Speckled catfish is a very common aquarium fish. It is characterized by extreme unpretentiousness and simplicity of maintenance. Therefore, breeding of this species can be recommended to beginner aquarists. You can buy fish in almost any pet store or on the market. The only drawback of breeding is that the fish constantly moves the soil, raising turbidity, so you can not do without a filter.
Speckled catfish is widespread in nature in South America, in the La Plata river basin. He likes to stay in shallow water, where there is soft soil, digging out various worms and insect larvae from there. Under natural conditions, the female can reach a length of 8 centimeters, smaller males - 6 cm, and in small aquariums, fish sizes are reduced by one and a half times.
The body of the speckled catfish has, like the rest, the catfish, is rather short, the back line is convex, and the abdomen is straight. The male differs from the female in both size and dorsal fin. In the male, it is pointed, and in the female it is round, while the male looks more slender. The abdomen of the fish is light, in the natural habitat it is orange-yellow. On the mouth directed downward are two pairs of antennae used to search for food. An aquatic creature leads a daily life, as a result of which you can freely observe its behavior.
Speckled catfish is very unpretentious in leaving. The optimum temperature for its life can vary widely (18-28 degrees), it is even possible to go out of this range for a short time. For fish, the amount of oxygen dissolved in water is insignificant, since this species can use atmospheric air for its breathing, the oxygen from which is absorbed by the fish in the colon.
Aquarium fish can use almost any food that lays on the bottom for feeding fish. Water can be used of any quality, it is important that it is not salty. Individuals cannot tolerate table salt, even that which is used in the treatment of other fish. It is necessary to ensure water filtration, because plants and other inhabitants of the aquarium will be primarily affected by turbidity.
Speckled catfish is a flocking species, so it is best to take several individuals (5-6 pieces) for maintenance. And for the neighborhood, you can start any fish that are peaceful in nature, with similar sizes. In the aquarium, shelters should be equipped or thickets of plants should be organized, in which fish love to hide from annoying neighbors. At the bottom, it is better to sprinkle fine soil in which aquatic creatures will dig.
Of all fish spawning, speckled catfish is most easily bred. For spawning, an aquarium of 10 liters is suitable. For reproduction, enrich the water with oxygen by putting aeration. The optimum water temperature should be around 20 degrees. For spawning, one female and a pair of males are placed separately. In total, the female individual spawns about several hundred large transparent eggs. Caviar develops for about a week, large fry come out of it, which quickly grow and mature by 8 months.
The life expectancy of a catfish in captivity is 8 years.