TankBud

Apure jelly catfish

Cephalosilurus apurensis

Also known as Apure bumblebee catfish

FreshwaterFish

Apure jelly catfish (Cephalosilurus apurensis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Pseudopimelodidae
Origin
Apure and Orinoco drainages, Venezuela

Overview

The Apure jelly catfish is a big-headed ambush predator that spends most of its life waiting for a meal to pass. It needs a big species tank and is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Apure jelly catfish is almost all mouth and patience. It can sit unmoving for long stretches, then engulf a passing fish close to its own length in a single gulp.

Caring for the Apure jelly catfish

Give one Apure jelly catfish a tank of 106 gal (400 L) or more. Set it up as a species tank with a soft substrate, a shady cave or hollow to settle into, driftwood and dim light. Cover to hide in matters more than open space.

Keep the water soft and warm, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It feeds hard when it does feed, taking large meaty foods such as whole frozen fish, prawn and earthworms. It can go a long time between meals.

Keep it alone, as it is not a social fish. It will try to eat tank mates close to its own size, let alone anything smaller. Never house it with fish it could swallow. No aquarium breeding has been documented for it.

Good to know

Cephalosilurus apurensis belongs to the family Pseudopimelodidae and has a broad, flattened head with an enormous mouth. Its loose, soft skin is the source of the jelly nickname used in the trade. It is also sold as the Apure bumblebee catfish.

In the wild

The Apure jelly catfish lies in wait on the bottoms of rivers in the Apure and wider Orinoco drainage of Venezuela. It often sits half-buried in sand or leaf litter, with only its huge mouth showing.

Common questions

What size tank does an Apure jelly catfish need?

An Apure jelly catfish needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Apure jelly catfish need?

An Apure jelly catfish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an Apure jelly catfish eat?

An Apure jelly catfish eats large meaty foods such as whole frozen fish, prawn and earthworms. It feeds hard when it does feed, and it can go a long time between meals.

How big does an Apure jelly catfish get?

An adult Apure jelly catfish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Related species