Flagtail Catfish Breeding Guide

Breeding Dianema urostriatum, a callichthyid bubble-nester that has spawned in aquaria when conditioned with live food and triggered by large, cool water changes.

Overview

The flagtail catfish (Dianema urostriatum) is a callichthyid from parts of the Brazilian Amazon basin, reaching about 12.5 cm standard length. Information on its spawning is scant, yet it has been bred in aquaria on numerous occasions. It is reportedly a bubble-nester, although some conflicting reports suggest eggs may be laid in pits excavated in the substrate.

Breeding Setup

It is best to begin with a small group of four to six fish in soft, slightly acidic water (25-28 °C, pH 6.0-8.0, preferably lower). Float a piece of polystyrene or a plastic lid at the surface to provide a potential nest-building site, since in the closely related Hoplosternum a yellow object has given the best results.

Conditioning

Condition the group with copious amounts of live food to bring the fish into spawning condition.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Large, cool water changes are the key trigger and, together with heavy feeding, stimulate breeding activity; simulating seasonal dry/wet cycles may help reluctant pairs. Eggs are deposited either in a surface bubble nest or, by some accounts, in a substrate pit.

Egg & Fry Care

Once eggs are noticed the adults should be removed, as they may eat them. After their yolk sacs are absorbed the fry are big enough to take Artemia nauplii and/or microworm.