Edmundo
17-03-2009, 11:28 AM
There are two species known from the Rio Paraguay: S. barbatum which has been described in 1853 and S. robustum, known to science since 1904. Both species are very similar to each other and can be distinguished only by the much more prolonged filaments of the fins in S. barbatum. However, nowadays it is known that these prologations differ very much due to ontogenetic and individual changes and are no good choice to differentiate between species. So it is possible that S. barbatum and S. robustum are synonym to each other. In that case S. barbatum would be the valid name, because it is the elder name of both.
http://www.plecoclub.org/forum/imagehosting/249bf09f333a85.jpg
In the hobby the name S. robustum is most often used for these fishes, as there has no specimen spotted so far that perfecly fits to the original description of S. barbatum. In the trade it is the other way round, here the name S. barbatum is most often used for Sturisoma from Paraguay.
Sturisoma are fantastic aquarium fishes which can reach around 28 cm in length and therefore do not need too small tanks. The males can be distinguished easily from the females during breeding season by their „beards“. As can be seen on the accompanying photos, even outside the breeding season the sexes can be recognized quite easily. The fish feed on a great variety of food, but plant material form the greatest part of it.
It is important to know that fishes from Paraguay have to face great changes of water temperature during the seasons. After the fish have been established in a tank it is clever to adapt the animals to our seasons and to keep them in summer at 24-26°C and in winter between 16-18°C. If this is done the Sturisoma usually breed easily. They like to spawn often at the front glass of the aquarium. The male guards eggs and fry.
http://www.plecoclub.org/forum/imagehosting/249bf098a8c687.jpg
Aquarium Glaser (http://www.aquarium-glaser.de/en/index.php)
Text und Photos: Frank Schäfer
http://www.plecoclub.org/forum/imagehosting/249bf09f333a85.jpg
In the hobby the name S. robustum is most often used for these fishes, as there has no specimen spotted so far that perfecly fits to the original description of S. barbatum. In the trade it is the other way round, here the name S. barbatum is most often used for Sturisoma from Paraguay.
Sturisoma are fantastic aquarium fishes which can reach around 28 cm in length and therefore do not need too small tanks. The males can be distinguished easily from the females during breeding season by their „beards“. As can be seen on the accompanying photos, even outside the breeding season the sexes can be recognized quite easily. The fish feed on a great variety of food, but plant material form the greatest part of it.
It is important to know that fishes from Paraguay have to face great changes of water temperature during the seasons. After the fish have been established in a tank it is clever to adapt the animals to our seasons and to keep them in summer at 24-26°C and in winter between 16-18°C. If this is done the Sturisoma usually breed easily. They like to spawn often at the front glass of the aquarium. The male guards eggs and fry.
http://www.plecoclub.org/forum/imagehosting/249bf098a8c687.jpg
Aquarium Glaser (http://www.aquarium-glaser.de/en/index.php)
Text und Photos: Frank Schäfer