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Dwarf dolphin catfish

Tympanopleura atronasus

Also known as Black-nose dolphin catfish

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf dolphin catfish (Tympanopleura atronasus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
70 gal
265 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Auchenipteridae
Origin
Upper Amazon basin

Overview

The dwarf dolphin catfish is a small, active open-water catfish shaped like a little porpoise. It is best with a little experience and a long tank to cruise.

Did you know

The bare patch on the dwarf dolphin catfish's side is not a blemish but hearing equipment. There the swim bladder meets a thin drumhead of skin, so the fish picks up sound through its own flank.

Caring for the dwarf dolphin catfish

Despite its modest length, the dwarf dolphin catfish wants a long tank of at least 70 gal (265 L) for cruising space. Keep clear swimming lanes down the middle, with some cover at the edges. A well-filtered setup with gentle to moderate flow and dim lighting suits it.

Keep the water soft, warm and slightly acidic, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It comes alive at dusk, when it hunts, so feed it mostly in the evening. Offer meaty foods such as earthworm, prawn and sinking pellets.

Keep it singly rather than in a group. It is mostly peaceful but predatory by nature, and it will eat any tank mate small enough to swallow. Choose companions carefully and keep them well above bite size. Like its relatives it fertilizes internally, but aquarium breeding is not on record.

Good to know

The dwarf dolphin catfish, Tympanopleura atronasus, is a driftwood catfish in the family Auchenipteridae. Its genus name means drum-side, for the built-in eardrum on each flank where no muscle covers the gas bladder. It is also sold as the black-nose dolphin catfish.

In the wild

The dwarf dolphin catfish ranges through open water in channels of the upper Amazon basin. It hunts small invertebrates and fish in the current at dusk and after dark.

Common questions

What size tank does a dwarf dolphin catfish need?

A dwarf dolphin catfish needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a dwarf dolphin catfish need?

A dwarf dolphin catfish is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a dwarf dolphin catfish eat?

A dwarf dolphin catfish eats meaty foods such as earthworm, prawn and sinking pellets. Feed it mostly in the evening, when it hunts.

How big does a dwarf dolphin catfish get?

An adult dwarf dolphin catfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a dwarf dolphin catfish breed?

A dwarf dolphin catfish fertilizes internally, like its relatives. Breeding it in an aquarium is not on record.

Related species