Aquamania Aquariums, Reptiles and Fishing Tackle
Aquariums And Aquatics, Fishing Tackle and Reptile Supplies Superstore. Including the best Reef One BiOrb & BiUbe Aquarium Tank range around  
Aquamania Aquariums, Reptiles and Fishing Tackle Aquamania Aquariums, Reptiles and Fishing Tackle Aquamania Aquariums, Reptiles and Fishing Tackle
 
 
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Aquamania Aquariums, Reptiles and Fishing Tackle
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Aquamania Aquatics

Catfish Nutrition and Feeding

Catfish are a diverse group of mostly bottom-dwelling freshwater fishes. They comprise 2,500-plus species, spanning over 20 taxonomic families within the Order Siluriformes. A few species are marine (e.g. Plotosus) or brackish, and some occupy mid-waters.

The wide diversity in size, form and behaviour of catfishes is reflected in their various feeding strategies, which include herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores (see table below).
Liosomadoras Catfish
Most of the bottom dwelling (= benthic) species rely on foraging over the substrate, in search of aquatic worms, insects, crustaceans and other invertebrates living on or within the river bed, or foraging on algae and other micro-organisms that coat the exposed surfaces of submerged rocks and stones.


Food Location
Many catfish are nocturnal and rely heavily on non-visual senses for nighttime food location. Studies on ictalurid catfish have revealed large numbers of taste buds occurring all over their body surface.

For example, a small (2.5cm long) bull-head catfish was found to possess around 50 taste buds / mm2 on the gill arches, with a total of 175,000 buds over it’s entire body surface.

Taste buds enable the catfish to sample the water for the presence of food molecules, and by following the trail of these molecules the fish can home in on a meal.

Scientifically, the catfish is said to possess an external gustatory (= taste) sensory system. Behavioural studies have revealed how sensitive these taste buds are: bull-head catfish, for example, are capable of detecting just a few molecules of amino acids in the water, enabling these catfish to detect food items over 5 metres away, even in complete darkness!


Dietary Needs of Catfish

Some of the older aquarium literature refers to catfish as ‘scavengers’ that can survive by foraging on any ‘left-over’ foods within the aquarium.

Although it is true that many catfish have a cosmopolitan (omnivorous) diet, it is now understood that they have specific nutritional requirements, as is the case for all fish.
Ancistrus Catfish
Improvements in catfish diets, along with a great understanding of their environmental needs, have led to breeding successes with many hither to difficult-to-spawn species.

Research on catfish nutrition has largely focussed on food-fish species, notably the channel catfish, which is a major human food-fish in the United States and elsewhere.

However, studies by ornamental fish nutritionists, such as those based at the Waltham Aquacentre, have revealed a wide diversity of nutritional needs amongst the Siluriformes. In terms of siluriform dentition, examination of the bones of the mouth reveal that the pre-maxillary has teeth, but in most catfish groups the maxillary is toothless.


Food Requirements of Aquarium Catfish
In terms of aquarium husbandry, a quality catfish diet must meet the needs of most community-catfish species, notably the callichthyids (e.g. Corydoras, Brochis) and the various sucker-mouth loricariids (e.g. Plecs, Ancistrus), both groups being popular aquarium fish.


Feeding Habits of Catfishes
Principal Feeding Habit: Examples:
Herbivore Suckermouth catfishes of the Loricariidae
Omnivore Corydoras Species
Parasitic (skin/gill biters) Trichomycterids (e.g. candiru)
Piscivore (fish eater) Wels catfish (silururs), some bagrids


Aquarian Catfish Tablet Foods are available from Aquamania online or instore. Buy Aquarian Catfish Tablets online here for only £2.99 »
 

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Normal Opening Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 9:15am - 6:00pm
Thursday - Friday: 9:15am - 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:15am - 6:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
(6:00pm closing on Fridays during winter opening hours)

Address: Aquamania Ltd, Kent Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 1DE

To ensure quality service and training procedures are upheld, all correspondence
concerning website orders, complaints and other queries must be directed through
email only. This is to enable us to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible.


Telephone Order Placement Line: 01254 665662
General Store Enquiries: 01254 663399
Email: info@aquamania.co.uk

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Indoor Aquatics | Outdoor Aquatics | Biorbs & Biubes | Birds & Small Animals
Cats & Dogs | Fishing Tackle | Live Plants | Live Tropical Fish | Live Fish Food
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VAT No. 674 5118 25 | Incorporated in England No. 3959731
Reg. Office 22-28 Willow Street, Accrington, BB5 1LP

© 2005-2007 Aquamania - Aquariums, Reptiles, Pet Supplies, Fishing Tackle
and Aquatics Supply Superstore

 
Aquamania Aquariums, Reptiles and Fishing Tackle