PlanetCatfish.com

Hi,

Having a very childish time handfeeding my M. thoracata and it dawned on me that I don't know if, when or how these little guys can sting. There's very little info about this part of catfishology here. I was warned about my P.maccus and I know of the pinch from anchor cats but I'm pretty clueless about some of the other common cats.

Is there a catfish defences 101 on here that's I've missed or could someone give me a few tips?

Most catfishes have venom glands associated with their spines, with the venom usually being some kind of peptide. This means that the venom can be denatured by immersing the afflicted part in hot water (as hot as you can stand).

The best defense is, however, not to get stung in the first place. For this matter, one should never hold a catfish by the body only, as this greatly increases your chance of being stung.

wow- I was aware that synos, fossil cats, and marine cats had poisonous spines, but wasn't aware that any callichthyids had poisonous spines. My hoplos and Callichthys are always whacking me with their fins if I feed bloodworm (hand-feeding seems a better way of feeding these at it guarantees they don't get bullied too much by the cichlids in their tank). Is it just the dorsal fin or the pectoral fins as well?

Silurus said "most" not "all" so i am not sure exactly with your fish - certainly corys can give a painful sting, so always better to be cautious but precise in handling cats.

Corys have pointed dorsal & pectoral fins whereas hoplo & callichthys seem blunt.....?

Some people have an alergical reaction when a cory stung them. So they where at the hospital. But there arent much, I know only two.

I don't think you need to worry, I've never been stung when hand-feeding hoplos (or hand-feeding any other catfish). It's more likely to happen when you are handling them.

My worse sting was from an Arius. I startled it during a water change and it jumped out over my left shoulder. One of its spines went through my shirt into my back and the fish was stuck hanging there until I managed to pull it out. It was quite painful, believe me.

But don't let that little anecdote put you off....

Richard B. wrote; Silurus said "most" not "all" so i am not sure exactly with your fish - certainly corys can give a painful sting, so always better to be cautious but precise in handling cats.

Corys have pointed dorsal & pectoral fins whereas hoplo & callichthys seem blunt.....?

I have the M.thoracata in a separate tank so no chance of getting zapped by the syno, corys etc., but you're right about the pectoral and dorsal fins, I'll have to nose into this a bit more.

Carp37 wrote: My hoplos and Callichthys are always whacking me with their fins if I feed bloodworm (hand-feeding seems a better way of feeding these at it guarantees they don't get bullied too much by the c*****ds in their tank). Is it just the dorsal fin or the pectoral fins as well?

I started hand feeding mine so I could get a good look at their underbelly to try to sex them. Kept at it because it's just plain fun Hopefully, I'll find something or a more experienced Hoplo person might be able to add something specific to Hoplos. Good to keep Silurus' advice in mind though and net or cup only with the other guys. Ouch.

Chrysichthys wrote:

I don't think you need to worry, I've never been stung when hand-feeding hoplos (or hand-feeding any other catfish). It's more likely to happen when you are handling them.

Whew and good timing