Paraguayan Talking Catfish

Trachydoras paraguayensis is a compact, slender-bodied doradid from the Paraguay and lower Paraná river drainages of South America. It reaches only 10 cm, making it one of the smallest doradids in the hobby, yet it retains all the characteristic features of the family — rows of lateral scutes, locking pectoral spines, and stridulatory vocalisations. Its colouration is a muted sandy-brown with faint reticulation that blends perfectly with its natural sandy-substrate habitat.

In the aquarium, T. paraguayensis is an excellent community fish for setups housing moderately large South American species. Its small size means a 100-litre tank is sufficient, it accepts a wide range of sinking foods, and it is completely peaceful toward tankmates. It is nocturnal but will venture out in subdued lighting. It appreciates fine sand into which it partially buries during rest periods.

This species is occasionally imported from Paraguayan fish exporters and represents good value for the doradid enthusiast who lacks space for the larger species. It is also a good companion species alongside larger doradids, adding interest to the lower levels of a large display aquarium.

Water: 20–27°C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard; typical Paraná parameters. Tank: 100 L minimum; fine sand; leaf litter and driftwood; subdued lighting. Feeding: Sinking wafers, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, small earthworms. Breeding: Not documented in home aquaria. Compatibility: Peaceful; excellent with small-to-medium South American tetras, cichlids, and Corydoras.