Freshwater
Atipa
Hoplosternum littorale
Callichthyidae, Callichthyinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 26.3 cm
- Body shape
- Streamlined
Care
- Group
- At least 6 together
- Smallest aquarium
- 556 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, and 5 more countries.
Introduced to United States.
More about the species
Description
Inhabits swamps. During the rainy season, adults consume a great quantity of chironomids associated with detritus. During the dry season, they feed mostly on terrestrial insects, micro-crustaceans, aquatic Diptera, and detritus. Absorbs a great quantity of anaerobic bacteria from the substrate. First reproduction occurs after one year. Used to be cultured commercially in Guyana. Cultured in Trinidad on a semi-commercial scale.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Callichthys albidus
- Callichthys chiquitos
- Callichthys laevigatus
- Callichthys littoralis
- Callichthys melampterus
- Callichthys subulatus
In other languages
- Atipa-pansermalle
- Rantamonni
- Brown hoplo, Catfish, Hassar
Articles
All articles
How many fish can I keep?4 min read
Why "one cm of fish per liter" falls short, and what adult size, schools, territory and swimming zones mean for how many fish a tank can hold.
How to set up a South American aquarium4 min read
Soft, acidic water, subdued light, sand, roots and fallen leaves: how to set up a biotope aquarium from the Amazon and the rivers around it.
How to set up a Central American aquarium5 min read
Hard, alkaline water, sand and rock: an aquarium from the rivers and lakes of Mexico and Central America, with cichlids and livebearers.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.