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Peru Aquarium Group (1) Allan James (3) Jian Ruilong (1) Erlend D. Bertelsen (1) Scott Smith (1)

Description: Distinguished from T. quadrifilis in the alignment of the lateral margins of the head in the region from the anterior margin of the orbit to the posterior limit of the opercle (running approximately in parallel from ventral view vs. diverging laterally, respectively); in the body width at the pectoral-fin insertion as a proportion of the head width at the posterior margin of the orbit (0.99-1.10 vs. 1.17-1.25, respectively); in the distance from the tip of the snout to the anal fin origin (0.29-0.32 of SL vs. 0.33-0.36 of SL, respectively); and in the position of the anterior termination of the gill opening (one orbital diameter posterior of the transverse plane running through the posterior margin of the orbit vs. positioned in the transverse plane running through the center of the orbit, respectively). Sexual Differences: The males develop an extended dorsal fin and is thorny. Aquarium Care: A tank for Tetranematichthys should contain fine sand on the bottom, should be softly lit and should be equipped with a great number of driftwood. During daytime the fish often sleep lying on the side. This behaviour is absolutely normal and no reason for the aquarist to become anxious. It is carnivorous and prefers to feed on small fish. Against conspecifics Tetranematichthys are peaceful. Diet: Prefers live foods given at lights out. Try different choices of frozen foods to see what they prefer as they can be picky in their dietary requirements. Etymology: The genus name Tetranematichthys: meaning "fish with four threats"; this refers to the barbels. The Specific name wallacei: named after Alfred Russel Wallace when, starting in 1848, made large collections of plants and animals in the Amazon basin.

Wallace's Driftwood Dolphin Catfish

None

Auchenipteridae

South America: Amazon basin: upper Negro River system in Brazil and Venezuela and upper Orinoco River basin in southern Venezuela.

20.5cm. (8ins)

22-26°c (71-79°f.)

6.0-7.0.

Vari, R.P. and C. Ferraris, Jr. 2006 The catfish genus Tetranematichthys (Aucheniptridae). Copeia 2006(2):168-180.