Order Siluriformes
Family Callichthyidae ( Callichthyidae )
Subfamily Callichthyinae
Genus Lepthoplosternum.
— Lepthoplosternum pectorale [Boulenger, 1895]. Synonyms: Callichthys pectoralis, Hoplosternum pectorale. (Eng. Dwarf Hoplo). Inhabit Peru, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Rio Paraguay river. 6-8 cm. Two pairs of long barbels on the upper jaw and one pair of short ones on the lower. They have a brownish body with scattered small darker spots. Light stripes are visible on the head in some individuals. Fins are dark brown, caudal fin with black spots.
Males are slightly darker than females. Fins are gray with dark spots. A relatively high fin is located on the highest part of the back, the second fin is located almost close to the caudal one. They differ from M. thoracata and H. littorale by the shape of the caudal fin. In L. pectorale it is slightly rounded, while in M. thoracata it is square, in H. littorale it isforked.
Bottom-dwelling, crepuscular fish. Males become territorial only during the spawning period. Constantly rummaging at the bottom in search of food, loosening the top layer of soil, particles of which then settle on narrow-leaved plants. Shelters made of stones are needed where the fish hide during the day, coming out only by evening. Representatives of the genus are very sensitive to an increase in table salt concentration. It should not be used in the treatment of any diseases. pH 6.5-7.5; dH up to 20°; T 18-28°C.
Genus Megalechis.
— Megalechis thoracata [Valenciennes, 1840]. Synonyms: Callichthys exaratus, Callichthys, Hoplosternum personatus, Hoplosternum thoracatum, Megalechis personata, thoracata. (Eng. Brown Hoplo Catfish, Port Hoplo, Spotted Hoplo). Distributed from Panama to Paraguay, Trinidad Island. 10-14 cm. Body is rounded, elongated in length, with a slightly raised back profile and straight belly. Covered with two rows of bony plates converging in the middle of the body. The head is wide, flattened from top to bottom, at the corners of the mouth and on the upper lip there are two pairs of very mobile barbels that help fish navigate in muddy water.
Fish have additional intestinal respiration, so they periodically surface and swallow atmospheric air. Due to the rather extensive distribution area, the species is subject to geographical variability: individuals inhabiting water bodies of different regions differ in size, body shape, coloration, etc. The main coloration ranges from light brown tones to dark coffee, almost black. The whole body and fins are covered with dark spots of irregular shape, more intense coloration. Males are smaller and slimmer.
A distinctive feature of males is the first ray of the pectoral fin, which at the age of 6-7 months begins to develop, turning into a powerful bone spine dotted with small denticles. During the spawning period, the anterior rays of the pectoral fins increase in size in the male, their coloration changes from reddish-brownish to orange. In the female, the pectoral fins are shorter and have a rounded shape. By the spawning period, the lower part of the body becomes white in the female and gray-violet in the male.
Can be kept in a general, top-closed aquarium with plant thickets and a large number of shelters. Peaceful, keep in the lower layer of water, love shady places, soft soil in which they willingly dig. Active at dusk. It needs spacious aquariums with dimmed lighting, plenty of shelters (caves, driftwood) and shaded bottom areas. Aggressive during the breeding period. Do not keep with very small fish. These catfish lead a crepuscular and nocturnal lifestyle, keeping in small groups. During daylight hours they hide in plant thickets, under driftwood and stones.
They can dig up plants, so they are planted in pots. Filtration and water changes are mandatory. Eats any live and dry food, finely chopped meat, takes mostly from the bottom. But having settled in the aquarium, they become brazen and begin to push away even larger neighbors at the feeder. Mature at 8-10 months. Spawning of Megalechis is paired both in a general and in a spawning aquarium, which should have shelters for the female, a large plant leaf floating on the surface.
Willingly spawn in a general aquarium provided it has plants with floating leaves (like nymphaea). During spawning, the male builds a large foam nest under wide leaves of marsh plants floating on the surface. The female spawns and glues eggs in an even layer along the leaf. Immediately after spawning, the male quickly increases the size of the nest, adding more and more bubbles. The entire period of egg development (5-6 days) he is nearby, letting no one close to the nest. Fry grow fast. At the age of 1.5-2 months, fry reach a length of 3-4 cm and are able to eat any type of food. pH 6.8-8.0; dH up to 20°; T 20-24°C.
Identification: Megalechis thoracata.
Dianema longibarbis, Dianema urostriatum.
Description of the family Callichthyidae. Callichthys callichthys. 
