Jaguar catfish (Liosomadoras oncinus) care guide
- Group
- Freshwater fish
- Other names
- Jaguar cat, Onca, Jaguarwels, Arius oncinus
- Family
- Auchenipteridae (driftwood catfishes)
- Origin
- Widespread in South America: Amazon (Solimões, Negro, Marañón, Ucayali), Branco, and the upper and middle Orinoco including the Ventuari and Atabapo.
- Water
- freshwater
- Maximum size
- 17 cm
- Temperature
- 20–28°C
- pH
- 5.6–7.2
- Hardness
- Soft, 0–12 dGH
- Minimum tank
- 300 litres
- Care level
- intermediate
- Temperament
- semi_aggressive
Care
The jaguar catfish is named for its bold, jaguar-like pattern of dark rosettes on a pale or yellowish body. Unlike its relatives the thorny catfishes, it has no bony plates on the body: the genus name means "smooth-bodied doras". It reaches about 17 cm. It becomes active only at late dusk and stays out until first light. PlanetCatfish recommends many hiding places, lots of wood, floating plants and dim lighting to reduce stress in a bright tank; a piece of bogwood with crevices or a pipe that fits it snugly will become its home. A tank of around 300 litres suits an adult or a small group (our estimate; the sources give no tank size). It enjoys the company of its own kind if each fish has a refuge. PlanetCatfish gives 20–28 °C and pH 5.6–7.2, and advises care when settling new imports: if the origin is unknown, acclimatise to about pH 6.4–6.6. FishBase gives soft water (0–12 dGH) and a lower pH of 4.8–6.8. Males have a genital papilla formed from the modified anal fin and thicker, more robust dorsal and pectoral spines; young fish are hard to sex. Handle carefully, as the fin spines are sharp. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN (2020). Trade fish are wild-caught. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=173); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Liosomadoras-oncinus.html). Checked October 2026.
Diet
A nocturnal carnivore that accepts a wide range of foods but prefers larger frozen items such as mussel, prawn, krill and earthworm, plus sinking pellets. Feed after dark or under dim light, and expect it to eat any fish small enough to swallow.
Breeding
Very rarely bred. PlanetCatfish notes that before 2014 there were only undocumented reports of egg-laying; the US aquarist Jeremy Basch then produced the first documented spawning and raised fry. Like other driftwood catfishes, fertilisation is thought to be internal, with males using their modified anal fin.
Compatibility and tank mates
Generally peaceful towards fish it cannot eat, but it will fiercely defend its hiding place and will hunt small fish at night. Keep with robust fish too large to swallow, such as medium to large characins, peaceful cichlids, doradids and plecos. Avoid small tetras, rasboras and shrimp.
Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.