Mottled Eel-Banjo Catfish

Description

Platystacus cotylephorus is an unusual South American catfish. While similar to more common Banjo cats such as Bunocephalus sp., these catfish grow larger; up to 12, but generally a little smaller. Despite their large size, however, these fish do not need a large tank; a 30 gallon should do just fine. This is because they are burrowers that really only emerge at night or during feeding. In fact, they rarely, if ever, swim, preferring instead to jet across the bottom by expelling water from their gills or walking on their pelvic fins. The Eel part of their name comes from the unique, shark- or eel-like tails they possess. Unlike most Banjo catfish, these fish prefer neutral to alkaline conditions and are not fond of acidic water. They can even live in brackish water long term!

These are juveniles around 4-5 long.