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Aguarunichthys torosus

Bolt Catfish · Stier-Antennenwelse

Stewart, 1986

Last revised 2026Edit this page

On this page7 sections
Subadult specimen from the German aquarium trade.
Subadult specimen from the German aquarium trade.Enrico Richter

Quick factsEdit

Max size
346mm SL14in SL
Aquarium size
not recorded
Temp
not recorded
pH
not recorded
Hardness
not recorded

Difficulty3 of 8 measures

Moderate

How the rating is worked out

Space
very large tank
Water
unknown
Temp
unknown
Diet
unknown
Temperament
unknown
Social
fine alone
Compatibility
choose tankmates carefully

Other demands

Each of these can raise the rating on its own, whatever the measures above say.

Hardiness
unknown
  • Needs a very large tank

The bolt catfish, Aguarunichthys torosus, is a pimelodid catfish known only from the Río Marañón in the upper Amazon basin of Peru. It probably also occurs in some tributaries draining into Peru from Ecuador. Also traded as 'Jello Band' or 'Yellow Band' catfish, it eats fishes small enough to fit in its mouth and is aggressively territorial towards conspecifics, so is best kept singly among larger, ideally fluvial, species.

Etymology

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Aguarunichthys: in reference to the Aguaruna, an indigenous people of the Peruvian jungle who primarily live on the Marañón River in northern Peru near the border with Ecuador, plus the Greek ichthýs (Gr. ἰχθύς), meaning 'fish'.

torosus: from the Latin torosus, meaning 'muscular, brawny', in reference to this species' stout body shape.

Distribution

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This species is known only from the Río Marañón in the upper Amazon basin, Peru, and probably occurs in some tributaries draining into Peru from Ecuador.

Type locality is 'Río Cenepa, Departo. Amazonas, Peru, about 4°28'S, 78°10'W, elevation about 210 meters'.

Diet

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An obligate predator feeding on other fishes in nature, but quality dried foods are normally accepted in captivity.

It should also be offered meaty fare such as strips of white fish, live earthworms, shrimp, etc., for optimal health.

Adult individuals are unlikely to require feeding on a daily basis with 2-3 meals per week sufficient.

These recommendations come from this profile’s own figures. They contain affiliate links, so we may earn a commission.

Behaviour and compatibility

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This species will eat fishes small enough to fit in its capacious mouth and is aggressively territorial towards conspecifics so is best-maintained as a single specimen in a community of larger, ideally fluvial, species.

Notes

Edit

This species is also traded as 'Jello Band' or 'Yellow Band' catfish.

References

  1. Ferraris, C. J., Jr. (2007). Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418, 1-628
  2. Reis, R. E., S. O. Kullander and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds) (2003). Check list of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. CLOFFSCA. EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre, i-xi + 1-729

Species images · 2

Subadult specimen from the German aquarium trade.
Subadult specimen from the German aquarium trade.Enrico Richter
Detail of head and anterior portion of body.
Detail of head and anterior portion of body.Enrico Richter

These photographs are used with each photographer's permission.

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Distribution

Profile completeness14 of 24

58% complete

Also missing: aquarium size, habitat, aquarium size notes, maintenance, water condition notes, sexual dimorphism, reproduction.

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