Zamora Woodcat (Auchenipterichthys thoracatus)

Auchenipterichthys thoracatus, the Zamora Woodcat, is a mid-sized nocturnal auchenipterid catfish from the Amazon basin in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil, featuring a strikingly marbled body in shades of brown, cream, and black. Deceptively peaceful in appearance during daylight hours, it becomes an active predator at night that will consume small fish and invertebrates small enough to fit in its considerable mouth. Driftwood caves and subdued lighting complement its natural secretive behaviour.

House in a minimum 150 L tank with driftwood shelters, low lighting, and peaceful medium to large tank mates that cannot be swallowed. Feed primarily at night: meaty frozen foods, high-quality sinking carnivore pellets, and occasional live invertebrates. Maintain temperature 23–28°C, pH 5.5–7.5, soft-medium water. Do not keep with small fish (under 4 cm), ornamental shrimp, or nano species. Compatible with medium cichlids, larger tetras, and other catfish of similar size.