Species name: Hoplosternum thoracatum
Synonym: Megalechis thoracata; Callichthys thoracatus; Hoplosternum orinocoi
Common names: Brown hoplo, hoplo catfish
Family: Callichthyidae
Order: Siluriformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum size: 17 cm / 7 inches
Environment: freshwater
Origin: Widespread throughout the Amazon basin
Temperament: Peaceful
Company: Hoplosternum thoracatum (Brown hoplo) can be kept with most other species.
Water parameters: Temperatures 65-82°C / 18-28°C; pH 6.0 – 8.0
Aquarium setup: Hoplosternum thoracatum (Brown hoplo) prefers a planted aquarium with open areas. The bottom should be covered in a fine grained smooth bottom substrate that allows for digging.
Feeding: Hoplosternum thoracatum (Brown hoplo) accepts frozen foods and most type of pellets. They sometimes accept flake food.
Breeding: Hoplosternum thoracatum (Brown hoplo) can be breed in aquariums and the spawning is triggered large water changes using cool water and thereby quickly lowering the temperature. Males that are in breeding condition displays a blue/purple sheen on the under belly. Hoplosternum thoracatum (Brown hoplo) builds bubble nest containing vegetable parts. The parents should be removed from the aquarium after spawning or they will eat their own eggs and fry.
