Tropical Catfish

Whiptail Catfish - a narrow, elongated, sucker-mouthed catfish. Males have a long dorsal fin and facial “whiskers”, where the female has a shorter fin and no whiskers. First discovered in Paraguay, in 1868. Their bodies are brown, with black mottling. One of the easier catfish to breed, they like an aquarium of 50-gallons or more, and lots of rocks, plants and driftwood to make caves for spawning. A scavenger and bottom feeder, it will eat most types of commercial catfish foods. Males may bicker with other males, but they can be kept in male/female pairs. Compatible with livebearers, gouramis, angelfish, discus, and peaceful bottom feeders. Grows to 9” or more.

Upside Down Catfish - an intriguing fish, especially for children, it actually does swim upside down, a result of its natural cave-dwelling habits. The yellowish-brown body is covered in spots, and is darker on the bottom, and lighter in the upper regions. Likes lots of plants and rocks to hide under, in an aquarium of 20-gallons or more. Cleans the tank bottom very efficiently, and is happy with most catfish foods, which it feeds on at night. Originally from central West Africa, it is a peaceful fish that can be kept in pairs. Compatible with almost any tropical fish, except other nocturnal fish that may be fin biters. Grows to 3”.

Chinese Algae Eater - a slender, elongated brown fish, with a lighter belly, and darker spots, with a dark line reaching from the nose to the base of the tail. Originally from Thailand, where it is known as the Siamese Algae Eater. It has a shortened bottom to its mouth, creating a sucking disk. Excellent at cleaning algae out of the tank, it lives on that, and supplements such as a spinach or crushed lettuce leaf. Likes a 20-gallon or more aquarium with lots of light for good algae growth. A peaceful fish, it is compatible with most other tropical species. Grows to 11” in the wild, but in the range of 5-6” for aquariums.

Julii Leopard Catfish - a very active and efficient, bottom-cleaning catfish with a charming set of whiskers that look like a drooping moustache. A native of South America, it is tan in coloring, with dark speckles, and a large dark spot on the dorsal fin. The body is armored and fins the fins are spined. It is a hardy, peaceful fish, but does not like salt in the environment. Likes a tank of 10-gallons or more, with broad-leafed plants to feed off, and standard catfish food. Compatible with most other tropical fish. Grows to 3”.

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