Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Cetopsis coecutiens Spix & Agassiz, 1829 -
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Common Name(s) Baby Whale Catfish, Blue Shark Catfish, Blue Torpedo Catfish, Blue Whale Catfish, Whale Catfish
Type Locality Rivers of Equatorial Brazil.
Synonym(s) Silurus coecutiens
Pronunciation see TOP siss - koe cutey enz
Etymology Cetopsis: From the Greek cetos, meaning whale, and -opsis, meaning likeness; in reference to the whale-like appearance.
Species Information
Size
265mm (10.4")
SL Show
near,
nearer or
same sized spp.
Identification An uncommon import but commonly encountered in its natural habitat. A couple of hours night fishing in Peru yielded a dozen or so of these fish. Several other members of the family are imported rarely.
Sexing Males are more slender than females and their dorsal fin tapers to a more elegant point in mature fish.
Habitat Information
Distribution South America: Amazonas, Tocantins, and Orinoco basins.
Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon,
Lower Amazon,
Tocantins (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there)
pH 6.0 - 7.4
Temperature 22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (
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Other Parameters An open water fish that requires strong current and oxygenation. It is a testament to the fishes adaptability that it survives in conditions less than this ideal.
Husbandry Information
Feeding Will accept frozen foods and readily adapts to all good sized live foods. Chopped mussels and live earthworms are favourites. Should not be weaned onto feeder fish but attempts to wean onto tablet food (especially shrimp based tablets) should be made from a young age. Be careful not to overfeed as this fish is an opportunistic feeder and will gorge itself given the chance.
Furniture A sparse, dimly lit tank is required. Provide only minimal cover for the fish to hide in during the day. The provision of a dim actinic light will allow you to observe the fish on its nocturnal prowlings where it is an impressive midwater fish and needs room to roam.
Compatibility Not a fish to be trusted with others. Its natural adult behaviour is to bite lumps out of larger deep river channel fish such as the scaleless Pimelodids. Younger fish in the aquarium do not seem so dangerous, perhaps becuase they are young or well fed. It will however always eat smaller fish and is an accomplished hunter.
Suggested Tankmates It is believed these are a shoaling fish, but no data is available on keeping them as such in aquaria. Perhaps armoured catfish are the best bet, but ensure all fishes are well fed.
Breeding Unreported.
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welcome to MFK.. i looked up a little info on your whale cat since i was curious about them too.. love to see a pic sometime.. nice to meet you and if you have any questions let me know..
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