An uncommon import but commonly encountered in its natural habitat - a couple of hours hook and line night fishing in Peru yielded a dozen or so of these fish. Several other members of the family are imported rarely.
South America: Amazonas, Tocantins, and Orinoco basins. Amazon(click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins(click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco(click on these areas to find other species found there)
An open water fish that requires strong current and oxygenation. It is a testament to the fishes adaptability that it survives in conditions less than this ideal. Water quality and general husbandry is important, and it is recommended that a minimum of 25% water is changed on a weekly to fortnightly basis.
Will accept frozen foods and readily adapts to all good sized live foods. Chopped mussels and live earthworms are favourites. Should not be weaned onto feeder fish but attempts to wean onto tablet food (especially shrimp based tablets) should be made from a young age. Be careful not to overfeed as this fish is an opportunistic feeder and will gorge itself given the chance.
A sparse, dimly lit tank is required. Provide only minimal cover for the fish to hide in during the day. The provision of a dim actinic light will allow you to observe the fish on its nocturnal prowlings where it is an impressive midwater fish and needs room to roam. Substrate is important as although it is a midwater fish, it comes to rest on the bottom frequently. Use aquarium sand or rounded gravel.
Not a fish to be trusted with others. Its natural adult behaviour is to bite lumps out of larger deep river channel fish such as the scaleless Pimelodids. Younger fish in the aquarium do not seem so dangerous, perhaps because they are young or well fed. It will however always eat smaller fish and is an accomplished hunter.
It is believed these are a shoaling fish, but no data is available on keeping them as such in aquaria. Perhaps armoured catfish are the best bet, but ensure all fishes are well fed.
(1) daniel60, (2) amiidae, (3) brettwms75, who also notes, "The fins on this fish will turn ragged looking with poor water quality. I found out when my filter uknowingly stopped. Becareful mine bites on my hand every water change. It's fearless!! Very cool & very very pricey!!!", (4) Djthomas. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "My Cats" data for this species.
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