
water values
Temperature:
PH value:
5:8-9
carbonate hardness:
1 – 10°dKH
total hardness:
2 – 30 °dGH
Behave
Area:
Everywhere
propagation:
Lays eggs in caves
Lining:
Behave:
Peaceful
Difficulty level:
Beginner – easy to propagate, male engages in brood care
Sources
maxmann / Pixabay
Long-snouted catfish (Ancistrus) originate from fast-flowing, clear streams that flow into the Amazon. They are usually 12 to 15 centimeters tall. There have also been reports of catfish over 20 centimeters in size. They will be over 11 years old. The aquarium should be at least 80 centimeters tall. Long-tailed catfish can be kept as a single animal. The best-selling catfish are brown catfish, Ancistrus spec.
Males like to look for suitable partners themselves and do not harmonize with all females. Two to three females can be placed with each male. Males engage in territorial fights with one another, during which they can also injure themselves. They are generally peaceful towards other species of fish. When feeding or when z. B. another catfish is in an unsuitable place, but they also sometimes violently shoo other fish away. They don’t usually prey on juvenile fish either. But they like to suck off eggs.
Bowhead catfish are very adaptable. You can swim in very soft water at e.g. B. KH 1 and GH 4 are maintained. But they can also be kept in hard water. They even reproduce in tanks for East African cichlids with coral sand bottoms and lots of limestone.
Even in heavily polluted water, they are often the last survivors. The water should be clear and rich in oxygen. There should be a strong current.
Suitable water values:
- Total hardness: 2 to over 30°
- pH: 5.8 to 8.9
- Temperature: 18 to 27°
However, extremely hard and alkaline water does not offer ideal conditions. Values around ph 6.5, GH 10, KH 4 are good conditions.
It is important that there are enough hiding places, e.g. B large roots. There they rest protected from light, often motionless.
Food for catfish
Suitable feed:
- algae
- dried animal food
- soaked lettuce leaves
- boiled carrots
- frozen peas
Antennae catfish need roots
Long-tailed catfish rasping wood Photo: Moritz Hertel
Wood roots are vital for longhorn catfish as they are for most plecos.
In their areas of origin, catfish feed on tree trunks that fall into the water.
The animals need the cellulose to maintain their intestinal function.
In principle, any wood can be used before it becomes moldy.
Bamboo tubes can also be used in the aquarium.
These are also rasped off by antennae catfish. Bamboo canes should be boiled well and watered for a week.
Catch catfish
Long-tailed catfish can be caught relatively easily by hand. A catfish is carefully cornered. Then the hand is carefully pushed under the catfish in such a way that sand or gravel is also picked up. The catfish only notices that it has been caught when it is too late.
Ancistrus species socialize
Long-tailed catfish Photo: Moritz Hertel
Various Ancistrus species such as temmincki, hoplogenys and dolichopterus can be socialized in one aquarium.
The same problems will arise as when multiple ancistrals of one species want to occupy the same cavity at the same time.
However, some species can breed together.
Such crossings are undesirable, lest the natural species be lost.
Therefore, different species should be kept separately.
The “normal” catfish that are mostly kept are probably the result of such crossings, of which the ancestors involved are unknown.
Adaptive eyes in catfish
During the day, catfish have a small spot in their eye. This spot is absent at night and the eyes appear much larger. Being nocturnal, they have developed adaptable eyes and place a sun protection patch over the iris during the day. The eyes are thus darkened.
Antennae catfish sometimes lie on their backs
Catfish (male) Photo: Moritz Hertel
Some catfish apparently like to lie on their backs, e.g. B. under roots without getting stuck.
Some spend hours in such postures and appear to be asleep.
Ancistrus in the filter outlet
Rodent catfish like to squeeze as far as possible into the filter outlet of internal filters. This is definitely reported by females.
It is unclear whether they like the flow or mistake the filter outlet for a cave.
Because suckermouth catfish originally come from fast-flowing waters, this behavior is normal. It has even been reported that young catfish have literally stretched their heads out of the water and held them in the filter inlet of an external filter.
pairing
Long-tailed catfish spawn with changing partners. They do not form permanent pairs.
catfish:
Catfish close-up:
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Buy catfish
Long-tailed catfish are readily available in local aquarium stores. A few providers also offer online purchases with professional shipping.
Here we recommend Garnelio*: