Description

Brochis seussi:

Seuss Catfish Care Guide

Common Name: $\text{Seuss Catfish}$, $\text{Hog-nosed Brochis}$ Scientific Name: Brochis seussi (or often taxonomically reclassified as Corydoras multiradiatus) Family: $\text{Callichthyidae}$ (Armoured Catfish family) Origin: South America (specifically, tributaries and floodplains of the $\text{Amazon}$ basin in Peru and Ecuador).

The $\text{Seuss Catfish}$ is a fascinating and $\text{robust}$ species distinguished by its $\text{elongated snout}$ and larger size compared to most other armoured catfish. They are peaceful, highly active bottom-dwellers, and an excellent choice for a spacious community aquarium.

Key Characteristics and Appearance

• Size: These are one of the larger species in the family, reaching a substantial adult length of $10\text{ to }12\text{ cm}$ (approximately $4$ to $5$ inches).
• Appearance: They have a stout, heavy-set body protected by overlapping bony plates. Their defining feature is the distinctive, pig-like snout (hence Hog-nosed Brochis), which is perfectly adapted for digging. $\text{Colouration}$ is typically a uniform olive-green, grey, or bronze, often with a subtle, reflective sheen.
• Temperament: Highly peaceful and non-aggressive. They are shy when alone but bold and active when kept in a proper group.
• Activity: They are constantly foraging and sifting through the substrate during the day, making them excellent natural cleaners of the tank floor.

Aquarium Setup Requirements

Due to their considerable adult size and preference for shoaling, Brochis seussi need a tank with a large bottom surface area.

Tank Size and Substrate

• Minimum Tank Size: A $200\text{ litre}$ tank is the recommended minimum for a small shoal of five or six individuals to ensure they have enough room to forage comfortably and safely.
• Substrate: Fine, smooth aquarium sand is essential. Their delicate $\text{barbels}$ and specialised snouts are designed to sift soft material. Coarse gravel will damage these sensory organs, leading to stress, feeding difficulties, and potential bacterial infections.
• Decor: Provide ample shaded cover and hiding spots using large pieces of smooth $\text{bogwood}$ and $\text{driftwood}$. Plant the perimeter densely with hardy species, ensuring there is a wide, open area of sand in the centre for them to gather and forage together.

Water Parameters

This species thrives in the slightly soft, mildly acidic conditions typical of its native habitat. Maintaining stable parameters and high water quality is vital.

Parameter	Recommended Range
Temperature	23∘C to 27∘C (73∘F to 81∘F)
$\text{pH}$	$6.0$ to $7.0$ (Neutral to mildly acidic)
Hardness ($\text{GH}$)	Soft to Medium ($\text{dH }2\text{ to }10$)

Filtration and Water Flow

Robust filtration is required to maintain the pristine water quality necessary for all bottom-dwelling armoured catfish. Use a strong filter for excellent $\text{biological filtration}$ and ensure you perform regular, large water changes (e.g., $25\%$ weekly). A moderate water flow is acceptable, but provide low-flow areas near the substrate for resting.

Diet and Social Needs

Dietary Needs

B. seussi are omnivorous. They are not scavengers of floating food; they are dedicated bottom-feeders and must receive sinking food items to ensure adequate nutrition.

• Staple: High-quality sinking catfish wafers, tablets, or granules should form the core of their diet.
• Supplement: A varied diet is crucial for their health and $\text{colouration}$. Offer frozen or live treats regularly, such as bloodworms, $\text{tubifex}$, $\text{brine shrimp}$, and $\text{daphnia}$.
• Greens: They may occasionally graze on blanched vegetables, such as $\text{courgette}$ or cucumber slices.
• Feeding Time: They often feed most enthusiastically after the main aquarium lights have been dimmed or turned off, as they become bolder in lower light conditions.

Social Requirements and Compatibility

• Shoaling: This fish must be kept in a shoal. A minimum of five or six individuals is mandatory. Kept alone or in pairs, they become incredibly stressed, withdrawn, and will not exhibit natural $\text{behaviour}$. They rely on the safety of the group.
• Tank Mates: They are highly peaceful and their size prevents them from being intimidated by most non-aggressive, mid-water fish. They are compatible with many $\text{Tetras}$, $\text{Rasboras}$, $\text{Dwarf Cichlids}$, and other similarly peaceful community species. Avoid any highly territorial or aggressive bottom-dwellers that will compete for food or territory.

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