Article © Julian Dignall, uploaded October 28, 2007.
From time to time I'm asked what my favourite catfish is. Often this prompts a discussion on my favourite few catfish which I often have trouble choosing. It's much easier to chose catfish you would like to keep than those that are favourites amongst those that you have. So, after much deliberation, here are my current favourites - I don't think this list will change much over the years but I'll keep it up-to-date as my tastes (and the catfish in my collection) change over time.
| Rank | Common Name | Scientific Name | Notes |
| 1. | Black Lancer | Bagrichthys macracanthus | A truly magnificent fish. Easy to keep, impressively big but not gigantic this is my greatest of catfish. |
| 2. | - | Lamontichthys filamentosus | Again a majestic fish, a prince among whiptails and a favourite pleco. A difficult fish to keep and one for the advanced catfish keeper. |
| 3. | False Cuckoo Catfish | Synodontis lucipinnis | Synodontis are great and this is one of the most beautiful of all. Recent captive spawnings make this fish (slightly) more affordable and certainly more available than ever before. |
| 4. | Pyjama Catfish | Synodontis flavitaeniatus | Another Syno! It was a bit of a toss-up between this fellow and Synodontis angelicus for the 4th place spot but this one got it because of its more demure nature. |
| 5. | Shadow Catfish | Hylobagrus flavus | A diminutive star, for small fish this species live for ages and a perfect for a gentle plant riddled community set-up. |
| 6. | - | Corydoras narcissus | A big bruiser of a Cory. Not for the faint hearted. |
| 7. | Mouse Catfish | Hassar notospilus | Not commonly seen which is a shame as, once acclimatized, these are active, gregarious catfish. Not pretty but full of character. |
| 8. | L091 | Leporacanthicus triactis | A mysterious pleco with a striking colouration, interesting dentition and not too big or small. |
| 9. | Moustache Catfish | Hemisynodontis membranaceus | A gem. This character catfish has long been a comical favourite. |
| 10. | Ornate Pim | Pimelodus ornatus | Sneaking in a number ten, this graceful catfish is a good sized fish that becomes more and more elegant with age. For me, the perfect pim. |
At some point in the future I may well add an on-line poll and lists of other peoples favourite catfish, but until then, you'll just have to ponder mine!
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