Goeldiella Eel Catfish

Goeldiella eques is a monotypic genus in the Heptapteridae and is one of the most morphologically unusual small catfish from the Amazon basin. Its body is extremely elongated and cylindrical, reminiscent of an eel, and its colouration is a plain brown-grey with subtle darker markings. It inhabits slow-moving, tannin-stained blackwater streams.

In the aquarium, Goeldiella eques is very secretive, spending most of the day buried under substrate or hidden in dense vegetation. It becomes more active after dark, emerging to forage along the substrate. It is entirely peaceful and can be kept with other small, peaceful fish.

This species requires soft, acidic water replicating its blackwater origin and does best in a biotope-style setup with leaf litter, driftwood, and dim lighting. It is a genuine rarity in the trade and of particular interest to dedicated nano and oddball catfish enthusiasts.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 5.5–7.0, very soft acidic water strongly preferred. Tank: Minimum 200L; leaf litter, fine sand, driftwood, very dim lighting. Feeding: Carnivore; small sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, Tubifex; nocturnal feeder. Breeding: No captive breeding records. Compatibility: Peaceful; keep with small, peaceful species in blackwater setups.