Cascarudo

The Cascarudo (Callichthys callichthys) is a special type of armoured catfish found in South America. It has a body covered with hard, bony plates that look like armour. This makes it stronger than many other small fish. They are peaceful, hardy, and popular in aquariums because they do not need very complicated care.

Cascarudo Origin

Cascarudo lives in many places across South America. It is found in:

1. Trinidad and Tobago
2. The Amazon Basin (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia)
3. Paraguay River and Paraná River systems
4. North Argentina and Uruguay

It was first described in 1758 by the famous scientist Carl Linnaeus.

Temperament of Cascarudo Fishes

1. Calm and peaceful
2. Bottom-dwelling and active at night
3. Not aggressive toward medium or large tankmates

Compatibility

Good tankmates include:

1. Angelfish
2. Medium-sized tetras
3. Peaceful South American fish

Avoid keeping them with:

1. Very small fry (babies can be eaten accidentally)
2. Aggressive or fin-nipping cichlids

Cascarudo Price Range

1. Small/young fish: ₹ 400 to ₹ 800
2. Medium/adult size: ₹ 900 to ₹ 1,500 or more

Did you know? Cascarudo is sometimes called the “armoured catfish” because of its strong outer plates that protect it from predators.