Oil catfish
Centromochlus perugiae
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 15 gal (55 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Peru, Ecuador
- Family
- Auchenipteridae
Overview
The oil catfish is a tiny, peaceful driftwood catfish, also called the honeycomb catfish, that suits a small group in a calm community. It is strongly nocturnal, spending the day tucked into wood or a narrow cave and darting out to feed in a lively rush once the lights go off. Feed small meaty foods such as bloodworms and finely chopped frozen items after dark, and add sinking pellets it can learn to take. It is safe with peaceful tankmates of similar or larger size. Give it driftwood, tubes, and shaded crevices, and a tank around 55 liters or larger.
In the wild
Centromochlus perugiae comes from the upper Amazon in Peru and Ecuador, living among sunken wood in warm, soft, slightly acidic streams. Keep it between 24 and 28 degrees C with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Like other river fish it dislikes a buildup of waste, so provide a mature tank with clean water, gentle flow, and regular partial changes. Furnish plenty of shady hiding places among driftwood, rock crevices, and bamboo or PVC tubes, and keep the lighting dim.
Good to know
This dwarf driftwood catfish in the family Auchenipteridae grows to only about 6 centimeters and wears a honeycomb pattern of pale spots on dark skin. Fertilization is internal: the male inseminates the female with a modified anal fin, and she deposits the eggs in small caves a day or two later. Breeding has been achieved but is rated hard, needing pristine water and the right cave sites.
Did you know
The oil catfish crams itself into surprisingly tight spaces during the day, wedging into narrow tubes and cracks in driftwood barely wider than its body, then emerges at night to feed in a quick, energetic scramble.
Appears in
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Related species
Pygmy driftwood catfish
Trachelyichthys exilis3.1 in (8 cm)21 gal (80 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)Midnight catfish
Auchenipterichthys coracoideus4.3 in (11 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)Jaguar catfish
Liosomadoras oncinus9.1 in (23 cm)65 gal (245 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Bottlenose catfish
Ageneiosus marmoratus7.9 in (20 cm)95 gal (360 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common woodcat
Trachelyopterus galeatus8.7 in (22 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Gulper catfish
Asterophysus batrachus9.8 in (25 cm)95 gal (360 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)