Spotted hoplo
Megalechis thoracata
A tough armoured catfish of about 6 inches that gulps air at the surface; peaceful, with males building bubble nests like gouramis.
Key facts
- Body length
- 5.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 43 gallons
- Group
- Alone is fine
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworm
- Origin
- South America
- Hardier than87%
- Bigger than73%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Spotted hoplo tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusSpotted hoplo outcompetes the slow-eating Otocinclus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidSpotted hoplo outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 10260 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Bristlenose plecoTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 6360 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Spotted hoplo.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Spotted hoplo.Risky
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Spotted hoplo: prey body depth 3.3 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Spotted hoplo: prey body depth 3.3 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Bala sharkSilver shark can eat Spotted hoplo: prey body depth 3.3 cm ≤ mouth 8.8 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for spotted hoplos: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 15 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 50.63 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 10.53 BU
- Min. water
- 137 L net
- Min. footprint
- 120 × 38 cm per group
- Group
- 1+ (best 3)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Sources: Seriously Fish: Megalechis thoracata
Care notes
Spotted hoplos come from South America and breathe atmospheric air through the gut, so they dart up to the surface from time to time. They tolerate a wide temperature range, roughly 64–82°F.
They need a 40 gallon tank or larger with a 4-foot footprint and sand. A lid and open surface are a good idea; breeding males guard bubble nests under floating plants and can turn aggressive, and they may uproot plants.
Questions
What size tank does a spotted hoplo need?
At least 43 gallons (137 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 5.9 inches without fins.
How many spotted hoplos should be kept together?
One is fine. They do not need company of their own kind.
What water do spotted hoplos need?
64–82 °F, pH 6–8 and 0–20 dGH. Spotted hoplos come from South America.
How long do spotted hoplos live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with spotted hoplos?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.