Talking catfish

Acanthodoras spinosissimus

Also known as Chocolate talking catfish, Chocolate raphael, Spiny talking catfish

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Minimum tank: 26 gal (100 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Common
Origin: Found in the Amazon and Essequibo river basins of northern South America.
Family: Doradidae

Overview

The talking catfish is a hardy, peaceful bottom dweller that makes an easy oddball for a community, though it is nocturnal and often out of sight by day. It will not bother tankmates it cannot swallow but may eat very small fish and shrimp at night. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, and other meaty foods after lights out. A tank around 100 liters with sand and cover suits it. Take care when netting it, since the locking spines tangle badly and it can jab you.

In the wild

The talking catfish lives in slow, leaf-littered stretches of the Amazon and Essequibo, rooting through soft substrate and detritus for food. It is nocturnal and often buries itself in the day, leaving just its eyes showing. Set it up with soft sand, plenty of driftwood, leaf litter, and dark caves, at 22 to 28 degrees C with soft to neutral water.

Good to know

This thorny catfish grows to about 15 cm and is armored with a row of bony, spined plates along each flank. Like other doradids it is a talking catfish, producing audible grunts and creaks by grinding its pectoral spines and vibrating its swim bladder. The sounds are usually made when the fish is handled or stressed.

Did you know

Lift one out of the water and it will often grunt and creak at you, a sound made by grinding its fin spines that carries surprisingly well through the air.