CATFISH

ASPREDINIDAE FAMILY
The Aspredinidae or Banjo Catfish family is distributed throughout tropical South America and consists of over 35 species. Banjo Catfish are nocturnal, often peaceful species that can be combined in a community tank with similar-sized fish.

Banjo Catfish [
Dysichthys coracoideus
SYN : Bunocephalusbicolor, B. coracoideus
PD :A flattened fish having a rounded head and a body decreasing in width after the pectoral fins. There is a pair of barbels extending from the upper jaw. The small caudal is fan-shaped. The front part of the body is brown, and the rear part of the body is dark brown. The coloration and shape of this species make it resemble a dead, decaying leaf.
SIZE : To 6" (15 cm)
SS : Other Dysichthys species
H : Inhabits areas of leaf liter in still and slow-moving waters in South America; Amazon River.
A : bottom
TANK : A 30" (76 cm) or 20-30 gallon (76-114 L) tank is suggested. Shallow tanks are preferred. The substrate 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)
SB : 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.
SB : Angelfish, Severum, Apistogramma , Geophagus, Gymnogeophagus, Leporinus.
FOOD : Live; Tubifex , insect larvae, crustaceans; tablets; flake
SC : Unknown, although females are plumper when carrying eggs.
B : Spawning is initiated with the lowering of the water level and a reduction in water temperature to 68-72°F (20-22°C). This species spawns in pairs or in groups. Each female lays up to 3000 eggs on rocks and the substrate. The parents guard the young until they hatch. The parents should then be removed and the young can be fed Rotifers and tablets. Later, the fry can be given white worms and Tubifex.
BP : 9. Breeding is unusual and difficult.
R : This species is the most commonly available of its family.
DC : 5. This quiet species is suggested for the community tank having medium sized fish.