Albino Hoplo Catfish - Megalechis thoracata
Albino Hoplo Catfish (Megalechis thoracata)
The Albino Hoplo Catfish is a hardy, characterful freshwater catfish with a pale cream to pinkish-white body, long barbels and the armoured plating typical of callichthyid catfish. The albino form is a captive colour morph of a South American species naturally found in slow-moving, often low-oxygen waters, which helps explain its calm nature and habit of regularly rising to the surface for air. In the aquarium it is a peaceful bottom-dweller that does best in a spacious, mature setup with soft substrate and plenty of cover. The scientific name you provided, Hoplosternum thoracatum, is an older synonym; the currently accepted name is Megalechis thoracata.
Common Name:
Albino Hoplo Catfish. It is also commonly sold simply as Albino Hoplo.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Megalechis thoracata
Older synonym: Hoplosternum thoracatum.
Maximum Size:
Up to 15.5 cm standard length, with aquarium references commonly treating it as a fish that reaches around 15 cm or a little over 6 inches.
Water Type:
Freshwater.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
South America, including the Amazon, Orinoco and upper Paraguay basins, plus coastal rivers of the Guianas and northern Brazil. It naturally occurs in slow-moving tropical freshwater habitats and is well adapted to lower-oxygen environments.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: up to 20°H
Temperament:
Generally peaceful and well suited to larger community aquaria, although it may eat very small tankmates if they can fit in its mouth. It is usually more comfortable with the company of its own kind than when kept entirely alone.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It will take a wide range of foods including sinking pellets, catfish wafers, frozen foods and live foods, and it is an enthusiastic scavenger once settled.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 200 litres, especially if keeping a small group. While smaller minimums are sometimes suggested for juveniles, this species grows into a fairly chunky catfish and benefits from a larger footprint.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active bottom-dweller that enjoys rooting through the substrate and exploring the aquarium. It also has the ability to breathe atmospheric air, so it will regularly visit the surface to gulp air, especially in lower-oxygen conditions.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A soft sand or fine smooth substrate is strongly recommended to protect the barbels. Provide wood, plants or caves for cover, and make sure there is access to the surface so the fish can air-breathe normally. These catfish are hardy, but they still do best in a mature aquarium with good filtration and stable water quality.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers. This is a reasonable recommendation based on its hardiness, broad water tolerance and straightforward feeding, while allowing for its adult size and need for a proper setup.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Albino Hoplo Catfish - Megalechis thoracata
Albino Hoplo Catfish - Megalechis thoracata
Albino Hoplo Catfish (Megalechis thoracata)
The Albino Hoplo Catfish is a hardy, characterful freshwater catfish with a pale cream to pinkish-white body, long barbels and the armoured plating typical of callichthyid catfish. The albino form is a captive colour morph of a South American species naturally found in slow-moving, often low-oxygen waters, which helps explain its calm nature and habit of regularly rising to the surface for air. In the aquarium it is a peaceful bottom-dweller that does best in a spacious, mature setup with soft substrate and plenty of cover. The scientific name you provided, Hoplosternum thoracatum, is an older synonym; the currently accepted name is Megalechis thoracata.
Common Name:
Albino Hoplo Catfish. It is also commonly sold simply as Albino Hoplo.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Megalechis thoracata
Older synonym: Hoplosternum thoracatum.
Maximum Size:
Up to 15.5 cm standard length, with aquarium references commonly treating it as a fish that reaches around 15 cm or a little over 6 inches.
Water Type:
Freshwater.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
South America, including the Amazon, Orinoco and upper Paraguay basins, plus coastal rivers of the Guianas and northern Brazil. It naturally occurs in slow-moving tropical freshwater habitats and is well adapted to lower-oxygen environments.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: up to 20°H
Temperament:
Generally peaceful and well suited to larger community aquaria, although it may eat very small tankmates if they can fit in its mouth. It is usually more comfortable with the company of its own kind than when kept entirely alone.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It will take a wide range of foods including sinking pellets, catfish wafers, frozen foods and live foods, and it is an enthusiastic scavenger once settled.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 200 litres, especially if keeping a small group. While smaller minimums are sometimes suggested for juveniles, this species grows into a fairly chunky catfish and benefits from a larger footprint.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active bottom-dweller that enjoys rooting through the substrate and exploring the aquarium. It also has the ability to breathe atmospheric air, so it will regularly visit the surface to gulp air, especially in lower-oxygen conditions.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A soft sand or fine smooth substrate is strongly recommended to protect the barbels. Provide wood, plants or caves for cover, and make sure there is access to the surface so the fish can air-breathe normally. These catfish are hardy, but they still do best in a mature aquarium with good filtration and stable water quality.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers. This is a reasonable recommendation based on its hardiness, broad water tolerance and straightforward feeding, while allowing for its adult size and need for a proper setup.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $24.33
-65%$24.33
$8.52Product Information
Product Information
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Description
Albino Hoplo Catfish (Megalechis thoracata)
The Albino Hoplo Catfish is a hardy, characterful freshwater catfish with a pale cream to pinkish-white body, long barbels and the armoured plating typical of callichthyid catfish. The albino form is a captive colour morph of a South American species naturally found in slow-moving, often low-oxygen waters, which helps explain its calm nature and habit of regularly rising to the surface for air. In the aquarium it is a peaceful bottom-dweller that does best in a spacious, mature setup with soft substrate and plenty of cover. The scientific name you provided, Hoplosternum thoracatum, is an older synonym; the currently accepted name is Megalechis thoracata.
Common Name:
Albino Hoplo Catfish. It is also commonly sold simply as Albino Hoplo.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Megalechis thoracata
Older synonym: Hoplosternum thoracatum.
Maximum Size:
Up to 15.5 cm standard length, with aquarium references commonly treating it as a fish that reaches around 15 cm or a little over 6 inches.
Water Type:
Freshwater.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
South America, including the Amazon, Orinoco and upper Paraguay basins, plus coastal rivers of the Guianas and northern Brazil. It naturally occurs in slow-moving tropical freshwater habitats and is well adapted to lower-oxygen environments.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–28°C
pH Range: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: up to 20°H
Temperament:
Generally peaceful and well suited to larger community aquaria, although it may eat very small tankmates if they can fit in its mouth. It is usually more comfortable with the company of its own kind than when kept entirely alone.
Diet:
Omnivorous. It will take a wide range of foods including sinking pellets, catfish wafers, frozen foods and live foods, and it is an enthusiastic scavenger once settled.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 200 litres, especially if keeping a small group. While smaller minimums are sometimes suggested for juveniles, this species grows into a fairly chunky catfish and benefits from a larger footprint.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active bottom-dweller that enjoys rooting through the substrate and exploring the aquarium. It also has the ability to breathe atmospheric air, so it will regularly visit the surface to gulp air, especially in lower-oxygen conditions.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A soft sand or fine smooth substrate is strongly recommended to protect the barbels. Provide wood, plants or caves for cover, and make sure there is access to the surface so the fish can air-breathe normally. These catfish are hardy, but they still do best in a mature aquarium with good filtration and stable water quality.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers. This is a reasonable recommendation based on its hardiness, broad water tolerance and straightforward feeding, while allowing for its adult size and need for a proper setup.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
