Spotted Hoplo
Megalechis thoracata
Callichthyidae
About
An old-school armoured catfish from the still, tannin-stained backwaters of the Amazon, Orinoco and upper Paraguay basins, the spotted hoplo is a stout, marbled grey-brown fish clad in two overlapping rows of bony plates. Adults reach around 15 cm, spend daylight wedged under wood and emerge at dusk to plough the sand with long barbels. Every so often one bolts to the surface for a mouthful of air, which it absorbs through the gut.
Care
Hardy and forgiving, but genuinely large: give five or more at least 200 litres over a 120 cm footprint, soft sand, and wood or rock that is anchored, because they dig all night and will unseat planting. 18-28 C, pH 6.0-8.0, slow to moderate flow. Keep a lid on, since they jump, but leave an air gap above the water so they can gulp at the surface. A spawning male guards his bubble nest fiercely and may need the tank to himself.
Diet
Feed sinking pellets and wafers as the staple, with frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and earthworm two or three times a week; offer it in the evening when they come out. Anything that fits the mouth counts as food, so tankmates below roughly 4 cm can vanish overnight.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (207)
Avoid (64)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Spotted Hoplo need?
- A Spotted Hoplo needs an aquarium of at least 200 litres (52.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 120 cm (47.2 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Spotted Hoplo need?
- Spotted Hoplo does best at 18–28 °C (64.4–82.4 °F), pH 6–8 and a general hardness of 2–20 °dGH.
- What group size does a Spotted Hoplo need?
- Spotted Hoplo is a social species — keep a group of at least 5 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
- Is the Spotted Hoplo suitable for beginners?
- Yes — Spotted Hoplo is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.