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This week I purchased 5 Hassar wilderi which are endemic to the Rio tocantins Araguia Basin. They are about 2.5 inches and their caudal fin is yellow in color. They have a nice black and white marking on the dorsal fin. They are very active and love live Black Worms. I promise to post some photos by Monday. Is anyone familiar with this fish?

Mark

No, but I am keeping a few similar doradids most notably .

Jools

I just purchased two Hassar (notospilus?) cats this weekend and would love to hear any hints you have. Mine seem to be healthy and happy, but I am a little worried about feeding. I haven't seen them taking any food yet and just want to make sure I am offering fare they would be interested in. So far they have ignored (or eaten on the sly) black worms (live), shrimp pellets, flake food, and a small sinking pellet food. They don't seem intimidated by their tankmates. What do yours eat? Any other suggestions? Oh yeah, they are in a well planted, established, community tank with a sand substrate and large piece of driftwood and rocks.

Thanks.

I have one, and it's so retiring that I've only seen it eat very rarely. However, mine would take micropellets, sinking pellets and is especially fond of live or frozen food (the only times I have seen it actually eat was when I introduced bloodworms or brine shrimp into the tank).

These fish are entirely active and gregarious, the trick is too keep them in shoals. Kept alone they don't do well in the personality stakes. They eat most foods with frozen bloodworms a favourite; this food really brings them on in size and health although they eat most dry foods too.

I have kept speciemens in the past on their own and they have not done very well despite the same care. What I end up thinking is these fish are oversized corydoras. Treat them as such and you will be off to a good start.

Jools

I agree with Jools. My 5 wilderi share their home with some Cory melini. The wilderi are always on the move. They are a great pleasure to watch. They look like they are having fun. I also find that they eat everything, live Black Worms, Brine Shrimp, pellets and flakes. A great aqua rium fish!!!