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Orinoco dolphin catfish

Ageneiosus magoi

Also known as Mago's dolphin catfish

FreshwaterFish

Orinoco dolphin catfish (Ageneiosus magoi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
106 gal
400 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
Orinoco llanos, Venezuela

Overview

The Orinoco dolphin catfish is a smooth, blunt-headed open-water swimmer shaped like a small gray porpoise. It comes into its own after dark, and it suits a keeper with a little experience and a very large tank.

Did you know

When they come into breeding condition, male Ageneiosus rebuild their maxillary barbels into stiff, bony, tooth-edged hooks, almost like small harpoons. They use them with a modified fin to clasp the female during internal mating. Outside the season the barbels turn ordinary again.

Caring for the Orinoco dolphin catfish

Give the Orinoco dolphin catfish a long, open tank of at least 106 gal (400 L), with long clear swimming lanes. Add a soft substrate, moderate flow and some cover at the sides. Dim the lighting so it feels secure.

Keep the water warm and soft to neutral, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It cruises the middle of the tank almost constantly and takes its food on the move. Feed meaty foods such as earthworm, prawn and strips of fish, along with sinking pellets.

Keep it singly, since it is a solitary fish. It is mostly peaceful with larger fish, but it is a real predator that will eat any tank mate it can swallow. Choose companions with care and keep them well above mouth size. It fertilizes internally, but breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

Good to know

The Orinoco dolphin catfish, also called Mago's dolphin catfish, is a compact driftwood catfish in the family Auchenipteridae. It is an open-water hunter rather than a bottom hugger.

In the wild

The Orinoco dolphin catfish lives in open water across the Orinoco llanos of Venezuela. It cruises slow rivers and floodplains over sand and mud, hunting as it goes.

Common questions

What size tank does an Orinoco dolphin catfish need?

An Orinoco dolphin catfish needs at least 106 gal (400 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Orinoco dolphin catfish need?

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

What does an Orinoco dolphin catfish eat?

An Orinoco dolphin catfish eats meaty foods such as earthworm, prawn and strips of fish, along with sinking pellets. It takes its food on the move.

How big does an Orinoco dolphin catfish get?

An adult Orinoco dolphin catfish reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How does an Orinoco dolphin catfish breed?

An Orinoco dolphin catfish fertilizes internally. Breeding it is not recorded in aquaria.

Related species