危瓜多尔特鲶 · Oil Catfish

Overview

Centromochlus perugiae spends daylight hours wedged into close-fitting shelters, then emerges after dark to feed near the surface in moving water. Dedicated nighttime feeding and plentiful hiding places are more useful than relying on food offered to daytime tankmates.

Distribution & habitat

It occurs in Peru and Ecuador along the margins of swiftly flowing river sections. Natural sites generally have sandy bottoms and lack aquatic vegetation.

Aquarium setup

A base around 45 × 30 cm is the starting footprint. Sand with tangled wood or small pipes provides suitable daytime retreats. It favors appreciable current during routine care. Although wild records span widely differing water chemistry, conditions near neutral offer a more practical aquarium target than pursuing the extremes.

Diet & feeding

Its natural diet is insect-based. In captivity it enjoys live and frozen foods such as bloodworms and earthworms, alongside sinking dry foods. Feed after lights go out and check that it receives a share. Its greedy feeding response makes portion control necessary.

Behaviour & compatibility

It is peaceful and generally compatible with suitable small, quiet fishes, except for very tiny fry that may be eaten. It shows no aggression toward conspecifics and can be kept singly or socially when sufficient shelters are available.

Surface feeding after dark should not be confused with permanent residence in the upper water; daytime sheltering is an equally important part of its behavior.

Sexual dimorphism

The male has an elongated anal fin involved in mating. Females become much rounder when carrying eggs.

Breeding

Reproduction is possible under suitable conditions, but requires moderate to strong current and numerous small spawning crevices. Short pipes can serve this purpose. Air-driven sponge filtration helps prevent eggs and fry from being drawn into equipment. Fertilization is internal, and the female guards the deposited eggs until hatching.

Separate adults and offspring afterward to reduce predation. Fry exhaust their yolk reserves in about six or seven days, then accept microworms or brine-shrimp nauplii. They feed only in darkness and favor retreats above the bottom, near the surface. Fine floating vegetation provides useful elevated cover.

Notes

Observation and feeding should follow its nocturnal schedule. Remaining hidden by day is normal, but actual nighttime food intake still needs checking.