Thorny Catfish

About

Found in the Paraná River basin of South America, Rhinodoras dorbignyi is a large armored catfish belonging to the family Doradidae, sometimes called the thorny catfishes for the rows of bony scutes running along their flanks. This is a substantial fish, adults can push close to twenty inches, so anyone considering one needs to think seriously about space before committing. It is a peaceful, bottom-oriented species that tends to stay out of trouble with tankmates, but sheer size means it will need companions that can hold their own physically, not because it is aggressive, but simply because a fish this large can accidentally bully smaller animals just by moving around. Like most doradids, it is nocturnal by nature, spending daylight hours tucked under driftwood or rocky overhangs and becoming noticeably more active once the lights go down. Feeding is straightforward for an omnivore. Sinking pellets, frozen foods, and occasional vegetable matter all work well. The care level sits at intermediate mainly due to the tank size requirements and the need to maintain good water quality for a fish producing significant waste. Given proper conditions, it is a long-lived, rewarding catfish for keepers with the room to house it properly.