Was known as Tatia creutzbergi
but this name is now been put into synonymy. Colouration:
Variation in body pigmentation was observed between
the Suriname and Amazonian populations. In Suriname
specimens the body is usually yellowish ventrally
or sometimes with a rounded brown spot present near
each pelvic-fin base. No Amazon specimens had a rounded
brown spot near the pelvic-fin base and the body is
invariably yellowish ventrally Variation in pectoral-fin
spine pigmentation occur independent of geographical
locality: pectoral-fin spine is usually transversely
banded but is uniformly dark to unpigmented in some
specimens. Coloration of the dark lateral stripe on
the side of the body varies. In some Suriname
specimens the dark brown lateral stripe has irregular
dark and light areas. In addition, the lateral stripe
was interrupted in some and absent in decolorised
specimens. In an upper Amazon specimen, the lateral
stripe is light brown, not as dark as in the Amazon
specimens. The first two thumbnail specimens could
be from Suriname and the next three, the Amazon variety.
Aquarium Care: As with most members
of this family they are very secretive and will stay
hidden for most of the day. Dim lighting will
see them come out for food which they eat with gutso.
Will have no problem with most co-habitants
but will eat small fish/fry in the aquarium. Diet:
In its native habitat they feed on small invertebrates
and crustaceans and in the aquarium they will eat
anything given such as frozen bloodworm inserted in
to their hideaway, catfish tablets, white worm (sparingly)
and prawns and shrimp. They do like their food and
you can see them shooting out of their hideouts and
swimming in a frenzied manner to try and take all
for themselves, especially when you feed them their
favourite food, frozen bloodworm. Etymology:
gyrina: latinisation of gyrinos, tadpole,
presumably referring to its tadpole-like shape.
South America:
Upper and central Amazon, in
Peru, Colombia and Brazil. It is also found in rivers
of northern Suriname.
Size:
5.0cm. (2ins)
Temp:
21-24°c (69-75°f.)
p.H.
5.5-6.5.
Reference:
Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl,
1991. Aquarien atlas. Bd. 3. Melle: Mergus, Verlag
für Natur-und Heimtierkunde, Germany. 1104 p.
Mol, H.A. Jan, The Freshwater Fishes
of Suriname. BRILL, Leiden Boston, 2012. 889 p. Sarmento-Soares, Luisa
Maria; Martins-Pinheiro, Ronaldo Fernando
A systematic revision of Tatia (Siluriformes:
Auchenipteridae: Centromochlinae) Neotropical Ichthyology,
6(3):495- 542, 2008. ScotCat
Factsheet no.
48. June 2000
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