Need Information...

[OohFeeshy]

I've done as much reasearch as I can find, unfortunately, the entire web consists of a very vague Fishbase entry, which doesn't help much, a few mentions of the name in long winded scientific papers, and no pictures, reliable size info or, generally, anything. I've got the gist of this species by looking up other species in the family , specifically Trichomycterus mondolfi, (which is in a similar info position, although not quite as bad), and thus far have...

~ This family is non parasitic.
~This species should grow to around 9cm
~Comes from streams/rivers, one given as 'South America: tributary stream of Ribeirão Caveira, Una River basin in Bahia, Brazil'
~Should have similar diet to other stream dwelling cats, ie, live, dry, frozen accepted
~Can live in a communtity tank

And, in theory, should look a bit like this

Any info would be good, even about other stream/river dwelling cats, and if you have anything different to the stuff listed here on T. alternatus, that would be good too

 

[CFC]

All you can do when keeping unkept species is try and make an educated guess as to what their habitat is like and what they eat.

Streams are usually fast flowing so provide some current with a powerhead and keep the temperature slightly lower.
Apart from in the mountain fed streams the entire amazon basin is pretty much made of sand so this should be your substrate. Provide lots of wood to simulate roots and stumps of bankside plants verging into the water.
For diet take a look at the fishes mouth area, long mobile whiskers and a wide mouth would suggest a predator so smaller fish and shrimp would be on the menu. Shorter less mobile whiskers and a rounder mouth suggest a omnivor so a varied diet of small benethic organisms and dry foods will be ok.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Judging by the pictures of other family members, it falls under the 'Shorter less mobile whiskers and a rounder mouth suggest a omnivor so a varied diet of small benethic organisms and dry foods will be ok.' category.

 

[bunjiweb]

Fast flow, sand and leaf litter (fake leaves can be bought from aquatic shops), would be the right environment. Temperature of about 22-23C would be perfect.

Ben