All fish / Claroteidae

Giraffe Catfish

Auchenoglanis occidentalis

Also known as giraffe catfish, giraffe-nosed catfish, bubu, bagrid catfish, auchenoglanis, ปลาแมวยีราฟ, ジラフキャットフィッシュ, ジラフ・キャット, lele jerapah, 长颈鹿鲶, 长颈鹿猫

A sturdy bottom-dwelling catfish with a pointed snout, a fleshy adipose fin and a pale yellowish body covered in a net of dark brown blotches that recalls a giraffe's coat. Young fish are sold cheaply and are attractive and active sifters of sand, which is why they appeal to keepers of large African community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

40 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Singly, or with other large robust fish

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, prawns, mussel, earthworms, insect larvae and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Widespread in Africa: Nile, Niger, Volta, Chad and Congo basins, Lake Tanganyika and West African rivers

Breeding

In the wild it digs a nest pit in the substrate and the parents guard the eggs and young. Captive spawning is very rare because of the adult size and space needed.

Good to know

Juveniles sold at a few centimetres can grow beyond 50 cm, so plan for a very large tank; it will swallow small tankmates and digs constantly, uprooting plants.