Cascarudo, also known as Armored Catfish, Bubblenest Catfish, Hassar, or Mailed Catfish, lives in subtropical freshwater.
It belongs to the Callichthyinae subfamily within the Callichthyidae family.
These fish can be found in various environments, from areas with very low oxygen levels and dense vegetation to slightly cloudy but free-flowing streams.
If their habitat dries up, they have the ability to breathe through their intestines and move out of the water to find another place to live.
Cascarudos are active at night and eat fish, insects, and plant matter.
Younger fish also eat tiny organisms called rotifers, as well as small crustaceans and insect larvae found by digging into the ground underwater.
Cascarudo thrives when kept in a group of at least 5 fish in an aquarium. The tank should be at least 120 cm long.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Cascarudo Interesting Facts
- Cascarudos are a type of armored catfish found in freshwater environments.
- They can survive in extreme conditions, including areas with little oxygen, waterlogged vegetation, as well as slightly turbid but free-flowing streams.
- These fish have the unique ability to breathe intestinally, allowing them to move out of the water when their environment becomes dry and find another aquatic habitat.
- When kept in aquariums, cascarudos should be housed in groups of five or more individuals. Their tank size should be a minimum of 120 cm.
Cascarudo Habitat
Cascarudos can be found in many rivers across South America, mainly in the areas north of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
They live in freshwater environments near the bottom of the water. These fish are extremely hardy and can adapt to a wide range of water conditions.
They prefer a water temperature between 64°F to 83°F (18°C to 28°C) and can live in water with a pH level ranging from 5.8 to 8.3.
The specific hardness of the water is not well-defined, but it can be up to 30 dGH (degrees of hardness).
Cascarudos are found in subtropical climates.
| Water Temperature: | 64°F to 83°F (18°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 5.8 to 8.3 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Cascarudo Physical Characteristics
Size: 8.3 inches (21.0 centimeters)
The maximum length of a male cascarudo fish is about 21.0 cm (or around 8.3 inches) long from head to tail.
The heaviest recorded cascarudo weighed 140 grams (about 4.9 ounces). This fish typically has 6 to 8 soft rays on its dorsal (top) fin.
Cascarudo Reproduction
During the mating season, the male cascarudo’s belly turns orange, and its pectoral spines grow longer and thicker.
The male builds a nest made of air bubbles covered in saliva on the bottom side of a large leaf or floating plant.
The female cascarudo fish lays around 120 eggs in a single spawning. The eggs are placed in this nest, and the male fish takes care of them.
The eggs hatch in about 4 to 6 days.
Cascarudo Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Genus: | Callichthys |
| Scientific Name: | Callichthys callichthys |
| Also Known As: | Cascarudo, Armored Catfish, Bubblenest Catfish, Hassar, or Mailed Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |