All fish / Callichthyidae

Cascarudo

Callichthys callichthys

Also known as cascarudo, armoured catfish, slender armoured catfish, atipa, hassar, callichthys catfish, armored catfish, cascarudo catfish, カリクティス・カリクティス, 美鲶

A stocky, elongate catfish covered in two rows of overlapping bony plates, usually dark grey-brown with a rounded tail and short barbels. It is tough, long-lived and tolerant of a wide range of conditions, and keepers like it as a hardy, mostly nocturnal bottom dweller for larger community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

18 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group of 3 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets and wafers, bloodworm, earthworms, shrimp and vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Widespread in South America east of the Andes, including the Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná and Paraguay basins and the Guianas

Breeding

The male builds a floating bubble nest under leaves or plants, and the female lays sticky eggs into it, which the male then guards fiercely. Spawning in captivity is quite achievable with a cool water change and plenty of floating cover, and the fry are easy to raise on fine foods.

Good to know

It grows larger than most Corydoras, digs and can uproot plants, and may eat very small fish or fry at night. Use a tight lid, as it can breathe air and may climb or jump out.