The gulper catfish is native to the Rio Negro and Orinoco basins in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. It grows to a standard length of 25 cm (9.8 in), and a total length of 28.5 cm (11.2 in). This catfish has a short, thick-set shape and is dark-colored with a whitish belly. It is mostly found in slow-moving waters with many submerged structures. The gulper catfish is a strict carnivore that swallows its prey whole, mostly other fish. This prey can be exceptionally large for the gulper catfish’s size, sometimes even larger than itself.
The minimum recommended tank size for an adult gulper catfish is around 100 gallons or more. A tank that is 72 inches long is also recommended to give them enough room to swim around. Choosing tank mates can be challenging due to their carnivorous nature and big appetites. Tank mates that are 3-4 inches larger than the gulper catfish are recommended, as are non-aggressive fish. Their fins and barbels can be injured by territorial fish, leading to stress.
Gulper catfish have an average lifespan of 8 to 15 years in captivity. Breeding them in captivity is uncommon. When males want to mate, they will chase a female and rub her body. Reproduction takes place through spawning. As gulper catfish are predatory, tankmates are generally not recommended unless significantly larger than the catfish.
To get them to eat vegetables, you can gutload live feeder fishes with prepared foods high in nutrition. These feeder fishes should then be offered to the gulper catfish.
Are Gulper catfish good pets?
The gulper catfish is a predatory fish native to South America. It has a thick, rounded body and a very large mouth that allows it to swallow prey nearly twice its size.
Gulpers are mostly nocturnal and will slowly stalk prey before quickly swallowing it whole. Their backward-facing teeth make it difficult for prey to escape.
In an aquarium, gulpers need a tank over 100 gallons to have enough space. They prefer water temperatures from 75°F to 84°F and a pH around 6.3. Gravel substrate and plenty of driftwood are ideal as gulpers like to hide.
Gulpers eat mostly fish, shrimp, worms, and other meaty foods. They can be trained to hand feed. Frozen silversides, shrimp, feeder fish, and other nutritious prepared foods are best.
Tank mates should be larger fish that are not aggressive or easily spooked. Keeping multiple gulpers together often leads to aggression and territorial disputes. A single gulper catfish per tank is best.
Overall gulpers make interesting aquarium pets due to their prehistoric appearance and fascinating feeding behaviors. With a large tank and proper care they can thrive.
What tank does a gulper catfish need?
A Gulper Catfish needs a generous 100-gallon tank in order to have space to grow and swim. They will become distressed in a tank that is too small. As well as volume, they also need a tank that is long enough to accommodate their swimming needs. A 75 to 100-gallon tank is optimum for a Gulper Catfish to compensate for their need for active swimming and live feeding habits. Rectangular prism tanks are optimum for Gulper Catfish. Before getting a gulper, ensure you learn everything on how to care for a gulper catfish. With suitable tank mates, they can add charm to your aquarium. You do not want your fish acting up as a result of discomfort, or do you? The truth is you won’t be comfortable either. Not only does the fish typically reach a respectable size of about 10 inches, it is said to attain lengths of 12 or 14 inches in some cases. I recommend sticking to a tank mate that is at least 3 or 4 inches larger than the Gulper Catfish. Gulper Catfish have fins and barbels that are susceptible to injury around territorial fish. On average, adult gulper catfish grow to be 10 to 12 inches long, with some reaching up to 14 inches. They need a moderately sized aquarium of around 100 gallons. The ph level should be between 5.5 to 8.0 and the water hardness can be anywhere from 2 to 25 kh. Choose a soft substrate like fine sand as walking catfish spend a lot of time wriggling across the bottom of the tank. Decorate the tank with smooth rocks and driftwood to provide hiding places. These catfish can be found both in the aquarium hobby and in the wild. Instead of scales, gulper catfish have an elastic skin that stretches over their bellies. They swallow their prey whole. The minimum tank size refers to the tank volume for the smallest ideal adult stocking quantity seen in the compatibility section. For a species that does not have a minimum number the tank size refers to the minimum for a single adult species. Below are recommendations for setting up an aquarium of the minimum tank size for this species. Large, frequent water changes are recommended and should be done as often as possible. Most who are familiar with the species recommend tank sizes of 100 gallons or more. And, their tankmates must be just as big or bigger. Substrates and stones should be soft as to not irritate the animal’s soft, scaleless skin.
What are the fun facts about Gulper catfish?
The gulper catfish is a predatory fish that can extend its jaw to swallow large prey whole, including bigger fish. Gulper catfish can reach 10 to 12 inches (25-30 cm) as adults, however some wild specimens have been found to reach 14 inches (35 cm). In aquariums, they will rarely grow more than 11 inches (28 cm). The gulper catfish is a popular monster fish for aquariums due to its rough look and moderate size. They are inexpensive predators, available for $50-100.
Gulper catfish are carnivores that eat a variety of prey, even those larger than themselves. They are nocturnal bottom-dwellers that spend daylight hours hiding and emerge at night to hunt. Their diet consists of crustaceans, small fish, insects and some plant matter. Their large mouth and backward-pointing teeth allow them to capture prey significantly larger than themselves.
It is essential to provide gulper catfish a varied, protein-rich diet in captivity. Feeder fish provide the best nutrition but must be quarantined first to prevent spreading disease. Consider breeding your own feeders for lowest risk. Gulpers generate a large amount of waste so a powerful filtration system is a must.
At 100 gallons or more, the aquarium should be quite large to give swimming space. Tankmates must be larger in size to prevent the gulper attempting to eat them. Territorial tankmates should be avoided as they will hassle the gulper.
While mating, the male chases and rubs the female. Reproduction is through spawning but they rarely breed in captivity. Lifespan details are unavailable. Of approximately 3000 global catfish species, the gulper is a unique and fascinating addition to home aquariums.