Flatfishes, like flounders, soles, turbots etc. are usually living in marine environments. But there do exist also pure freshwater species. Among them is Catathyridium jenynsii from southern South America. We obtained a specimen from Paraguay, but the fish has a pretty wide distribution in the large river basins of the Paraná and Uruguay.
The species attains a maximum length of about 20-25 cm; thus it is a rather large fish. As Catathyridium jenynsii are predatory fish one should not choose too small other fish as tankmates, for they might be eaten. Besides fish and chopped fish pieces, the flatfish will readily accept earthworms. The bottom in a flatfish tank must contain places with with fine sand where the fish can burry themselves, otherwise they will get skin diseases.
This is a southern species, so the water temperature should be lowered from time to time. Given then tank is placed in a living room it is best to switch off the aquarium heater during the winter. Against other fish Catathyridium jenynsii is absolutely peaceful. Kai Arendt suggested a common name for the fish: Bearded Paraná Sole, due to the great number of cirrhi around the head.
For our customers: the fish have code 214505 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Only one specimen available!
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
