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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.
Hop to next section 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.
Hop to next section 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)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2021.
Hop to next section 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.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Systema naturae sive regna tria naturae v. 1 (pt 1), pp 504.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 28 11:23 (species record created: 2006 Apr 19 00:00)