Data sheet spotted sign catfish
German name:
Dotted sign catfish
Scientific name:
Hypostomus punctatus
Origin:
South America
Size:
Body length up to 30 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 120 cm width and from 80 cm width
Contents:
from 400 liters
water values
Temperature:
22°-28° C
pH:
5 – 8
GH:
5° – 25° dH
Behave
Area:
lower area
Lining:
green plants, algae
Behave:
peaceful, calm
Number:
1 animal
Difficulty level:
normal, aquarium breeding not known
Hometown
Hypostomus punctatus means: «catfish with suction mouth». The home of the tropical freshwater fish are the standing and flowing waters in the southeast of Brazil and Uruguay. The species belongs to the order of catfish (Siluriformes) and to the family of armored catfish with suction mouth, loricariid catfish (Loricarridae).
Look
The young animals do not come from wild catches, but from offspring in the pond from Southeast Asia to us. In the aquarium the spotted catfish is a real one eye-catcher. Especially when he’s chasing through the aquarium with his portly, spotted body, large caudal fin, and erected dorsal fin. He can be looked at extensively when he enjoys sucking on the pane.
attitude
Hypostomus punctatus is a fpeaceful and quiet fellow, who likes to rest on the ground or on superstructures. He feels most comfortable in single keeping, but he gets along with two other conspecifics, unless the tank is large enough. Because of his stately Size of up to 30 cmhe needs a large aquarium with a capacity of 300 l or more for himself.
The right Furnishings are densely structured and offers ample space for swimming and resting. Various rock or stone structures and other objects offer sufficient opportunities for retreat.
The sign catfish tends to grow plants from the ground dig. Therefore, the plants in the aquarium must be robust and deep-rooted. Don’t forget to set up Miorkia roots, which the fish likes to grate off. He probably needs the ingested small amounts of wood for good digestion. This is on one good algae growth to be observed, which is promoted by a bright pool. The substrate can consist of either coarse sand or gravel.
The ideal water quality is soft and slightly acidic. Since the catfish has a good digestion, the water needs one high quality filtering and a flow.
food
In its natural environment, the spotted signfish feeds on «herbivores». That is why it also needs plant food in the aquarium. He can be fed with various types of vegetables (e.g. frozen peas cut into small pieces, lettuce, cucumber). He grazes the algae himself on suitable areas. He also does not disdain commercial frozen food, flake food and food tablets.
gender differences
The difference from the male and female animals is only in the longer fins to recognize the male.
breeding and rearing
The Dotted Sign Catfish is a Mud Tube Breeders. About breeding in the aquarium there is still no useful experience. The reason for this is the difficulty in replicating the conditions in the natural environment. When breeding takes place, the males dig burrows in steep and muddy embankments. That’s where the females spawn. The male takes care of the brood.
socialization
Hypostomus punctatus mixes well with other peaceful ornamental fish species socialize well. Even with small fish there are no problems. In a large tank, living together with a few conspecifics can also work.
When kept appropriate to the species, a dotted signfish can grow up to 30 years old become.