ue
to the increased popularity of the new CW numbers
of Corydoras and the ever increasing L-numbers
of the Loricariidae the Hoplosternum genera
tend to be overlooked as they have been available
in the hobby for as long as I can remember, but from
recent comments from aquarists this is still a real
favourite among catfish aficionado's.
Hoplosternum
littorale
Hoplosternum
littorale inhabits swamps and during the rainy
season adults consume a great quantity of chironomids
associated with detritus. During the dry season, they
feed mostly on terrestrial insects, micro-crustaceans,
aquatic Diptera, and detritus and absorb a great quantity
of anaerobic bacteria from the substrate. First reproduction
occurs after one year. Used to be cultured commercially
in Guyana. Cultured in Trinidad on a semi-commercial
scale.
Hoplosternum
littorale-
head view
You can identify
this species from Megalechis
thoracata and Lepthoplosternum
pectorale by the shape
of its caudal fin, it being forked while M. thoracata
is truncate (square) and L. pectorale's caudal
fin is rounded.
South America:Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Fr Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam,
Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Size
20.0cm. (8ins)
Temp.
18-26°C
(64-79°F)
p.H.
6.0-8.0
Characteristics
Second infraorbital bone extremely
developed, articulating with the pterotic-supracleithrum
and covering the entire area of skin between eye and
opercle; coracoids exposed ventrally but not in contact
in the midline even in fully matured males; 4-6 scutes
of upper lateral series with lateral line perforations.
Colouration
Upper parts of body and fins
black/brown. Underside slightly lighter.
Aquarium
Care & Compatibility
Peaceful. As they can grow
to a reasonable size they will predate on small fish
so as long as companions are the same size in a good
sized aquarium with plenty of room they will be fine.
Provide large Echinodorus plants in pots
as they will dig plants up if planted in the substrate.
Provide floating plants at the surface to darken the
aquarium and also provide strong filtration in the
tank.
Reproduction
They are bubble
nesters so the male will build a nest at the surface.
You could also place a piece of polystyrene in the
tank as the male will often use this to build the
nest. After the eggs are laid the male will chase
the female away and guard the nest. It may be advisable
to move the female from the tank as the male will
get quite aggressive. The eggs will hatch in three
days and the fry should be fed small foods such as
Brine shrimp naupli and crushed flake or fry flakes,
manufactered small grain foods. You may have to remove
the male at this point but this will depend from species
to species.
Sexual
Differences
Sexually mature males have
a thick first ray to the pectoral fin which in adult
specimens can turn upwards. The
females have a thin first ray to the pectoral fin.
Diet
Worm foods, tablets, live and
frozen foods. Not a fussy eater.
Glossary
of Terms
Caudal
fin: The tail.
Coracoid:Middle
and lower section of the pectoral girdle. Lateral
line:A sensory
line, along the sides of the body.
Opercle: The bony covering of the gills
of fishes. Pectoral fin: The paired fins just
behind the head. Scutes:Bony covering.
Etymology
Hoplosternum:With
armed sternum, (breast).
References
Baensch,
H.A. and R. Riehl 1985
Aquarien atlas. Band 2. Mergus, Verlag für Natur-
und Heimtierkunde GmbH, Melle, Germany. 1216 p. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009.
FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org,
version (04/2011). Reis, Roberto E. 1996. Hoplosternum
Gill 1858. Version 29 April 1996. The Tree of Life Web
Project, tolweb.org.
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