Edit Centromochlus perugiae
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Name
Scientific name
Centromochlus perugiae
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Auchenipteridae
Common names
Oil Catfish
Photograph credits
All 1 credited
Summary
The oil catfish, Centromochlus perugiae, is a small auchenipterid catfish from Peru and Ecuador. It lives around the shorelines of swift-fl…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
60mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 24–30°C, pH 4.9–8
Hardness
1–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Ecuador, Peru
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Peru, Ecuador.
Habitat
Inhabits swift-flowing parts of rivers, where it's found around the shorelines. There is no aquatic vegetation of any kind, and the substrate is usually sandy.
Aquarium size
45 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~41 litres.
Maintenance
The fish like to squeeze themselves into spaces little bigger than themselves during the day, so provide plenty of hiding places among tangles of bogwood or le…
Water conditions
Temperature: 24 – 30 °C pH: Has been caught in water with wildly varying pH over a range of 4.9-8.0 in nature. In aquaria it's probably best to aim for somewhe…
Diet
Insectivorous in the wild, but in aquaria it relishes live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, earthworms etc., as well as sinking dried foods. Add food after …
Behaviour and compatibility
Safe with all but the smallest of fry, therefore suitable for most community aquaria. Ideally keep it in a South American biotope aquarium, with tetras, dwarf …
Sexual dimorphism
Males have an extended anal fin, which is used in a similar fashion to the gonopodium possessed by livebearers. Females are much rounder than males when gravid.
Reproduction
Can be bred quite easily when kept in the correct conditions. It won't spawn unless the tank has a moderate to strong flow of water, and lots of small crevices…
Notes
A very cute little catfish, that unfortunately is rarely kept in ideal conditions. When it is maintained properly, it's a joy to watch as it feeds from close t…
References
References
No references