TankBud

Debauwi cat

Pareutropius debauwi

Also known as African swallowtail catfish

FreshwaterFish

Debauwi cat (Pareutropius debauwi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
40 gal
150 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Schilbeidae
Origin
Congo basin, central Africa

Overview

The Debauwi cat is a slim, active catfish that swims in the middle of a planted community tank. It is a step up from the easiest community fish.

Did you know

Most fish sold as Debauwi cats are really the three-striped Pareutropius buffei. The genuine Pareutropius debauwi reaches shops far less often, so the name on the tank is usually on the wrong fish.

Caring for the Debauwi cat

Keep Debauwi cats in a group of six or more, since in ones and twos they turn shy and hide. Give the shoal a planted tank of at least 40 gal (150 L), with open swimming space along the front. Add a dark substrate, driftwood and some cover at the sides.

Give them warm, soft to neutral water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. A steady, moderate current, good filtration and clean water keep these active swimmers in condition. Feed small frozen and dried foods several times through the day, such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, micro pellets and flake.

The Debauwi cat swims in midwater all day, tail flicking, rather than hiding on the bottom. It is peaceful and suits a community of other calm, small to medium fish. Avoid anything large enough to intimidate or eat it. It is not known to breed in home aquariums.

Good to know

The Debauwi cat, Pareutropius debauwi, is a small schilbeid catfish. It is silvery white, with a single dark stripe from gill to tail and a forked tail with pointed lobes.

In the wild

The Debauwi cat comes from the Congo basin of central Africa. It schools in the midwater of moderately flowing forest streams and rivers, where it feeds on small invertebrates.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Debauwi cat is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Debauwi cat need?

A Debauwi cat needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Debauwi cat need?

A Debauwi cat is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a Debauwi cat eat?

A Debauwi cat eats small frozen and dried foods, such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, micro pellets and flake. Feed it several times through the day.

How big does a Debauwi cat get?

An adult Debauwi cat reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

Does a Debauwi cat need a group?

Yes. A Debauwi cat is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species