Thorakatum

If you enjoy watching aquarium fish, you may be familiar with the Thorakatum. Fish aficionados often choose this intriguing species because of its distinctive look and intriguing behavior. The Thorakatum, which comes from South American waterways, is an eye-candy and interesting addition to any freshwater tank.

Fish with thaukatum patterns and vivid colors are well-known. They stand out in any aquarium setup because they frequently have a mixture of vibrant yellows and greens. Beyond their appearance, these fish require little maintenance, which makes them an excellent option for both beginning and seasoned aquarists.

The social aspect of the Thorakatum is among its most fascinating features. These fish are gregarious and prefer the companionship of their fellow species. This implies that in order to maintain their happiness and health, it’s a good idea to keep them in schools if you intend to add them to your tank.

Thorakatums are fairly flexible when it comes to tank requirements, but they thrive in clean, well-maintained settings with lots of swimming room. To maintain their brilliant colors and general health, they also benefit from a balanced diet and routine tank cleanings. These fish can liven up your aquarium and add a pop of color with the correct arrangement.

Minimum aquarium volume for tarakatum

Thorakatum

These catfish can grow to be as big as 18 cm in length or more. As a result, it is preferable to keep them in aquariums that hold at least 100 liters each pair. A smaller aquarium will simply prevent the catfish from growing and result in "dwarf-sized" fish, which can cause illness, stress, and even death. See HERE for information on how many fish can be kept in an X-liter aquarium (links to aquariums of various sizes are located at the bottom of the article).

Tarakatum

Natural habitat: the basins of the r. Amazon and the reservoirs of Guiana; northern and central South America; and o. Trinidad. They can be found in reservoirs with flowing water as well as ones with low oxygen enrichment.

Aquarium setup: A common aquarium with lots of hiding places, such as grottoes, snags, and stones, and dense plant layers is ideal for tarakatums.

A brief overview of history: appeared in 1971 in the USSR’s Russia.

Thorakatum

The fish has an elongated body with a flat belly and a slightly hunched back. There are two rows of bony plates on the sides. The broad, somewhat flattened head features two sets of elongated whiskers. Additionally, fish in the family Armada catfish breathe through their intestines.

Tarakatums are very calm animals that typically remain in the lower layers of the water, though occasionally they will swim up into the middle layers. At dusk, they start to move.

The Thoracatum’s feeding. Fish in aquariums eat anything they come across. Tetra Cory ShrimpWafers are sinking tablets that work well for armoured catfish corydoras fish.

Types of thoracatum

As a distinct representative of armored catfish, Hoplosternum thoracatum lacks counterparts; the only known form is albino.

As a family of armored catfish, the tarakatum also contains long-whiskered dianema, such as Dianema longibarbis and Dianema urostriata, as well as Hoplosternum littoralе (Beige hoplosternum) and Hoplosternum magdaienae (Hoplosternum Magdalena), among many others.

In the picture In the picture, Beige tarakatum is Hoplosternum littoralе. The image shows Hoplosternum Magdalena – Hoplosternum magdaienae. Dianema longibarbis, the long-whiskered dianema Dianema urostriata

The aquarium community is paying more and more attention to the Thorakatum, a fascinating species known for its unusual appearance and intriguing behavior. Recognized for its vivid hues and unique designs, this fish not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of any aquarium but also provides captivating interactions that can enthrall novice and expert fish keepers alike. The natural habitat of the Thorakatum, maintenance needs, and the best ways to maintain its health and well-being in your home aquarium will all be covered in this article.

Breeding of thoracatums

Thoracatum

Sexual differences: the first ray of the pectoral fin, which resembles a hard, bony spike with an orange-red color, distinguishes the male from the female. In comparison to the male, the female is notably fuller.

In the photo is a male Thoracatum

In the photo is a female Thoracatum

The hardest part of breeding tarakatums is choosing the producers. They procreate in pairs. Though independent, pairs are formed with consideration for each other’s preferences and tastes. Consequently, it is ideal to maintain tarakatums in a flock so that producers can readily form pairs from them.

It takes 8 to 15 months for producers to reach sexual maturity. Basically, the male builds a foam nest that resembles a labyrinth fish’s nest, deposits the eggs inside, and then guards the clutch.

The wisdom of Thoracatum spawning

The ideal spawning aquarium is a 100-liter pond that is two thirds settled and one third boiled. A third of the water’s surface is covered in floating plants (man-made ones are also possible), and the male will construct his nest beneath their leaves.

In the photo, a nest of thoracatums

After building the nest, the male starts pursuing the female while continuing to guard the nest and occasionally completing it or even rebuilding it in a different location. Such manipulations have the potential to last for a very long time. The "games" can sometimes last up to a week.

After this "performance," the ready-to-spawn female swims up to the male from the side, takes the milk in her mouth, rises to the nest, turns over on her stomach, and starts to adhere the eggs to the plant leaf. The female can spawn 500–1200 eggs at a time. The large, yellow-white eggs are. The spawning process takes several hours to complete. The male then closes the nest.

The eggs need ten days to fully incubate. In tarakatums, the male keeps an eye on the young and defends the clutch.

In the photo, the eggs of the thoracatum

After spawning, the leaf containing the eggs can, if needed, be moved right away to another aquarium; in the new reservoir, a water current is produced by installing weak aeration beneath the leaf.

The eggs hatch into viable larvae after about 7 days. As soon as they hit the bottom, they started searching for food.

Image of a larval tarakatum

Starter food: chopped tubifex, live dust, and other dry food that has been finely ground.

A week later, the fry have grown to a length of 1 cm. It is crucial to keep an eye on the aquarium’s water quality during this time and to regularly switch it out for fresh, settled water.

Picture of Tarakatum

The absence of high levels of phosphates and nitrogen compounds in the aquarium is crucial for the maintenance of any fish. The primary issue with fish that novices overlook is this one. Pet illnesses and fatalities are primarily caused by ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphates. Drop tests are something that every responsible aquarist should always have on hand, if only for phosphate and nitrate. Thankfully, they are now reasonably priced, and there are no issues with their acquisition or variety. You can get cheap VLADOX tests in offline stores in your city.

Tarakatum

It will be helpful to use medications that neutralize dangerous substances and replace water with a clean water source. Tetra Aquasafe, for instance, eliminates heavy metals and chlorine compounds while also including B vitamins, iodine, and other tasty ingredients for aquariums. t.e. With it, you can fill the aquarium with water without worrying about hurting your beloved animals.

Purchase the previously mentioned medications, gear, and other items helpful for aquarists from the FF-trusted online retailer Aqua Logo Shop. We advise against it!

These and a lot of other fish are always available at the offline Super-Brakes Aqua Logo or the online Aqua-Shop store. The supply of living things in Moscow and other places.

Aspect Description
Name Thorakatum
Type Freshwater fish
Size Medium, around 6-8 inches
Origin South America
Tank Conditions Requires a well-planted tank with hiding spots
Water Parameters Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water, temperature 72-78°F
Diet Omnivorous, eats flakes, pellets, and live foods
Behavior Generally peaceful, may be territorial
Compatibility Good with other peaceful fish, avoid aggressive species

In conclusion, the Thorakatum, also called the Thorichthys calophysus, is an interesting fish that can make an aquarium enthusiast very happy. It is a striking addition to any tank because of its vivid colors and unique patterns. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that this fish needs particular attention in order to flourish. Ensuring the appropriate conditions, such as suitable tank capacity and water quality, is essential for its overall health and welfare.

These fish can provide movement to your aquarium because of their fascinating behaviors in addition to their eye-catching appearance. It’s entertaining to watch how they interact with each other and how territorial they are. To prevent hostility and make sure they live in harmony with their tank companions, they do need to be handled carefully.

Ultimately, if you’re ready to meet their needs, caring for a Thorakatum can be a rewarding experience. You can appreciate the beauty and individuality of these remarkable fish by making sure you have the ideal setup and comprehending their behavior. Their distinct charm can really bring out the mood of your aquatic setup.

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Ivan Kononov

Experienced aquarist with an emphasis on breeding and keeping exotic aquarium fish. Author of many articles and books on the topic of aquarium keeping. Always in search of new species and interesting solutions for home aquariums. I believe that an aquarium is not only a home decoration, but also a means of studying nature and its laws.

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