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Ian Fuller (2) Yann Fulliquet (3) Pier Aquatics (2) Danny Blundell (1) GREEN FISH Aquarium (1)

Was known as Tatia creutzbergi but this name is now been put into synonymy. Colouration: Variation in body pigmentation was observed between the Suriname and Amazonian populations. In Suriname specimens the body is usually yellowish ventrally or sometimes with a rounded brown spot present near each pelvic-fin base. No Amazon specimens had a rounded brown spot near the pelvic-fin base and the body is invariably yellowish ventrally Variation in pectoral-fin spine pigmentation occur independent of geographical locality: pectoral-fin spine is usually transversely banded but is uniformly dark to unpigmented in some specimens. Coloration of the dark lateral stripe on the side of the  body varies. In some Suriname specimens the dark brown lateral stripe has irregular dark and light areas. In addition, the lateral stripe was interrupted in some and absent in decolorised specimens. In an upper Amazon specimen, the lateral stripe is light brown, not as dark as in the Amazon specimens. The first two thumbnail specimens could be from Suriname and the next three, the Amazon variety. Aquarium Care: As with most members of this family they are very secretive and will stay hidden for most of  the day. Dim lighting will see them come out for food which they eat with gutso. Will have no  problem with most co-habitants but will eat small fish/fry in the aquarium. Diet: In its native habitat they feed on small invertebrates and crustaceans and in the aquarium they will eat anything given such as frozen bloodworm inserted in to their hideaway, catfish tablets, white worm (sparingly) and prawns and shrimp. They do like their food and you can see them shooting out of their hideouts and swimming in a frenzied manner to try and take all for themselves, especially when you feed them their favourite food, frozen bloodworm. Etymology: gyrina: latinisation of gyrinos, tadpole, presumably referring to its tadpole-like shape.

None

Centromochlus gyrinus, Tatia creutzbergi, Centromochlus creutzbergi.

Auchenipteridae

South America: Upper and central Amazon, in Peru, Colombia and Brazil. It is also found in rivers of northern Suriname.

5.0cm. (2ins)

21-24°c (69-75°f.)

5.5-6.5.

Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl, 1991. Aquarien atlas. Bd. 3. Melle: Mergus, Verlag für Natur-und Heimtierkunde, Germany. 1104 p.
Mol, H.A. Jan, The Freshwater Fishes of Suriname. BRILL, Leiden Boston, 2012. 889 p.
Sarmento-Soares, Luisa Maria; Martins-Pinheiro, Ronaldo Fernando A systematic revision of  Tatia (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae: Centromochlinae) Neotropical Ichthyology, 6(3):495- 542, 2008.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 48. June 2000