Striped woodcat

Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus

Also known as Striped driftwood catfish

FreshwaterFish

Striped woodcat (Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus) — 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: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Minimum tank: 53 gal (200 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Amazon and upper Orinoco basins
Family: Auchenipteridae

Overview

The striped woodcat is a slim, eel-shaped nocturnal catfish that shelters in wood by day and patrols the tank confidently once the lights are off. It is social and does best in a group of four to six, which settles it and encourages it into the open at night. It is peaceful with fish too large to eat, but small fish, fry, and shrimp will be taken, so match it with similar-sized, calm tankmates. Feed in the evening with sinking and frozen foods, worms, and prepared catfish feeds. Give it a tank of around 200 liters or more with driftwood, cover, and moderate, well-oxygenated flow.

In the wild

Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus comes from slow tributaries and flooded forest in the upper Amazon and upper Orinoco, tucking into driftwood and shaded cover by day. A tank with plenty of wood, some shade, and clean, moderately flowing water suits it. Keep it soft and warm at 23–28 C and around pH 6.0–7.5, and give it a long resting spot such as a hollow branch or tube where it can lie hidden.

Good to know

Trachelyopterichthys taeniatus is a driftwood catfish, family Auchenipteridae, reaching about 15 centimeters on a long, eel-slim body ruled by cream lengthwise stripes. Like the rest of the family it fertilizes internally through a modified anal fin, and aquarium spawning is not on record. It swims with a marked side-to-side, ribbon-like motion.

Did you know

Its narrow, drawn-out body moves through the water in long side-to-side waves, more like an eel or a ribbon than a typical catfish, with the pale stripes streaming along its flanks as it goes.