Epactionotus aky
(a new species)

by Roberto Petracini and Francisco Martinez
of Argentina
Translated by Viviana Garber
Aquarticles.com

In November 2002, while doing field work in Posadas, Misiones, Argentina, Josč Antonio Granados (AEA) and Roberto Petracini (Argentine Killi Club - KCA) found a number of catfish of a new species. Other collectors later found more specimens, and it was eventually described by Azpelicueta, Casciotta, Almirón and Korber in 2004.

  
Arroyo Misionero, home of Epactionotus aky

Geographic distribution is very limited and the fish are few in number. Future conservation is considered very difficult.

Habitat
They live in fast water on Echinodorus (sword plant) leaves, eating algae.

  
Echinodorus bleheri

  
Epactionotus aky
(Note that the colours of the fish match the leaves of Echinodorus plants).

  
A similar species: Parotocinclus verde

Another companion fish found in the same habitat: Leporelus pictus

Starting with wild-caught specimens, the species has been bred in captivity, as follows:

Aquarium
- Tropical, with plants such as Echinodorus, (e.g. E. horemanii) and intense lighting to provide lots of algae.
- Substrate - sand or gravel
- Bogwood
- pH: 7-7.2
- DH: 10
- Temperature: 22 - 26°C

Reproduction
- The male (4cm.) is thinner than the female (5.5 cm.).
- Eggs are laid on the Echinodorus leaves (and also on the aquarium glass).
- The fry hatch within 36 - 40 hours, and attach themselves by the mouth to the plant leaves or aquarium glass.
- Fry that are not provided with Echinodorus plants are found to be 20 - 25% slower growing, so it can be deduced that an essential element in their diet is algae that is present only with that plant.
- After 30 days, the fry are 1.5 - 1.8 cm., and after 60 days they are 3.5 - 4 cm.
- Growth is very easy and fast.

Feeding
Adults adapt to common fish food such as flakes, but it is important to provide Echinodorus plants.

Remark
The photos were taken during the November 2002 fishing trip. At that time, the fish was not known.