WHITE SPOTTED DORADID

is a very pretty fish. The body is a dark brown to blackish color adorned with an irregular pattern of small spots that can range from brilliant white to pale yellow. The fins are dark too, with both spots and stripes that may run together forming crosswise bars. This striking white-on-black patterning makes it very attractive and desirable, yet no two look fish look exactly the same!

This fish is a member of the Doradidae family. Due to its spotted appearance and its ability to vocalize it's also commonly known as the Spotted Talking Catfish. It will produces sounds, "croaks" or "clicks," by rubbing its pectoral fins across grooves in the shoulder, usually heard when removing it from its tank. A few other descriptive common names it is known by include White Spotted Talking Catfish, White Spotted Doradid, White-spot Dorydid, Talking Catfish, and Thorny Catfish.

The Spotted Raphael Catfish is very hardy and tolerant of most water conditions. It makes a great choice for a beginner or any other aquarist. Being nocturnal, it is a bit shy and will look for a nice comfortable hiding place during the day. Like the Raphael Catfish, it likes to burrow in the soft river bottom in the wild, so provide a corner of fine gravel or sand. They also like to wedge themselves into tight spaces, so some hiding places in the hollows of roots or driftwood are appreciated.

It is a peaceful catfish and does well in a community aquarium. Its an excellent companion with most other medium to large fish, only very small fish may get snacked on. With its armored thorny protection it can even be kept with more aggressive tankmates. South and Central American cichlids, larger characins, Pimelodus, and Trichogaster are all good choices. It can be kept singly, but in the wild this is a gregarious species, and a group of 4 or more can be happily kept in a good sized aquarium. It will also school with similar looking catfish relatives.

Size

5.9 inches (15.01 cm)

Lifespan

10 years - They have an average lifespan of 10 years, however in captivity they have been known to live as much as 15 to 20 years.

Feeding

They are omnivores and not fussy terms of feeding. In the wild they will feed on a variety of crustaceans, worms, insects, and plant matter. They are bottom feeders, and In the aquarium they will eat any food that reaches them. Feed them daily, being nocturnal they prefer to be fed right before or after the lights are turned off on the aquarium.

To keep a good balance give them high quality sinking pellets everyday, along with freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex. They will also eat all kinds of live, frozen, and prepared foods, including flakes, that have sunk to the bottom. Protein foods are important for them, so the occasional whole or chopped earthworm is good as a regular treat. They will eat snails, so can be employed to clean up a snail overpopulation, as long as the aquarium's conditions are suitable for this fish.

• Diet Type: Omnivore - They do eat some plant matter in the wild, but protein is the main staple of their diet.
• Flake Food: Yes - They will eat any foods that reach the bottom of the aquarium.
• Tablet / Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Most of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Daily - This fish is nocturnal and prefers to be fed right before or after lights out in the aquarium.

Water Parameter

are moderately sized fish. They need a minimum sized tank of 35 gallons, with 45 gallons or more being better. They tend to be nocturnal, getting most active in the evening and nighttime when they come out to scavenge for food. They may seem shy during the day, spending much of their time hiding, but once they are comfortable they will come out for a swim around. As with most catfish they enjoy well oxygenated waters and this can be accomplished using an undergravel filter and a powerhead. They prefer slightly acid water with low hardness.

Provide a dimly lit setup with hiding places. Plants, twisted roots, and driftwood are the best decor. They will not harm plants and will appreciate some in floating cover as well, to help reduce the light. When young they tend to hide in dense vegetation, but they also like to wedge themselves into tight crevices and to burrow. Provide a sandy or fine gravel bottom with at least one corner without plants.

• Minimum Tank Size: 35 gal (132 L) - A 35 gallon tank is minimum, but 45 gallons or more is better, especially for a larger community.
• Suitable for Nano Tank: No
• Substrate Type: Sand - Sand or fine gravel that will allow this fish to burrow.
• Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
• Temperature: 68.0 to 79.0° F (20.0 to 26.1° C)
• Range ph: 5.8-7.5
• Hardness Range: 2 - 20 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Weak
• Water Region: Bottom

Sexual Differences

Mature females tend to be noticeably plumper then the males.