Carps, Characins and Catfish
Ostariophysi
Suckermouth Catfish / Sugemalle
Hypostomus plecostomus
Red-tailed Catfish / Rødhalet malle
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
Barred Sorubim / Spademalle
Psedoplatystoma fasciatum
Suckermouth Catfish / Sugemalle
Hypostomus plecostomus
Red-tailed Catfish / Rødhalet malle
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
Barred Sorubim / Spademalle
Psedoplatystoma fasciatum
Facts:
Suckermouth Catfish
Length: 50 cm.
Habitat: On the surface of plants, rocks and other algae-covered surfaces.
Behaviour: Primarily nocturnal, hiding during the day. At Odense Zoo, however, it is possible to see them in daytime eating the algae on rocks and at the bottom of the manatee basin.
Sexually mature males grow barbels around the mouth, whereas the female’s hind part of the body swells. The eggs are spawned on stones or tree stumps after which the male guards them. The eggs hatch 3–5 days later.
Suckermouth catfish are often used in aquariums because they remove algae from aquatic plants and glass.
Red-tailed Catfish
Length: 134 cm.
Weight: 44 kg
Habitat: Tropical freshwater
Food: Fish, crabs and fruit
Characteristics: As its name implies, the red-tailed catfish is identified by its colourful tail. It is a large, impressive fish. It has long barbels used for feeling and tasting. It primarily comes out at night when it hunts for food.
Barred Sorubim
Length: 104 cm.
Habitat: Tropical freshwater where they live in rivers or flooded areas of forests.
Characteristics: Very large with a flattened snout. Barbels on the lower jaw. Spotted, white abdomen with a dark striped upper body.
Food: Fish and crabs.
Behaviour: Females are sexually mature when they are 56 cm long, males 45 cm.
The meat is watery and boneless. Used as an edible fish.
Length: 50 cm.
Habitat: On the surface of plants, rocks and other algae-covered surfaces.
Behaviour: Primarily nocturnal, hiding during the day. At Odense Zoo, however, it is possible to see them in daytime eating the algae on rocks and at the bottom of the manatee basin.
Sexually mature males grow barbels around the mouth, whereas the female’s hind part of the body swells. The eggs are spawned on stones or tree stumps after which the male guards them. The eggs hatch 3–5 days later.
Suckermouth catfish are often used in aquariums because they remove algae from aquatic plants and glass.
Red-tailed Catfish
Length: 134 cm.
Weight: 44 kg
Habitat: Tropical freshwater
Food: Fish, crabs and fruit
Characteristics: As its name implies, the red-tailed catfish is identified by its colourful tail. It is a large, impressive fish. It has long barbels used for feeling and tasting. It primarily comes out at night when it hunts for food.
Barred Sorubim
Length: 104 cm.
Habitat: Tropical freshwater where they live in rivers or flooded areas of forests.
Characteristics: Very large with a flattened snout. Barbels on the lower jaw. Spotted, white abdomen with a dark striped upper body.
Food: Fish and crabs.
Behaviour: Females are sexually mature when they are 56 cm long, males 45 cm.
The meat is watery and boneless. Used as an edible fish.
Ostariophysi and their relatives account for three-fourths of all freshwater fish. Great variation is found within the group, but almost all members have acute hearing due to some unusual bones called ‘Weberian Ossicles’. They use this hearing to communicate with each other.
They usually have a flat head and a broad mouth with whisker-like barbels. The barbels are used for sensing and tasting.
Ostariophysi are generally predators or scavengers living close to the bottom in dark water.
More fish info at: http://www.fishbase.org
They usually have a flat head and a broad mouth with whisker-like barbels. The barbels are used for sensing and tasting.
Ostariophysi are generally predators or scavengers living close to the bottom in dark water.
More fish info at: http://www.fishbase.org
