PlanetCatfish.com - Acanthodoras cataphractus (Doradidae) Cat-eLog

Habitat: submersed terrestrial grasses in this small Amazon side channel
Suriname
Collected in Suriname
Lateral view
Ventral view
Rio Caqueta, Brazil

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Acanthodoras cataphractus** (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common Names	Chocolate Talking Catfish Chocolate Raphael, Gemeiner Dornwels (Germany), Milky Catfish
Type Locality	America (in error).
Synonym(s)	Callichthys asper, Cataphractus americanus, Doras blochii, Doras castaneoventris, Silurus cataphractus
Pronunciation	ah KAN tho door ass - cat ah frak tuss
Etymology	Acanthodoras: From the Greek akantha, meaning thorn, and doras, meaning skin (also a word commonly used in forming generic names for doradids); in reference to the spines on the bony scutes along the lateral line. The species name, cataphracta/us, means armoured or mail-clad.
Articles	- CotM 2007 May
Species Information
Size	115mm or 4.5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The only genus of doradid with a fully rounded caudal fin. This fish is almost never a direct import can be be found by the aquarist with a discerning eye as bycatch among shipments of the more common Platydoras armatulus (often labelled P. costatus). In P. armatulus, the white markings along the flank connect above the eyes forming a 'V.' The markings of A. cataphractus do not connect on the head. In P. armatulus, the white flank stripe continues down the body and onto the caudal fin. The caudal fin of A. cataphractus lacks the white stripe and is mottled.
Sexing	Females typically larger with a more full, or 'plump', appearance.
General Remarks	The above specimen on the right was captured using a ten foot seine net on the banks of a small Amazon tributary on the Peruvian side of the Amazon across from Leticia Colombia.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Amazon River basin and coastal drainages of French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname. Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Suriname Coastal Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH	6.4 - 7.4
Temperature	22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	There are reports of this species from river mouth areas, but it is unlikely these are exported, those that do find their way into aquaria prefers softer water.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	An opportunistic feeder that eats live, frozen and dry aquarium foods. It usually only comes out to feed after lights out. User data.
Furniture	A very shy retiring fish that, once released in the aquarium, is rarely seen again. Provide plenty of caves and other hiding places. In the wild, they typically hide among thickets of submerged plants.
Compatibility	A good choice for the medium to large community tank. The above specimen was caught alongside the doradids Platydoras armatulus, Agamyxis pectinifrons, and Amblydoras hancockii in submerged terrestrial vegetation. Also collected at the site were Brochis splendens and several Corydoras spp.
Suggested Tankmates	Anything but the smallest species. Good with other doradids. A peaceful community resident.
Breeding	Acanthodoras cataphractus are documented as having been spawned in aquaria. Both parents were observed digging a depression in the substrate into which the eggs were deposited. The eggs were guarded by both fish. The eggs hatched after 4-5 days although unfortunately the young did not survive beyond the fry stage of development.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Systema Naturae, Ed. X v. 1, pp 307.
Registered Keepers	There are 30 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 3 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 9 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.12.38.626
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2001 Jun 03 00:00)