SCOTCAT.COM  

he last time ScotCat visited the Plotoside family for a factsheet was way back in March 2009 with a look at Porochilus rendahli "Rendahl's catfish". This month of April 2013 takes us back again to this family and a look at the "Short Finned Catfish" Neosilurus brevidorsalis.

Neosilurus brevidorsalis

 

If you looked back at the P. rendahli factsheet you would be forgiven in thinking that this is the same fish as N. brevidorsalis but as mentioned in that factsheet the eye is much closer to the mouth in the Porochilus genus and also larger as can be seen in the bottom two images.

 

 

Neosilurus ater - with the smaller eye in normal position relating to the snout

Porchilus rendahli - with the larger eye being closer to the mouth

 

Neosilurus brevidorsalis occurs in lakes, swamps and rivers, including turbid backwaters and clear, flowing tributaries. Inhabits bottom of warm, clear, flowing streams; also lives in billabongs and flooded lagoons. Feeds on insects, prawns, mollusks and small crayfish and reaches sexual maturity at about 12 centimeters.

In the aquarium they tend to be less inclined to like company as they get older, and are very much a digger. Better suited to larger tanks of 4ft (120cm) or over with rocks and plants provided for cover. This genera are easily spooked in the aquarium. Best kept in small groups of 4-6 individuals. The pectoral and dorsal spines, as is the norm in this genera, are venomous so handle with care.

 

 

 

This species is uncommon in Australia as it is found only in the far north at the tip of the Cape York peninsula in Queensland (see map) in the tributaries of the Jardine River and in McDonnel Creek (Jackson River system). It is more widespread in southern New Guinea. The specimens pictured here were captured in Papua New Guinea (Timika). In its natural habitat they feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, mollusc, shrimps and prawns.

 

Shortfin tandan, Short-finned Catfish

Copidoglanis brevidorsalis, Anyperistius perugiae, Neosilurus bartoni

-

Asia & Oceania: Northern Australia at Cape York Peninsula and central-southern New Guinea. Type locality's: Nicol Bay, Cape York, Queensland, Australia. Inawe, St. Joseph River, New Guinea. Sogeri, New Guinea.

15.0-20.0cm. (6-8ins)

22-28°C (71-83°F)

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 4-5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 56 - 93.

Generally peaceful with other placid species.

Tablet and pellet foods, also frozen shrimp and worms but they do relish prawns.

Neosilurus: Neo means "new" in latin and "silurus" From 'silouros', a kind of river fish. Silurus, sheetfish, catfish. According to Lacepede (1803) this word indicates the rapidity with which Silurus can move its tail.
brevidorsalis: With short dorsal.

Photo Credits

© Allan James @ courtesy of