PlanetCatfish.com - Megalechis picta (Callichthyidae) Cat-eLog

Male
Female
Collected on the Rio Negro near Barcelos
Male
Male (showing near-touching coracoids)
Pair - female below
Female
Pair courting (female on right)
Dorsal view - adult male
Spawning bubble next
Close-up of spawning bubble nest
Five day old eggs, about to hatch
Male

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Megalechis picta** (Müller & Troschel, 1849)
Common Names	Tail Bar Hoplo Bartail Hoplo, Halestribet Amazonpansermalle (Denmark), Tail Bar Armoured Catfish
Type Locality	Guyana.
Synonym(s)	Callichthys longifilis, Callichthys pictus, Callichthys sulcatus, Callichthys thoracatus, Hoplosternum orinocoi, Hoplosternum oronocoi, Hoplosternum thoracatum
Pronunciation	MEG ah LEK iss - pik tah
Etymology	Megalechis: From the Greek megas, meaning large and lekis, meaning plate; in allusion to the extreme development of the coracoid bones on the breast of fully developed males.
Species Information
Size	155mm or 6.1" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Can be distinguished from the similar M. thoracata by the conspicuous dark vertical band in the caudal fin. In M . thoracta the caudal fin is all-over greyish.
Sexing	Males are larger and develop greatly lengthened pectoral fin rays. The males coracoids almost touch whilst the females (esp. if full of eggs) remain separate.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins, as well as coastal rivers of the Guianas and northern Brazil. Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro (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	5.0 - 6.5
Temperature	18.0-28.0°C or 64.4-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Not a delicate fish when it comes to water conditions. Ideally the water should also be a little soft. Tolerates very low-oxygen content.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Not a fussy eater, most foods are accepted. Bloodworm and sinking catfish tablets are best, but once established will eat flakes at the surface. Larger fish will take cichlid tablets / doromin. User data.
Furniture	Floating plants are a good idea although this fish will live happily on most set-ups.
Compatibility	Peaceful and not predatory, although larger specimens can be downright boisterous at feeding time.
Suggested Tankmates	Ideal for mid to large sized community tanks. Best kept with other similarly active bottom feeders such as Brochis, most Botia loaches. They are even tough enough to be kept with Labeo 'sharks' and similar. This is a good catfish for an active, lively set-up featuring, for example, barbs or rainbowfish.
Breeding	Bubblenest builder. Well conditioned pairs should spawn readily, but a large water change should prompt spawning of a more reluctant pair.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Reisen in Britisch-Guiana, pp630.
Registered Keepers	There are 23 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 12 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Search for M. picta
	Look up M. picta on AquaticRepublic.com
	Look up M. picta on Fishbase
	Look up M. picta on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up M. picta on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.1.10.321
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:38 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)