Photo: Haplochromis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Flagtail porthole catfish
Dianema urostriatum
12.5 cm
Adult size
170 L
Minimum volume
6
Minimum group
8 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Dianema
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- shoal
In the wild
Overview
This armoured catfish, a cousin of the Corydoras, is recognised by the black and white bands on its tail fin. Every fish sold is wild-caught: fragile on arrival, they become very hardy once acclimatised.
- Scientific name
- Dianema urostriatum (Miranda Ribeiro, 1912)
- Classification
- Siluriformes › Callichthyidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Brazil: Amazon basin
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It lives away from the main channels, in creeks, slow tributaries, floodplain lakes and pools. It breathes air at the surface.
Behaviour
Very peaceful, it leaves even the smallest companions alone (only tiny fry risk being swallowed). It lives with tetras, peaceful cichlids, Corydoras and small Loricariidae, in a group, as it is gregarious. An omnivore, it accepts sinking pellets and frozen prey, and often comes up to feed at the surface.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth