Fisher's Woodcat (Trachelyopterus fisheri) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Fisher's Woodcat, Fisher wood catfish, Driftwood catfish, Parauchenipterus fisheri (old name), Trachycorystes fisheri (old name)
Family
Auchenipteridae (driftwood catfishes)
Origin
South America: Colombia, in the Atrato and Sucio rivers and other Caribbean-slope river systems.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
28 cm
Temperature
22–32°C
pH
6–7
Hardness
Undemanding
Minimum tank
400 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

By far the slenderest Trachelyopterus, growing to about 28 cm standard length. PlanetCatfish describes it as gentle and graceful, gliding rather than darting like its relatives, and unusually tolerant of bright light for a catfish. Tank: needs large pieces of driftwood to hide in, plenty of open swimming space and preferably dim lighting. The 400-litre minimum is our estimate from adult size. Water: undemanding; 22-32 °C, pH 6-7. Identification and sexing: told from other Trachelyopterus by its slender shape and terminal mouth (other species have a slightly upturned mouth); it looks more like Ageneiosus. Males have a genital papilla, thickened maxillary barbels, breeding tubercles on the head and barbels, a curved, enlarged dorsal spine and a raised nape. Females are larger and plainer. Status: IUCN Least Concern. Seen in the trade only occasionally. 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=1098); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachelyopterusfisheri). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Non-selective omnivore that takes all prepared and frozen foods. Particularly fond of insects and insect larvae, as befits a surface-feeding woodcat; offer sinking and floating pellets, prawns, earthworms and frozen foods. Unusually, it feeds in daylight once settled.

Breeding

Bred in aquaria. Fertilisation is internal: the male wraps around the female, holding on with his barbels, dorsal spine and tubercles, for about 30 seconds. The female lays eggs about four weeks later. The parents give no care.

Compatibility and tank mates

Very gentle, social and peaceful despite its size, but it hunts at night and will eat fish small enough to swallow. Keep with calm, non-aggressive fish of a similar size.

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

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