PlanetCatfish.com - Auchenipterichthys coracoideus (Auchenipteridae) Cat-eLog

Male
Pair - female below
Video
Ventral view, showing shape of pectoral girdle
One week old
One month old
Two months old
Three months old, 40mm SL
Close-up of male
Close-up of pectoral fin
Close-up of dorsal fin
Close-up of caudal fin

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	- CotM 2001 July
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.
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) Login to view the map.
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)
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.
Further Information
Reference	Fishes of western South America, pp 120.
Registered Keepers	There are 54 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 20 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.22.120.352
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2001 Apr 13 00:00)