Jaguar Catfish - Liosomadoras oncinus (catfish woocats)

[Whiplash4ever]

Has anyone ever housed one of these bad boys before? I got my little fella over the internet, cause they weren't to be found at any of my LPS and I'm not sure he's eating. I mean, he must be eating a little or he'd have died a long time ago, but I never see him come out of his little hiding hole. Even when I turn all the lights off at night and keep them off til the morning, he's still in there when I quick like a bunny turn the lights on hoping to surprise him. Any ideas?

[Birger]

I have two now for 3 1/2 months,they are in a tank full of rocks, sticks and plants, luckily they both have picked hidey holes where I can just see them, but the reason I know they are still alive is I can hear them vibrating when one of the other cats gets to close to them. I never see mine out and about but they still are healthy. I always make sure food goes into the area where they have inserted themselves and turn off the lights.They do not really have to much in the way of defense so make sure there is no other fish who will take the opportunity to pick on yours because it is not moving.

Birger

[Richard B]

a jaguar hiding is just doing what comes naturally so this is ok for the fish but somewhat frustrating for the owner. A way round this is to create a cave for the fish which is set up in such a way that when the fish is in it it is still clearly on display - something like a half clay pot facing the front of the tank.

Mine prefers tablets & pieces of prawns but eats virtually anything offered

[Marc van Arc]

It may take months before they start showing themselves and when you do something they don't like they'll vanish again for some time until they see fit to appear again.
With regard to feeding: in this respect they should have been Doradidae, for mine look like a snooker ball with a head and a tail attached to it; just like an average Acanthodoras or Agamyxis