The
Thorny Catfishes (Doradiae) are a small family of exclusively South
American catfish. Currently 41 genera containing 127 species are known,
but continuously new species become discovered. The largest species
attain a maximum length of more than 100 cm. The world record for
Opsodoras niger is 120 cm and a weight of 20 kg. The smallest species –
Physopyxis lyra – becomes only 3.5 cm long. Most species attain a
maximum length between 10 and 20 cm.
We currently have some very rare species from Peru in our stock which we want to introduce to you here.
Megalodoras uranoscopus
is one of the large species. It can become about 50 cm long. Juveniles are pretty fish and now and then imported (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news/Megalodoras_uranoscopus_irwini__en/).
Currently we have three mighty big ones of 25-30 cm length in stock. A
well known synonym of the species is Megalodoras irwini. Codenumber on
our stocklist: 267526
Nemadoras elongatus
becomes only 12 cm
long. The peaceful animals love to swim in schools. Males seem to stay
about one third smaller than the females. Sadly almost nothing is knowns
regarding the breeding biology of doradids which is also true for this
species. Code: 272482
Hemidoras morrisi
resembles Nemadoras
elongatus in respect of coloration, but is much more elongate, has a
stronger sculpure of the bony ridges and the dorsal spine is heavily
serrated on both sides, while it has a serration only backwards in N.
elongatus. H. morrisi becomes about 15 cm long and is rather night
active. For us this is the first importation of the species. Code:
257803
Pterodoras granulosus
is a large species again, which can become around 70 cm
long. However, we obtained juveniles of 6-7 cm. This species is as
peaceful as any species of thorny catfish, but one should keep in mind
that the fish has a large mouth and smaller fish will vanish there of
course… Code: 286582
Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
