All Fishes ⇒ Doradidae ⇒ Doradinae ⇒ Megalodoras  |  | 

  • Megalodoras uranoscopusVideo
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusAdult collected in Rio Xingu, Brazil
  • Megalodoras uranoscopus
  • Megalodoras uranoscopus
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusPair - female below
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusClose-up of lateral scutes
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusClose-up of body armour plates
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusDorsal view (315mm SL)
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusMale ventral view
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusClose-up of male genital area
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusFemale ventral view
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusClose-up of female genital area
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusJuvenile
  • Megalodoras uranoscopus
  • Megalodoras uranoscopus
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusClose-up of head showing
  • Megalodoras uranoscopusVideo
Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Megalodoras uranoscopus    (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888)
Common Names Giant Talking Catfish
Giant Raphael Catfish
Type Locality Lake Hyanuary, Amazonas, Brazil.
Synonym(s) Doras libertatis, Doras uranoscopus, Hoplodoras uranoscopus, Megalodoras irwini, Megalodoras libertatis, Oxydoras huberi, Pseudodoras huberi
Etymology Megalodoras: From the Greek mega, meaning large, and doras, meaning skin (also a word commonly used in forming generic names for doradids); in reference to the large size. 
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 530mm or 20.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification This particular catfish is not commonly imported but is appealing for its attractive colour pattern which remains with age.
Sexing Unknown.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Amazon, Tocantins and Essequibo River basins.
Amazon (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 2020.
pH 5.8 - 7.4
Temperature 21.0-24.0°C or 69.8-75.2°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Hardness up to 25°dGH
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Diet should include aquatic snails, catfish pellets, earthworms, prawns, catfish tablets and frozen bloodworm. User data.
Furniture Large pieces of bogwood and clean plastic drainpipe of suitable diameter for them to hide under. Ideally heater guards should be provided in order for the fish not to burn themselves. External filtration is a good idea.
Compatibility Peaceful if somewhat bulky!
Breeding Unreported in the home aquarium.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (Series 2) v. 1 (pt 2), pp159.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 9 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2001 Apr 28 00:00)