Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

 

Currently we can offer a very odd species of catfish, namely Trachelyopterus fisheri. Initially this species of driftwood catfish orginates from Colombia where it is found in the system of the Rio Sucio. From that area only very occasionally importations appear. So we are quite happy that we have an adult wild collected male of this extraordinary species in stock.

 

Like their close relatives, the bottlenose catfish of the genus Ageneiosus, Trachelyopterus males develop a mighty dorsal spine, a penis-like organ (which is used to fertilize the female internally) and thick maxillary barbels during the mating season. All these feature vanish after the breeding season in Ageneiosus. Males and females cannot be told apart externally then. It is unknown wether this is the case in Trachelyopterus, too.

 

Interestingly this rare species is bred already commercially in Indonesia as an ornamental fish. We also have such bred specimens in stock. The coloration differs a lot individually. In our fish house the animals are swimming around the whole day through and obviously love to company of their own.

 

Trachylopterus fisheri becomes about 12-15 cm long It is a peaceful species, but very small tank mates may be taken for food.

For our customers: the large wild collected male has code 297546 on our stock list, the bred specimens from Indonesia (which are 6-8 cm long) 297543. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

 

Lexicon: Trachelyopterus: means "with extreme fin". fisheri: dedication name for Carl G. Fisher, of Indianapolis, who helped to make possible a second expedition to the type locality of the species.

 

Suggestion of a common name: Fisher´s driftwood catfish. Order Today!