Widespread in South America: Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná–Paraguay (La Plata) basins and rivers of the Guianas; recorded from Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
18 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
pH
5.8–8.3
Hardness
3–18 dGH (estimated)
Minimum tank
200 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Care
A long, heavily armoured catfish that is very hardy and copes with a wide range of conditions, from 18 to 28 °C. It is largely nocturnal and likes a well-shaded tank: give floating plants or tall broad-leaved plants, overhanging stones, caves or tunnels. A tank of about 200 litres suits an adult; this is our estimate from its size. Like other armoured catfishes it gulps air at the surface, and a tight-fitting lid is sensible. Sexing: males develop a thickened, bright orange first pectoral fin ray; in females it stays thin. Names: Callichthys means "beautiful fish". Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=722). Checked October 2026.
Diet
Easy to feed: it eats most prepared, frozen and live foods. Give sinking pellets and tablets as the staple with bloodworm, earthworm and similar foods.
Breeding
A bubble-nest breeder: the male builds a nest of bubbles, often under a floating leaf, and guards the eggs. PlanetCatfish has no formal breeding report on file.
Compatibility and tank mates
Peaceful but fairly large and boisterous at feeding time, so choose tankmates that will not be upset by this. Very small fish may be eaten.
Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on 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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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.
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