Albino Hoplo Catfish

Name: Albino Hoplo Catfish
SKU: 15821
Availability: InStock

₹400

The Albino Hoplo Catfish ( $Megalechis\ thoracata$ ‘Albino’) is the pale yellow/pink mutation of the Spotted Hoplo. This large, hardy, armored catfish is a nocturnal scavenger and is unique for being a bubble-nest builder. It tolerates a wide range of water conditions but will opportunistically eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth.

Categories: Catfish, Fish Specific

Description

fish description – Albino Hoplo Catfish Care Guide ( $Megalechis\ thoracata$ ‘Albino’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Megalechis\ thoracata$ (‘Albino’ Strain)
Common Name	Albino Hoplo Catfish, Pink Hoplo
Origin	Amazon and Orinoco Basins (Albino Strain)
Adult Size	6–8 inches (15–20 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful, gregarious, nocturnal scavenger, predatory to very small fish
Lifespan	5–10+ years
Care Level	Easy to Moderate (due to size and capacity to gulp air)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

Short Description: A robust, rounded catfish with a distinctive pale, pinkish-white to yellowish body and reddish-pink eyes (classic albino traits). It is an armored fish that uses its strong barbels to forage and will occasionally rise to the surface to gulp air.
Coloration: Pale yellow or pinkish-white, often lacking the speckled pattern of the wild type. Males are larger, develop a thicker, more pronounced pectoral fin spine, and may show an orange or scarlet tinge on the fin ray when ready to breed. Females are rounder and larger-bodied.
Fins: Proportional, often with a hint of red or pink. The male’s enlarged pectoral fin spine is a key differentiator.
Behavior: Primarily nocturnal and generally peaceful toward larger fish. They are sociable and enjoy rooting around in soft substrate. Males become highly aggressive and territorial when guarding their unique bubble nest, which they build at the water surface.

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) is the minimum for a small group due to their size and waste output. A longer tank is preferred to maximize bottom space.
Schooling: Best maintained in groups of at least 5 individuals or more to encourage sociable behavior, though they can be kept singly.
Temperature: Tropical range: $72^\circ$ – $82^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$ – $28^\circ\text{C})$ . They are extremely hardy and tolerate a wide range but require stable conditions. A lid should be used to maintain a warm air gap above the water.
pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.0 to 8.0. They are tolerant of a wide range of water hardness but require regular partial water changes to keep nitrates low.
Aquascape: Requires a soft, sandy substrate to protect their sensory barbels while digging and sifting. Provide plenty of shady, secure hiding places using large driftwood pieces, rocks, and dense, hardy planting (they may uproot delicate plants). Gentle to moderate water flow is suitable.

Diet and Feeding

The Albino Hoplo Catfish is an omnivore and a highly effective scavenger.

Staple Diet: Will accept most sinking foods. Use high-quality sinking pellets, granules, or tablets as the staple, ensuring it is a balanced omnivorous diet.
Supplementation: Offer a variety of meaty and vegetable matter. Provide frozen or live foods regularly: Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, Mysis Shrimp, and supplement with spirulina or algae wafers.
Schedule: Feed once daily, preferably in the evening/night, as they are most active then. They are boisterous eaters, so ensure food is distributed to allow other tank mates to eat.

Compatibility

Caution: Peaceful but opportunistic predators. Will eat any small fish (e.g., Neon Tetras, small Guppies) or invertebrates (Dwarf Shrimp) that fit into their mouth, especially when active at night. The male will become aggressive and defend his nest fiercely when spawning.
Good Tank Mates: Peaceful to semi-aggressive fish too large to be eaten. Examples include Angelfish, larger Tetras, Rainbowfish, peaceful Cichlids (e.g., Kribensis), and larger Loaches.