Oxydoras

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Oxydoras
Oxydoras niger in an aquarium
Oxydoras niger in an aquarium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Doradidae
Genus: Oxydoras
Kner, 1855
Binomial name
Oxydoras kneri
Bleeker, 1862
Oxydoras niger
(Valenciennes, 1821)
Oxydoras sifontesi
Fernández-Yépez, 1968
Synonyms
  • Pseudodoras
    Bleeker, 1858
  • Hildadoras
    Fernández-Yépez, 1968

Oxydoras is a genus of catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the family Doradidae. This genus includes three species, O. kneri, O. niger, and O. sifontesi.[1]

Contents

[edit] Distribution

O. kneri originates from Paraná River basin.[2] O. niger is found in the Amazon, São Francisco, and Essequibo River basins, and is also possibly in the Orinoco River basin.[3] O. sifontesi inhabits the Orinoco River basin.[4]

[edit] Description

Oxydoras species are relatively large, reaching between 70–100 centimetres (28–40 in) in length.[2][3][4] O. kneri has a maximum published weight of 9,000 grams (20 lb).[2] O. niger gets even heavier, with a maximum published weight of 11.0 kilograms (24 lb).[3]

[edit] Ecology

O. kneri is omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects, crustaceans, mollusks, other invertebrates and some vegetable material.[2] O. niger feeds on detritus, chironomid and ephemeropteran larvae, and crustaceans.[3]

O. niger occurs over mud in streams and lakes. It is known from temperatures ranging from 24–29.8°C (75–85.6°F), pH range of 5–9, and an alkalinity range of 42–142.[3] O. niger is known to form schools.[3]

[edit] In the aquarium

O. niger is a popular aquarium fish species. In the hobby, it goes by many names, including black talking catfish, mother of snails catfish, ripsaw catfish, and black doradid.[5] This species grows to a large size and are often bought by unsuspecting aquarists when small. They will rapidly outgrow smaller tanks, so the aquarium should be as large as possible.[5][6] O. niger is especially light shy and should be provided with sheltered areas to hide.[6] These fish are peaceful, although fish that are too small are risky.[5] This specices readily accepts prepared foods.[5] O. niger has not been bred under aquarium conditions.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ferraris, Carl J., Jr. (2007). "Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types" (PDF). Zootaxa 1418: 1–628. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Oxydoras kneri". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Oxydoras niger". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "Oxydoras sifontesi". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. June 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d e PlanetCatfish::Catfish of the Month::February 2001. PlanetCatfish.com (2006-04-12). Retrieved on 2007-06-16.
  6. ^ a b Axelrod, Herbert R.; Emmens, C.; Burgess, W.;Pronek, N. (1996). Exotic Tropical Fishes. T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-543-1.