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Bottlenose catfish

Ageneiosus marmoratus

FreshwaterFish

Bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus marmoratus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
95 gal
360 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Auchenipteridae
Origin
Guyana, Suriname

Overview

The bottlenose catfish is a sleek, active predator that patrols the lower levels and open water near the bottom. It is for experienced keepers with a very large tank.

Did you know

Most catfish fertilize their eggs in open water, but a female bottlenose catfish can carry stored sperm for weeks. She fertilizes her eggs only when she is ready to lay them.

Caring for the bottlenose catfish

The bottlenose catfish is a large, waste-heavy fish. Keep it in a spacious tank of 95 gal (360 L) or larger with strong filtration. Give it long open swimming lanes, a soft substrate, and some driftwood or shaded retreats along the sides. Subdued lighting helps this nocturnal hunter feel secure.

Hold the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Keep a steady current and very clean, well-oxygenated water.

It is a predator that hunts after dark, so feed once the lights are off. Offer meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn pieces and sinking pellets.

The bottlenose catfish is loosely social and settles better in a group of four or more where there is room. It is peaceful toward fish too large to swallow, but it will eat any tank mate that fits in its mouth. Pair it only with sizeable, calm species.

Males develop a thickened, hooked dorsal spine and an elongated barbel at breeding time. Like others in its family, it uses internal fertilization, and the male passes sperm to the female with a modified anal fin. Aquarium breeding is not on record.

Good to know

The bottlenose catfish, Ageneiosus marmoratus, is a driftwood catfish in the family Auchenipteridae. Its flattened, duckbill-like snout gives it its common name.

In the wild

The bottlenose catfish comes from larger rivers and coastal drainages in Guyana and Suriname. It cruises the open channels there rather than hugging cover, in warm water close to neutral.

Common questions

What size tank does a bottlenose catfish need?

A bottlenose catfish needs at least 95 gal (360 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a bottlenose catfish need?

A bottlenose catfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a bottlenose catfish eat?

A bottlenose catfish eats meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn pieces and sinking pellets. Feed it once the lights are off, since it hunts after dark.

How big does a bottlenose catfish get?

An adult bottlenose catfish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How can you tell a male bottlenose catfish from a female?

Males develop a thickened, hooked dorsal spine and an elongated barbel at breeding time.

How does a bottlenose catfish breed?

A bottlenose catfish uses internal fertilization, and the male passes sperm to the female with a modified anal fin. Breeding it in an aquarium is not on record.

Related species