{"product_id":"black-top-mouse-catfish","title":"BLACK-TOP MOUSE CATFISH","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Top Mouse Catfish (Hassar orestis)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Top Mouse Catfish (\u003cem\u003eHassar orestis\u003c\/em\u003e) is a distinctive South American thorny catfish prized for its armored body, bold dorsal coloration, and peaceful yet active personality. This fascinating bottom-dweller spends much of its time exploring the substrate and searching for food, making it an excellent addition to larger community and South American biotope aquariums. Its unique appearance and hardy nature make it a standout species for aquarists seeking something less commonly seen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eHassar orestis\u003c\/em\u003e is native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of northern South America, where it inhabits slow-moving rivers, flooded forests, and tributaries with sandy or muddy bottoms, submerged wood, and abundant leaf litter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShort Care Tips\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a spacious aquarium with soft substrate and plenty of driftwood, roots, and hiding places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain excellent water quality through regular water changes and efficient filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed a varied diet of sinking carnivore pellets, frozen foods, insects, worms, and crustaceans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep with peaceful to moderately sized community fish that will not harass or outcompete them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandle with care, as the strong pectoral and dorsal spines can become entangled in nets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Habitat Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–29°C (75–84°F)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–12 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Minimum 75 gallons (285 L)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong biological filtration with gentle to moderate water flow\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine sand or smooth gravel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Driftwood, roots, leaf litter, shaded areas, and open bottom space\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate lighting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its rugged armored appearance, peaceful disposition, and fascinating bottom-dwelling behavior, the Black Top Mouse Catfish (\u003cem\u003eHassar orestis\u003c\/em\u003e) is an exceptional choice for aquarists looking to add a rare and impressive South American species to a mature freshwater aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SMB 2026","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49108631486699,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0841\/0883\/7099\/files\/AEECC234-1AEC-4471-BCDB-3A3A01145FB1.jpg?v=1784989878","url":"https:\/\/supermorphbros.com\/products\/black-top-mouse-catfish","provider":"SMB 2026","version":"1.0","type":"link"}