Perugia's Woodcat

Tatia perugiae is a small and attractively patterned auchenipterid catfish from the Amazon basin of Peru and Colombia. Its cream-and-brown mottled pattern is highly cryptic, allowing it to blend seamlessly into bark, leaf litter, or driftwood. Despite its diminutive size, it is an effective predator of small invertebrates and aquatic insects. Like all auchenipterids, females receive sperm internally and can produce fertile eggs for an extended period after mating.

In the aquarium, Tatia perugiae is almost never visible during daylight hours, spending its time tightly wedged into hollow driftwood, bamboo tubes, or other tight-fitting hides. After dark it becomes active, cruising the bottom and mid-water column in search of invertebrate prey. Its small size makes it manageable in aquariums of 60 litres or more, provided there are adequate hiding spaces.

This species is peaceful with tankmates too large to be consumed and is compatible with small tetras, corydoras, and other peaceful community fish. Feed with small frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, and crushed sinking pellets after the aquarium lights are out.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 5.8–7.5, soft to moderately hard (GH 2–12). Tank: 60 L minimum; numerous tight caves (bamboo, driftwood crevices); dim lighting or blackout period. Feeding: Frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, small crushed sinking pellets; feed after lights-out. Breeding: Internal fertilisation; rarely bred in captivity; requires specific soft acidic conditions. Compatibility: Peaceful with fish too large to swallow; compatible with small tetras and corydoras.