Jaguar Catfish

About

The jaguar catfish (Liosomadoras oncinus) is a bottom-dwelling catfish from the Branco River basin in Brazil, named for the bold, high-contrast spotted patterning that covers its body. Noticeably brighter and more defined than its close relative L. morrowi, which it is frequently confused with in the trade. It was historically grouped with the Doradidae family based on shared opercular spines, but has since been reclassified. In the aquarium, this species spends much of its time tucked away in a cave or shaded corner, emerging primarily after lights go out to forage. Despite being labeled aggressive in some references, it is more accurately described as a shy fish that simply will not tolerate competitors near its chosen retreat. Other bottom dwellers may find themselves on the receiving end of some serious attitude if they get too close to that spot. Small fish present at night are likely to disappear, so tankmates should be of comparable size. A South American biotope setup with similarly-sized characins, cichlids, and peaceful Loricariids works well. This species also appears more relaxed when kept in the company of its own kind, so a small group is worth considering if your tank is large enough. Its wide natural range means it can adapt to quite variable water conditions, though it is worth checking with your supplier what parameters the fish have been kept in before bringing them home.