Megalechis picta
Tail Bar Hoplo Catfish
Tail Bar Hoplo Catfish
30 in stock
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Remarks: The tail bar hoplo catfish is an attractively patterned species of hoplo that bears a strong resemblance to the more commonly seen spotted hoplo (Megalechis thoracata). While both fish display the same fin shape and mottled pattern of tans, blacks, and browns, the pattern on the caudal fin sets them apart. The tail bar hoplo catfish, as its common name implies, has a black vertical bar going through the middle of their caudal fin while the spotted hoplo instead has variable black spots. Adult males of both species will add a splash of color in the form of orange primary pectoral fin rays. Another similarity the two species share is that both are a smaller hoplo catfish that rarely exceeds 6 inches in length making them a better choice for medium-sized aquariums.
The native range of hoplo catfish extends throughout South America but the tail bar hoplo catfish is most often found in the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. They inhabit a broad range of habitats with some even having anoxic conditions. To deal with this lack of oxygen in stagnant environments, hoplo catfish have developed the amazing ability to take in supplemental oxygen by taking gulps of air from the surface. This ability broadly expands the areas that hoplo catfish can inhabit where they will have little to no competition for food from other species and have access to plenty of insect larvae that are most plentiful in stagnant water. These make up a large part of the hoplo catfish’s diet. They are omnivores that will eat just about anything they can forage, but they heavily lean toward a more carnivorous diet. In the aquarium, this should be replicated with foods high in insect protein to help the hoplo catfish thrive.
Due to the hoplo catfish evolving to withstand a wide variety of habitats and conditions, they have become a very hardy fish that do excellent in the home aquarium. While they prefer soft, acidic water parameters, they can do just fine in neutral to slightly hard and alkaline conditions. Hoplo catfish are also fantastic in regards to their temperament and compatibility as they are peaceful and will usually leave anything too big to be swallowed alone. Their thick armor plating and fast swimming speed makes them a great choice to go with larger, more aggressive fish such as green terrors so long as they have a hiding space to retreat to. It should be noted they are voracious eaters so while that carries the positive of them being able to compete with other eager feeders such as botia, it can make them a poor tankmate for more shy natured fish. Being a shoaling species, they will appreciate the company of their own kind and keeping them in groups will result in very fascinating behaviors. With all these aspects in mind, it isn’t hard to see why the hoplo catfish is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced fishkeepers alike.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: South America
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Colombia
- Max adult size: 5-6"
- Diet: Omnivore
- Social behavior: Peaceful
- Care skill: Beginner
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 65°F - 82°F
- pH range: 5.0 - 7.5
- GH range: 25 ppm - 200 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee