Catfish species in Mexico/ Central America?

[Fishnerd360]

I might be starting a 20 gallon high Mexican biotop and will be putting sword tails in it, but I don't know of anything catfish that live in Mexico and is able to live happily in my tank size. Does anyone know of any species of catfish from Mexico for a 20 gallon high?

 

[Rocksor]

If you can find it for sale, Rhamdia reddelli.

https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?task=&species_id=4750

A good list of freshwater fishes found in Mexico (some not natural)

https://fish.mongabay.com/data/Mexico.htm

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

If you can find it for sale, Rhamdia reddelli.

https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?task=&species_id=4750

A good list of freshwater fishes found in Mexico (some not natural)

https://fish.mongabay.com/data/Mexico.htm

Great link. Thanks for that! So only Rhamdia and flathead for Mexico in terms of catfish? Nothing else?

 

[blackbullhead]

Aside from several Rhamdia species and Pylodictis, there are a handful of endemic Ictalurus...very very similar in appearance to our more familiar channel and blue cats.
There are two species of Prietella, both blind, cave-dwelling species.
Probably the most fascinating Mexican catfish is Lacantunia enigmatica, the Chiapas catfish. Not described until 2005, it's not closely related to any other catfish in North or South America, its a truly weird species. Unfortunately, it's never been imported into the Aquarium hobby as far as I know...

 

[blackbullhead]

Although the Priettella are very small, they are also not imported as aquarium fish. I believe all the Rhamdia are a bit too large for a 20 gallon, so unfortunately, you may have to look further south than Mexico to find a suitable catfish.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Aside from several Rhamdia species and Pylodictis, there are a handful of endemic Ictalurus...very very similar in appearance to our more familiar channel and blue cats.
There are two species of Prietella, both blind, cave-dwelling species.
Probably the most fascinating Mexican catfish is Lacantunia enigmatica, the Chiapas catfish. Not described until 2005, it's not closely related to any other catfish in North or South America, its a truly weird species. Unfortunately, it's never been imported into the Aquarium hobby as far as I know...

Wow. Lacantunia enigmatica. I keep learning in this thread. Great job, guys! Thank you. That catfish indeed does not look similar to many others: