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ASPREDINIDAE FAMILY
The Aspredinidae or Banjo Catfish family is distributed throughout tropical South Americaand consists of over 35 species.Banjo Catfish are nocturnal, often peaceful species that can be combined in a communitytank with similar-sized fish.
Banjo Catfish
Dysichthys coracoideus
SYNONYMS : Bunocephalusbicolor, B. coracoideus
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION :A flattened fish having a rounded head and a body decreasing in width after the pectoralfins. There is a pair of barbels extending from the upper jaw. The small caudal is fan-shaped. Thefront part of the body is brown, and the rear part of the body is dark brown. The coloration and shape of this speciesmake it resemble a dead, decaying leaf.
SIZE : To 6" (15 cm)
SIMILAR SPECIES : Other Dysichthys species
HABITAT : Inhabits areas of leaf liter in still and slow-moving waters in South America; AmazonRiver.
AREA : bottom
TANK : A 30" (76 cm) or 20-30 gallon (76-114 L) tank is suggested. Shallow tanks are preferred. Thesubstrate should be dark peat, sand, or fine gravel.The tank can be planted with well-rooted plants.
WATER : pH 5.5-8 (7.0), 2-20 dH (10), 68-84°F (20-29°F)
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR : This peaceful, nocturnal species can be kept in a community tank not having small,slender fish, as these may be consumed.Remains mostly inactive during the daytime.
SUGGESTED COMPANIONS : Angelfish, Severum, Apistogramma, Geophagus, Gymnogeophagus, Leporinus.
FOOD : Live; Tubifex , insect larvae, crustaceans; tablets; flake
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES : Unknown, although females are plumper when carrying eggs.
BREEDING : Spawning is initiated with the lowering of the water level and a reduction in watertemperature to 68-72°F (20-22°C).This species spawns in pairs or in groups. Each female lays up to 3000 eggs onrocks and the substrate.The parents guard the young until they hatch. The parents should then be removed andthe young can be fed Rotifers and tablets.Later, the fry can be given white worms and Tubifex.
BREEDING POTENTIAL : 9.Breeding is unusual and difficult.
REMARKS : This species is the most commonly available of its family.
DIFFICULTY OF CARE : 5.This quiet species is suggested for the communitytank having medium sized fish.
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