All fish / Callichthyidae

Spotted Hoplo Catfish

Megalechis thoracata

Also known as hoplo catfish, spotted hoplo, port hoplo, flagtail hoplo, hoplosternum thoracatum, atipa, tamoatá, hoplo cat, megalechis thoracatum, marbled hoplo, ホプロ, ホプロステルナム・トラカータム

A sturdy, armoured catfish with two rows of overlapping bony plates, a dark brown body peppered with black spots and a pair of long barbels. It is kept as a hardy, long-lived bottom dweller that suits community tanks with medium to large peaceful fish and helps clear up leftover food.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

13 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Group of 3 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, catfish wafers, bloodworm, earthworms and vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon, Orinoco and Guianas river basins; Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Bolivia

Breeding

Males build a floating bubble nest, often under a leaf or floating plant, and guard the eggs fiercely after spawning. Captive breeding is fairly straightforward when a cooler water change mimics the rainy season.

Good to know

It can gulp air from the surface, so leave a gap under the lid and fit it tightly, as these fish can jump. It is often confused with Hoplosternum littorale, which grows larger and has a forked tail, and with Dianema species; breeding males turn aggressive while guarding the nest.