Scientific Name
Hoplosternum littorale

Common Name
Atipa

Biology
Inhabits swamps (Ref. 11225). During the rainy season, adults consume a great quantity of chironomids associated with detritus. During the dry season, they feed mostly on terrestrial insects, micro-crustaceans, aquatic Diptera, and detritus. Absorbs a great quantity of anaerobic bacteria from the substrate (Ref. 27188). First reproduction occurs after one year (Ref. 35381). Used to be cultured commercially in Guyana (Ref. 7306). Cultured in Trinidad on a semi-commercial scale (Ref. 11225).

Classification

Classified By

Hancock, 1828

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Callichthyid armored catfishes (Callichthyidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Most Cis-Andean South American river drainages north of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Range

11°N - 37°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

18 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; depth range 1 - ? m (Ref. 11225)

Trophic Level

2.68 s.e. 0.28 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

24.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (13 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=4; K=0.6-1.3; Fec = 5,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated