Bottlenose catfish (Ageneiosus inermis) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Slopehead catfish
Family
Auchenipteridae (driftwood catfishes)
Origin
South America: the Amazon and Río de la Plata basins and rivers of Guyana, including the Essequibo and Rupununi.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
54 cm
Temperature
22–24°C
pH
6.5–7.8
Hardness
Up to about 20 dGH
Minimum tank
1500 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

A big, smooth-skinned, elongated catfish with a flattened, pointed head and long, pointed dorsal fin spine. It grows to over half a metre, so it is only for keepers with a very large aquarium. PlanetCatfish gives no tank size; we estimate at least about 1,500 litres for an adult. Give plenty of open swimming room, strong filtration and some large hiding places among wood or rocks. PlanetCatfish gives 22–24 °C, pH 6.5–7.8 and hardness around 20 dGH. Sexing: PlanetCatfish notes the sexes differ, as in the related A. dentatus, but gives no details. Names: Ageneiosus means "without a beard"; it does have barbels, but they are tiny and hard to see. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=1471). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator that feeds on fish and crustaceans in the wild. Offer large meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, fish pieces and earthworms, and try to wean it onto large sinking pellets.

Breeding

Not reported in the aquarium.

Compatibility and tank mates

Will eat smaller fish and shrimp. Keep only with large, robust fish that cannot be swallowed, in a very large tank.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

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  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
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  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
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