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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
Family
Auchenipteridae
Origin
Amazon and upper Orinoco basins

Overview

The striped woodcat is a slim, eel-shaped nocturnal catfish for a calm community of fish its own size. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The striped woodcat's narrow, drawn-out body moves through the water in long side-to-side waves. It swims more like an eel or a ribbon than a typical catfish, with pale stripes streaming along its flanks.

Caring for the striped woodcat

Give striped woodcats a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L) with plenty of driftwood, shade and cover. Add a long resting spot such as a hollow branch or tube where each one can lie hidden. The flow should be moderate and well oxygenated.

Keep the water clean, soft and warm, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They shelter in wood by day and patrol the tank confidently once the lights are off. Feed in the evening with sinking and frozen foods, worms and prepared catfish feeds.

Keep a group of four to six, which settles them and encourages them into the open at night. Striped woodcats are peaceful with fish too large to eat, but they will take small fish, fry and shrimp. Match them with calm tank mates of a similar size. Like the rest of their family, they fertilize internally through a modified anal fin, and aquarium spawning is not on record.

Good to know

The striped woodcat is a driftwood catfish in the family Auchenipteridae, also sold as the striped driftwood catfish. Its long, eel-slim body is ruled by cream lengthwise stripes.

In the wild

The striped woodcat comes from slow tributaries and flooded forest in the upper Amazon and upper Orinoco. It tucks into driftwood and shaded cover by day.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The striped woodcat 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 a striped woodcat need?

A striped woodcat needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a striped woodcat need?

A striped woodcat is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a striped woodcat eat?

A striped woodcat eats sinking and frozen foods, worms and prepared catfish feeds. Feed it in the evening.

How big does a striped woodcat get?

An adult striped woodcat reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a striped woodcat breed?

A striped woodcat fertilizes internally through a modified anal fin, like the rest of its family. Aquarium spawning is not on record.

Related species