/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/1.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(1) - Click to enlarge")
/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/2.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(2) - Click to enlarge")
/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/3.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(3) - Click to enlarge")
/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/4.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(4) - Click to enlarge")
/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/5.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(5) - Click to enlarge")
/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/6.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(6) Head on view - Click to enlarge")
/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/7.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(7) - Click to enlarge")
/claroteidae/chrysichthys/ornatus/8.jpg "Chrysichthys ornatus(8) - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysichthys ornatus Boulenger, 1902 |
| Common Name(s) | Ornate bagrid |
| Type Locality | Monsembé, Upper Congo and Ubangi R. at Banzyville. |
| Synonym(s) | Amarginops ornatus |
| Pronunciation | cry sick thiss - or nat uss |
| Etymology | Chrysichthys: From the Greek chrysos, meaning golden and ichthys, meaning fish; in reference to the golden-yellow color (of the type species, C. auratus). The specific epithet means ornate or decorated. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 252mm (9.9") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | The body is described as being elongate and compressed. The dorsal fin is described as having a hard ray and six soft rays, the anal fin is described as having 11-13 soft rays, and both fins are described as being short. The dorsal and pectoral fins are described as not having stout spines. The ventral fins are described as being inserted behind the dorsal fin. The adipose fin is present and is relatively short. This catfish has 4 pairs of barbels; one pair nasal, one pair maxillary and two pairs mandibular. The jaws are described as having teeth arranged in bands. The teeth are described as being ‘palatine’. The base colour of the body and head is described as being pale yellow to brown with large dark brown to black coloured irregular blotches, and pale yellow to brown coloured blotches along the flanks of this catfish. These coloured blotches have dark coloured spots amongst them. The fins are described as being pale in colour with irregular dark spots. The caudal lobes are described as having a blurred dark longitudinal band. The ventral region is described as being dirty white in colour. |
| Sexing | Whilst there are not documented sexual differences, as with most other species of catfish, the males tend to be more slender than the females. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | Africa: Congo River system below Stanley Falls. African Waters  , Congo (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 6.5 - 7.2 |
| Temperature | 20.0-25.0°C or 68-77°F (Show others within this range) |
| Other Parameters | Hardness up to 17°dGH |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | Readily accepts a mixed and varied diet which includes meatier foods such as pieces of fish, prawns, mussels, earthworms, sinking catfish pellets and tablet foods to name but a few. |
| Compatibility | It is not recommended that the aquarist keep these catfish in a community aquarium due to their predatory nature. Whilst these catfish fare well when kept on their own they can be kept together. |
| Suggested Tankmates | These catfish should be kept with other medium to large species of fish which are peaceful, such as cichlids and some larger species of barbs. In their natural habitat Chrysichthys ornatus would be found in relatively large shoals. |
| Breeding | There are documented reports of aquarium spawnings. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Ann. Mus. Congo (Ser. Zool.)v. 2 (fasc. 2) - pp39 - Pl. 11 (fig. 2) |
| Registered Keepers | (1) Chrysichthys (k: 3), (2) Benjamin, (3) Attu, (4) Moomoo, (5) andy.cole94 (p: 2), (6) malawiman1 (p: 2), (7) jippo (k: 2), (8) matt12, (9) jscoggs27, (10) Junttis, (11) maynard1982 (k: 2), (12) syno-kev. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.  Add this species to your "my cats" page. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More Resources |
 - CotM  2007 November -
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| Hits | 15260 hits. |
| Last Update | 2008 Jul 08 16:04 (species record created: 2001 May 04 00:00) |
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