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Peru Aquarium Group (1) Steven Grant (3) Erling Holm (1)

Similar looking to B. coracoideus but is rarer in imports. The Aspredinidae family is divided into two subfamilies, Bunocephalinae, and Aspredininae and can be told apart by the longer anal fin of the latter, and also the longer body. These catfish are quite often overlooked by the aquarist, most likely due to the fact that they usually hide in the tank or just generally look as if they are dead. The very fact that these catfish give the appearance of death is a natural defense against potential predators—after all, not many fish would be interested in eating something resembling a fallen leaf. Their typical colouration, which is predominantly brown, also helps them to blend in with their natural surroundings. Habitat: Frequently occurs in creeks where it plays the role of a typical bottom cleaner, possessing a broad food spectrum. Lives in the coastal rivers of northern South America between Orinoco to Amazon mouths. Present in all freshwater rivers except the Marowijne River where it is replaced by B. aloikae. Sexual Differences: Sexing out this species is not easy but a rule of thumb is that the females are larger and fuller in the belly and usually a little darker in colouration. Aquarium Care: Can be kept in groups and are non aggresive inmates in a shallow tank. The main problem is seeing them as they are a nocturnal species and you may be able to spot them if you feed at lights out in the dusk of a half lit room or fishhouse. Provide sand as a substrate as they will dig themselves into this and will smell food as it is introduced. Etymology: The genus name Bunocephalus: buno-, mound or knob; cephalus, head, referring to rounded cusps or bumps on head. The specific name amaurus: ark, referring to the dark chocolate colouration.

Camouflaged catfish

Dysichthys coracoideus amaurus, Bunocephalus amaurus aloikae, Bunocephalus amaurus sipaliwini

Aspredinidae

South America: Coastal rivers of northern South America between Orinoco to Amazon mouths. Type locality: Konawaruk, British Guiana.

12.0cm. (4¾ins)

25-28°c (77-83°f.)

Friel, J.P. 2003 Aspredinidae (Banjo catfishes). p. 261-267. In: R.E. Reis, S.O. Kullander and C.J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds.) Checklist of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Porto Alegre: EDIPUCRS, Brasil.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (01/2011).
ScotCat Factsheet no. 275. May 2019.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.