PlanetCatfish.com - Lophiosilurus apurensis (Pseudopimelodidae) Cat-eLog

Juvenile
Juvenile

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Lophiosilurus apurensis** (Mees, 1978)
Common Names	Apure Jelly Catfish Orange Catfish
Type Locality	Río Arichuna, near San Pedro, Rincón hondo, Apure, Venezuela.
Synonym(s)	Cephalosilurus apurensis, Pseudopimelodus apurensis
Pronunciation	ah poor en siss
Etymology	Greek, lophos = crest + Greek, silouros = cat fish -> Crested catfish. Specifically named for Apure, a region of Venezuela.
Articles	- Shane's World Species A voracious ambush-predator not without charm
Species Information
Size	480mm or 18.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	This species has a dull yellow background colour, different from the orange background colour of C. fowleri.
Sexing	Females larger and much more aggressive, very distinguishable dimorphism by venting especially at larger sizes.
General Remarks	A great pet fish, very personable, taking food from your hands (be careful to keep them out of harm's way - you might get bitten).
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Rio Arichuna, Apure, Venezuela. Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Apurito, Matiyure, Arichuna (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Not Evaluated
pH	6.4 - 7.8
Other Parameters	The original description notes that specimens were collected in "brown" water with high turbidity, slow current and a substrate of mud and leaves. The water was 26.5 C with a pH of 5.5.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Will eat any ''meaty'' type foods with a little variety thrown in: fish (previously frozen or fresh), krill, shrimp, earthworms, mice, rats, sinking pellets, shrimp pellets. In nature, eats live fish of considerable size, although the feeding of live fish in captivity to this species is not necessary. Aside being controversial from an ethical perspective, it risks introducing parasites and other potential diseases. User data.
Furniture	Caves, driftwood, sand, floating plants.
Compatibility	Very aggressive and not shy. One aquarist reports their large female has attempted to eat 10'' cichlids with death coming to the cichlid by suffocation. Although unable to swallow them she would hold them by their entire head to the gill plates until they expired and would continue holding on even while the fish was being yanked from her!
Suggested Tankmates	Best kept alone or in the most bullish of considerably larger company.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Zoologische Mededelingen (Leiden) v. 53 (no. 23), pp 253, Pl. 1.
Registered Keepers	There are 14 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 10 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.31.232.1525
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2005 Apr 17 00:00)