Porthole Catfish

General information

The average adult is 4 inches and has a life span of about 10 years. This species requires an aquarium with sandy substrate and at a temperature between 75ºF and 82ºF, with lots of cover and densely planted. It is very peaceful and does well in a community aquarium, it can also be kept as a single specimen but it will be more active if it is in a small group of about 6. These individuals have large eyes that are placed exactly on the sides, they have a scattered black spots on the head and body which vary in number and intensity.

This species is omnivorous. They can be fed with dried food and with live food, for an optimal heath it is recommend to give them a varied diet.

Male’s pectoral fins are slightly thicker than female’s and females are rounder than males.

This species can be found in the Amazon’s basin in Peru and Brazil.

They are very sensitive to salt so it is very important to never add salt to an aquarium with this species.