Diamond Talking Catfish

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 05 Jul 2005, 14:13

LFS has a fish going by this common name. Well, I ID'd it for them, it's Megalodoras uranoscopus for sure.

I'm just curious about the common name. Has anybody else seen them sold as Diamond talking catfish? And why might you call them that?

natefrog · Post by **natefrog** » 05 Jul 2005, 14:19

They might call them this because of the diamond shaped scutes or plates that run laterally along the fishes body. When adults these sections of thorny armour are very much diamond shaped.

Got a big tank? If I had the opportunity I'm not sure I could pass on this fish.

Post by **corybreed** » 05 Jul 2005, 21:39

Megalodoras uranoscopus, formally irwini is a very peaceful giant doradid. In nature it feeds on fruits and snails. It is not a fussy feeder in the aquarium. I have kept a few over the years and have a 12inch specimen now. You will need a very large tank of at least 6 feet. I have not heard of a common name used for this fish in the aquarium trade other than "giant armored cat".

Mark

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 06 Jul 2005, 14:19

Axelrod's Atlas refers to them as Soldier catfish, I suppose because of the armour.