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here is a school of thought that the Ageneiosus genera should be in its own family of Ageneiosidae (Walsh and Eschmeyer, 1990) but the thirteen species in this genus have been placed in the Auchenipteridae family ( Ferraris, 1988a) with Auchenipterinae as the sub-family. In addition to this Walsh also feels that A. magoi is a synonym of A.vittatus.

Ageneiosus magoi - adult male

As you can see by the above image that this is indeed a very pretty species but beware as it is very predatory, as all Ageneiosi are, and would need to be housed in a large tank of 6ft (180cm) or over. This is one of the smallest of the Ageneiosus but they do need a lot of swimming space especially if keeping more than one.

As mentioned, a good sized aquarium furnished with driftwood and high plants around the edges. The type of substrate is not too much of a problem but will need good fltration with a external filter the best option. The main criterea is to give them plenty of swimming space as, unusual for this family, they will swim about sometimes during the day.

The other common names of this sub-family apart from Slopehead catfishes are "bottlenose" or "barbelless catfishes". Ageneiosus magoi only possess very small maxillary barbels but in common with the rest of the Auchenipteridae family the males possess an elongated and thickened anal fin, a genital papilla. The male has it modified into a copulatory organ with the first and second ray thickened and longer, it is thought that the male uses this to clasp the female during the spawning embrace.

Ageneiosus magoi: showing the lack of any discerning barbels.

Slopehead Catfish

None

Auchenipterinae

South America: Venezuela; Orinoco basin. Type locality: Los esteros de Camaguán, km 270, Estado Guárico.

24.0cm. (9½ins)

23-28°c (73-83°f.)

Head flattened and wedge shaped. Profile almost straight, sloping slightly towards snout. Dorsal 6/7 rays. Small adipose fin and a long anal fin. The ventral fins are placed behind the dorsal fin and has 7/8 rays. Eyes lateral.

If kept with other species they would need to be the same size or larger species, such as Loriicarids and larger Characins such as Silver Dollars. Can be kept with equal sized conspecifics.

There are no documented reports of aquarium spawnings.

In common with the rest of the Auchenipteridae family the males possess an elongated and thickened anal fin, a genital papilla. The male has it modified into a copulatory organ with the first and second ray thickened and longer, it is thought that the male uses this to clasp the female during the spawning embrace. Sexually active males also have an elongated and curved dorsal spine and the maxillary barbels are also elongated.

Primarily meat eaters so will need this somewhere in their diet. Earthworms, shrimp, beafheart and fish flesh would be an adequate diet.

Dorsal fin is defined as the medial fin on top of the back.
Adipose is defined as a second dorsal fin.
Anal fin is defined as the medial fin immediately posterior to the anus.
Ventral fins are defined as the paired fins between the pectoral and anal fins.
Dorsal is defined as being top or above.
Maxillary is defined as being in relation to the maxilla, the bone of the upper jaw

Ageneiosus: Beardless, pertaining to the very small maxillary barbels.
magoi: In honour of Francisco Mago-Leccia (1931-2004), for his contributions to the study and knowledge of Venezuelan fishes, and his valuable work forming a new generation of ichthyologists.

Burgess, W.E. 1989 An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes. A preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey (USA). 784 p. UPDATE.
Burgess, W.E. and Finley, L. 1996, 163-174p.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

Photo Credits

© Allan James @