Cat-eLog Right Callichthyidae Right Callichthyinae Right Dianema  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Dianema longibarbis  Cope, 1872
Common Names Porthole Catfish
Malet Pansermalle (Denmark), Schwielenwels (Germany)
Type Locality Río Ambyiacu, Peru.
Synonym(s) Callichthys adspersus, Decapogon verissimi
Pronunciation die ah NEE mah - long ee barb iss
Etymology Dianema: From the Greek di-, meaning two and nema, meaning filament; in reference to the long maxillary barbels. 
Articles
Article Link - CotM Right 2004 Right September
Article Link - Shane's World Right Reproduction Right Breeding the Porthole Catfish
Down Species Information
Size 82mm or 3.2" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Hoplosternum punctatum and Dianema longibarbis is sometimes confused. Hoplosternum punctatum has smaller eyes and the eye is just a little above the exact center of the side, see this image; D. longibarbis has large eyes which are placed exactly on the sides, sometimes even a bit on the lower half. See this image and this image.
In adults differences in bodyshape and armor are easier to spot; the pectoral shields in Hoplosternum punctatum leave a space in the center (females) or overlap (males), but in Dianema these are closely fitted together.
Within the genus of Dianema: D. longibarbis Clear tail fin, the only other member of the genus has horizontal black and white alternating stripes on the caudal fin and is generally larger.
Sexing Females are larger than males but the difference is slight.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Amazon River basin.
Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon, Ampiyacu (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 2020.
pH 5.8 - 7.8
Temperature 24.0-28.0°C or 75.2-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters A hardy species that will adapt to most conditions.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Virtually all prepared foods. Feed sinking catfish pellets and frozen bloodworm specifically. User data.
Furniture Plants are necessary to make this species feel at home. It rests under their shade and will come to rest on their upper leaves as it can often be found midway up the water column.
Compatibility Peaceful.
Suggested Tankmates Small to medium characins; dward cichlids. Essentially any small to medium sized community fish. Not a good armoured catfish for the larger cichlid tank; go with Megalechis or Callichthys instead.
Breeding Unknown, early reports were likely a misidentification of Hoplosternum punctatum, see also D. urostriata.
Breeding Reports There is but a single breeding report, read it here.
Down Further Information
Reference Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia v. 23, pp 276, Pl. 7 (figs. 1, 1a-b).
Registered Keepers There are 37 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 12 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Nov 08 06:23 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)