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Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Auchenipterichthys coracoideus  (Eigenmann & Allen, 1942)
Common Names Zamora Woodcat
Midnight Catfish, Zamorawels (Germany)
Type Locality Iquitos, Upper Amazon, Peru.
Synonym(s) Trachycorystes coracoideus
Pronunciation awk en NIP terr ICK thiss - core ah koy dee uss
Etymology Auchenipterichthys: From the Greek, auchenos, meaning neck, pteron, meaning fin and ichthys, meaning fish; in reference to the long cranial shield, which gives the appearance that the dorsal fin originates at the neck region. 
Articles
Article Link - CotM Right 2001 Right July
Down Species Information
Size 110mm or 4.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Commonly referred to as A. thoracatus, a study in 2005 corrected the long standing misidentification of this species which is the most commonly available in the hobby.

When undisturbed they sport a beautiful inky bluish black colour that, in combination with many pin-prick white spots, do give the impression of a clear tropical sky at midnight hence the common name.
Sexing As with all woodcats, mature males exhibit a modified anal fin similar to the gonopodium found on many live-bearing toothcarps such as the guppy, platy, molly etc.
General Remarks Reports from the upper Essequibo River would appear to indicate a sister species.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Upper Amazon River basin.
Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Upper Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 6.0 - 7.2
Temperature 23.0-25.0°C or 73.4-77°F (Show species within this range)
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding In the wild this fish is an insectivore, its diet probably stretches to small invertebrates and crustaceans. In captivity bloodworm appear favourite although it will readily accept flake food and sinking pellets. Food is often taken in mid-water as well as from the bottom. User data.
Furniture Some plants can be used to provide shelter but this fish loves to cram itself into small spaces, preferably in wood, during the daylight hours. If you really want to go all out for this fish drill woodcat sized holes into a large lump of bogwood - but remember to check them for inhabitants if you ever need to remove the wood!
Compatibility Certainly a peaceful, surprisingly robust, catfish suitable for most community aquaria. Not to be trusted with very small fish as this fish is an effective hunter.
Suggested Tankmates Groups of tall-bodied smaller Characins (Hyphessobrycon etc) and Corydoras catfish perfectly compliment this catfish and their shoaling helps relax the midnight catfish in its surroundings, leading to better colouration and more frequent sightings.
Breeding Bred by German hobbyists, details (in English at least) are presently unavailable. Egg fertilization is internal and the eggs can be laid by the female in isolation from the male.
Breeding Reports There are 2 breeding reports, read them all here.
Down Further Information
Reference Fishes of western South America, pp 120.
Registered Keepers There are 53 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 20 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 19 01:42 (species record created: 2001 Apr 13 00:00)