Flagtail Porthole Catfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Dominant in the massive Amazon hydrographic basin in Brazil, in the Solimões basin. Concentrates among the bends of "white water" rivers with lethargic outflow, where immense flooded forests reign, underwater labyrinths of decomposed branches and sweet mangrove roots in which to hide.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Callichthyidae known globally as "Flagtail Porthole Catfish". Boasts a larger size (up to 12 cm / 4.7 inches) and a more accentuated muscular profile than the longibarbis, maintaining the unmistakable aerodynamic and elongated "chassis" with two rows of whiskers stretched forward.

Social Behavior: Absolutely gregarious but endowed with a dynamic and less reluctant temperament than its congener. To be strictly maintained in structured schools (from 6 upwards), in which it exhibits spectacular patterns of synchronized swimming in mid-water or powerful snout-to-ground dives.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Dotted "Porthole" base body, with an unmistakable breathtaking distinctive trait ("urostriatum"): the large caudal fin is heavily furrowed by powerful horizontal black-and-white parallel bands (flag-like). Dimorphism limited to the male pectoral spines, thick and jagged, and the female belly.

Aquarium Setup: Athletic fish, demands very long rectangular tanks equipped with massive free swimming zones. A vital requirement is thick upper cover (Pistia, shady branched woods) to stop its fear of the open, and the usual impalpable sand for facial dredging.

Diet and Feeding: Does not compromise with poor quality food. Boldly grabs the granulate in mid-water before it falls, but the sustenance of the body requires monstrous injections of bloodworms, tubifex, and raw macro-shrimp/mysis distributed generously.

Water Quality: Thermophilic, likes 24-28°C (75-82°F) and possesses the same prodigious adaptation to assimilate oxygen from the intestinal walls in case of asphyxiated waters in summer. Maintain water at intermediate values (pH 6.0 - 7.2, GH 2-15) ensuring excellent ammonia purification.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Extraordinary community tank supporting character. Mutually ignores small fish, swimming briskly in thick gatherings of Tetras (Emperor Tetras, Diamond Tetras) or large harmless Cichlids for its size (Uaru, Severum, peaceful Geophagus).

Aquarium Reproduction: Similar to Asian nest builders (Labyrinth fish). The male unleashes territoriality by mounting, under floating covers or large woody crevices, a bulky frothy nest woven with debris and algae, where he jealously crams the newly fertilized larvae.

Risks and Diseases: In addition to the wear of the precious facial sensors caused by coarse gravel, the fish is notorious for panic attacks in the first acclimatizations: covering the tank glass avoids lethal cranial crashing. Hypersensitive to saline or copper treatments.