Flag-Tailed Catfish (Dianema urostriatum)

From The Aquarium Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Flag-Tailed Catfish

Dianema urostriata.JPG
Flag-Tailed Catfish

Dianema urostriatum

76 Litres (20 US G.)

8-13 cm (3.1-5.1")

sg

Freshwater

pH

6.0 - 7.0

25 -28 °C (77-82.4°F)

5-19 °d

1:2 M:F

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

5-8 years

Family

Callichthyidae



Additional names

Flag-Tailed Catfish, Flagtail Catfish, Flagtail Porthole Catfish

Additional scientific names

Decapogon urostriatum


Origin[edit]

South America: Amazon River basin.


Sexing[edit]

Females are more chunky and thicker-set than males.


Tank compatibility[edit]

A peaceful larger catfish that does well in a community setting and happiest in a group. Best kept with similar-sized peaceful fish.


Diet[edit]

This fish is an herbivore, but will feed on other foods if enough vegetable material isn't available including catfish pellets and sinking foods, as well as scavenging any stray live/frozen foods offered to tank mates.


Feeding regime[edit]

Feed once or twice a day.


Environment specifics[edit]

These fish can be rather fragile when it comes to water parameters, preferring acidic conditions, and acclimatisation, so introduce them slowly to mature tanks only. Does well in planted tanks with large rocks, caves and pvc pipes to sit on and hide amongst. Due to their long delicate barbels, they are best kept on a sand substrate or with soft rounded gravel.


Behaviour[edit]

A docile fish that does well in groups of 5 or more as long as the tank is large enough. Will "bask" on rocks. Is a mid-bottom dwelling fish.


Identification[edit]

Compared with most Callichthyidae catfish, this fish is rather slender and is shaped like a torpedo. The most obvious sign that this is the D. urostriatum is its tail, with its black and white alternating horizontal stripe pattern.

Pictures[edit]

External links[edit]