AquaticRepublic.com - Pseudauchenipterus nodosus (Auchenipteridae) All Fishes

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pseudauchenipterus nodosus** (Bloch, 1794)
Common Names	Cocosoda Catfish Fadendornwels (Germany)
Type Locality	Tranquebar [Tharangambadi], India [actual is South America].
Synonym(s)	Auchenipterus furcatus, Pseudauchenipterus guppyi, Pseudauchenipterus nigrolineatus, Silurus nodosus, Silvaichthys aguilerae
Pronunciation	sued aw ken nip ter uss - no doh suss
Etymology	From the Greek pseudes meaning false, auchenos, meaning neck and pteron, meaning fin; in essence, a false Auchenipterus. Latin nodosus, from nodus meaning having numerous or conspicuous protuberances presumably in reference to the fishes conspicuous barbels.
Species Information
Size	220mm or 8.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	A slender species with rather long barbels for an Auchenipterid. The forked caudal fin is jet black. The snout is very rounded with a terminal mouth.P. nodosus has a complete lateral line with zig-zags. Mees (Zoologische Verhandelingen No. 132, 1974) states the colour of the tail fades or even disappears as the fish grows larger although this has been contradicted by at least some individuals grown up to to 18cm that had their caudal fin remain black.
Sexing	Adult males have a genital papilla, are much more slender than females and have a slightly protruding lower jaw. Females grow larger.
General Remarks	A fish that is rarely imported, which is a shame as it is rather active during the day and displays an interesting colour pattern.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Lower reaches of rivers and into estuaries from Venezuela to Brazil, at least to Bahia, including southern Trinidad. Orinoco, Lower Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon (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 2020.
pH	6.6 - 8.0
Temperature	20.0-26.0°C or 68-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	This species is adapted to life in brackish water (presumably even salt water) but does very well in fresh water too. A strong current is recommended.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	All prepared and frozen foods are greedily taken. Juveniles take their food from the bottom, whereas adolescents and adults obtain theirs mainly from the surface. User data.
Furniture	Some hiding places and lots of swimming space.
Compatibility	This species will not harass other fishes, but it is a strong competitor for food. One must see to it that other fishes get sufficient food when accompanied by auchenipterids.
Suggested Tankmates	This species dislikes being kept with aggressive fishes. Avoid fishes that are too small and risk being eaten by 'accident'.
Breeding	Unreported, but for certain by means of internal fertilization. During reproduction the ventral fins and mandible turn pink.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Naturgeschichte der ausländischen Fische v. 8, pp 35, Pl. 368 (fig. 1).
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 is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
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	Look up P. nodosus on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up P. nodosus on Fishbase
	Look up P. nodosus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up P. nodosus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.22.367.1874
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:41 (species record created: 2006 Apr 29 00:00)