Explore all catfish in our database. Browse detailed care guides, compatibility information, and species data to find the perfect fish for your aquarium.
Leiarius marmoratus
A massive, striking Pimelodid catfish from South America. Known for its beautiful marbled pattern and remarkably long barbels. As a strictly predatory 'monster fish', it requires a gargantuan aquarium and massive filtration. While generally peaceful towards fish too large to swallow, it will eat anything that fits into its capacious mouth. Bare-bottom or soft sand is required to prevent fatal ingestion of gravel.
Corydoras adolfoi
Adolfo's Corydoras is a highly sought-after, peaceful schooling catfish native to the blackwater habitats of the Rio Negro basin. They are easily identified by their bright orange nape and distinct black eye stripe. Like all corydoras, they require soft sand substrate to protect their delicate sensory barbels as they constantly sift the bottom for food.
Acanthicus adonis
The Adonis Pleco is one of the largest and most formidable loricariids (plecos) in the world. While juveniles display stunning white polka dots on a pitch-black body, these spots fade into a solid dark grey/black as they mature into massive, heavily armored adults with long lyretails. Due to their enormous adult size (up to 1 meter/39 inches) and intense territorial aggression toward other bottom dwellers, they require giant, specialized aquariums or heated indoor ponds.
Corydoras agassizii
A peaceful, bottom-dwelling armored catfish native to the Amazon River basin. They are easily identified by their silvery body with dark spots and a distinct black mask over their eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are highly social and must be kept in groups. A soft sand substrate is absolutely essential to protect their delicate sensory barbels as they forage.
Pterygoplichthys scrophus
The Alligator or Rhino Pleco is a large, heavily armored catfish easily identified by the prominent ridge along its back and its flared nasal passages. While an excellent algae eater and scavenger, it grows massive and produces an extreme amount of waste. It requires driftwood for grazing and digestion.
Hypancistrus sp. L073
A stunning, small black-and-white spotted pleco native to the fast-flowing tributaries of the lower Amazon. Unlike many plecos, the Angelicus is a Hypancistrus species, meaning it is an omnivore that heavily prefers a meaty, protein-rich diet and will generally ignore algae. They require warm, highly oxygenated water with strong flow.
Corydoras tukano
A striking and relatively uncommon small Corydoras originating from the blackwater Rio Tiquié in the upper Rio Negro basin. Known for its prominent vertical black bands across a pale tan or golden body. Like all Corydoras, they are completely peaceful, highly social bottom dwellers that must be kept in groups. A fine sand substrate is absolutely critical to prevent damage to their delicate barbels as they constantly sift for food.
Mystus leucophasis
A fascinating but highly aggressive bagrid catfish from Myanmar that spends almost its entire life swimming inverted. Unlike the peaceful African Synodontis upside-down catfish, the Asian variety grows large, is fiercely territorial, and will predate on smaller tank mates. They require ample driftwood or caves to rest underneath during the day.
Corydoras metae
A highly social, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish endemic to the Rio Meta basin in Colombia. Instantly recognizable by the black 'bandit' mask over its eyes and the dark ridge stripe along its back. Like all Corydoras, they must be kept on a soft sand substrate to prevent severe damage and infection to their sensitive foraging barbels. They are schooling fish that require groups of at least 6 to thrive and display natural behavior.
Bunocephalus coracoideus
A bizarre, highly camouflaged bottom-dweller that perfectly mimics a dead leaf or piece of bark. Extremely docile and strictly nocturnal, the Banjo Catfish spends most of its daylight hours completely buried in the sand or hiding under debris. They are famous for 'playing dead' when netted or disturbed.
Scleromystax barbatus
A large, striking, and somewhat atypical relative of standard Corydoras. Native to the highly oxygenated, cooler coastal streams of Brazil, they require sub-tropical temperatures and will stress or die in standard tropical tanks. They exhibit strong sexual dimorphism. Highly social, they must be kept on a soft sand substrate to protect their sensitive barbels.
Ameiurus melas
The Black Bullhead is a hardy, heavy-bodied North American catfish. Highly adaptable and extremely predatory, it is known for eating anything that can fit into its exceptionally large mouth. Due to its massive adult size, rapid growth, and extreme bioload, it requires an extremely large aquarium or an outdoor pond. They are primarily nocturnal bottom-dwellers.
Corydoras schultzei
The Black Cory is a striking, deeply melanistic morph of Corydoras schultzei (often confused with C. aeneus). These peaceful, armored bottom-dwellers are highly social and must be kept in large groups to thrive. A soft sand substrate is absolutely critical to prevent damage to their sensitive foraging barbels.
Corydoras leucomelas
A peaceful schooling catfish native to the Amazon basin, easily identified by its black dorsal fin and a dark mask-like band across its eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are bottom-dwellers that use sensitive barbels to forage. They possess a modified intestine allowing them to gulp atmospheric air, so occasional darts to the surface are normal. They are highly social and require a soft sandy substrate to prevent barbel erosion.
Megalechis thoracata
The Black Marble Hoplo is a hardy, active armored catfish from South America. Known for its generally peaceful nature and adaptability, it's an excellent scavenger. Uniquely among catfish, they can breathe atmospheric air from the surface and males are bubble-nesters.
Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus
A highly popular, hardy, and relatively small suckermouth catfish. Excellent algae eaters that stay much smaller than Common Plecos, making them suitable for standard aquariums. They require dietary wood (driftwood) to aid in digestion and plenty of hiding caves.
Corydoras aeneus
A highly popular, peaceful schooling catfish known for its armor-like scales (scutes) and active bottom-feeding behavior. They are essential clean-up crew members but require a dedicated sinking diet (not just leftovers). Sand substrate is strictly required to prevent erosion and infection of their sensitive barbels. They are 'gut breathers' and will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air.
Ameiurus nebulosus
A highly adaptable, large North American catfish known for its distinct barbels and mottled brown skin. While incredibly hardy and tolerant of a wide range of water parameters, they are massive, opportunistic nocturnal predators. They will consume any tank mate small enough to fit in their cavernous mouths and produce substantial waste.
Hoplosternum littorale
A heavily armored, highly adaptable catfish native to South America. It possesses the unique ability to breathe atmospheric air using a modified intestine, allowing it to survive in oxygen-depleted swamps. They are peaceful but boisterous bottom-dwellers with voracious appetites. They constantly forage, which can result in the uprooting of delicate plants.
Horabagrus brachysoma
A large, nocturnal predatory catfish native to the backwaters of Kerala, India. It is easily identified by the large, golden-ringed black 'bullseye' spot behind its gills. While completely peaceful toward tank mates too large to be swallowed, it is a highly capable piscivore that will consume any small fish overnight.
Microglanis iheringi
The South American Bumblebee Catfish is a small, nocturnal bottom-dweller known for its striking yellow and dark brown bands. Highly secretive during the day, it requires plenty of caves, crevices, and driftwood for hiding. While completely peaceful towards larger tank mates, it is a strictly opportunistic predator with a surprisingly large mouth—any fish, fry, or shrimp small enough to swallow will be eaten at night.
Dekeyseria brachyura
A strikingly patterned, flat-bodied plecostomus known for its ability to change color to match its surroundings (often alternating between light and dark bands). Native to the Rio Negro basin, it is a highly capable algae eater that requires well-oxygenated water with good flow. It is generally peaceful but can be territorial over favored caves.
Ictalurus punctatus
A massive, fast-growing North American catfish suited strictly for indoor monster tanks or outdoor ponds. As opportunistic predators, they possess cavernous mouths and will consume any tank mate that fits inside. Known for being exceptionally hardy and tolerating a vast range of temperatures.
Pangasius sanitwongsei
An apex predator native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. This true 'monster fish' is completely unsuitable for home aquariums. They grow to massive proportions, are highly active, and easily startled—often severely injuring themselves by crashing into tank walls. They possess a massive appetite and are highly piscivorous, consuming any tank mate that fits in their mouth.
