Driftwood Cat (Tatia intermedia) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Driftwood Cat, Woodcat, Tatia catfish
Family
Auchenipteridae (driftwood catfishes)
Origin
South America: Amazon basin (Araguaia, Tocantins, Xingu, Capim) and coastal rivers of Suriname and Guyana (Essequibo).
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
12 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
6–7
Hardness
Soft (1-2 °dGH in a successful breeding tank)
Minimum tank
100 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A small, spotted woodcat growing to about 12 cm standard length. It spends the day hidden and comes out at night, so it suits a quiet tank where it will not be disturbed. Tank: the key item is wood with crevices and gaps to squeeze into; clay pipes, moss and fern also give cover. Sand substrate and moderate filtration suit it. The 100-litre minimum is our estimate. Water: 22-28 °C; soft, slightly acid water is ideal (a successful breeding tank described on PlanetCatfish ran at 1-2 °dGH, pH 6-7, about 25 °C). Identification and sexing: very like T. galaxias, but its off-white spots fade with age, whereas those of T. galaxias stay bright white, and its body is broader. Mature males have a modified anal fin used for internal fertilisation; females grow bigger and fuller. Status: IUCN Least Concern (2018). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=370; Shane's World breeding article, planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?articleid=423); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Tatia-intermedia.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Unfussy and eats whatever is offered: sinking pellets, granules, flakes, and frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and similar foods. Feed after lights out as it is nocturnal.

Breeding

Bred several times in aquaria. Fertilisation is internal: the male uses his modified anal fin, and females can lay fertile eggs even without a male present. In one report the pair spawned roughly monthly, laying around 300 whitish eggs in a golf-ball-sized jelly mass among moss and fern. The female guards briefly and then leaves the eggs; the jelly seems to stop fungus and predation. Eyes develop within a week and fry emerge around day 10. Start them on microworm and fine foods, then baby brine shrimp, with weekly 50% water changes.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and suitable for a community of fish too big to fit in its mouth, such as medium tetras, peaceful cichlids and Corydoras. Very small fish and fry may be eaten at night.

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

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