The slight upturned snout of
this 'pim' makes it possible for it to find the finest
food organisms in the substrate. It is reported that
some imported specimens are half starved and need
tender loving care to recover. The upturned snout
can also be damaged on import. Description:
The predorsal plates and the nucal are united and
branched off. Dorsal fin with 1-6 radios; pectoral
1-8 pelics 6; anal 13 and caudal 18. Aquarium
Care: Can be kept together or singly but
will be predatory to smaller fishes especially as
they grow larger. Provide a soft substrate such as
sand as they will dig and root and will need a powerful
external filter. The tank must be twice the length,
in width, of the barbels on this species, so it can
turn around with no obstruction. A 4ft tank should
be the minimum length and breadth. Diet:
Tubifex, small earthworms, tablet and pellet foods.
Common
Name:
Sturgeon catfish
Synonyms:
Platystoma sturio
Family:
Pimelodidae
Distribution:
South America:
Amazon basin. Type locality: Rio
branco, Brazil.
Size:
30.0cm. SL. (12ins) 40.0cm
TL (16ins)
Temp:
21-25°C (69-77°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Baensch, H.A. and R.
Riehl 1985 Aquarien
atlas. Band 2. Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und
Heimtierkunde GmbH, Melle, Germany. 1216 p. Conservación Internacional;
seris de Guías Tropicales De Campo. Pecos del
medio Amazonas Región de Leticia. 546 p.
Platystomatichthys
sturio Head view of damaged snout
Platystomatichthys
sturio Cropped snout
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