One of the most interesting and varied species you can add to your aquarium is the aquarium catfish. These bottom dwellers add balance and beauty to any aquatic environment with their distinct behaviors, diverse appearances, and generally calm demeanor.
Both novice and expert aquarists love these fish because of their reputation for cleaning the tank through the consumption of algae and leftover food. However, their significance goes far beyond their practicality. There is a vast array of sizes, colors, and patterns of aquarium catfish, and each one has unique requirements and personalities.
Aquarium catfish offer the ideal combination of form and function, whether you’re searching for a small species like Corydoras or something larger like Plecostomus. Knowing their needs and habits can help you establish a successful
Because of their distinct bottom-dwelling behavior, variety of species, and capacity to consume leftover food and algae, aquarium catfish are a popular choice for freshwater tanks. These colorful and adaptable fish are a favorite of both novice and expert aquarists seeking to incorporate a useful and captivating element into their aquariums because they are available in a variety of sizes and colors.
Types of aquarium catfish
Below is a list of the TOP 10 most popular catfish for aquariums, along with a description and upkeep tips.
Ancistrus
The Loricariaceae family includes the rich brown, nearly black aquarium catfish from South America known as remora. It’s easy to maintain and ideal for beginning aquarium keepers. Grows to a maximum of 10–15 cm; needs an 80 l tank. cleans the aquarium with its suction cup-shaped mouth, very carefully. Bony plates encase the ancistrus’s body for protection. Males’ muzzles are covered in many antennae, or tentacles.
Corydoras
A callichthyid catfish species from South America that is good for group aquariums. For a school, a 60–100 l tank is sufficient. The variety of aquarium catfish determines its body size, which can range from 3 to 12 cm. It could be either yellow or purple. Infections can affect the corydoras’ abdomen and antennae as a result of improper hygiene practices.
Loricaria
The loricaria catfish, an intriguing and modest aquarium fish, is also known as the "whip" due to its long, thin body that can grow up to 12 cm. You can maintain a single person as well as a school. The capacity of the tank ranges from 50 to 150 liters, depending on the number of people. You can tame any non-aggressive species with loricarias because they are so serene and calm.
Otocinclus
Aquarium catfish that are the smallest in size are the South American armored otocinclus. Length of body: 3-5 cm. Five people in a school can use a 50 l tank. Otocinclus removes algae from aquariums gently and effectively, without harming the submerged vegetation. The lifespan of aquarium catfish is contingent upon the quality of the water, as these fish are highly susceptible to changes in temperature and the presence of toxic substances.
Pterygoplichthys
A fish that needs a large aquarium—a half-meter beauty with an opulent dorsal fin—can only be kept at home by an affluent aquarist. Aquarium plants serve as food for catfish, but pterygoplichthys, which feeds on algae that contaminates the tank, consumes them as a starvation diet.
It should be mentioned separately how catfish reproduce because they burrow deep tunnels in the silt to lay their eggs, making it impossible for them to have children in an aquarium. An aquarist is unable to produce such circumstances.
Catfish made of glass
Because their cover tissues lack pigment, catfish are unlike other aquarium fish in that their bodies are transparent, allowing the insides to be seen. Glass catfish are tiny fish that are no longer than 10 cm in length. Keep fish in groups of at least 100 liters in the tank. Feeding aquarium catfish: They are not picky eaters; they will happily consume chips and flakes.
Fish are highly sensitive to their environment; the quality of the water determines how long they survive. They suddenly perish even with a small excess of nitrogenous compound concentration.
Tarakatum
Cockatum differs from other varieties in that it is active throughout the day. A fish that reaches a length of 12 cm is always looking for food. The body is covered in brown protective plates that are dotted with dark nettles. Observing how catfish reproduce in an aquarium is fascinating: the males release bubbles, which the females use to build a nest for the upcoming fry.
Pangasius
Aquariums for Pangasius are kept in large rooms with tanks that hold at least 1000 liters each; they are not suitable as pets for apartments. Because the fish, which can reach a length of one meter, resembles a shark, its aquarium is typically decorated in a marine theme. The pets may appear severe, but they are actually shy and easily agitated. They rush around in a panic while cleaning the tank, which is why the catfish jump out of the aquarium and smash into the glass.
Synodontis
The length of an African catfish can reach 30 cm. calmly coexists with aggressive fish as long as they are raised in a large tank together from an early age. Since Synodontis is able to swim upside-down, it is also known as an inverted fish. Aquarium catfish with spots or stripes are stunning; they have a veil-like fin on their back. Notable is the parasitic way that catfish reproduce in aquariums: they deposit their eggs in the mouths of cichlids, where the fry develop more quickly and eat the eggs of the carrier fish.
Platidoras
Find out what foods catfish in aquariums eat before purchasing a pet. Thus, only large species can be kept with a predatory platidora. Any small fish that fits in the mouth of a catfish will undoubtedly be swallowed. The pet’s ability to make knocking and chirping noises in response to fear is a distinctive characteristic. Because the catfish is so big, a single aquarium needs to hold at least 100 liters.
Agamix
A cute, low-maintenance pet that reaches a height of 12 to 14 cm. It is well-liked for its interesting speckled color and ability to get along with any non-aggressive species. The length of time catfish live in an aquarium is determined by the maintenance conditions, however some agamix fish can live up to ten years.
Catfish with sac-gills
A large predator can grow to a length of 40 cm. A pair of lungs is an anatomical feature that allows the fish to survive in a dry reservoir for several hours. The sac-gill catfish contains a toxin that causes pain and numbness in the areas where it has spikes on its body, so handle it carefully.
Gyrinocheilus
The "chanterelle," or yellow aquarium catfish, reaches a maximum length of 13 to 15 centimeters. You should keep this river catfish in a separate aquarium. It removes algae from the tank with its sucker mouth, but it can also severely harm another fish by sucking on it.
Fish with red tails
A large aquarium fish with stunning coloring akin to that of a killer whale shark belongs to the Pimelodidae or Antennausidae family. It has the ability to pass water with air bubbles through compressed gills and roar when scared.
The 120 cm red-tailed catfish in an aquarium swims with imposing calm, but what sets it apart from other fish is how greedy and indiscriminate it is with food. To maintain the health of aquarium fish, you can feed them fish fillets, shrimp, mussels, scalded salad greens, and pieces of fruit.
Upkeep and attention to detail
The size of the pet determines the aquarium’s volume. If small species can live happily in tanks that hold 100–200 liters, then a large catfish requires a minimum of 300 liters for each individual.
The pet’s water parameters are typical:
- Temperature – 22-28°C;
- Acidity – 6-7 pH;
- Hardness – 8-10 dH.
The aquarium’s catfish water should be warmer if the pets are members of a tropical species. The installation of a water heater is advised.
It should be fresh water. Weekly replacement amounts to 25%. Air saturation of the water is not as crucial because catfish can breathe through their skin or take in oxygen from the surrounding water by absorbing it through their surface.
Considering that catfish are nocturnal creatures, lighting fixtures in the aquarium are not required. During the day, the fish are active when the natural lighting is dim.
Given that catfish live on the bottom, the aquarium should be carefully set up, with driftwood, ceramic pots, and houses among other places to hide. The absence of shelters will make the pet uncomfortable during the day, which will be detrimental to its well-being and lifespan.
Many species of catfish are herbivores, so this must be considered when selecting vegetation. Thus, it is preferable to either create artificial plantings or grow plants like cryptocoryne and echinodorus that have hard leaves and a robust root system.
Since catfish enjoy digging in the soil, which raises suspended matter and debris particles, the soil is used a lot. Pebbles with sharp edges, on the other hand, should not be taken because they could hurt your pet’s abdomen.
Catfish prefer to live in muddy reservoirs in the wild. They hide in the silt during the day and search it for food at night. However, having pets does not free you from maintaining the aquarium’s cleanliness and water changes. The best ways to keep fish healthy are clean water and good aeration.
Catfish do not eat erratically. Food items for catfish in aquariums:
- Fish fillet;
- Shrimp;
- Flakes;
- Tablets;
- Frozen food.
In an aquarium, catfish have a cleaning function. It cleans the tank by consuming the food particles left behind by other fish that have settled to the bottom. However, this does not imply that the animal cannot be fed for a few days in a safe manner. The food quality of catfish in an aquarium determines how long they live. A pet that is starving may not be able to survive because what it gets from the bottom is insufficient.
Compatibility and behavior
Although they can organize fights among themselves, catfish are peaceful, calm creatures that are unaffected by the neighbors of other species. Although it is uncommon, larger males have occasionally chased and tortured smaller ones until they die.
The species of catfish determines its compatibility with other species. Fish that are peaceful and non-aggressive are added to a quiet, herbivorous pet. Additionally, big fish that are not aggressive but also do not give in to offense are chosen for the neighborhood where a predator lives.
How to identify the gender
The species of catfish determines sexual differences. Most species have telltale signs that indicate their sex:
- Females are less intensely colored;
- Females have a more rounded body;
- Males have a tubercle and a round opening on the belly;
- Females have an oval genital opening and no tubercle;
- Males are pugnacious among themselves, especially if they live in cramped conditions;
- Females are not territorial.
Reproduction and breeding
If the aquarium is a single species, breeding catfish is not difficult. Pets in this situation don’t need to be relocated to a spawning tank. A tank with a volume of roughly 50 liters, soft soil, and an abundance of algal vegetation is chosen for spawning if the aquarium is multi-species.
For catfish, it is essential to keep the water temperature in the aquarium between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius for a few days, and to make sure the water is well-oxygenated. How catfish in aquariums procreate: In the morning, in low natural light, three or four gentlemen tend to a single female catfish mate in an aquarium.
The female is prepared to spawn once more after a week. The fry develop rapidly. They are given bloodworm powder or live dust.
Catfish Species | Key Features |
Corydoras | Small, peaceful, ideal for community tanks |
Plecostomus | Algae eater, grows large, needs spacious tank |
Otocinclus | Tiny, effective algae cleaner, prefers groups |
Synodontis | Active, often swims upside down, hardy |
Kuhli Loach | Snake-like, enjoys burrowing, shy and nocturnal |
Catfish in aquariums are interesting, varied animals that liven up any tank. Whether you’re a novice or have years of experience, aquarists love them for their distinct behaviors and adaptability.
By scavenging for food and algae, these fish frequently act as natural tank cleaners, contributing significantly to the upkeep of a clean and balanced environment. They also make excellent companions for a wide range of other fish species because of their peaceful nature.
Aquarium catfish can flourish in your tank and add both beauty and usefulness with the right care. Their diverse species and traits make them a rewarding addition to any underwater world, offering something unique to every aquarium enthusiast.