AquaticRepublic.com - Doras carinatus (Doradidae) All Fishes

Iracoubo
Close-up of head
Delanari River

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Doras carinatus** (Linnaeus, 1766)
Common Name	Sierra Catfish
Type Locality	Lawa River (Maroni drainage) about 8 kilometers south-southwest of Anapaike/Kawemhakan, 3°19'31"N, 54°03'48"W, Sipakawini, Suriname.
Synonym(s)	Silurus carinatus
Pronunciation	DOOR ass
Etymology	Uncertainty surrounds the origin of this genus name which means either "armour" or "dagger". The fishes in this group have both sharp fins (which can be called dagger-like) and armour. Species named for spines on midlateral scutes based on Linnaeus (1766:504) reference to Linea lateralis subserrata & carinata spinis, ut in Scombris. Evidently, the scutes in D. carinatus reminded Linnaeus of the longitudinal keels in Scombris, presumably Scomber scombrus Linnaeus 1758, the Atlantic mackerel.
Species Information
Size	300mm or 11.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Doras are distinguished among Doradidae by a unique combination of three characteristics exhibited by the postcleithral process. Body elongated, without scales but with a range of 33-35 spiny bony plaque which runs along the length of the lateral, starting from the extreme end of the caudal fin up to the point directly below the origin of the dorsal fin. Head is pointed and laterally compressed, its width being far less than its length. Eyes are high and are situated in the posterior half of the head. Mouth is inferior, provided with a pair of maxillary barbels branching into 12 or 13 branches and 4 short mandibular barbels. Adipose fin short
General Remarks	The Orinoco population (and thus that which is most currently likely to be encountered by aquarists) is the only one with specimens recorded over 30 cm SL. Can emit sounds by moving its pectoral spines. Every basic unit of sound emitted lasts for 60-70 millisecond, with a frequency of 60-90 Hertz corresponding to the reply frequency of the muscles utilized.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Essequibo River basin and other coastal drainages east to mouth of Amazon River, possibly in lower Amazon and lower Orinoco River basins. Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amapa State Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, French Guyana Coastal Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Suriname Coastal Rivers, Suriname (click on these areas to find other species found there) Venezuela Caribbean Waters (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 2021.
Husbandry Information
Furniture	In the Essequibo basin, Guyana, D. carinatus was collected in the main channels of medium to large rivers over substrates of sand or gravel and often in moderately clear water and swift currents associated with cataracts.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Systema naturae sive regna tria naturae v. 1 (pt 1), pp 504.
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 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up D. carinatus on PlanetCatfish.com
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	Look up D. carinatus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up D. carinatus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.12.330.1867
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:41 (species record created: 2006 Apr 19 00:00)