family Callichthyidae among other fish, have developed a unique way of breathing, where the fish will take a gulp of air at the surface of the water. The oxygen will then be absorbed through the lining of the stomach and intestine. This is known as gastrointestinal respiration. They will feed on small to medium-sized worms and other invertebrates, small fish, and general detritus. Ecology M. thoracata has been observed to produce sounds during territorial behavior in males at their nest sites and especially during spawning, and during aggressive behavior in both sexes. M. thoracata males aggressively defend territories against intruders. References thoracata Fish of Bolivia Freshwater fish of Brazil Freshwater fish of Colombia Freshwater fish of Ecuador Freshwater fish of Peru Fish of the Amazon basin Taxa named by Achille Valenciennes Fish described in 1840