Cascarudo
Callichthys callichthys
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 66–81°F
- 19–27°C
- pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 63 gal
- 240 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Bubble nester
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- South America
Overview
The cascarudo is a large, robust catfish for the bottom of a big tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
The cascarudo swallows air and absorbs oxygen through the wall of its intestine. That lets it survive stagnant water and outlast drought in a drying pool. It can even wriggle overland for short distances to reach fresh water.
Caring for the cascarudo
Give the cascarudo serious floor space, in 63 gal (240 L) or larger, with an open bottom to patrol. Use a soft substrate, plenty of wood and plant cover, and calm flow. A tight-fitting lid is essential.
The cascarudo is unfussy about water, handling a pH of 6.0 to 8.0 and a wide band of 66 to 81°F (19 to 27°C). It roots along the bottom at dusk and after dark. Feed sinking pellets, frozen and live foods, and most prepared sinking fare.
Cascarudos are gregarious and can be kept singly or in a small group. They are peaceful but robust, and they mix calmly with other sizeable, non-aggressive fish. Very small fish or shrimp may be eaten. Like others in its subfamily, the male builds a floating bubble nest and guards the eggs.
Good to know
The cascarudo is a heavily armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, and a giant among its relatives. Two rows of overlapping bony plates sheath its body.
In the wild
The cascarudo ranges across much of tropical South America, from Trinidad down to Argentina. It lives in warm, sluggish and often low-oxygen waters, such as swamps, ditches and river margins.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The cascarudo is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Slender hemiodus
Hemiodus gracilis
Freshwater7.1 in (18 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Largescale four-eyed fish
Anableps anableps
FreshwaterBrackish11.8 in (30 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)77–88°F (25–31°C)
Tunga garra
Garra bicornuta
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 63 gal (240 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a cascarudo need?
A cascarudo needs at least 63 gal (240 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a cascarudo need?
A cascarudo is comfortable at 66–81°F (19–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–8.0.
What does a cascarudo eat?
A cascarudo takes sinking pellets, frozen and live foods, and most prepared sinking fare. It may also eat very small fish or shrimp.
How big does a cascarudo get?
An adult cascarudo reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
How does a cascarudo breed?
Male cascarudos build a floating bubble nest and guard the eggs. A difficulty rating for spawning them at home is not established.
Related species
7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Hoplo catfish
Hoplosternum littorale
7.9 in (20 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Bar-tailed hoplo
Megalechis picta
5.9 in (15 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)40 gal (150 L)66–75°F (19–24°C)Banded cory
Scleromystax barbatus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)44 gal (165 L)64–70°F (18–21°C)Sailfin cory
Scleromystax macropterus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 44 gal (165 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)40 gal (150 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)Spotted hoplo
Megalechis thoracata
5.9 in (15 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
4.9 in (12.5 cm)40 gal (150 L)77–82°F (25–28°C)Flagtail catfish
Dianema urostriatum
4.9 in (12.5 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)