TankBud

Oil catfish

Duringlanis perugiae

Also known as Centromochlus perugiae, Honeycomb catfish

FreshwaterFish

Oil catfish (Duringlanis perugiae)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

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
Cave spawner · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Auchenipteridae
Origin
Peru, Ecuador

Overview

The oil catfish is a tiny, peaceful driftwood catfish that suits a small group in a calm community. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The oil catfish crams itself into surprisingly tight spaces by day. It wedges into narrow tubes and driftwood cracks barely wider than its body.

Caring for the oil catfish

Keep oil catfish in a small group in a tank of at least 15 gal (55 L). Furnish shady hiding places among driftwood, rock crevices and bamboo or PVC tubes, and keep the lighting dim. They spend the day tucked into wood or a narrow cave.

Keep the water soft, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Like other river fish, the oil catfish dislikes a buildup of waste. Give it a mature tank with clean water, gentle flow and regular partial changes.

It is strongly nocturnal and darts 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. Add sinking pellets too, which it can learn to take.

The oil catfish is peaceful and safe with tank mates of similar or larger size. 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 hard, needing pristine water and the right cave sites.

Good to know

The oil catfish is a dwarf driftwood catfish in the family Auchenipteridae, also called the honeycomb catfish. It wears a honeycomb pattern of pale spots on dark skin. It is also known as Centromochlus perugiae.

In the wild

The oil catfish comes from the upper Amazon in Peru and Ecuador. It lives among sunken wood in warm, soft, slightly acidic streams.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The oil 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 an oil catfish need?

An oil catfish needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an oil catfish need?

An oil catfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an oil catfish eat?

An oil catfish eats small meaty foods such as bloodworms and finely chopped frozen items. Feed it after dark, and it can learn to take sinking pellets as well.

How big does an oil catfish get?

An adult oil catfish reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How does an oil catfish breed?

An oil catfish breeds by internal fertilization, and the female deposits her eggs in small caves a day or two later. Breeding it is hard and needs pristine water and the right cave sites.

Related species