Scobiancistrus aureatus
Burgess, 1994 |
his month we welcome back regular contributor, U.K. author
Chris Ralph, and his look at the Sunshine or Goldie Pleco
Scobiancistrus aureatus.
Scobiancistrus aureatus is a relatively recently described
species of Loricariid (1994). This particular catfish was first
given its L-number reference in 1989, before finally being described
scientifically in 1994. It is documented that this catfish when
eating dead fish will first eat the skin of the fish before eating
the flesh, sometimes not even bothering to eat the flesh at all!
This catfish as with many other species is best described as
being a substrate dweller, with its typical suckermouth adapted
to feeding upon different food types found on the substrate.
I have seen a number of these striking catfish available for sale
over the years and I would suggest that you would expect to pay
anything from £30 for a juvenile specimen to in excess of
£100 for an adult fish.
Scobiancistrus aureatus prefer to be kept in water which
has a pH in the range of 5.8-7.2. This catfish is ideally suited
to temperatures in the range of 25-29ºC. It fares best in
well aerated, clean water conditions with a preference for a good
water flow.
I would suggest a minimum size of 48” x 24” X 24”,
although a larger aquarium would be preferred for one of these
fascinating larger catfish. I would suggest good quality aquarium
sand such as BD Aquarium Sand, or very smooth rounded gravel as
the preferred substrate when keeping these catfish. The aquarium
should provide some shelter in the form of rocks or bogwood along
with a small covering of aquatic plants.
As with all other species of fish, water quality and general husbandry
is very important, and I would recommend that a minimum of 25%
water is changed on a weekly basis.
The body shape of Scobiancistrus aureatus
is described as being elongate and flattened. The body is completely
covered with small spines. The mouth is described as being inferior
with lips forming a disc-like shape. The teeth are arranged in rows.
The eyes have a peg-shaped iris lobe which is typical of most species
of Loricariid. The adipose fin consists of a spiny projection which
supports a membrane. This catfish has distinctive nasal flutes.
The base colour of the body and head is dark olive green. The suckermouth
is yellowy white in colour. In juvenile specimens the body is overlaid
with large yellow or gold coloured spots along the length of the
body, which can be seen extending from the body into the base of
the fins. The fins are a vivid orange colour in juvenile fish, with
the exception of the adipose fin which shares the same base colour
of the body with spots. In adult specimens the body is overlaid
with a greater number of spots which can also be seen spread over
the majority of the surface of the fins. The tips of the fins become
yellow in colour as opposed to the vivid orange colour in juvenile
fish.
Scobiancistrus aureatus is an ideal addition to an aquarium
containing such fish as South American cichlids, discus and angelfish,
just as long as the other occupants are not too aggressive and can
withstand the higher water temperatures.
As far as I am aware there are no documented records of Scobiancistrus
aureatus having been spawned in aquaria to date, which is most
likely due to the cost of purchasing the breeding stock and also
to the potential size of aquarium required.
Scobiancistrus aureatus readily accepts a mixed and varied
diet which includes sinking foods such as catfish pellets, frozen
bloodworm and any other good quality foods which sink to the substrate.
These catfish also have a preference to feed upon meatier foods
such as dead fish, mussels and prawns.
| Sexual
differences |
The males tend to be more slender and larger
than the females. The males tend to develop bristles around
the cheeks and head, with larger spines or odontodes being
present along the leading edge of the pectoral fin ray.
|
| Etymology |
aureatus: which means golden,
which is referring to the golden coloured finnage.
|
| Glossary |
Adipose: defined as a second
dorsal fin which consists of fatty tissue with a single spine
supporting a thin membrane. Inferior:
defined as visible only from beneath the head in
reference to the mouth.
Nasal: defined
as being in relation to the nostrils.
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