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Midnight catfish

Auchenipterichthys coracoideus

Also known as Zamora Cunchi Cat

FreshwaterFish

Midnight catfish (Auchenipterichthys coracoideus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–77°F
22–25°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
4.3 in
11 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Auchenipteridae
Origin
Peru, Brazil, Guyana

Overview

The midnight catfish, also sold as the Zamora woodcat, is a peaceful, sociable driftwood catfish that does best in a small group and appreciates the company of its own kind. It shelters inside wood and caves by day and becomes lively after dark, foraging along the bottom and midwater. It is calm with community fish but may eat the very smallest tankmates at night, so pair it with fish above bite size. Feed meaty foods such as bloodworms and small earthworms after lights out, plus sinking dried foods. A wood-filled tank around 75 liters or larger suits a small group.

In the wild

Auchenipterichthys coracoideus lives in the western Amazon across Peru, Brazil, and Guyana, sheltering among submerged branches and root tangles in warm, soft, slightly acidic water. Keep it cooler than many tropicals, between 22 and 25 degrees C, at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Provide plenty of driftwood, including hollow pieces or bamboo tubes it can wedge into, over a soft sand bed, with dim lighting and gentle flow. A mature, stable tank with low waste levels keeps it healthy.

Good to know

This small driftwood catfish in the family Auchenipteridae reaches around 11 centimeters. It has large eyes for its nocturnal habits and, like its relatives, reproduces by internal fertilization, the male using a modified anal fin to inseminate the female so she can spawn later. It carries the family's plated head and strong fin spines. Spawning in home aquariums is not documented.

Did you know

Because it mates by internal fertilization, a female midnight catfish can be carrying live, stored sperm when you buy her, and may lay fertile eggs in your tank weeks later with no male present.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Midnight catfish is a 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Midnight catfish need?

A Midnight catfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Midnight catfish need?

A Midnight catfish is comfortable at 72–77°F (22–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does a Midnight catfish get?

An adult Midnight catfish reaches about 4.3 in (11 cm).

Related species