Blue Whale Catfish ( Cetopsis coecutiens )

Blue Whale Catfish (Cetopsis coecutiens) is a fish of the family Cetopcidae or Whale catfish are found in South America in particular of the Amazon, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil. These fish can grow to 265 mm even been found in Peru with a size of 300 mm. Coecutiens Cetopsis body has a cylindrical shape that resembles a cigar or torpedo in the absence of scales and silvery blue (like a glimpse of a blue whale). Besides the traits that others are little eyes and mouth are relatively wide with a row of conical teeth. These fish live in fast-flowing river with the parameter being the temperature 22 - 260C and pH 6 - 7.4. Unlike other catfish groups used a basic occupant, Cetopsis coecutiens tend to swim in the waters of the middle and are nocturnal.

TAXONOMY
 

Kingdom   : Animalia
phylum      : Chordata
Class         : Actinopterygii
order         : Siluriformes
Family       : Cetopsidae
genus        : Cetopsis
species      : Cetopsis coecutiens

 
Cetopsis coecutiens should be kept alone or separated by other fish, because he is an active hunters and will eat smaller fish. In addition, he often bite even bigger fish in the wild are known cuts of meat bigger fish. Cetopsis coecutiens be kept in groups with a maximum number of members is 3 tails. These fish are voracious carnivores and aggressively in the hunt for prey such as shrimp, mussels, oysters, worms and smaller fish, but in the aquarium fish can accept dry food pellets. Cetopsis coecutiens have a very good sense of smell to compensate for little eyes. That is why these fish are found in waters deep enough despite relatively poor eyesight. So far, breeding techniques for Cetopsis coecutiens still not been reported. The males are known to have a more slender body than the female, except that males have a dorsal fin or sharp stabbing. Treatment in the aquarium desperately need good aeration system and at least 25% water change every week. Setting tank with sand bottom, a little stone and wood will make it more comfortable.