Aquarium fish Tarakatum

Aquarium enthusiasts favor the Tarakatum catfish because of its unusual appearance and kind disposition. This fish, which is well-known for its resilience and adaptability, is a fantastic addition to the aquariums of both novice and expert aquarists.

The Tarakatum is a South American native that requires little maintenance because it can grow in a variety of water conditions. Its calm nature makes it compatible with a wide variety of other species, which will enrich the community in your aquarium.

The behavior of the Tarakatum is among its most endearing characteristics. It frequently sifts through the substrate or swims elegantly along the bottom, adding to the overall dynamic of the environment in your aquarium.

Feature Description
Scientific Name Hoplosternum thoracatum
Size Up to 15 cm (6 inches)
Temperament Peaceful, good for community tanks
Diet Omnivore, eats both plant and animal matter
Water Temperature 22-28°C (72-82°F)
pH Level 6.0-7.5
Tank Size Minimum 100 liters (26 gallons)
Lifespan Up to 10 years

Description

Tarakanums are unremarkable fish, in contrast to other exotics. They are members of the armored catfish family. Their primary habitat is in the South American region, but they have since spread their breeding operations worldwide. Catfish were introduced to the USSR in 1971. They favor rivers with strong currents and lots of oxygen in the natural world. They breathe both through their gills and their intestines, which allows them to additionally take in oxygen through their anus.

The tarakatum catfish has a unique appearance compared to other fish.

  • the body is elongated, its size is from 10 to 18 cm;
  • bony fins are located on the sides;
  • the head is pointed, near the nose there are antennae – one pair of them is located below to feel the bottom;
  • the color of the fish is from light brown to dark brown.

Tarakatums are primarily nocturnal animals; during the day, they would rather remain close to the ground where they can search for food scraps. They do not get into fights and they treat other aquarium residents with calmness. They do not accept invasions of personal space, which is the only exception. A catfish’s lifespan is influenced by the circumstances surrounding its confinement. They can live up to ten years if you give them proper care.

Species

The type of tarakatum largely determines its color. Three of them are known as of right now:

  1. Beige – differs in its body length, it can reach 17-22 centimeters. This species has the lightest color, pale brown, sometimes with a greenish tint.
  2. Long-whiskered dianema — grows up to 17 cm. Its body is colored brown, and there are small black spots on the tail. The main difference from other relatives is long whiskers, which are convenient for feeling the bottom, swimming a little higher.
  3. Hoplosternum magdalena — unlike other catfish, has a pale body color. The maximum size of its body is 16-17 cm.

The guidelines for caring for each of these varieties of catfish are identical. Not leaving them alone is the primary guideline. They live in groups of 1000 people in schools in the wild, so 5–6 pieces will suffice to keep them in an aquarium.

You will need to start a large 150-liter aquarium in order to keep tarakatums. If you intend to breed catfish, you’ll need another one, which can be roughly 100 liters smaller. It is worthwhile to fill the containers two thirds full of settled water and one third full of boiled water; this requires a weekly volume change of one-third.

Since tarakatums are found in warm water bodies by nature, they must create environments that are similar:

  • the temperature is maintained from 24 to 27 degrees;
  • acidity from 5.7 to 7.6;
  • hardness from 20 to 25;
  • many live plants to diffuse the incoming light;
  • grottoes and other shelters so that the catfish can hide;
  • large and smooth substrate instead of soil;
  • systems for round-the-clock filtration and aeration;
  • an air compressor is required;
  • select lighting so that it is not too bright.

When selecting plants, look for species that will maximize shadowing without totally obstructing view of the water’s surface. Leaf plates ought to be broad on them. It is advantageous to have floaters:

The water will be murky if the incorrect soil is chosen. Large pebbles and gravel work well for catfish.

The aquarium filter needs to be strong enough to push the water around, giving the appearance of a current. Since catfish dislike bright lighting, it is best to install an aquarium away from a source of daylight. If lamps are going to be installed, they shouldn’t be overly bright.

Feeding

Should you possess tarakatums, be ready to provide them with an ample amount of food. They require substantial serving sizes, a varied diet, and both live and dry food:

  1. First of all, you will need to get dry food in the form of flakes, tablets or granules. It will contain all the necessary vitamins and supplements. Focus on the purpose of the food. It is divided into types: for individuals of different ages, for sick pets, to improve coloring, for the spawning period.
  2. You will also need plant food. For catfish, it is a real delicacy. You can finely chop: zucchini, cucumber, fresh salad greens and dandelion.
  3. From live protein products, tarakatums prefer: bloodworms, brine shrimp, chopped worms, minced seafood (you can cook it yourself from shrimp).

Feed your pets two or three times a day; the aquarium should be sufficiently dark, so you don’t need to turn on the light. Ideal for feeding in the early morning and evening when the light is fading outside.

Compatibility with other fish

You can keep other fish with catfish because they get along well with them. You must select your neighbors using the following standards:

  • body length more than 6 cm, so that the tarakatums do not take them for food, do not try to chase or eat them;
  • choose fish that prefer to swim in the water column, at an average level.

Your catfish will become stressed out by having to share their home with strangers, which is caused by bottom fish. They are incompatible with botias and cichlids because the former set their own boundaries and the latter have the ability to attack an intruder.

The following animals make excellent companions for tarakatums:

They will contribute to your aquarium’s multicolor diversity. The fact that these fish can thrive in the same environments as tarakatums is a plus.

How they reproduce

Catfish are ready to spawn when they are between 8 and 15 months old. They only need a separate aquarium with the right conditions for breeding since they form pairs on their own. Fish can also be made to reproduce in ordinary water, but this is only feasible if every aquarium occupant can tolerate temperatures between 20 and 24 degrees.

Currently, you must increase the fish’s diet’s percentage of animal products. Simultaneously, there ought to be so much food that the catfish genuinely stumbles across it while swimming. Using floating plants in the aquarium is essential for the spawning process, as the male will build a nest beneath them. To assist him with this, place an upside-down saucer on the bottom.

Mating games can go on for as long as ten days. Please be patient as the male selects the ideal location for the nest and ensures its safety during this time. The female takes a sip of milk in her mouth, rises to the plant’s leaves, and tries to stick her off. This is how spawning happens.

The eggs will hatch into fry in about ten days, and when they hit the bottom of the aquarium, they will start looking for food right away. This is where a saucer will come in handy. Place live dust, finely chopped tubifex, brine shrimp, or daphnia on top of it. Once the babies can swim independently, you can transfer them to a shared aquarium.

How to distinguish a male from a female

You must be able to tell males from female tarakatums in order to determine roughly how many pairs they can form:

  • females are larger than males;
  • the fins of females are rounded, in males they are triangular;
  • in males, during sexual activity, the ray of the pectoral fin becomes yellow-orange, at normal times it stands out for its thickness – this sign becomes noticeable in six-month-old individuals;
  • the female becomes a little fuller by the time of maturation;
  • the color of the male"s abdomen changes from light to violet-blue.

Up until puberty, it is worthwhile to concentrate on the fins because this is when the differences between catfish of different sexes become more noticeable.

A hardy and captivating addition to any aquarium, the Tarakatum catfish provides both beauty and activity. It blends in well with a range of other fish species in community tanks thanks to its unusual appearance and calm demeanor.

Tarakatums are easy to care for, which makes them an excellent option for both novice and seasoned aquarium keepers. Their capacity to maintain the tank’s cleanliness and their flexibility in handling various water conditions contribute to their allure.

You can make sure that your Tarakatum flourishes and stays a vibrant part of your aquarium for many years to come by giving it a suitable habitat with hiding places and a balanced diet.

A popular and resilient aquarium fish, the tarakatum is well-liked by both novice and expert aquarists due to its peaceful disposition and distinctive look. These catfish are hardy in well-kept community tanks, require little maintenance, and can adapt to a variety of water conditions. Tarakatums bring vitality and individuality to any aquarium setup with their kind disposition and fascinating bottom-dwelling behaviors.

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Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

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