THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

Remarks: Can live out of water for quite some
time and move short distances over land,
sometimes migrating to other water bodies
while using its auxiliary breathing organs.
A potential pest in areas other than its natural
distribution. In the United States it is a nonindigenous
invasive species, now established in
Florida and reported in California, Connecticut,
Georgia, Massachusetts, and Nevada.
In Florida, catfish have invaded aquaculture
farms, and eaten stock fish. Aquafarmers have
erected fences to protect their ponds.
An important food fish that is marketed live,
fresh and frozen.
Upsidedown Catfish
Synodontis nigriventris (Mochokidae)
Squeakers or Upsidedown Catfishes
Distribution: Central Congo basin of Africa.
Habitat: Freshwater streams in schools of
hundreds to thousands. Prefer rock caves or
hollow logs for hiding during the day.
Appearance: Length to 10 cm. Ground color
khaki, small reddish to black dots cover entire
body. Body scaleless, head flattened, sides of
body slightly compressed.
Diet: Omnivorous scavenger: Feeds mainly at
night on insects, crustaceans and filamentous
algae, plant debris, bowels of dead fishes. Grazes
algae from undersides of cave ceilings or leaves
with its little rasp-like teeth while in the inverted
position, a posture also used while gleaning food
from the water’s surface. Also locates food on the
substrate among debris such as rotting plants.
Reproduction and Development: Oviparous;
parents tend their clutch.
Remarks: Swimming “upside-down” (ventral
toward surface) is normal for adults of this species,
which often breathe and feed at the surface.
One common name for the family refer to the
group’s propensity to make squeaking noises,
especially when netted and taken from the water.
Armored Catfish aka Ripsaw Catfish
Oxydoras niger (Doradidae)
Thorny Catfishes
Distribution: South America: most river basins,
especially Amazon and Orinoco River
basins.
Habitat: Occurs over mud in streams and lakes.
California Academy of Sciences
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Form schools.
Appearance: Length to 1 m. Weight to 14
kg. Like all catfish, they lack scales. Like all
members of their family, have bony plates
that protect the head and hooklike scutes that
run along the lateral line. Possess three pairs
of barbels. A stocky brown cat. Sexes similar.
Diet: Feeds on detritus, insect larvae, crustaceans,
and occasional plant material.
Reproduction and Development: Sexes separate.
Fertilization external, seasonal spawning
peak January to February. Adults non-guarders.
Remarks: Members of the family Doradidae
are known as “talking catfishes” as they make a
strange, creaking noise when removed from the
water., a sound produced by movement of the
pectoral spine within its socket and amplified
by the swim bladder.
Most catfishes are not in this family. There are
more than 30 families of “catfishes” comprising
more than 2500 species; about 80 are doradids).
Perruno Catfish aka Leopard Catfish
Perrunichthys perruno (Pimelodidae)
Long-whiskered Catfishes
Distribution: South America: Lake Maracaibo
basin, Colombia and Venezuela.
Habitat: Surrounding freshwater streams of
Lake Maracaibo. Prefers areas with submerged
tree roots and other refuges where it hides
during the day.
Appearance: Max. size: 62 cm Sexes similar.
The species is noted for the very long pair of
barbels that extend from the upper jaw and two
smaller pairs on the lower jaw. All can move
independently. Dark brown, round splotches
with thin, light brown markings cover the
body. Dorsal fins stands tall when erect.
Diet: Mainly other fishes. A nocturnal predator.
Mortality/Longevity: Life span: about 20 years.
Remarks: Because it grows to large size
quickly, this cat is best kept in the large tanks
of public aquariums.
The leopard cat is the single species of its
genus.
Redtail Catfish
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus (Pimelodidae)
Long-whiskered Catfishes
Distribution: South America: Amazon and
Orinoco basins.