Photo: Pit one, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Spotted Raphael catfish
Agamyxis pectinifrons
15 cm
Adult size
140 L
Minimum volume
4
Minimum group
12 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Agamyxis
- Diet
- carnivore and omnivore
- Social life
- small group
In the wild
Overview
This armoured catfish of the family Doradidae bears small pale spots or bars that vary greatly from one individual to another. Its species name refers to the forehead “combed” with small spines. Common in the trade, hardy and long-lived, it suits beginners as well as experienced fishkeepers.
- Scientific name
- Agamyxis pectinifrons (Cope, 1870)
- Classification
- Siluriformes › Doradidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Amazon basin (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil)
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It prefers slow or still water rich in submerged or floating cover, where it hides by day, such as the whitewater tributaries of the Rio Pacaya in Peru, flooded for most of the year.
Behaviour
Peaceful, but an adult can swallow very small fish: it fits into a medium to large Amazonian tank with peaceful characins, cichlids and catfish. Gregarious, it behaves more naturally in a group of four or more. Omnivorous, it feeds mostly at night on sinking foods and frozen prey.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth