Megalodoras uranoscopus Care Guide
Megalodoras uranoscopus is a large armoured talking catfish from Amazonian rivers, reaching about 60 cm and requiring very large aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Megalodoras uranoscopus is a large thorny catfish of the family Doradidae, described by Eigenmann & Eigenmann in 1888. It is native to the Amazon, Tocantins and Essequibo river basins of South America. Adults retain a marbled brown-and-black pattern throughout life and produce audible sounds, a trait common to talking catfishes.
Taxonomy
- Family: Doradidae
- Genus: Megalodoras
- Scientific name: Megalodoras uranoscopus
- Author: Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888
Habitat
The species inhabits slow-moving and standing waters including tributaries, creeks and swamps, sheltering among submerged roots and vegetation. It is reported from the Amazon, Tocantins and Essequibo systems across Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It undertakes seasonal migrations associated with the flood cycle.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 800 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
- Substrate: soft sand with driftwood; powerful filtration required
Diet
Megalodoras uranoscopus is omnivorous. In the wild it feeds on pulmonate (aquatic) snails and on fallen fruits such as those of Licania longipetala and Astrocaryum jauary. In captivity it accepts sinking dried foods, fruit and vegetables, molluscs and shellfish, and occasional live earthworms.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling, mainly nocturnal species that occurs in small groups in nature. It is compatible with mid-sized to large tankmates such as characins, cichlids and loricariids in suitably large systems. Very small fish may be eaten and should be avoided.
Breeding
The species has not been bred successfully in home aquaria. In the wild reproduction is linked to seasonal migrations.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020). It is commercially fished and has a moderate vulnerability to fishing pressure.
Megalodoras uranoscopus (Ripsaw Catfish) Breeding Guide
Overview
Megalodoras uranoscopus is a large thorny catfish of the family Doradidae, also known as the ripsaw or giant raphael catfish. According to Wikipedia it is native to the Amazon basin in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, growing to about 60 cm SL and up to 4.6 kg. Seriously Fish records a maximum of roughly 600 to 700 mm and notes it is suitable only for public aquaria plus an extreme minority of private aquarists. In nature it eats pulmonate snails and fallen fruits such as those of Licania longipetala and Astrocaryum jauari.
Sexing
According to Seriously Fish, adult females appear larger and heavier-bodied than males, and the genital papillae differ in structure between the sexes. These are the only reliable distinctions reported, and they are most apparent in fully grown adults.
Why home breeding is not feasible
The species undergoes extensive seasonal migrations that appear to relate directly to its reproductive cycle, and these cannot be reproduced in a tank. Combined with an adult size of more than half a metre and a minimum recommended tank footprint of about 240 by 120 cm, the migratory spawning behaviour places this fish well beyond home-aquarium reproduction. It is best regarded as a display species rather than a breeding project.