Tridensimilis brevis • Trichomycteridae • Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Tridensimilis brevis** (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889)
Common Name(s)	Dwarf Parasitic Catfish, Glass Candiru, Glass Parasitic Catfish
Synonym(s)	Tridens brevis
Etymology	Tridensimilis: From the Latin similis, meaning equal; this genus was named after its similarity to the trichomycterid genus Tridens (from the Greek tri, meaning three and dens, meaning teeth; in reference to the number of interopercular spines).
Species Information
Size	28mm (1.1") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Minute species of Catfish, usually actively swimming in the water column, at other times resting on plants or substrate. Tiny barbels visible on close examination (particularly when feeding). Body is remarkably transparent, the organs are enclosed in a silvery sac, although the stomach contents and other areas of the alimentary tract may be visible. There are two dark pigment spots on the body, one in the humeral area, the other on the caudal peduncle (this spot actually appear to be made up of pigmented skeletal elements as opposed to epidermal pigment).
Sexing	Unknown, although females may show ovaries through body wall when gravid.
Habitat Information
Distribution	This particular specimen originated in a shipment of Corydoras pygmaeus from Peru. The genus would appear to be widely distributed across the Amazon region, into the Maracaibo basin of Venezuela. Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
pH	5.6 - 7.6
Temperature	21.0-30.0°C or 69.8-86°F (Show others within this range)
Other Parameters	Large water changes not appreciated, very regular small changes optimal. Strong flow not required.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Small Live Crustaceans, Worms, Insect Larvae taken eagerly. Dry food ignored. Incipient parasitism.
Furniture	Not important. Sand or bare base probably best.
Compatibility	Complex and variable. No problems with small characins, but there is some evidence that they are opportunistically lepidophagous on slightly larger fish under some circumstances. It has been observed that they will attack large ultra peaceful fish e.g. Doradids. There are no intraspecific compatibility problems observed, a larger group needs to be assembled to gather more information.
Breeding	Currently unknown.
Further Information
Registered Keepers	(1) Brooklamprey (k: 20), who also notes: "These fish have been observed feeding on Beefheart flake food.", (2) amiidae, (3) Junttis. 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 2010 September
	Search Planet Catfish for more on Tridensimilis brevis
	Look up Tridensimilis brevis 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 Tridensimilis brevis on Fishbase
	Get or print a QR code for this species profile, or try our BETA label creator.
Hits	10492 hits.
Last Update	2010 Oct 02 04:36 (species record created: 2002 Jan 07 00:00)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Tridensimilis brevis (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889)

Common Name(s)

Dwarf Parasitic Catfish, Glass Candiru, Glass Parasitic Catfish

Synonym(s)

Tridens brevis

Etymology

Tridensimilis: From the Latin similis, meaning equal; this genus was named after its similarity to the trichomycterid genus Tridens (from the Greek tri, meaning three and dens, meaning teeth; in reference to the number of interopercular spines).

Species Information

Size

28mm (1.1") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.

Identification

Minute species of Catfish, usually actively swimming in the water column, at other times resting on plants or substrate. Tiny barbels visible on close examination (particularly when feeding). Body is remarkably transparent, the organs are enclosed in a silvery sac, although the stomach contents and other areas of the alimentary tract may be visible.
There are two dark pigment spots on the body, one in the humeral area, the other on the caudal peduncle (this spot actually appear to be made up of pigmented skeletal elements as opposed to epidermal pigment).

Sexing

Unknown, although females may show ovaries through body wall when gravid.

Habitat Information

Distribution

This particular specimen originated in a shipment of Corydoras pygmaeus from Peru. The genus would appear to be widely distributed across the Amazon region, into the Maracaibo basin of Venezuela.
Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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

5.6 - 7.6

Temperature

21.0-30.0°C or 69.8-86°F (Show others within this range)

Other Parameters

Large water changes not appreciated, very regular small changes optimal. Strong flow not required.

Husbandry Information

Feeding

Small Live Crustaceans, Worms, Insect Larvae taken eagerly. Dry food ignored. Incipient parasitism.

Furniture

Not important. Sand or bare base probably best.

Compatibility

Complex and variable. No problems with small characins, but there is some evidence that they are opportunistically lepidophagous on slightly larger fish under some circumstances. It has been observed that they will attack large ultra peaceful fish e.g. Doradids. There are no intraspecific compatibility problems observed, a larger group needs to be assembled to gather more information.

Breeding

Currently unknown.

Further Information

Registered Keepers

(1) Brooklamprey (k: 20), who also notes: "These fish have been observed feeding on Beefheart flake food.", (2) amiidae, (3) Junttis.

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