Jaguar Catfish Liosomadoras oncinus

Scientific Name : Liosomadoras oncinus

Family : Doradidae

Common Name : Jaguar Catfish

Maximum Size : 18cm / 7"

Origin : Rio Branco, Brazil - white water river

Temperature : 20-24pH Level: 5.8-6.5

Things to note : The Jaguar catfish (Liosomadoras oncinus) is named after the intangible Jaguar (Panthera onca), and just like its feline namesake, the Jaguar catfish can only be found on the South American continent. It has jaguar skin patterns and is very attractive.

Personal comments : They are quite territorial and yet fragile. Be sure to have a stable tank environment. I've lost my two specimens quite quickly.

Tips : Try to keep a pair, male and female. And have a lot of patience; they do not move at all when there is light, and they are very sensitive to light!

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Sexual dimporphism / reproduction : Determine the sex of a Jaguar catfish is easy, but reproduction has not yet occurred in captivity. The female fish is shorter than the male and has a heavier belly. You can see the male's reproductive organ at the anterior edge of his anal fin.

Feeding: In addition to the leftover food it will scavenge from the bottom, the Jaquar Catfish should also be fed sinking carnivore flakes, pellets, tubifex, and bloodworms.

Behaviour in captivity: Unlike many other popular catfish species, the Jaguar catfish does not form schools. It is a highly territorial species and this must be taken into consideration when you set up your aquarium. It is possible to house several Jaguar catfishes in the same aquarium if it is large enough, but this calls for a clever aquarium decoration that brake up the aquarium into several different territories. There must also be plenty of hiding spots throughout the aquarium. Include driftwood and pieces of PVC pipes or similar. If you hear strange sounds from the aquarium at night, it is Jaguar catfishes trying to stake out their territories. Rivaling the Jaguar catfishes will rotate the spines of their pectoral fins at the base; thereby producing a sound somewhat similar to a foghorn or tuba.

As nocturnal predators, these catfishes should only be maintained with community fishes of equal or greater size. As one of the most beautiful of all South American catfishes, the Jaguar catfish can be recognised by its striking yellow blotches and dark lines on a brown and white body.