Albino Hoplo Catfish

The Hoplo Catfish (Megalechis thoracata) is a medium-sized catfish native to the South American tropics. They are hardy fish with a striking appearance, making them a favorite among those who have kept them. They are great for medium to large-size aquarium setups. Preferring to dwell near the bottom of slow-moving waters, Hoplo Catfish scour the beds of tropical rivers of the Amazon. 

Although there are albino species, the Hoplo Catfish usually sports an earthy brown coloring that darkens with age. Its abdomen is white, and irregular black spots cover it from the barbels to the tail.  The Hoplo Catfish gets its name from its original genus, hoplosternum, from the Greek meaning “shield chest.” In 1997, it was categorized into a smaller genus, megalechis, from the Greek meaning “large plate.” Both names are quite suitable for this heavily armored fish.