Driftwood Catfish

About

Found in the swift-moving littoral zones of the Upper Amazon basin, this small driftwood catfish, Centromochlus perugiae, tops out at around two and a half inches and is one of those fish that genuinely rewards a keeper who puts in the effort to set things up right. In the wild it hugs sandy, hard-bottomed shallows near the shoreline, feeding nocturnally on insects like ants, beetles, and mayflies near the surface. In the aquarium it behaves similarly. Emerging after lights-out to feed frantically near the waterline, and disappearing the moment things feel uncomfortable. Shy by nature, it should never be housed with boisterous or aggressive tankmates, despite what the temperament data suggests; in practice this species is peaceful toward nearly everything except the tiniest fry. A South American biotope setup with tetras, dwarf cichlids, and small catfish like Corydoras is a natural fit. Good flow is important, both for the fish's comfort and as a trigger for spawning behavior. Reproduction involves internal fertilization, a trait shared across the family, with the female guarding eggs laid inside small crevices or pipe sections. Floating plants high in the water column give fry somewhere to shelter. Not a beginner's fish, but far from demanding once its need for flow, cover, and dim conditions is properly met.