▷ Blue catfish in the aquarium | All information and details

Data sheet blue catfish

German name:
Blue catfish

Scientific name:
Ancistrus spec.

Origin:
South America

Size:
Body length 12cm – 15cm

Aquarium

Length:
Length from 80 cm width and from 40 cm width

Contents:
112 liters

water values

Temperature:
20°C – 30°C

pH:
6 – 8

GH:
3° – 25° dH

Behave

Area:
lower area, floor

Lining:
Live fodder, frozen granulated fodder, green fodder

Behave:
calm, peaceful

Number:
some young catfish or a larger pair

Difficulty level:
Beginner

Peaceful, undemanding, easy to care for, conspicuous and fond of cleaning – the blue catfish is a great aquarium fish. Its original home is the flowing Amazon in South America. However, according to recent scientific findings no natural form, but a result of a crossing. There are no parents that can be named. The genus is Ancistrus and the family is Loricariidae.

Graf zu Pappenheim, Blue catfish closeup, CC BY-SA 4.0

Look

The basic color of the blue catfish is brown throughout. The drawing consists of numerous beige-colored dots of different sizes, which are regularly arranged. With a side lighting, the body gets the famous bluish tinge.

attitude

Ancistrus can reach a size of about 12 cm and older specimens even up to 15 cm. The species-appropriate aquarium has a capacity of at least 110 liters. Of course, the measure must be adjusted to the size of a fish and the number of stocking! When fish are cramped, they become stressed, hide and don’t live long.

The pool equipment consists of robust standing and floating plants. Since the catfish prefers to stay on the ground and also likes to dig in it for something to eat, the optimal substrate is soft sand or wood. By destroying algae, food and plant residues, it also takes care of it Cleanliness in the aquarium water. A good filter and a brisk current have a supporting effect for balanced water values.

form catfish males territories and above all adult specimens willing to reproduce fight each other vehemently. With a stock of several animals must be sufficient hideouts and retreats are available for everyone. Caves made of clay pipes, inverted coconut shells, stone structures and roots are suitable.

food

The food consists of live, frozen and granulated food as well as food tablets for catfish. Around bowel problems to avoid, the food is served in small quantities. The vegetable part consists, for example, of mashed cucumber, peas, peppers, raw potatoes, lettuce, spinach, zucchini and some tree leaves. Soft is an absolute must bog wood, which the fish gnaw away and uses up the cellulose for a functioning digestive system. If sufficient vegetable feed is available, the aquatic plants remain intact.

gender differences

The sexes differ strikingly from each other. Only the males develop small ones at a size of about 5 cm tentacles (antennae) on the head and muzzle. These branch out as the animal ages. In addition, the male is slightly more colorful than the female. Females that are ready to spawn get a much fuller abdomen.

breed

The breeding of Ancistrus can succeed. The cave breeders form one father family. This means that the male determines the appropriate spawning ground. This can be a cave open on one side made of a clay tube, a stone structure or a root. Once it has found the right place, it lures the chosen one in there and she lays several yellow eggs. The male then drives the female away and takes care of the brood alone.

The young catfish hatch after about 10 to 12 days. After a further 3 days they have used up their yolk sac and then like to eat algae or other catfish food.

If the reproduction does not want to work out, one can stimulation help. Suitable are: frequent water changes, a few degrees cooler water and a good current.

socialization

Ancistrus possesses a calm and peaceful nature. He lives along well other fish species and also armored catfish together in a community aquarium. However, cave-dwelling armored catfish should not be socialized with the blue catfish.

If kept appropriately, the species can live up to 15 to 20 years.