Description:
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total):
6-7; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 75 - 93. Habitat:
Mainly restricted to headwater streams in hilly or
mountainous terrain. Prefers clear, fast-flowing streams,
usually in deep rocky pools. Can ascend torrential
steep-gradient streams and small waterfalls. Formerely
abundant in the Upper Fly River, but recent surveys
indicate a seriously depleted population. Common in
mountainous tributaries of the Strickland. Colouration:
Generally grey to brownish, lighter below. Aquarium
Care: Better suited to larger tanks of 4ft
(120cm) or over with rocks and plants provided for
cover. This genera are easily spooked in the aquarium.
Best kept in small groups of 4-6 individuals. The
pectoral and dorsal spines, as is the norm in this
genera, are venomous so handle with care.
Diet: Feeds on insects, prawns, mollusks
and small crayfish. In the aquarium, Snails, insects,
prawns, earthworms and other small crustaceans and
will take most aquarium foods.
Common
Name:
Southern tandan
Synonyms:
Copidoglanis equinus
Family:
Plotosidae
Distribution:
Asia & Oceania:
Southern Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), New Guinea.
Type locality: Lorentz-Fluss [New
Guinea].
Size:
38.0cm. TL (15¼ins)
Temp:
22-28°C (71-83°F)
p.H.
6.0-8.0.
Reference:
Allen, G.R.,
1991. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New
Guinea. Publication, no. 9. 268 p. Christensen Research
Institute, Madang, Papua New Guinea. Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist
of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes),
and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa
1418:1-628. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.
2020. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, version. Gerald R. Allen , Andrew W. Storey, Markson
Yarrao. Freshwater Fishes of the Fly River,
Papua New Guinea January 1, 2008.
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