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| Feeding catfishes by Francesco Zezza Bottom Feeders, Algae Eaters, Scavengers: these are –among others – the names used to “nickname” catfishes (actually those fishes are all the above and much more) assuming they’ll live on anything (leftovers from more “precious” tankmates?), algae (they’re supposed to be algae cleaner, aren’t they?) and almost nothing more. However, feeding catfishes correctly is a really complicated issue. Many of them, mostly the Amazon ones come from biotopes facing significant weather changes all year long (simply think about dry/rain seasons in the Amazon Basin); the same thing, to a lesser extent is also true for African Synos mostly coming from Rift Valley Lakes. These situations causes most of those fishes – in wild - to feed, during the year, on an a range of completely different foods: ranging from: animal / vegetable matter up to – in extreme conditions – detritus, wood and other “low nutrient” stuff! This is a point that we have to understand if we are to really understand their feeding needs: proper feeding of catfishes is anything but easy, or – at least – most of them need a MUCH greater food variety than just leftovers, algae, sinking tablets and the alike. A further point to consider is the fact that most aquarist (including cichlidiots, like myself) are used to keep these fishes in “shared tanks”, with other fishes. This also happens in the wild but sometimes they are with wrong tankmates in our tanks. What do you have to feed your catfishes, then? In a single word: EVERYTHING! Their dietary needs range from animal matter (and here I’m NOT specifically referring to Synos but, as odd as it may seem, ALSO to some “plecos”); vegetable matter (here you can experiment on your own, my knowledge suggests: zucchini, potatoes - not that fond of them - lettuce, spinach, cucumbers (all fed raw) and ,of course, algae (either scrathed from tank’s furniture or offered. TIP: wrap, using an elastic band, fresh vegetables to a stone to allow them to sink. Change this elastic band every now and then (it will rip, sooner or later, most catfishes have SHARP theeth!) Do remember that some “Amazonians” need to chew wood (i.e.: bogwoods) since lignine is a must for a complete, and healthy, digestion; among those fishes I have to mention – at least – the Panaque genus. Synodontis (personal experience with Malawi Syno only in the past and actually a “Riverine Syno” doubtfully identied) seem to be fond of “live matter” such as mosquito larvae, daphniae, brine shrimps. These should be supplied in proper quantities so that they will reach the bottom of the tank (beware of filters!) TIP: try to feed your catfishes at night (or, at least, using only actinic – blue - lamps). It is much more natural (to them) and easier for you (less fishes looking for food BEFORE it actually hits the bottom). Of course, as time passes by bright lights will become a minor issue.
Since supplying proper food to plecos is – as far as I know – one of the most complicated issues when keeping catfishes I add – here - a table showing the dietary needs of Loriicarids (with a few added data). This data have been supplied by Ingo Seidel in the Italian magazine “Hydra” (see cover below).
This issue came out of print at the beginning of year 2002. MCH authors would like to thank both of them and, at the same time, give each one (Mr. Ingo Seidel and Hydra magazine) the respective - dued - credits. I feel these info are extremely interesting when trying to fully understand the dietary needs of many of the - often underevalued - “scavengers” kept in our tank! FEEDING NEEDS OF AMAZONIAN LORIICARIDS.
NOTE: TL is, sometimes, estimated because of lack of reliable information. Specimens kept in aquarium can get even bigger. Quick reference table for shortenings used in column “diet”:
***: no kind of information on the collection site. Finally, please, have a look at the following table: it reports catfishes I’m currently keeping (NOTE: hyperlinks will take you to the dedicated fast facts sheets, whenever available) stating: · Tank housing them: with a reference to their tankmates whenever this issue is of “real” importance (i.e.: size retated matters). · Genus/species: in order to identify them as clearly as possible (and, believe me, this is anything but easy!). · Number of specimens kept:: if a fish is kept alone this may mean it is a territorial species (common among plecos and synos), expensive/hard to find, big sized, singly collected in wild. · Collection area: if/when available. · More: few, short, added info
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