TankBud

Jaguar catfish

Liosomadoras oncinus

FreshwaterFish

Jaguar catfish (Liosomadoras oncinus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
9.1 in
23 cm
Minimum tank
65 gal
245 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Auchenipteridae
Origin
Brazil

Overview

The jaguar catfish is a handsome, peaceful driftwood catfish that spends its days hidden among wood. It is a step up from the easiest fish and needs a large, dim tank.

Did you know

The jaguar catfish is named for its coat of dark, rosette-like blotches on a golden-tan body, a pattern that recalls a big cat. Many driftwood catfishes fade to plain brown as adults, but this one keeps its bold markings for life.

Caring for the jaguar catfish

Give the jaguar catfish a dim, wood-filled tank of at least 65 gal (245 L) with several caves. Driftwood, smooth rock and PVC caves give it daytime shelter. Choose low-light plants such as Anubias or Java fern, which cope with the dim conditions it prefers.

Keep the water clean and softly filtered, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It hides by day and forages once the lights are off, so add food after dark to be sure it gets its share. Offer meaty foods such as bloodworms and earthworms, plus sinking pellets.

The jaguar catfish is peaceful and more relaxed in the company of its own kind, so keep a small group where space allows. It is safe with medium and larger tank mates but may take very small fish at night.

Males grow thicker dorsal and pectoral fins than females. Fertilization is internal, and the female stores the male's sperm until she spawns. Home aquarium breeding has not been recorded.

Good to know

The jaguar catfish, Liosomadoras oncinus, is a member of Auchenipteridae, the driftwood catfishes. Like its relatives, the male has a modified anal fin that passes sperm much like a livebearer's.

In the wild

The jaguar catfish comes from blackwater rivers of the Rio Negro region in Brazil. There, soft, acidic, tannin-stained water flows past sunken wood and leaf litter.

Common questions

What size tank does a jaguar catfish need?

A jaguar catfish needs at least 65 gal (245 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a jaguar catfish need?

A jaguar catfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a jaguar catfish eat?

A jaguar catfish eats meaty foods such as bloodworms and earthworms, plus sinking pellets. Add the food after dark so it gets its share.

How big does a jaguar catfish get?

An adult jaguar catfish reaches about 9.1 in (23 cm).

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

Males grow thicker dorsal and pectoral fins than females.

How does a jaguar catfish breed?

A jaguar catfish breeds by internal fertilization, and the female stores the sperm until she spawns. Breeding it in a home aquarium has not been recorded.

Related species