• Eyeballs on Oddballs: A Catfish That Talks Back

     
    By Derek P.S. Tustin (reprinted from the October 2006 issue of Tank Talk)


    At the September 2006 meeting auction, I wasn't planning on buying anything. My tanks are pretty much fully stocked with room for maybe an addition or two. I'm at the point where I know what fish I like, why I like them, and my plans for future expansion. Well, all that got thrown out the window when I saw a pair of my favorite catfish being offered for auction. No offense to anyone else there, but these guys were coming home with me. I'm talking about the white spotted talking catfish (Agamyxis pectinifrons).

    While not truly rare, the white spotted talking cat (also know as whitespot doradid, spotted talking catfish, and spotted raphael catfish) are not often seen in local pet stores. In fact I spent about three months earlier this year looking for this fish in stores ranging from Burlington to Oshawa before finally finding them in a store in Brampton. (Since then, I have not seen them in any other store, and when I was last in that store in Brampton, not many more had been sold.) I had read that they should be kept in pairs, and a larger school if possible. I'd had one in my tank for about five years (my oldest fish by far) and wanted to give him some companions. (It is reported that with proper care this species may live up to 17 years.)

    I brought three new ones home, and they quickly disappeared. You see, the white spotted doradid, is a nocturnal species, and chances are you won't see them all that often. If you do keep them, you must provide multiple hiding places, such as caverns made out of rocks, or hollowed out logs. If you don't, they will stay visible, but try and hide between objects such as heaters and intake/outlet pipes. For their sake, provide the appropriate environment. If you are crafty, you can provide hollows and hides that, while providing the necessary seclusion, will enable you to still view the fish.

    Given that they are seldom seen, you must wonder why I keep this species? Honestly, I can't really say. They are an attractive fish, having a black body with an irregular pattern of white spots (and no two fish have exactly the same pattern). They are as cute as a catfish can get, with a small pot belly. As mentioned, they hide most of the day, and are occasionally seen at night, or at late evening feedings. The lateral line and fin rays are armoured with spines or scutes which make them difficult to handle. (These spines and scutes also make netting this fish extremely difficult, and therefore it is recommended that you use a jar or bag when attempting to capture them.) But maybe the most interesting characteristic of this fish is that it talks.

    Okay, technically it doesn't talk. It won't suddenly start calling to you by name, but it does make an audible noise by rotating it's pectoral fins, which actually grate against the fin socket. This noise is then amplified by the swim bladder to produce a rough croaking noise.

    Apart from the fact that it is seldom seen, this fish is well suited to most community aquaria. However, they are omnivorous and any smaller fish (under 5 cm or 2") is potential prey and will likely disappear during the night. It will also eat smaller invertebrates and is reported to eat smaller snails. (They actually do an excellent job of ensuring that the Malaysian Trumpet Snail [Melanoides tuberculata] population in my tank does not explode.)

    In addition to this species, you will occasionally see croaking spiny catfish (Amblydoras hancockii), and the stripped raphael catfish (Platydoras costatus) available. They are similar in habits to the white spotted talking catfish, but their appearance is significantly different.

    If you are looking for a fish that will give you the satisfaction of knowing it is there, but that probably won't be often seen, take a look at this attractive oddball.