/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/1.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(1) - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/2.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(2) - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/3.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(3) Habitat: submersed terrestrial grasses in this small Amazon side channel - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/4.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(4) Suriname - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/5.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(5) - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/6.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(6) Lateral view - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/7.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(7) Ventral view - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/8.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(8) - Click to enlarge")
/doradidae/acanthodoras/cataphractus/9.jpg "Acanthodoras cataphractus(9) Rio Caqueta, Brazil - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acanthodoras cataphractus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
| Common Name(s) | Chocolate Raphael, Chocolate Talking Catfish, Milky Catfish |
| Type Locality | America. |
| Synonym(s) | Callichthys asper, Cataphractus americanus, Doras blochii, Silurus cataphractus |
| Pronunciation | ah KAN tho door ass - cat ah frak tuss |
| Etymology | Acanthodoras: From the Greek akantha, meaning thorn, and doras, meaning skin (also a word commonly used in forming generic names for doradids); in reference to the spines on the bony scutes along the lateral line. The species name, cataphracta/us, means armoured or mail-clad. |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 115mm (4.5") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | This fish is almost never a direct import can be be found by the aquarist with a discerning eye as bycatch among shipments of the more common Platydoras armatulus (often labelled P. costatus). In P. armatulus, the white markings along the flank connect above the eyes forming a 'V.' The markings of A. cataphractus do not connect on the head. In P. armatulus, the white flank stripe continues down the body and onto the caudal fin. The caudal fin of A. cataphractus lacks the white stripe and is mottled. |
| Sexing | Females typically larger with a more full, or 'plump', appearance. |
| General Remarks | The above specimen on the right was captured using a ten foot seine net on the banks of a small Amazon tributary on the Peruvian side of the Amazon across from Leticia Colombia. |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | Found in tributaries of the main Amazon. Amazon (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 6.4 - 7.4 |
| Temperature | 22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show others within this range) |
| Other Parameters | There are reports of this species from river mouth areas, but it is unlikely these are exported, those that do find their way into aquaria prefers softer water. |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | An opportunistic feeder that eats live, frozen and dry aquarium foods. It usually only comes out to feed after lights out. |
| Furniture | A very shy retiring fish that, once released in the aquarium, is rarely seen again. Provide plenty of caves and other hiding places. In the wild, they typically hide among thickets of submerged plants. |
| Compatibility | A good choice for the medium to large community tank. The above specimen was caught alongside the doradids Platydoras armatulus, Agamyxis pectinifrons, and Amblydoras hancockii in submerged terrestrial vegetation. Also collected at the site were Brochis splendens and several Corydoras spp. |
| Suggested Tankmates | Anything but the smallest species. Good with other doradids. A peaceful community resident. |
| Breeding | Acanthodoras cataphractus are documented as having been spawned in aquaria. Both parents were observed digging a depression in the substrate into which the eggs were deposited. The eggs were guarded by both fish. The eggs hatched after 4-5 days although unfortunately the young did not survive beyond the fry stage of development. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Systema Nat. ed. 10v. 1 - pp307 Burgess, W. E. (1989) An Atlas of Freshwater and Marine Catfishes. TFH. |
| Registered Keepers | (1) TP, (2) kcmt01, (3) Silurus, (4) Daniel Machado, (5) lene.keiserud, (6) pressureflip, (7) catfish hippy man DS (p: 2), (8) Martin S, (9) ali12345 (p: 2, k: 2), (10) Reginator, (11) jippo, (12) Greggyfest (k: 4), (13) Junttis, (14) JamieH (k: 2), (15) Bijn (k: 4), (16) Industrial, (17) NC24, (18) wrasse (k: 3), who also notes: "Amazing... pattern, spikey, spiney, armour. Eats anything", (19) Phyllonemus. 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 May -
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| Hits | 21478 hits. |
| Last Update | 2009 Jan 30 15:54 (species record created: 2001 Jun 03 00:00) |
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