Sun catfish (Horabagrus brachysoma) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Sun catfish, Eclipse catfish, Bullseye catfish, Solar catfish, Pseudobagrus brachysoma, Horabagrus melanosoma
Family
Horabagridae (Asian bagrid-like catfishes)
Origin
Southern India: rivers of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka (also listed for Maharashtra).
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
45 cm
Temperature
23–25°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium (estimate; not given by source)
Minimum tank
600 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

A handsome, golden-yellow catfish with a black "eclipse" spot behind the gill cover. It is often sold small, but PlanetCatfish gives a maximum of 45 cm SL, so plan for a large fish. It is peaceful with its own kind and can be kept in a group. As our estimate, an adult needs a tank of at least 180 × 60 cm (around 600 litres). It is light-shy, so PlanetCatfish says caves are essential (or dense planting for small fish). Use subdued lighting, a soft substrate, large pieces of wood or rock caves, and strong filtration. PlanetCatfish gives 23–25 °C and pH 6.0–7.5. Keep the water clean with regular water changes, as a large, greedy fish produces a lot of waste. Identification: young fish look like Horabagrus nigricollaris, but in H. brachysoma the black marking behind the head stays a distinct spot, while in H. nigricollaris it extends into a collar around the head. Sexing: ripe females have a large, soft, swollen belly and a swollen, reddish-pink vent; males have a reddish genital opening. PlanetCatfish lists it as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and it is threatened in the wild by habitat loss and over-collection, so buy captive-bred or responsibly sourced fish where possible. FishBase could not be checked for this page. 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=159). Checked October 2026.

Diet

An easy fish to feed: PlanetCatfish says all prepared and frozen foods are taken greedily. Offer sinking pellets and frozen foods such as prawn, mussel and bloodworm. Do not overfeed, as it is greedy and grows quickly.

Breeding

Not reported in the aquarium (PlanetCatfish). Ripe females can be recognised by their large, soft belly and swollen, reddish-pink vent; males by their reddish genital opening.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with other fish and with its own kind, but PlanetCatfish warns it cannot be trusted with smaller fish. Keep it with robust fish too large to be eaten, such as larger barbs, larger cichlids, gouramis and other big catfish.

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

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • 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).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].