SCOTCAT.COM

your internet guide to all things catfish

Amphilius platychir (Günther, 1864)

Image contributors to this species:

Hippocampus Bildarchiv (2) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

This species and probably most of this genera can be easily misidentified and the thumbnails may be this species or closely related species such as A. atesuensis or A. uranoscopus. They are all more or less the same when keeping them in our aquaria. Water would need to be kept on the cool side for this genera as they inhabit flowing waters in their natural habitat. Aquarium Care: Can be kept in aquaria with a small grained gravel or sand substrate, and well planted with a slight current to facilitate their natural habitat. Provide rockwork and caves. This genera prefer cooler temperatures in the aquarium. Not imported very often but would make good aquarium additions if kept in optimum conditions. Diet: Mosquito larvae, Tubifex, Cyclops, Daphnia, grindal worms, vegetable food, tablet and flake. Etymology: The specific name platychir: platy, flat or broad; cheiros, hand, referring to broad, fan-like pectoral-fin rays.

Common Name:

Mountain barbel

Synonyms:

Pimelodus platychir, Amphilius uranoscopus, Amphilius grammatophorus, Amphilius grammatophorus brevipinna, Amphilius grammatophorus inaequalis, Amphilius grammatophorus marmoratus.

Family:

Amphiliidae

Distribution:

Africa: Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire. Type locality: Sierra Leone.

Size:

16.5cm. (6½ins)

Temp:

23-26°c (73-79°f.)

p.H.

6.5-7.5.

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Seegers, Lothar; The Catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Tetra Verlag GmbH. 604p.

Family: Amphiliidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Amphilius platychir

Amphilius platychir
Ventral view

Amphilius platychir

If you would like to contribute to the monthly factsheets with an article, information or photos, please e-mail me. You will of course be credited for your work.

If you would like to donate any denomination of monies to the site just click the above link button. All proceeds will go to running the site and hopefully to keep it going for a few years yet.