Niger Catfish
Oxydoras niger
What you need to keep a Niger Catfish
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pH
5.5–7.5
Temperature
23–28 °C
Max size
100 cm
Min tank
1500 L
Where to buy
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Niger Catfish, also known as the Ripsaw Catfish or Mother of Snails Catfish, is a heavily armoured, prehistoric-looking giant from South American rivers. Covered in rows of sharp, bony scutes along its flanks, it resembles a living fossil. Despite its intimidating size, it is one of the more peaceful monster catfish, feeding primarily on invertebrates and organic detritus on the river bottom. Its docile nature makes it one of the few monster fish suitable for very large community setups.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Niger Catfish healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
A minimum 1500L aquarium suits Niger Catfish. Provide hiding spots and stable, well-filtered water; it suits a community setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 5.5–7.5 and 23–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Omnivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Peaceful. Watch it at feeding time and at lights-out to see its real temperament in your tank.
Tankmates
Choose tankmates of similar size and temperament with the same water needs. Avoid fin-nippers and anything large enough to eat it.
Breeding
Niger Catfish is rarely bred in captivity; most SA hobbyists buy from shops and breeders.
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.