Species profile - Megalodoras uranoscopus (Giant Raphael catfish)

[amiidae]

Scientific name: Megalodoras uranoscopus

Synonym: Megalodoras irwini

Common name: Mother of snails catfish, Giant Raphael catfish, Giant talking catfish

Family: Doradidae

Origin: Amazon – Peru & Brazil

Maximum size: 24 inches

Temperature: 22 to 28c

Water PH : Neutral or just avoid the extreme

Description:
It has dark brown markings on a light brown background, pointed head and bony plates by the side. They do look like a Madagascar hissing cockroach.

The pineal gland (The third eye) is just exceptionally prominent in this species (esp larger specimen).

Since it belongs to “Doradidae” They can make audible noises. Hence, they are also called “talking catfish”.

Tank size recommendations:
A good size I would say Min. 4ft by 2.5ft by 2ft with dim lighting & lots of hideout.

Suggested tank mates: Other large fishes

Feeding:
Not a picky eater, feed just abt anything, frozen shrimps, bloodworms & sinking pellets.

Breeding: not known

Personal notes:
A manageable non-tank buster-catfish that can be kept in home aquaria for life.

Not an active fish during the day (or when light on) but will swim around during dark. Having a moon light setup will give you more viewing pleasure for this awesome cat !!


By amiidae

[amiidae]

my 2.5 incher cat

[amiidae]

Location of the pineal gland (the third eye)


Learn more abt the third eye

Pineal gland

Abt the moonlight setup, are you refering to moonlight tubes (are there such things??) or those DIY LEDs ?

[amiidae]

Originally Posted by Vil

Abt the moonlight setup, are you refering to moonlight tubes (are there such things??) or those DIY LEDs ?

those "blue tubes" used for marine set up.

Originally Posted by amiidae

those "blue tubes" used for marine set up.

May i ask, this blue tubes, just any common 12w light hood will do right?

[amiidae]

Originally Posted by kuruppa

May i ask, this blue tubes, just any common 12w light hood will do right?

not too sure what you mean by 12W light hood.

those blue tubes come in standard length. they fit the standard aquarium light housing.

are we talking abt the niger catfish here?
or is it a different cat?

Originally Posted by dmr

are we talking abt the niger catfish here?
or is it a different cat?

the niger is a different catfish... used to be pseudodoras niger? i think its called oxydoras niger nowadays