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I have an armored catfish I got from the lfs. It is about 3 inches long and dark brown. It swims all over the tank constantly, regardless of the time of day. It feeds a lot from the top of the tank. Is it probably the Callichthys callichthys catfish? I can't find much info on them.

Could be C. callichthys, but I would guess that it's more likely to be or . The reason for that is that C. callichthys isn't often seen in the trade, whilst the two others I mention aren't particularly rare.

They behave and look similar, and grow to similar sizes.

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Mats

MatsP wrote:They behave and look similar, and grow to similar sizes.

Clicking the links will surely make clear that the above statement isn't quite correct.

Marc van Arc wrote:

MatsP wrote:They behave and look similar, and grow to similar sizes.

Clicking the links will surely make clear that the above statement isn't quite correct.

You're obviously splitting hairs: A size-range of around 5-8 inches is "similar" to me, and the overall body shape and colouring isn't quite the same for the group, but they aren't exactly "worlds apart" either.

As far as I'm aware, the behaviour is also at least not worlds apart. So for someone who isn't specifically knowledgeable in "Larger callichtyidae", then I would say the my statement is reasonable.

If I've missed something obvious, then please enlighten me.

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Mats

I once ended up with a littorale in order to find a mate for my thoracum male

Thus I can only agree they do look a lot alike, but the littorale grew to almost 18 cm, one and a half time the thoracum's size. She also was much more active, especially during daylight

now, 8 years late,r the thoracum had died of old age, and the littorale is dying too - but still swimming.

So, based on these experiences, I can only agree very limited with Mats, agreeing more with Marc.

It looks more like the Hoplosternum littoraleto me. I say that because of the color and the more deeply grooved (I don't know the proper term) tail. Overall shape matches better too. A very active fish for a catfish. Do they do well as a single specimen in a tank?

They should be fine on their own, I think. I have a group of three which are definitely happy to be on their own as well as socializing when they "feel like".

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Mats

Another reason I think I have Hoplosternum littorale is that this fish is very active during the day like the one Bas Pels mentions. I plan on keeping one with an oscar in a 100 gallon tank.

MatsP wrote:
You're obviously splitting hairs: A size-range of around 5-8 inches is "similar" to me, and the overall body shape and colouring isn't quite the same for the group, but they aren't exactly "worlds apart" either.

As far as I'm aware, the behaviour is also at least not worlds apart. So for someone who isn't specifically knowledgeable in "Larger callichtyidae", then I would say the my statement is reasonable.

If I've missed something obvious, then please enlighten me.

This is not a matter of being right or being wrong, but it struck me that you wrote it. I've got to know you as someone who is precise; I only have to refer to the numerous questions and remarks you've made on behalf of the Cat-eLog.
In my opinion the differences between both species are too large to oversee: size, colour and shape. The most obvious feature that gives H. littorale away is the V-shaped caudal. The behaviour is indeed quite alike.
But again, it's just a remark.
Pier had (has?) the true and and of course then it's even more easy to distinguish them.
There's only one Callichthyid that may be mistaken for a (juvenile) Callichthys callichthys and that's
(at least in my case; twice actually).
Btw: in the mean time Dax' problem seems to have been solved.

dax29 wrote: I plan on keeping one with an oscar in a 100 gallon tank.

I don't think that is such a great idea actually. The Hoplo - despite it's armour - is totally defenseless against an oscar.

In my experience the oscars typically ignore catfish and tend to be more aggressive towards cichlids. If trouble is noticed, a change will certainly be made.

Hi,
can those Hoplo cat live happily with corydoras?

No problem as long as you don't mind the difference in sizes.