Scabbard Catfish - Scleromystax barbatus - DNZ

This freshwater ornamental fish from southeastern Brazil is called Shabracken Cory Catfish (Scleromystax barbatus) because of its interesting coloration. It grows very large for an armored catfish at 12 cm. Its body is completely covered with armor plates arranged in a roof tile-like pattern. The males are more colorful than the females and also grow slightly larger. Males acquire a whisker during the mating season. In habitat, Schabracken Tank Catfish live in streams with strong currents.

The markings of the Fritillary Catfish consist of irregular dark brown to black spots on a light golden-gray ground. The fins are translucent and also have a pattern of dark spots. The mouth is surrounded by one to two relatively long pairs of barbels, the head is quite long and the body of the Schabracken Panzerwels is also much more elongated than that of other armored catfishes. The Schabracken Panzerwelsen can become up to 8 years old.

As a gregarious species, Scleromystax barbatus does well in an aquarium with at least 5 conspecifics. The aquarium should hold 250 liters upwards. As Substrate is at least in the foreground a generous surface with sand or fine, round-grained gra vel better suitable, which is gladly chewed through. This way the Schabracken Panzerwels not only cleans its gills, but also takes in microorganisms as food. The edges of the aquarium, on the other hand, may be well planted.

As a bottom dweller, Scleromystax barbatus tends to prefer the lower water layers in the aquarium, but because it is an intestinal breather, access to the water surface must always be accessible. At a temperature of 18-25 °C in very soft to maximum medium hard water with a total hardness up to 15 °dGH and a pH between 6 and 7.5 Schabracken Panzerwelse feel comfortable.

Scleromystax barbatus is a substrate spawner. The females attach their spawn in larger clusters to the glass, rocks, or aquatic plants, where they are fertilized by the males. The yield is relatively low, and the clutches tend to spawn fungus. Adding alder cones, sea almond leaves or humic substances to the aquarium water can help against this.

The larvae of the Scabbard Catfish hatch after a few days. They can be fed with Artemia nauplii . In a separate rearing tank the failure rate is somewhat lower than in the parent aquarium.

The robust Scleromystax barbatus, which is relatively easy to maintain in sufficiently large aquariums, is a good candidate for a community tank with peaceful fish such as tetras or danios. The Schabracken Panzerwels does not actively hunt juvenile shrimp, but it still cannot be ruled out that careless juvenile shrimp will be eaten. Larger peaceful shrimps, on the other hand, are no problem at all as company - fan shrimps also feel very comfortable in flow aquariums. Since crayfish or large-armed shrimp claim the same aquarium zone as pied catfish, the pied catfish can be severely injured or even killed by the pince-nez's claws.

Gladly eats the beautiful Schabracken Panzerwels animal food such as frozen food or sinking live food such as Tubifex and gloss worms. He also eats special food for armored cat fish very gladly. They also accept food flakes or food granules for omnivores in the aquarium.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all aufwuchs feeding sucking catfish in the aquarium is a balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic active ingredient complexes, which provide the sucker catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.

Picture: Enrico Richter - exclusively for Garnelio