Care
The False Perruno Catfish is known from riverbeds, deep wells, and lakes. Here this long-whiskered predatory species lurks amongst submerged roots during daylight hours, and emerges in the evening to feed. This is a very large growing catfish, in terms of both length and weight, and kept under the right conditions, one which can live for two decades or more. An adult is going to require a gargantuan aquarium, at least 10ft long and 3ft wide, along with powerful filtration to match, so really is quite the commitment. Substrate choice is important, as coarse gravel can cause irritation, with the fish spending a great deal of time on the bottom. Gravels can also be accidentally ingested when feeding, causing health complications for the fish. A sand substrate is better, but this will be rearranged somewhat as the fish wallows. Large round pebbles (too large to swallow) can also work as a substrate, as can a bare-bottomed arrangement which is easy to keep clean. There should be at least one large shelter for the fish to take refuge in during daylight hours, and this can be fashioned from sizeable pieces of bogwood, large slates, wide bore PVC tubing etc. Provision should also be made for a roomy swimming space along the front of the aquarium for the fish to use into the night. Lighting should be fairly dim. Some aquarists like to add a blue moon light timed to come on just before the main lights switch off. This way you can observe your catfish into the evening under its preferred subdued/moonlit conditions. False Perruno Catfish are voracious eaters that produce a lot of waste, and require excellent water conditions at all times. To this end, filtration must be powerful and the water well-oxygenated. Frequent partial water changes are essential as this fish will not tolerate an elevated nitrate level. Canister filters can be employed, but sump filtration may be better as then equipment such as heaters can be kept in the sump and out of the main tank where they would be easily damaged. False Perruno Catfish are territorially aggressive towards their own kind and similar-looking bottom-dwellers, and as such should be kept singly. Tankmates, if desired, must be chosen with care as this fish has a capacious mouth and will predate on smaller species overnight. Shoals of large, adult, deep-bodied characins or cyprinids would work well. May also be seen on sale as the Marbled Pim.
Feeding
Offer a varied selection of meaty foods. Smaller specimens will take bloodworm, Mysis shrimp, chopped seafood, small pieces of meat etc. Larger specimens will enjoy earthworms, prawns, crab, crayfish etc. Some will also take tablet food, but this is very much trial and error. Be sure not to overfeed as these fish can become real gluttons. Adults should only be fed two or three times per week.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
