Giant Raphael Catfish – Talking Catfish (Megalodoras Uranoscopus)
A new species going into the main lake this morning and a rare fish for Thailand. The Giant Raphael Catfish or Talking Catfish native to the Amazon River Basin. Similar to the ripsaw catfish but extremely slow-growing so one of this size would be 6 – 7 years old.. He still has quite a bit of growing to do yet though… known as ‘ talking catfish’ as they make a loud clicking noise by rubbing their spiny pectoral fins against their body armor…
The Giant Raphael Catfish (Megalodoras uranoscopus) are also known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Giant Talking Catfish. Mother of Snails Catfish or Megalodoras Catfish is a native to the Amazon River Basin in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
John Carter from Roi Et was one of our first anglers to be lucky to land one
(Megalodoras uranoscopus)
There have previously been recorded growth rates of up to 28 inches or more, in the Amazon, Essequibo, and Tocantins river systems.
The fish prefers slower-moving creeks, swamps, river tributaries, and areas like Lake Hyanuary, close to Manaus, Brazil’s rainforest city. Depending on the time of year they can be found hiding among tree roots and submerged vegetation. Talking Catfish have been found in temporarily flooded areas and the main river channels.
Although they occasionally form small schools, they prefer living in smaller groups. In the wild, they feed on Licania and Astorcaryum palm fruits and are particularly fond of pulmonate snails.
