Spotted hoplo
Megalechis thoracata
- Tank length
- 52 cm20 in
- Start with
- 3
- Temperature
- 18–28 °C64–82 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 13 cm5 in
- Lifespan
- 10–15 yrs
Hardy armoured catfish that builds bubble nests; a messy eater, so plan for strong filtration.Hardy armoured catfish that builds bubble nests; a messy eater, so plan for strong filtration.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat Spotted hoploAlligator gar may eat Spotted hoplo
- Antenna ray
Antenna ray may eat Spotted hoploAntenna ray may eat Spotted hoplo
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat Spotted hoploArapaima may eat Spotted hoplo
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat Spotted hoploAsian arowana may eat Spotted hoplo
- Australian pearl arowana
Australian pearl arowana may eat Spotted hoploAustralian pearl arowana may eat Spotted hoplo
- Bullseye snakehead
Bullseye snakehead may eat Spotted hoploBullseye snakehead may eat Spotted hoplo
- Butterfly peacock bass
Butterfly peacock bass may eat Spotted hoploButterfly peacock bass may eat Spotted hoplo
- Channel catfish
Channel catfish may eat Spotted hoploChannel catfish may eat Spotted hoplo
- Clown knifefish
Clown knifefish may eat Spotted hoploClown knifefish may eat Spotted hoplo
- Common river stingray
Common river stingray may eat Spotted hoploCommon river stingray may eat Spotted hoplo
- Congo bichir
Congo bichir may eat Spotted hoploCongo bichir may eat Spotted hoplo
- Cuban gar
Cuban gar may eat Spotted hoploCuban gar may eat Spotted hoplo
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 18–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–20 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Amazon and Orinoco basins and Guianas, South America | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | easy | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | omnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 10–15 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 18 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |