TankBud

Ripsaw catfish

Oxydoras niger

Also known as Black doradid, Ripsaw doradid, Niger catfish, Turushuki Cat

FreshwaterFish

Ripsaw catfish (Oxydoras niger)
Cangadoba · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
39.4 in
100 cm
Minimum tank
396 gal
1,500 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Doradidae
Origin
Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America.

Overview

The ripsaw catfish is a true gentle giant for the bottom of a very large tank. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

For all its bulk and armor, the ripsaw catfish gets along with almost anything too big to fit in its mouth. That is rare among meter-long catfish.

Caring for the ripsaw catfish

The ripsaw catfish needs at least 396 gal (1,500 L), so plan on a pond or a custom build. Give it a soft sandy floor it can root through and sift, with driftwood and plenty of open space.

Keep the water soft to neutral, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods, vegetables and the occasional meaty treat over the sand.

The ripsaw catfish is peaceful, fine alone or in a group, and will happily share a tank with other large fish. Choose its tank mates with caution, since it may eat fish it can easily swallow. Handle it only with great care, because its scutes are razor-edged. There is no record of it breeding in home aquariums.

Good to know

Oxydoras niger can weigh up to 13 kg, which makes it one of the largest thorny catfish. A row of sharp bony scutes down each flank protects it and gives it the ripsaw name. It is largely a detritivore and micro-predator, sifting the substrate rather than hunting fish. Like other doradids, it can make audible sounds with its fins and swim bladder. A ripsaw can live for decades.

In the wild

The ripsaw catfish is a giant Amazon and Orinoco doradid that roams the bottom of large rivers and flooded areas. It is a gentle, slow-moving forager that sifts sand and detritus for food.

Common questions

What size tank does a ripsaw catfish need?

A ripsaw catfish needs at least 396 gal (1,500 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a ripsaw catfish need?

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

What does a ripsaw catfish eat?

A ripsaw catfish eats sinking pellets, frozen foods, vegetables and the occasional meaty treat. Feed it over the sand.

How big does a ripsaw catfish get?

An adult ripsaw catfish reaches about 39.4 in (100 cm).

Related species