Apingi Torpedo Catfish

Cephalosilurus apingi is an unusually built pimelodid from the Araguaia and Tocantins river systems in central Brazil. Its enormously broad, depressed head relative to its body gives it a striking appearance, and large adults are genuinely imposing. The species is infrequently exported but periodically available through Brazilian fish importers.

In the wild, C. apingi inhabits sandy-bottomed river channels and backwaters where it buries into the substrate to ambush prey. In captivity it requires a large tank with fine sand substrate and a powerful filter. It is a relatively low-energy species that conserves its movements until feeding time.

The Apingi Torpedo Catfish is best maintained alone or with very large, robust fish. Its wide mouth enables it to take surprisingly large prey and co-inhabitants must be chosen with great care.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard; clean with moderate flow. Tank: Minimum 700L; fine sand substrate for partial burial, large smooth driftwood, powerful filtration. Feeding: Carnivore; large whole prawns, fish fillets, large sinking catfish pellets. Breeding: No captive breeding documented. Compatibility: Aggressive; keep alone or with fish clearly too large to be engulfed.