Spotted Hoplo Tropical Fish Information
Megalechis thoracataBehaviour Active, peaceful, sometimes boisterous
Typical size 12cm
Max size 15cm
Tank Area Bottom
Min Tank Size 90cm
Temp Min: 18℃ Max: 28℃
Feeding Sinking foods, frozen, live foods
pH Range 6-8.5
Hardness vs,s,m,h,vh
Spotted Hoplo (Megalechis thoracata)
Spotted Hoplo Tropical Fish Learn all about the Spotted Hoplo's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. Use our fish community creator tool to plan your tank set up and ensure that the Spotted Hoplo is the right fish for your aquarium.
In its natural habitats the Spotted Hoplo experiences a number of extreme conditions ranging from extremes of pH and hardness to a complete drying out of the ponds it lives in. When this happens the fish burrows up to 25cm into the muddy bottom and will remain there for several months until the first rains arrive. It is even commonly found in areas where human wastewater is deposited and seems to thrive under such conditions. Its lifestyle in nature results in the Spotted Hoplo being an extremely adaptable aquarium fish suited to almost any conditions. In the aquarium it is active and peaceful unless spawning when males can become aggressive. The fish has poor eyesight and spends much of its time exploring anything it can find by touch with its sensitive whiskers. This activity is a good source of interest and amusement to the fishkeeper, and sometimes a source of irritation to slower, timid fish. An interesting fish which is worthy of observation in an aquarium.
Spotted Hoplo Facts
Family Callichthyidae (Callichthyid armored catfishes) | Synonyms Callichthys thoracatus, C. longifilis, C. personatus, C. exaratus, Hoplosternum thoracatum, H. thorae, H. longifilis, H. magdalenae | Other names Port hoplo, hoplo, hoplosternum | Origin South America; Amazon & Orinoco River basins, coastal rivers of northern Brazil | Breeding Male builds nests in shallow waters during the rainy season. | Natural Water Conditions pH 5.5-8.5, very soft to very hard | Natural Habitat Varied. Found in ponds, swamps and flooded regions. Usually in muddy water with dense vegetation | Sexing In breeding condition males develop a slight blue-violet underside
Spotted Hoplo Help and Advice
If you have a question about keeping Spotted Hoplo's then please use our Spotted Hoplo help forum. Join 100's of other fish enthusiasts with 1000's of years experience between them caring for and keeping fish like these.