Cat-eLog Right Claroteidae Right Chrysichthys  |  | 

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Scientific Name Chrysichthys ornatus  Boulenger, 1902
Common Names Ornate Bagrid
Afrikanischer Marmor-Stachelwels (Germany), Broderimalle (Denmark), Mottled Catfish
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.
Articles
Article Link - CotM Right 2007 Right November
Down Species Information
Size 252mm or 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.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution Africa: Congo River system below Stanley Falls.
African Waters, Congo, Lower Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH 6.5 - 7.2
Temperature 20.0-25.0°C or 68-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Hardness up to 17°dGH
Down 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. User data.
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.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Annales du Musee du Congo (Ser. Zoology) v. 2 (fasc. 2), pp 39, Pl. 11 (fig. 2).
Registered Keepers There are 26 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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Last Update 2019 Sep 18 14:19 (species record created: 2001 May 04 00:00)