AquaticRepublic.com - Chrysichthys ornatus (Claroteidae) All Fishes

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All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Chrysichthys ornatus** Boulenger, 1902
Common Names	Ornate Bagrid Afrikanischer Marmor-Stachelwels (Germany), Broderimalle (Denmark), Mottled Catfish
Type Locality	Monsembé, Upper Congo and Ubangi R. at Banzyville.
Synonym(s)	Amarginops ornatus, Chrysichthys pictus
Pronunciation	cry sick thiss - or nat uss
Etymology	Chrysichthys: From the Greek chrysos, meaning golden and ichthys, meaning fish; in reference to the golden-yellow color (of the type species, C. auratus). The specific epithet means ornate or decorated.
Species Information
Size	252mm or 9.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The body is described as being elongate and compressed. The dorsal fin is described as having a hard ray and six soft rays, the anal fin is described as having 11-13 soft rays, and both fins are described as being short. The dorsal and pectoral fins are described as not having stout spines. The ventral fins are described as being inserted behind the dorsal fin. The adipose fin is present and is relatively short. This catfish has 4 pairs of barbels; one pair nasal, one pair maxillary and two pairs mandibular. The jaws are described as having teeth arranged in bands. The teeth are described as being ‘palatine’. The base colour of the body and head is described as being pale yellow to brown with large dark brown to black coloured irregular blotches, and pale yellow to brown coloured blotches along the flanks of this catfish. These coloured blotches have dark coloured spots amongst them. The fins are described as being pale in colour with irregular dark spots. The caudal lobes are described as having a blurred dark longitudinal band. The ventral region is described as being dirty white in colour.
Sexing	Whilst there are not documented sexual differences, as with most other species of catfish, the males tend to be more slender than the females.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Africa: Congo River system below Stanley Falls. African Waters, Congo, Lower Congo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2009.
pH	6.5 - 7.2
Temperature	20.0-25.0°C or 68-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Hardness up to 17°dGH
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Readily accepts a mixed and varied diet which includes meatier foods such as pieces of fish, prawns, mussels, earthworms, sinking catfish pellets and tablet foods to name but a few. User data.
Compatibility	It is not recommended that the aquarist keep these catfish in a community aquarium due to their predatory nature. Whilst these catfish fare well when kept on their own they can be kept together.
Suggested Tankmates	These catfish should be kept with other medium to large species of fish which are peaceful, such as cichlids and some larger species of barbs. In their natural habitat Chrysichthys ornatus would be found in relatively large shoals.
Breeding	There are documented reports of aquarium spawnings.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Annales du Musee du Congo (Ser. Zoology) v. 2 (fasc. 2), pp 39, Pl. 11 (fig. 2).
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 6 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up C. ornatus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up C. ornatus on Fishbase
	Look up C. ornatus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up C. ornatus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.2.153.520
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2001 May 04 00:00)