Brown Hoplo Genus: Hoplosternum Species: H. littorale Maximum Size: 8" Aggression: Low, Social Temperature: 70-77 F pH: 6-8 Hardness: 5-19 dH Brackish Tolerance: 1.000-1.016 Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallons Feeding: Good quality pellet food makes best staple, supplemented with algae wafers, Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp. Will likely try other leafy or meaty foods Notes: The Brown Hoplo is a catfish in the family Callichthyidae and like many other Callichthyids is a social fish. Should be kept in groups of at least 3 to promote social behavior and minimize shyness. It is not an aggressive fish and can easily be kept with other robust, peaceful brackish fish though may become territorial during breeding. May consume smaller tankmates like X-Ray Tetras at night. Also like many Callichthyids, they can breathe air and may rush to the surface occasionally to gulp air.
Not difficult at all to feed, Brown Hoplos will likely eat anything you provide them. In a tank with boisterous feeders (like Texas Cichlids, Monos, and Scats) it may be easiest to feed at night as to minimize competition.
The Brown Hoplo has been bred in home aquaria. This fish builds bubble nests and the male defends the fertilized eggs until they hatch about four days later. The fry should be fed infusoria and newly hatched brine shrimp until they are large enough to accept powdered dry foods. Sources
More Than Corys: The Armored Catfishes of the Family Callichthyidae, Bob Fenner
Hoplosternum littorale, Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Hoplosternum littorale, Planetcatfish
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