Data sheet Pinocchio witch catfish
German name:
Pinocchio witch catfish
Scientific name:
Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus
Origin:
South America
Size:
Body length up to 15 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 100 cm width and from 60 cm width
Contents:
from 200 liters
water values
Temperature:
24°-28° C
pH:
6 – 7.5
GH:
4° – 20° dH
Behave
Area:
preferably lower range
Lining:
omnivorous
Behave:
very peaceful and quiet
Number:
from 2 animals
Difficulty level:
Beginner
Pinocchio witch catfish – Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus – 8-10cm
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Origin
The home of the Pinocchio witch catfish or loricariid catfish is Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and Peru in South America. There he lives in the branched river system of the Amazon. The species belongs to the family of plecos. The unusual appearance and behavior when caring for the brood make the fish one interesting residents for a species-appropriate aquarium.
Carl H. Eigenmann creator QS:P170,Q66573 Waldo Lee McAtee creator QS:P170,Q19561456 English: David Perkins Ward, FMIB 52363 Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus (KJner), marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons
Look
The pleco got its name from the long rostrum or head extension or «nose». The basic color of the body is light and is covered with a dark, net-like pattern. The physique is flat and very long in the rear part. The eyes are large and the odontodes on the rostrum are directed backwards.
Posture recommendation
The aquarium for Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus should have a capacity of at least 200l and ktoo bright a light own. It is a very calm and peaceful fish that feels best in pairs and in small groups. At best there is one excess of females.
The planting of the aquarium consists of Standing and floating plants. The latter dim the light. Possible stem plants include: eg tomentosum, java fern, java moss, cherry leaf and dwarf spear leaf species. Possible floating plants include: eg water hyacinth, pennywort, duckweed, frogbit, liverwort and tufted fern.
The right water quality is warm, soft to hard and rich in oxygen. A slight current, the one flow simulatedis recommended.
Tip: When setting up, make sure that the catfish does not get caught anywhere on the rostrum with its backward-facing odontodes.
food
The Pinocchio witch catfish is a omnivore. In the aquarium he eats live, frozen and flake food as well as special catfish staps. The vegetable part should consist of, for example, scalded cucumber, zucchini, potatoes, peppers or lettuce. Mulm is also consumed.
It is best if the food falls to the ground quickly, where the pleco can track it down. The best time is in the evening, after the light in the aquarium has gone out. Then the shy fish has enough time to eat in peace and also gets full.
gender differences
The male is clear on that longer rostrum to recognize. The female’s body is fuller.
breeding and rearing
The offspring of witch catfish in the aquarium is feasible. an extra breeding tank makes breeding easier. The cave breeders spawn in the dark and need caves or special spawning tubes to lay the 10 to 50 eggs.
After the female lays the eggs, the male fertilizes them. The male also operates the brood care and holds the clutch with his enlarged lips (lip breeder) firmly. He also looks after the young animals for a while after hatching.
The diet of the offspring consists of artemia nauplii and granulated food.
socialization
The witch catfish is ideal with different subspecies of witch catfish (e.g. red witch catfish) socialize. Others too
south american balanced styles (e.g. red neon, fire tetra) suit this catfish.
In addition, peaceful fish (e.g. tetras) that stay in the upper water regions are suitable. Invertebrates include shrimp and snails.
Territory-forming species (e.g. the butterfly cichlid) are to be avoided at all costs.
With species-appropriate keeping, the age expectation of the Pinocchio Hexenwels is approximately 14 years.
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