Liosomadoras oncinus
Liosomadoras oncinus naturally inhabit the Amazon, Ucayali and Negro river basins in South America. The fish is found both in river beds and quiet backwaters, and in areas flooded during the rainy season. The fish was first described in 1841, and has since become very popular among aquarists.
Liosomadoras oncinus is a very beautiful fish and unmistakable due to its jaguar-like colouration. The species is widely distributed, but there seems to be little difference in appearance between fish populations living in different areas. Sexually mature males have a genital papilla, which is a modification of the anal fin. They also have thicker and stronger dorsal and pectoral fins. The body is short and compact, with compressed caudal plumage. The head is large and broad. The whiskers are thin and filiform. Fat fin and anal fin equal in length. The pelvic fins are short and closer to the anal fin. Determining the sex of young fish is problematic. Fish reach a size of 25 cm.
The jaguar catfish leads a crepuscular life-style; it becomes active in late twilight and stays active until dawn. Under natural conditions, the catfish will remain hidden all day in holes, snags or coastal crevices. Therefore provide plenty of shelters in the aquarium in the form of large stones, driftwood, PVC pipes of suitable diameter, and plants which can develop in poor light conditions, e.g. anubias, Javanese fern and wallisneria.
Liosomadoras oncinus may be kept singly or in small groups as long as the size of the tank allows. One catfish requires an aquarium volume of 200 liters. Possible content in a common aquarium with other fish, but be aware that all too small fish, will be a good addition to the menu jaguar catfish ...
Water parameters: temperature 20-28° C, hardness dH 0-15°, pH 4,8-7,2. Requires filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh water.
Low light intensity of approximately 0.2 Watts per litre. Daily light duration 9-10 hours.
The fish are unassuming when it comes to food. They eat almost all live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, earthworms, etc. Dry sinking food is also available. Feed the fish in the evening with the lights off.
Reproduction
There is no information about successfully breeding Liosomadoras oncinus in aquariums. Fish are supplied to local chain shops from their natural habitat.
In nature, jaguar catfish reproduce similarly to viviparous fish, as they have the same internal fertilization. The only difference is that they do not give birth to fully mature fry capable of independent life, but to larvae.
One must be careful when purchasing fish, because it is not always clear to which water parameters (in the wild) they are accustomed. They are actually quite hardy fish, so if their origin is unknown, it is best to acclimatize them in water with an acidity of pH around 6.4-6.6.
