Catfish

Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish.
Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior
from the three largest species, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels
catfish of Eurasia and the piraba of South America, to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the
bottom), and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa. There are
armour-plated types and there are also naked types, neither having scales. Despite their name, not all
catfish have prominent barbel. Members of the Siluriformes order are defined by features of the skull
and swimbladder. Catfish are of considerable commercial importance; many of the larger species
are farmed or fished for food. Many of the smaller species, particularly the genus Corydoras, are
important in the aquarium hobby. Many catfish are nocturnal,[3][4] but others (many Auchenipteridae)
are crepuscular or diurnal (most Loricariidae or Callichthyidae for example).

Breeds/ Varities

Corydoras aeneus
Bronze Corydoras
A popular cory cat, does well when kept in
groups of 6 or more.

Corydoras metae
Bandit Cory
Comes from the rivers of Colombia, South
America and has similar care requirements
as other corydoras species.
Ancistrus spp.
Bristlenose Pleco
Also known as the bushy nose pleco, the
bristlenose pleco is a much better option for
most hobbyists instead of the common pleco
(below).
Microglanis iheringi
Bumblebee Catfish
There are 2 types of bumblebee catfish, the
South American and the Asian. The South
American can be identified by the spot at the
base of the caudal fish. This spot is almost
like a square in the South American and a
triangle with the tip towards the head for the
Asian.
Gyrinocheilos aymonieri
Chinese Algae Eater
Often mistaken for the otocinclus catfish,
this algae eater can get big and somewhat
aggressive with tank mates as it grows.
 Hexanematichthys seemanni
Columbian Shark
A fish that can get large! Only keep them in
the largest of aquariums.
Corydoras spp.
Corydoras Catfish
One of the coolest little freshwater tropical
fish you can keep. We're biased though
since it's one of our all time favorite species.
Panaque maccus
Clown Pleco
A smaller pleco that needs driftwood and
veggies in it's diet.
Corydoras trilineatus
Corydoras trilineatus
Gets to about 2.3 inches and likes to be kept
in schools.
Corydoras hastatus
Dwarf Corydoras
One of three pygmy corydoras species. Gets
to about 1 inch in size, needs to be kept in
schools.
Kryptopterus Minor
Glass Catfish
The first thing to notice about the Glass
catfish is that it has transparent flesh, which
allows us to see the spinal cord and internal
organs. This transparent fish is also a picky
eater; it has been known not to accept flake
foods with ease.
Baryancistrus sp.
Gold Nugget Pleco
From 6 to 9 inches and can be quite
expensive for a freshwater fish.
Pangasius hypophthalmus
Iridescent Shark
This "freshwater shark" gets way too big for
most home aquariums.
 Corydoras julii Queen Arabesque Pleco is the fish keeper's
Julii Corydoras substitute to the much sought after zebra
Bottom dwelling species that does well in pleco, although they don't look very much
groups of 6 or more. like them.

Otocinclus vestitus
Otocinclus Catfish
Great little catfish that eats algae, may not
do well if not acclimated properly. Platydoras Costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

This is a medium to large sized catfish (up
to 9 inches) that is very active. Being
nocturnal, it comes out mostly at night,
though they are known for getting adjusted
Corydoras panda to daylight.
Panda Corydoras
Bottom dwelling species that does well in
groups of 6 or more.

Pimelodus pictus
Pictus Catfish
Gets to around 4 inches and needs a tank big
enough to allow plenty of swimming room.
This is a very active catfish.
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
Redtail Catfish
This catfish gets way to big for the majority
of home aquariums. You're looking at a tank
in the thousands of gallons here. Think large
backyard ponds or leave them in the wild or
public aquariums.

Hypostomus plecostomus
Plecostomus
Panaque nigrolineatus
Many different species with many that get
Royal Pleco
too big for most home aquariums.
Gets up to around 17 inches so you need a
Need Image for Queen Arabesque Pleco
large aquarium if you want to keep this
Hypancistrus sp (L260)
pleco.
Queen Arabesque Pleco
The Queen Arabesque Pleco comes from
South America in the rivers Brazil, Para and
Rio Tapajos. Because of their beauty, the
 Corydoras sterbai
Sterbai Corydoras
Gets to about 2.7 inches and should be kept
in small schools.

Corydoras schwartzi
Schwartz's Cory
Another little corydoras species that seems
to do better when kept in small groups of 3
or more. Synodontis nigriventris
Upside Down Catfish
Gets to around 4 inches and does well when
kept in groups.

Corydoras habrosus Hypancistrus Zebra

Salt and Pepper Cory (Corydoras habrosus) Zebra Pleco
One of the three pygmy cory species. A plecostomus that demands high prices due
to limited availability. Populations in the
wild are threatened.

Care of Catfish

Culture System

Next thing on the line is the culture system you will use.

First and foremost, you have to be aware that these African catfishes (especially Clarias
gariepinus) are cannibals as such. So you should take great care in sorting them according to size.

If you intend to culture the fingerling outdoor, you should take into consideration the prevalence
of predatory insects in Nigeria. Therefore, ensure you cover the tanks with mosquito nets so as to
keep the predatory insects away.

For the adult, poly culture of clarias gariepinus with tilapia spp is very common in Nigeria and
has been known over the years to be productive. This is carried out, using mainly concrete tanks
which allow supplementary feeding, thus ensuring higher fish yield.

Some few farmers also use indoor water re-circulatory system (WRS). But it is costlier, so most
simply use the concrete tanks.
Feed and feeding methods

To achieve maximal yield and growth of catfish in Nigeria, you have to ensure that the feed you
are offering contains the essential amino acids such as arginine, methionine and lysine found in
crude protein sources.

The richest source of crude protein for this purpose is fishmeal. But due to its high cost, it is
advisable not to go for it (i.e. if you are just starting out). Instead, you can use other conventional
and sometimes unconventional animal by-products as well as plant residue (such as groundnut
cake, soyabean cake etc.) that meet the nutrient requirements of catfish.

This is in order to minimize cost of production as much as possible.

Through development of fish farming over the years in Nigeria, feeding of catfish is
predominantly done using pelleted floating feeds. This ensures adequate feeding of the fish thus
increased growth rate.

However when feeding, it is advisable to do it on a particular part of the pond instead of just
scattering the feed across the water surface. This helps to minimize wastage of feed.