Hog-nosed catfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hog-nosed catfish |
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Brochis multiradiatus Orcés-V., 1960 |
The hog-nosed catfish (Corydoras multiradiatus) is a special kind of tropical freshwater fish. It's part of the Callichthyidae family, which includes many armored catfish. This fish lives in South America, specifically in the western Amazon basin in countries like Ecuador and Peru.
Scientists used to place this fish in a different group called Brochis. However, most now agree it belongs to the Corydoras family. Some older references, like FishBase, might still use the Brochis name.
Contents
What Makes It Special?
This catfish gets its name from its unique snout, which is much longer than other fish in its group. It looks a bit like a hog's nose! It also has more rays on its dorsal fin (the fin on its back) than many other similar fish. It usually has about 17 rays, while others might have 11 or 12.
The hog-nosed catfish can grow to be about 6.7 centimeters (or 2.6 inches) long.
Where Does It Live and What Does It Eat?
The hog-nosed catfish loves warm, tropical waters. It lives in water that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.2. The water should also be moderately hard, around 15 dGH, and the temperature should be between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius (70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit).
This fish is not picky about its food. It eats a variety of things found at the bottom of the water. Its diet includes worms, small crustaceans, insects, and even some plant matter.
Life Cycle
When it's time to lay eggs, the hog-nosed catfish chooses areas with lots of thick plants. The female fish lays her eggs among this dense vegetation. After the eggs are laid, the adult fish do not stay to guard them. The young fish are left to hatch and grow on their own.
As a Pet Fish
The hog-nosed catfish is sometimes kept as a pet in home aquariums. However, it's not very common to find. Sometimes, people might confuse it with another similar fish called Corydoras splendens. If you do get one, caring for it is very similar to caring for C. splendens.
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
