Genus

Asterophysus

Species: 1
Photographed: 1 of 1
Difficulty rated: 1 of 1

Where the name comes fromEdit

from the Ancient Greek ἀστήρ (aster), meaning 'a celestial body', and physa, meaning 'bladder, bellows', in reference to the batrachus: from the Ancient Greek βατραχος (batrakhos), meaning 'frog', in reference to this species' overall appearance.

Specimen from the German aquarium trade measuring approximately 200 mm TL.

Asterophysus batrachusGulper Catfish

Kner, 1858

The gulper catfish, Asterophysus batrachus, is a predatory auchenipterid catfish from the rio Negro in Brazil and the Orinoco in Venezuela. Also called the 'ogre catfish', it hunts in shallow blackwater tributaries, mostly at night. It can consume fishes almost twice its own size and is not recommended for the community aquarium.

Moderate