Hemibagrus Spilopterus

Datasheet

General Description
The Hemibagrus Spilopterus, commonly known as the Hemibagrus Catfish, is a predatory freshwater species belonging to the Bagridae family. It is often misidentified as its congener, H. nemurus, but can be distinguished by certain anatomical features such as vertebrae count and fin characteristics. This species can reach a maximum size of 50.0cm and is not suitable for typical home aquariums due to its aggressive nature and long lifespan of several decades.

Aquarium Setup
The Hemibagrus Catfish requires a large tank with a minimum size of 10,000 litres. The setup should include dim lighting and hiding spots like driftwood, rocks, or plastic piping. To maintain optimal conditions, a robust filtration system and strict water change routine are essential. Water parameters should range from a pH of 6.0-8.0, hardness of 36-357ppm, and a temperature between 20-27°C (see table).

Behaviour
This species is known for its aggressively territorial nature, making it incompatible with most tankmates. While it shows fearlessness towards humans, caution should be exercised during maintenance activities to avoid potential aggression. Hemibagrus Catfish are best suited for large, species-specific setups to prevent conflict.

Feeding and Diet
As a predator, the Hemibagrus Catfish primarily feeds on crustaceans and smaller fish in the wild. In captivity, they readily accept various foods such as live or frozen bloodworms, Tubifex, dried foods, earthworms, prawns, mussels, and sinking pellets. Juveniles require a high-protein diet, while adults can be fed 1-2 times per week with a varied diet but should avoid mammal meats like beef heart to prevent health issues.

Reproduction & Dimorphism
Information regarding the reproduction of Hemibagrus Spilopterus is currently unrecorded. Males can be distinguished by their elongate genital papilla, a feature indicating sexual dimorphism within this species.

Habitat and Distribution
Typically found in slow-flowing or standing waters, the Hemibagrus Catfish inhabits main river channels and lakes. Populations in riverine habitats exhibit localized migration to flooded forests during the wet season, returning to the main channels in November and December. Its distribution includes the middle-to-lower Mekong system in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, along with specific river systems in those regions as noted in the species' distribution information.

Etymology
The genus name Hemibagrus is derived from the Greek words "hemi," meaning 'half,' and "Bagrus," the generic name. The species epithet Spilopterus stems from the Greek terms "spilos," signifying 'spot,' and "pteryx," denoting 'fin,' referencing the black spot on the adipose fin.