Bolt catfish

Aguarunichthys torosus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 13.4 in (34 cm)
Minimum tank: 120 gal (455 L)
Temperament: Aggressive
Social behavior: Solitary
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Very rare
Origin: Peru, Ecuador
Family: Pimelodidae

Overview

The bolt catfish is an agile, fast-moving predator that lives up to its name, and it is best kept singly. It is an obligate fish-eater in the wild and stays aggressive in the tank, harassing and attacking its own kind and any similar-looking catfish, so house it alone with fast, robust tankmates too large to be swallowed. Give it a long, open swimming lane, moderate to strong current, and a few solid caves. It usually learns to take quality sinking pellets, strips of fish, prawn, and earthworms, so live feeders are not needed. Aim for a tank of around 455 liters or larger with a tight lid, since it is powerful and easily startled.

In the wild

The bolt catfish is known mainly from the Rio Maranon in the upper Amazon of Peru, with populations likely reaching into rivers draining from Ecuador. It lives in warm, well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water, so recreate that with around 22 to 27 C, a pH between 6 and 7.5, and strong flow from a generous filter or powerhead. A dim setup with a sand or fine gravel bed, smooth boulders, and open channels between them suits its restless, current-loving nature.

Good to know

The bolt catfish is a long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae and reaches about 34 cm, the largest recorded specimen measuring close to that. It is built for speed, with a slim, muscular body, large fins, and long barbels, dressed in silver with purple and yellow tones. The genus name honours the Aguaruna people of northern Peru, from whose home rivers the fish was described. As an uncommon aquarium species, it has no recorded history of breeding in captivity.

Did you know

The bolt catfish is named for its sudden, lightning-quick bursts of speed. Its scientific name, Aguarunichthys, honours the Aguaruna people of northern Peru, who live along the Maranon river where the species was first found.