he common name for this
Dorad catfish is the Long-nosed Raphael Catfish
to differentiate it from the similar looking Raphael
Catfish Platydoras
armulatus(previously
known as P.costatus). The genus Orinocodoras
is Monotypic (containing only one species). In the
U.K. the common name for P.armulatus is usually
Humbug or Chocolate Talking Catfish
pertaining to them being able to create a sound by
grating their fin bones in each socket and amplifying
the noise via the swim bladder, this also applies
to O.eigenmanni.
Orinocodoras
eigenmanni
This fish is probably
imported alongside P. armulatus, for if you
look into a tank of the latter in any shop you will
usually find one or two 0. eigenmanni there.
They are quite easy to spot with experience, as O.
eigenmanni, as the common name suggests,
has a longer nose, plus the scutes that adorn the
sides of the body are smaller, and I find that it
is usually a bit darker in colouration than P.
armulatus. This is a very nocturnal catfish, so
give it plenty of hiding places such as pipes or rockwork
and you will get the added bonus of seeing it on the
odd occasion.
As can be seen
in the photograph this can be a very impressive looking
catfish when adult and in common with P. armulatus
it can get quite heavy in the body.
Orinocodoras
eigenmanni- showing scutes
The picture above
shows the impressive scutes that adorn both sides
of its body.
Common
Name
Long-nosed
Raphael Catfish
Synonyms
None
Family
Doradidae
Subfamily
Doradinae
Distribution
South
America: Orinoco
River basin: Venezuela. Type locality:
Venezuela: Caño de Quiribana near Caicara.
Size
17.5cm (7ins)
Temp.
23-26ºC (73-79ºF)
p.H.
6.0-7.0
Characteristics
Adipose; Continued
forward very slightly into a keel. Body; 29 lateral scutes, all fairly
even in size. The plates are all small leaving much
of the sides of the body naked. Caudal Peduncle; Covered with caudal
fulcra above and below.
Dorsal Spine; Serrated on both anterior
and posterior edges. Fontanel; Continued as a groove to
the base of the dorsal fin.
Colouration
Body black with a creamy
white lateral stripe from the eye, running along
the lateral plates and faintly continuing through
the caudal fin. Underside of head and coracoid,
white to cream. Belly is darkly mottled. Dorsal
lightish mottled, the first soft ray and membrane
blackish. Leading edge of the dorsal spine light.
Aquarium
Care & Compatibility
This is quite a peaceful catfish
in a aquarium with similar sized tankmates, but I
wouldn't advise keeping them with small characins,
such as neon's, as this fish foraging at night would
view them as lunch!, but apart from that a good addition
to a tank instead of the more common P. armulatus.
Reproduction
Not recorded.
Diet
Will eat anything hence the
body shape it attains. You could also feed tablet
food at lights out, just to make sure that it is getting
its fair share. If you feed your usual fare to your
aquarium inhabitants you will usually find a very
large and fat O. eigenmanni the odd times that
you do view it.
Glossary
of Terms
Caudal
Peduncle - The area between the dorsal fin
and the tail. Fontanel
- The space(s) between the bones on top of the skull
covered by skin.
Etymology
Orinocodoras:
From the Orinoco River; doras = cuirass (helmeted). eigenmanni: In honour
of Dr.Carl H.Eigenmann, Professor of Ichthyology in
Indiana (1863-1927).
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