Torpedo callus catfish - Dianema longibarbis 8-10 cm

Torpedo Callus Catfish are inhabitants of the Amazon and are found mainly in calmed sections of rivers in eastern Peru. These very fascinating animals are also gut breathers and also foam nest builders. They belong to the Dianema genus within the armored and callus catfish family and provide variety in the aquarium due to their interesting behavior. The rather small remaining catfishes can be socialized prima.

You get our Torpedo Callus Catfish in a size between 8-10 cm.

Dianema longibarbis has a rather torpedo-shaped body - hence its name, which is rather beige in the basic color with dark brown spots in places. One lateral line is more or less pronounced. There are three pairs of barbels on the head. They grow to about 9-10 cm in size.

Breeding in the aquarium is difficult, but possible. Especially temperature changes and changing water levels animate the animals to spawn. Like all callus catfishes, the Dianema longibarbis is a foam nest builder. This is built under plants at the water surface. The female lays her eggs in it, whereupon the nest is guarded by the male until the young hatch.

The aquarium for Torpedo Callus Catfish should be at least 80 cm long . Since the animals are founders, a very fine gravel or sand is suitable, so that they do not injure their sensitive barbels. Especially roots serve the infrastructure and are preferably accepted as a retreat or resting place. Nevertheless, attention should be paid to a sufficiently large swimming space, which is alternated in places with dense plant stands that reach the water surface. Especially Echinodorus-Species, but also Vallisneria or also Lotus plants are excellently suited and thus also offer the animals shaded areas. Since they are rather crepuscular, they usually rest during the day and only go in search of food in the evening, this should also be taken into account when feeding. The free access to the water surface should be granted to the catfish, because they breathe at it from time to time. In soft to medium hard water the pretty Dianema longibarbis can be maintained well, a temperature between 23 and 26 °C serves their well-being.

Torpedo Callus Catfish are peaceful aquarium inhabitants, which can be kept without any problems with other peaceful and less hectic fish such as Guppies, Mollies, but also Platies or other Loricariidae can be socialized, even dwarf shrimps and Snails complement each other well with them. Since the animals are group fish, we recommend the care with at least 5 animals. Dwarf crayfish, but also crayfish are rather not suitable for a neighborhood.

As omnivores, torpedo catfish can also be fed without problems in the aquarium. They will accept commercially available flake food, dry food, granulated food or food tablets. Periodically, their menu should be spiced up with meaty fare of live and frozen foods to provide them with a varied diet. Suitable foods for this purpose are Artemiabut also Daphnia or Mosquito larvae.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed is a professionally formulated complete food especially for all sucking catfish. The food tabs contain important dietary fibers such as chitin and plant fibers, which are essential for the survival of catfish for a well-functioning digestion. With strong proteins from insect larvae as well as carbohydrate-rich vegetables NatureHolic Catfish Feed provides all sucking catfish optimally with all important building materials for a fast and healthy growth. The extra hard chips can be scraped off by the catfish close to nature - here they really have to do something for their food! An occupation like in nature.

Our plant recommendation: Use for the 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.