Aquatic Predators: Giraffe catfish - Aquatic Predators

Size - 36"/3'/90cm

PH Range: 6.5-8.0

Native Range: Found throughout Africa (including L. Tanganyika). Africa: Nile, Lake Chad, West Africa, Congo-Lualaba River system, East African lakes, Omo River and Giuba River.

Morphology: Dorsal soft rays 7-8 Dorsal spines 1-1; Anal spines: 3–4; Anal soft rays: 7–8. Heavily built body with large head. Marbled or spotted gray, with a few black spots arranged in rows resembling a reticulated pattern. Fins spotted, belly creamy white.

Classification: Formerly in Bagridae, but now in Claroteidae, a fairly new family of african ex-bagrids.

A peaceful catfish that will get along with anything big enough to avoid being eaten by this gentle giant. Though, males can be very territorial. This catfish also has a relatively small mouth in comparison to other African catfish species growing to a similar size. Mouth adapted for sifting through the substrate. Spotted pattern fades with age. In nature this fish is found living in both lakes and rivers, so the only real requirement is not too much bright light. Plants, although not eaten, will be uprooted in the search for food.

Breeding: Unknown in captivity. It is thought a large tank, with a large number of individuals would be required for breeding. In its natural habitat the nested eggs are guarded by the male. Furthermore, the male plays host to eggs and young of Dinotopterus cunningtoni, a member of the Claridae catfish family, which takes advantage of the already prepared nest and feeds on the host brood.

Etymology
Auchenoglanis: Auchen; auchenos = neck; glanis = catfish.
occidentalis : Pertaining to the west; from the west.


Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2005. FishBase.World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (05/2005).
Sandford, Gina & Crow, Richard: The Interpet Manual of Tank Busters, Salamander Book, p110-111
Risch, L.M., 1986. Bagridae.. p. 2-35. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels; MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2.

Additional Profile Credits: Peck, wayne the pain, Asterophysus and Chad