Jau catfish
Zungaro zungaro
Also known as Gilded catfish, Jau
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 55.1 in
- 140 cm
- Minimum tank
- 793 gal
- 3,000 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Pimelodidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America.
Overview
The jau is a heavyweight monster catfish that reaches well over a meter and a hefty bulk, so it needs an enormous tank of at least 3000 liters or a pond, plus powerful filtration and a long-term commitment. It is a predatory, often aggressive fish that will eat tankmates it can swallow and can injure ones it cannot, so it is generally kept alone. It spends the day resting and becomes active and hungry after dark. Feed meaty foods like whole fish, prawns, and large sinking items.
In the wild
The jau is a massive, thick-bodied pimelodid of deep Amazon and Orinoco river channels, resting on the bottom by day and hunting fish at night. It has a broad flat head, a huge mouth, and a smooth olive to golden body. It needs a very large tank with a soft floor, open space, solid shaded cover, and clean warm water at 22 to 28 degrees C.
Good to know
Zungaro zungaro reaches about 140 cm and 50 kg or more, one of the bulkier Amazonian catfish. It is a heavy-bodied ambush and pursuit predator that swallows large prey whole. It is an important food and sport fish across its range and is sometimes listed under the name Zungaro jahu.
Did you know
Its golden sheen gives it the name gilded catfish, and in parts of the Amazon the jau is a celebrated table fish that can weigh as much as a grown adult.
Common questions
What size tank does a Jau catfish need?
A Jau catfish needs at least 793 gal (3,000 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Jau catfish need?
A Jau catfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Jau catfish get?
An adult Jau catfish reaches about 55.1 in (140 cm).
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