Care
Tail bar Hoplos are adaptable creatures which use their ability to breathe air to thrive in environments where oxygen levels (and water) can be low enough to cause other species problems. This means that as well as thriving in fast moving creeks, they can exploit swamps and flooded savanna - taking refuge in the mud during the dry season until the rains return.
There should be a soft sand substrate which will be kinder on the long sensory barbels and plenty of shady hiding places amongst bogwood, rocks and robust planting. Hoplo Catfish do like to dig, so be sure that structures are secure. Lighting should not be too bright, or else should be diffused with floating plant species.Their tolerance of less-than-ideal conditions in the wild should not be used as an excuse to let things lip within the aquarium and a good maintenance and water change regime is a must.
Hoplos are the chunkiest members of the family that contains Corydoras. Because they attain quite a size, they must not be kept with small fish of Neon Tetra proportions as these may be eaten overnight while they sleep. This species is best maintained in groups, although males will be territorial as they prepare for breeding. Typical tankmates could include medium sized members of the barb family, large Rainbowfish species, large Devario species, medium sized or deep bodied Tetra species e.g. Congo Tetras, Black Widow Tetras etc, medium-large sized Rasbora species, placid cichlids, and more. Bear in mind that Hoplo Catfish are very boisterous at feeding times, so be prepared to feed at several locations within the tank simultaneously so that the other fish get their share. Nervous species may be reluctant to feed when large adult catfish launch themselves into a frenzied food searching mode, so observe carefully. Hoplo Catfish have the ability to breathe air intestinally, so a small gap should be left between the surface of the water and the cover slides in order for the fish to come up to the surface and take air in. They may do this numerous times per day.
May also be seen on sale as Tail bar armoured catfish, Bartail hoplo, Spotted hoplo, or Port hoplo. Historically there's been confusion over the identity of this group of cats, with this species having been known as thoracata for years before discovering that the real thoracata was a fish that had been previously known as personata. Thankfully the fish themselves remained blissfully ignorant of this mix up but it means that old references to Hoplosternum thoracatum probably refer to the Tail bar hoplo.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets/granules/tablets. Frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped krill etc. Some specimens may eat flake/crisps, but sinking foods should be offered primarily.
Breeding
Tail bar hoplos breed in the same way as the more familiar member of the genus but as most are collected form the wild, they may need a little cycling to prepare them for the breeding season.
At the first signs of spawning, when the fish seem to have paired off and the male is displaying a purpley-blue belly, it would be best to move any other Hoplos to another aquarium, leaving just the male-female pair. (The female may well also need to be moved away from the male later on). A calm area should be created within the aquarium, which does not show turbulence at the surface. This is the likely site where the male will choose to construct his bubble nest. Usually triggered by a cool partial water change, he will build this nest at the waters surface, anchoring it to floating plants (a small piece of polystyrene has been known to act as a good substitute). In order to stabilise the nest further, the male cuts pieces of plant from elsewhere in the tank and adds them to the nest. He is able to do this with the use of his sharp pectoral fins, and this process may take several days. When the nest is ready, the male will pursue the female and if she accepts him they will swim up to the bubble nest and adopt the T-position (also seen with Cory spawnings). The female deposits her adhesive eggs (a small number at a time) into the nest which the male fertilises. This action is repeated until the female is depleted of eggs. The number of eggs will depend on the size of the female but expect upwards of 150. A good sized female will produce 500+. The male then begins furiously guarding the nest against any predators (which will include nets and hands!), and it is at this point the female must be removed for her own safety; male Hoplos have been known to kill their mate in their over-zealous defending of the eggs. The male will make any necessary repairs to the nest as and when required, retrieving any eggs that fall, and these can be expected to hatch after 72-96 hours. Once the eggs begin to hatch, it is wise to catch the male and relocate him to another tank as he may start to predate on the fry. The fry will initially take nutrition from their yolk sacs, but should be offered tiny foods, such as microworms, after 24 hours or so.
