Despite the facts that this pretty thorny catfish, which we were able to import once more from Paraguay, is known to science since 1855 and has an enormous wide distribution in South America – it is reported from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, where it is found both in white and black water – it was always an absolute rarity in aquaria. This is hard to understand, for the fish are nice and hardy and reach only a maximum length of about 10-12 cm.
The striped tailfin and the long “beard” are the most striking features of the species. The coloration of the body is very variable: plain fish occur as well as fine spotted ones or animals with large spots on the flanks.
As already mentioned, the fish are extremely undemanding regarding water chemistry. They feed readily on any usual type of aquarium fish food. Plants are ignored. Ossancora punctata are most active at dawn, so their tank should contain some hiding places. Nevertheless the fish are often visible at daytime, especially when the fish are fed. These thorny catfish are absolutely peaceful against tankmates, may they belong to their own or to different species.
For our customers: the animals have code 273132 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Ossancora: Latin, means “anchor-shaped bone”; this refers to a bone in the shoulder of the fish. punctata: Latin, means “spotted”.
Suggestion of a common name: Emperor-Wilhelm-Catfish (referring to the “beard”)
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Paraguay |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 4-6 |
