Gilded Catfish (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii)

Fish in the family Pimelodidae. Hard care. Freshwater.

Quick facts

Scientific nameBrachyplatystoma rousseauxii

FamilyPimelodidae

Also known asDorado Catfish, Goldzig, Dourada

Care levelHard

Reef safetyFreshwater

TemperamentSemi Aggressive

Dietcarnivore

Adult size36 in

Minimum tank size1000 gallons

Water parametersTemp 74-82°F, pH 6-7.5, GH 4-18 dGH

Appearance

Streamlined silvery-gold torpedo-shaped body with long barbels and a deeply forked tail built for open-water swimming.

Difficulty and care for the Gilded Catfish

Hard

Origin and habitat

Amazon Basin, South America

Keeper notes

Enormous migratory predatory catfish that reaches several feet; eats any fish it can swallow. Not a realistic home aquarium fish; needs a public-aquarium-scale system. Sold small but grows extremely fast.

Log Gilded Catfish in your reef tank

Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Gilded Catfish alongside everything else in your reef.

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