Hassar Talking Catfish

Hassar orestis is an elegant, slender doradid from the upper Amazon region including the Rio Orinoco tributaries, distinguishable from bulkier doradids by its more streamlined body form and noticeably more active daytime behaviour. It tends to form loose groups by day, resting in aggregations beneath driftwood, before dispersing to forage individually over substrate after dark. It is one of the smaller doradids, reaching around 20 cm.

In the aquarium, H. orestis appreciates groups of its own kind or the company of other doradids. It is peaceful, hardy, and accepts a wide range of sinking foods without difficulty. Fine sand substrate is preferred, and leaf litter adds both shelter and the natural tannins of its native habitat. It is a more visible species than many doradids, often active in reduced daylight conditions.

H. orestis appears moderately regularly in South American import shipments and is reasonably priced. It is an excellent entry point into the doradid family for keepers who want talking catfish behaviour and vocalisation without the extreme size demands of species like Pterodoras or Megalodoras.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard; tannin-stained conditions acceptable. Tank: 200 L minimum; leaf litter, driftwood; fine sand; moderate flow. Feeding: Sinking wafers, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, small earthworms. Breeding: Not documented in home aquaria. Compatibility: Peaceful; excellent with tetras, small cichlids, and other doradids.