Hoplosternum Magdalena
Hoplosternum Magdalena, scientific name Lepthoplosternum pectorale, belongs to the family Callichthyidae (Shell or Callicht catfish). Previously, the catfish was referred to as Hoplosternum pectorale, until the Brazilian ichthyologist Roberto E. Reis revised the classification of the family in 1996. Since that year, a new genus, Lepthoplosternum, has appeared in the scientific literature.
Contents
Habitat
The fish is native to South America from the Paraguay River basin. It occurs everywhere in swampy areas of rivers with slow currents, hiding at the bottom among snags, thickets of aquatic plants and a fallen layer of plant residues (fallen leaves, branches, etc.).
Description
Adult individuals reach a length of about 6 cm. The fish has an elongated body covered with “armor” from the rows of bone plates that protect the catfish from small predators. The mouth has two pairs of antennae. The color is gray or dark brown with many black dots.
There are several very similar representatives of the genus. Hoplosternum Magdalena can be distinguished by the rounded edge of the caudal fin.
Behavior and Compatibility
Peace-loving calm fish, gets along well with relatives and other non-aggressive species of comparable size. It was noted that during the spawning period, males begin to compete with each other for the attention of females, and also show territorial behavior, protecting their area of the aquarium from encroachment. At this time, catfish become not too friendly.
As neighbors, it is recommended to acquire fish that live in the water column or near the surface and, accordingly, avoid the settlement of quarrelsome bottom dwellers.
Brief information:
- The volume of the aquarium – from 70 liters.
- Temperature – 20-26°C
- Value pH — 5.8–7.8
- Water hardness – soft to hard (5-25 dGH)
- Substrate type – sandy
- Lighting – preferably subdued
- Brackish water – no
- Water movement is weak
- The size of the fish is about 6 cm.
- Nutrition – any drowning
- Temperament – peaceful, during the breeding season conditionally peaceful
- Content alone or in a group
Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium
Given the modest size and sedentary lifestyle, the minimum size of an aquarium for 2-3 fish starts from 60-70 liters, and the length of the tank is more important than its height. In the design, it is necessary to provide places for shelters in the form of thickets of plants, snags, leaves of some trees or any other natural or artificial decor. The lighting is subdued. Floating plants will be a good means of shading.
The content is relatively simple. Fish successfully adapt to a wide range of values of the main hydrochemical parameters (pH and dGH). Relatively cool water (20-26°C) is preferred compared to other tropical species.
Food
An omnivorous species, will accept most commercial sinking foods (flakes, pellets).
