Trachelyopterus fisheri • Auchenipteridae • Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Trachelyopterus fisheri** (Eigenmann, 1916)
Common Name(s)	Fisher's Woodcat
Type Locality	Colombia, Sucio River
Synonym(s)	Parauchenipterus fisheri, Trachycorystes fisheri
Pronunciation	fish err eye
Etymology	Trachelyopterus: From the Greek, trachelos, meaning neck and pteron, meaning fin; in reference to the long cranial shield, which gives the appearance that the dorsal fin originates at the neck region. The specific epithet is named after the American entrepreneur Carl Graham Fisher.
Species Information
Size	280mm (11") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	This is by far the most slender of all Trachelyopterus species. Another feature that gives its identity away is the terminal mouth, whereas other Trachelyopterus species have a slightly superior mouth (see also General notes).
Sexing	Males have a genital papilla, thickened maxillary barbels, spawning tubercles on the barbels and on top of the head and a curved, enlarged dorsal spine which can be moved up and forward. Also their nape is bent upwards, as can be seen in Tetranematichthys and Ageneiosus spp. Females grow larger and display a plainer colour pattern.
General Remarks	In terms of general captive behaviour, this species doesn't resemble its congeners, but is more easily compared to the larger Auchenipterichthys and smaller ageneiosids. It's a very gentle species that glides through the water and never displays the hastiness which is so typical for other members of its genus. Moreover, the nape and the enlarged dorsal spine make it look more like an Ageneiosus or a Tetranematichthys.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Colombia, Sucio River Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Atrato, Sucio (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
pH	6.0 - 7.0
Temperature	22.0-32.0°C or 71.6-89.6°F (Show others within this range)
Other Parameters	Generally undemanding.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	This species is not shy and can regularly be seen during the day, especially when being fed. All prepared and frozen foods are taken. Like all Auchenipterids - being surface feeders - they are particularly fond of insects and their larvae.
Furniture	Large pieces of driftwood as hiding places. See to it that there is also plenty of swimming space. The aquarium shouldn't be too brightly lit.
Compatibility	Despite their size these fish are very gentle, social and peaceful. Smaller fish may however be eaten, due to the fact that they rest at nights while the fisheris are on the move.
Suggested Tankmates	Non-agressive fish and fishes that aren't too small.
Breeding	Has been recorded (see Reference notes below). Like other Auchenipterids these fish have internal fertilization. The bodies are wrapped around each other and to stay in position the male uses its barbels, dorsal spine and spawning tubercles. The actual mating lasts for about 30 seconds or less. Four weeks later the female lays her eggs. The parents will neither look after their eggs, nor eat them.
Further Information
References	Ann. Carnegie Mus.v. 10 (nos. 1-2) - pp82 TFH August 1982, pages 84-89, Burgess and Azuma: The first spawning of the woodcat, Trachycorystes insignis [sic] The same pictures and a very short summary of the article can be found in An Atlas of Marine and Freshwater Catfishes (1989), pages 586-589, Burgess. In this book the fish is named Parauchenipterus fisheri, which was the correct name at the time.
Registered Keepers	(1) Osiris, (2) Junttis (k: 2), (3) Bijn (k: 4), (4) arapaimag, (5) yadayada, (6) Ghenriques, (7) Marc van Arc. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.
Breeding Reports	None.
Articles	- CotM 2007 March
	Search Planet Catfish for more on Trachelyopterus fisheri
	Look up Trachelyopterus fisheri on AquaticRepublic.com
BBCode	(for use in linking to this page from forum posts)
	(for use in linking to the species from anywhere on the web)
	Look up Trachelyopterus fisheri on Fishbase
	Get or print a QR code for this species profile, or try our BETA label creator.
Hits	17961 hits.
Last Update	2012 Jan 31 13:19 (species record created: 2003 Aug 24 00:00)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Trachelyopterus fisheri (Eigenmann, 1916)

Common Name(s)

Fisher's Woodcat

Type Locality

Colombia, Sucio River

Synonym(s)

Parauchenipterus fisheri, Trachycorystes fisheri

Pronunciation

fish err eye

Etymology

Trachelyopterus: From the Greek, trachelos, meaning neck and pteron, meaning fin; in reference to the long cranial shield, which gives the appearance that the dorsal fin originates at the neck region. The specific epithet is named after the American entrepreneur Carl Graham Fisher.

Species Information

Size

280mm (11") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.

Identification

This is by far the most slender of all Trachelyopterus species. Another feature that gives its identity away is the terminal mouth, whereas other Trachelyopterus species have a slightly superior mouth (see also General notes).

Sexing

Males have a genital papilla, thickened maxillary barbels, spawning tubercles on the barbels and on top of the head and a curved, enlarged dorsal spine which can be moved up and forward. Also their nape is bent upwards, as can be seen in Tetranematichthys and Ageneiosus spp. Females grow larger and display a plainer colour pattern.

General Remarks

In terms of general captive behaviour, this species doesn't resemble its congeners, but is more easily compared to the larger Auchenipterichthys and smaller ageneiosids. It's a very gentle species that glides through the water and never displays the hastiness which is so typical for other members of its genus. Moreover, the nape and the enlarged dorsal spine make it look more like an Ageneiosus or a Tetranematichthys.

Habitat Information

Distribution

Colombia, Sucio River
Colombia Caribbean Rivers, Atrato, Sucio (click on these areas to find other species found there)

(Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)

6.0 - 7.0

Temperature

22.0-32.0°C or 71.6-89.6°F (Show others within this range)

Other Parameters

Generally undemanding.

Husbandry Information

Feeding

This species is not shy and can regularly be seen during the day, especially when being fed. All prepared and frozen foods are taken. Like all Auchenipterids - being surface feeders - they are particularly fond of insects and their larvae.

Furniture

Large pieces of driftwood as hiding places. See to it that there is also plenty of swimming space. The aquarium shouldn't be too brightly lit.

Compatibility

Despite their size these fish are very gentle, social and peaceful. Smaller fish may however be eaten, due to the fact that they rest at nights while the fisheris are on the move.

Suggested Tankmates

Non-agressive fish and fishes that aren't too small.

Breeding

Has been recorded (see Reference notes below). Like other Auchenipterids these fish have internal fertilization. The bodies are wrapped around each other and to stay in position the male uses its barbels, dorsal spine and spawning tubercles. The actual mating lasts for about 30 seconds or less. Four weeks later the female lays her eggs. The parents will neither look after their eggs, nor eat them.

Further Information

References

Ann. Carnegie Mus.v. 10 (nos. 1-2) - pp82
TFH August 1982, pages 84-89, Burgess and Azuma: The first spawning of the woodcat, Trachycorystes insignis [sic]
The same pictures and a very short summary of the article can be found in An Atlas of Marine and Freshwater Catfishes (1989), pages 586-589, Burgess. In this book the fish is named Parauchenipterus fisheri, which was the correct name at the time.

Registered Keepers

(1) Osiris, (2) Junttis (k: 2), (3) Bijn (k: 4), (4) arapaimag, (5) yadayada, (6) Ghenriques, (7) Marc van Arc.

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.

Breeding Reports

None.

Articles