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
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Pimelodidae
- Origin
- Peru, Ecuador
Overview
The bolt catfish is an agile, fast-moving, aggressive predator for a long tank with strong current. It is for experienced keepers only.
Did you know
The bolt catfish is named for its sudden, lightning-quick bursts of speed. Its genus name, Aguarunichthys, honors the Aguaruna people of northern Peru. They live along the Maranon river, where the species was first found.
Caring for the bolt catfish
Give the bolt catfish a tank of at least 120 gal (455 L) with a tight lid, since it is powerful and easily startled. Provide a long, open swimming lane and a few solid caves. A dim setup with a sand or fine gravel bed, smooth boulders and open channels between them suits its restless nature.
Hold the temperature at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and the pH at 6.0 to 7.5. It is a current-loving fish, so run moderate to strong current from a generous filter or powerhead.
In the wild it is an obligate fish-eater. In the tank it usually learns to take quality sinking pellets, strips of fish, prawn and earthworms, so live feeders are not needed.
Keep the bolt catfish singly. It stays aggressive in the tank, harassing and attacking its own kind and any similar-looking catfish. House it with fast, robust tank mates too large to be swallowed. It has no recorded history of breeding in captivity.
Good to know
The bolt catfish is a long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae. It is built for speed, with a slim, muscular body, large fins and long barbels. Its silver body carries purple and yellow tones. It is an uncommon aquarium species.
In the wild
The bolt catfish is known mainly from the Rio Maranon in the upper Amazon of Peru. Its populations likely reach into rivers draining from Ecuador. It lives in warm, well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water.
Common questions
What size tank does a bolt catfish need?
A bolt catfish needs at least 120 gal (455 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a bolt catfish need?
A bolt catfish is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a bolt catfish eat?
A bolt catfish is an obligate fish-eater in the wild. In the tank it usually learns to take quality sinking pellets, strips of fish, prawn and earthworms, so it needs no live feeders.
How big does a bolt catfish get?
An adult bolt catfish reaches about 13.4 in (34 cm).
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