Zamora Woodcat

About

Known by some hobbyists as the Zamora woodcat, this catfish (Auchenipterichthys coracoideus) hails from the upper Amazon basin and belongs to a genus that tends to fly under the radar despite some genuinely fascinating biology. It is a moderately sized, peaceful fish that spends much of its time out of sight, becoming more active after the lights go out. That nocturnal streak is worth keeping in mind if you keep very small tankmates, as it may opportunistically snack on tiny fish after dark. Otherwise it is a thoroughly agreeable community resident, getting along well with similarly sized non-aggressive characins, cichlids, and catfishes from groups like the corydoras and loricariid families. It is equally relaxed kept alone or with conspecifics. One of the more remarkable things about this species is its reproductive strategy, which is unique among catfishes. Fertilisation is internal, with the male using a modified anal fin to transfer sperm, and females appear capable of storing sperm to fertilise eggs later, even in the complete absence of males. Identification can be tricky since it closely resembles A. thoracatus, but fin ray counts help separate them. A rewarding intermediate-level species for a keeper who appreciates something a little different from the usual catfish options.