Due to my long experience in keeping freshwater aquarium catfish, I have gained knowledge about the behavior, feeding habits, and environmental needs of different species of catfish. Freshwater aquarium catfish are generally calm in nature and can coexist with other fish. Proper water filtration, proper feeding, and maintaining regular water quality are very important to ensure their healthy growth.
From my experience, here are the top 10 best freshwater catfish that are most suitable for aquarium keeping and are easy to maintain.
1. Bronze Corydoras
bronze-corydoras
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Bronze Cory, Green Cory
- Common name: Corydoras aeneus
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Size: Its length can usually be 2.5 inches (6 centimeters).
- Behavior: Bronze Corydoras are peaceful, social, and gregarious fish. They usually prefer to live in small groups of 5-6.
- Color: The upper part of their body is brown or copper, and the lower part is lighter in color. In some cases, a greenish tinge can also be seen on their body.
- Origin: South America, including Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina
- Lifespan: Their lifespan is usually 5 to 10 years.
Residence
Bronze Corydoras prefer to live in groups, and a 20-gallon tank is suitable for keeping a small group of 5-6 Corydoras. However, if more fish are kept or other species are added, the tank size needs to be increased.
Some plants (such as Java Fern, Java Moss, Anubias, and Amazon Sword), caves, or rocks can be used for them, which act as safe hiding places.
Care of Bronze Corydoras
Water Conditions and Parameters: The ideal temperature for them is 22°C to 26°C (72°F to 79°F). Ideal pH: 6.0 to 7.8. Ideal water hardness is 2 to 12 degrees dGH. A 20-25% water change should be done every week to keep ammonia and nitrate levels under control.
Food Habits: Bronze Corydoras are omnivorous fish. They also like to eat extra food that is left at the bottom of the aquarium, which helps keep the tank clean.
Breeding
Breeding Bronze Corydoras is quite easy. Male and female fish differ slightly during the breeding season. For spawning, the water temperature should be reduced slightly, and fresh water should be provided. Females lay 50-100 eggs at a time, which are usually attached to plant leaves or moss-like substrates. The eggs hatch in 3-5 days.
Suitable Partners
Bronze Corydoras are peaceful and sociable fish that get along easily with other peaceful fish and animals. To select a suitable partner for them, one should choose peaceful, small to medium-sized fish and animals. Suitable companions include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Molly, Cherry Barb, Amano Shrimp, etc.
2. Gold Nugget Pleco
Gold-Nugget-Pleco
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Baryancistrus xanthellus
- Common Name: Nugget Pleco
- Family: Loricariidae
- Size: Generally, they can grow up to 7-10 inches.
- Behavior: They are calm in nature and mostly stay at the bottom of the aquarium. They can easily live with other fish but need space and hiding places similar to their natural environment.
- Color: Black or dark brown body with bright golden spots. Its fins and tail streaks also have a touch of bright golden color.
- Origin: Amazon River basin of South America.
- Lifespan: Their lifespan is usually 5-8 years, but with proper care and a suitable environment, these fish can live 10 years or more. However, if more fish are kept or other species are added, the tank size needs to be increased.
Residence
A Gold Nugget Pleco requires at least a 50-75 gallon tank. A 50-75 gallon tank should usually hold 1-2 Gold Nugget Plecos. These fish are large in size (up to 7-10 inches), and they need plenty of space to move and hide.
They require the use of certain plants (such as Anubias, Cryptocoryne, Java Fern, Java Moss, Amazon Sword), caves, or rocks to create safe hiding places for them and maintain the environment in the tank.
Caring for the Gold Nugget Pleco
Water Conditions and Parameters: A water temperature of 73-81°F (22-27°C), pH of 6.5-7.5, and water hardness of 5-15 degrees are ideal for them. Also, ammonia and nitrite should be kept at 0 ppm in the tank, as ammonia and nitrite are very harmful to placoids. Twenty-five to thirty percent of the water should be changed every week to reduce the level of nitrates and other harmful elements.
Diet: They prefer to eat mainly algae but can also eat vegetables (cucumber, zucchini, spinach, carrots), catfish pellets, and light protein foods.
Breeding
The Gold Nugget Pleco’s reproductive system is quite complex, and it is difficult to breed them in a normal aquarium environment. These fish reproduce naturally in the wild, but some success can be achieved by maintaining the right conditions and parameters in aquarium conditions. In the natural environment, the female Pleco lays about 50-100 eggs within a cave. The male Pleco then takes care of the eggs and guards the entrance to the cave. The baby Plecos hatch from the eggs in about 4-7 days.
Suitable Partners
The Gold Nugget Pleco is generally a calm fish but can sometimes fight if kept with other Plecos. They can also be kept with other peaceful fish such as tetras, gouramis, ram cichlids, nitrite snails, apple snails, and small catfish.
3. Pictus Catfish
Pictus-Catfish
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Pimelodus pictus
- Common names: Pictus cat, Pictus catfish
- Family: Pimelodidae
- Size: Usually up to 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) long
- Behavior Pictus catfish are generally peaceful and get along well with other fish. However, small fish can fall prey to them, so it is best not to keep them with small fish.
- Color: Their body is usually silvery or white, and there are black or dark spots all over the body.
- Origin: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela
- Lifespan: Generally 8 to 10 years
Residence
10-15 gallons of water should be kept per fish. They like to live in groups, so at least a 50-gallon tank should hold 4-5 Pictus catfish. If other fish or animals to the tank, the number of Pictus catfish may need to be reduced based on their size and behavior.
Pictus catfish prefer to hide a bit by nature, so suitable plants (Anubias, aromatic plants, Java moss) should be planted to provide them with a safe haven.
Care of Species Overview
Water conditions and parameters: A water temperature of 22-26°C (72-79°F), a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, and water hardness of 3-15 dGH are ideal for them. Ammonia and nitrite levels in their tanks should always be kept at 0 ppm. Moreover, 20-25% of the water should be changed every week to keep the water clean and healthy.
Diet: Pictus catfish are omnivores, so they eat a variety of foods. They generally feed on live or dead small fish, invertebrates such as earthworms, and small crustaceans, and they also prefer commercial pellet or flake food.
Breeding
Breeding Pictus catfish can be a challenging task. Female fish can lay about 100-200 eggs. Male fish fertilize the eggs and lay them on the bottom of the tank or on leaves or rocks. Eggs usually hatch within 24-48 hours.
Suitable Partners
Choosing the right mate is very important for Pictus catfish, as they are active and can be predatory at times. Angelfish, tetras, Calibash, etc., can be suitable companions for them.
4. Panda Corydoras
Panda-corydoras
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Corydoras panda
- Common names: panda corydoras, panda catfish, panda cory
- Family: Pimelodidae
- Size: Adults are usually 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6 cm).
- Behavior: Panda corydoras are calm-natured fish. They like to live in groups, so it is best to keep at least 4-5 fish together.
- Color: Their skin color is white or cream, and they have black spots on the front and back of their bodies and a black ring around their eyes.
- Origin: Mainly found in the rivers of South America, especially the rivers of Peru and Brazil.
- Lifespan: Usually lives 8 to 10 years.
Residence
Panda corydoras are social fish; they like to stay together in groups. A 20-gallon tank is sufficient for 4-5 fish, but a 30-gallon or larger tank is suitable for 6-8 fish.
Some suitable plants (Java Fern, Anubias, Amazon Sword, Vallisneria) should be kept in the tank to create safe hiding places for them and maintain the environment in the tank.
Care of Panda Corydoras
Water conditions and parameters: Water temperature should be kept at 21-27 °C (70-81 °F), pH level at 6.0-7.5, water hardness at 2-15 GH, and ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm. Moreover, 20-25% of the water should be changed every week to maintain water quality.
Diet: They are herbivores but prefer flake food, pellets, and fresh vegetables (such as cabbage or spinach) in the aquarium. They are especially good at eating food lying on the ground.
Breeding
Panda corydoras breeding requires special conditions and preparation. They usually breed in a peaceful environment. A female can lay 20-100 eggs at a time. The eggs hatch in 3-7 days. After hatching, the babies usually cannot eat for the first few days. The latter are usually ready-to-eat, such as nursery food, baby flake, or powdered food.
Suitable Partners
Panda corydoras are calm and social fish, so platies, mollies, tetras, zebra danios, etc., are suitable companions for them.
5. Three Stripe Cory
Three Stripe Cory
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Corydoras trilineatus
- Common name: Three Stripe Cory
- Family: Corydoradinae
- Size: Usually about 5 cm (2 in) long as an adult
- Behavior: Three-striped cory fish are social and generally like to live in groups. Being alone changes their normal behavior, so keeping at least 5-6 fish together makes them more comfortable.
- Color: The body is usually white or yellow with dark brown or black stripes, which appear in three lines along the sides of the body.
- Origin: Various rivers of South America
- Lifespan: Can usually live for 3 to 5 years
Residence
The Three Stripe Cory is social and likes to be in groups. A 20-gallon tank should be selected if you want to keep at least 5-6 fish. Appropriate aquatic plants (Java Fern, Anubias Nana, Java Moss) and small rocks or caves will make the fish feel safe in the tank.
Care of Three Stripe Cory
Water conditions and parameters: Water temperature for them is 22-28 degrees Celsius (72-82 degrees Fahrenheit), pH 6.0-7.5, and water hardness 2-12 dGH. Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm. Do 20-25% water changes every week.
Diet: Three-striped corys are omnivorous, meaning they can eat both plant and animal foods. They can also eat flake food, pellets, and animal food (earthworms, small snails, or brine shrimp).
Breeding
Breeding the Three Stripe Cory is an easy process, provided the environment and care are managed properly. They need to have the proper parameters and diet for successful reproduction. Female fish usually lay eggs on leaves, rocks, or other surfaces of aquatic plants. Each breeding session can yield 20-30 eggs. The eggs are soft and white and usually hatch after 3-5 days.
Suitable Partners
The Three Stripe Cory is a calm and social fish that gets along well with other calm fish. Tetras, Rasboras, Mollies, Platies, shrimp, etc., are suitable companions for them.
6. Upside Down Catfish
Upside Down Catfish
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Synodontis nigriventris
- Common Name: Upside Down Catfish
- Family: Mochokidae
- Size: Usually up to 8-10 cm long.
- Behavior: They usually swim upside down, which is their unique characteristic. They generally get along well with other fish but should not be kept with overly aggressive or large fish.
- Color: The upper part of their body is dark brown or black, while the lower part is light white or gray. There are black spots on the body.
- Origin: Congo Basin, Africa
- Lifespan: Lives 5 to 10 years with proper care
Residence
Since they like to live together in groups, it is best to choose a large tank of at least 20-25 gallons. A 20-25 gallon tank can usually hold 4-6 fish, increasing the size of the tank as the number of fish increases.
The tank should have adequate hiding places, such as suitable plants (Java Fern, Anubias, Java Moss, Cryptocoryne), wood, rocks, and cave-like structures. Catfish prefer to hide during the day and are active at night.
Upside Down Catfish Care
Water Conditions and Parameters: Water temperature should be 22°-27°C (72°-81°F). pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5, hardness should be 5-15 dGH, and ammonia and nitrite should be kept at 0 ppm. Do 20-25% water changes every week.
Diet: Upside-down catfish are omnivores. They eat algae, worms, and small insects. In the aquarium, they can be fed dry or flake food as well as frozen or live food such as bloodworms or daphnia.
Breeding
Breeding upside-down catfish is not easy, but it is possible with the right environment and care. Females usually lay eggs around rocks or in moss. After spawning, the male fish swims over the eggs and releases sperm, which fertilizes the eggs. The eggs usually take 3-5 days to hatch. The water quality of the tank should be well maintained during this period.
Suitable Partners
They are calm by nature and swim upside down when moving, so choose fish that are peaceful and inhabit different levels in the tank, following their natural behavior. Suitable companions for them are Tetra, Rasbora, Corydoras, Gourami, etc.
7. Glass Catfish
Glass-Catfish
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Kryptopterus vitreolus
- Common Name: Glass Catfish
- Family: Siluridae
- Size: Glass catfish are about 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) long.
- Behavior: Glass catfish are calm fish and like to live in groups. It is better to keep at least 5-6 of them in the aquarium.
- Color: Their body is completely transparent, so the internal bones, veins, and other parts can be seen. However, some parts near the head and tail have a little color.
- Origin: Southeast Asia, especially Thailand
- Lifespan: Generally, they can live for 5-7 years.
Residence
Glass catfish like to live in groups and usually need a group of at least 5-6 to feel comfortable. A 20-30 gallon or larger tank is perfect for them.
Glass catfish prefer a natural and vegetated tank, where they can find a place to hide. Aquatic plants such as Java fern, Anubias, and Kabamba species are good for them. These plants help create a shelter-like natural environment.
Caring for Glass Catfish
Water Conditions and Parameters: Water should be clean and soft for them. They do best in water temperatures of 70-78°F (21-26°C), and a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal for them. A 15-20% water change should be performed every week.
Diet: Glass catfish are primarily carnivores. They feed on small insects, worms, and larvae. In the aquarium, they can eat light food, frozen food such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and tubifex.
Mate Selection
Glass catfish are very peaceful and gregarious, so it’s best to keep calmer fish like tetras, cherry barbs, zebra danios, otocinclus, rasboras, or guppies in the aquarium. Aggressive or large fish are not suitable for them, as they are easily scared.
8. Bumblebee Catfish
Bumblebee-Catfish
Species Overview
- Scientific Name: Microglanis iheringi
- Common Name: Bumblebee Catfish
- Family: Pseudopimelodidae
- Size: Usually grows to 7-10 cm (2.7-4 in).
- Behavior: They are calm and nocturnal but can be somewhat aggressive at mealtimes.
- Coloration: The body has yellow and black striped markings, which look a lot like a bumblebee.
- Origin: Found in various regions of South America, especially in the rivers of Brazil and Argentina.
- Lifespan: Usually lives 5-7 years.
Residence
A minimum 20-gallon tank is required for 3-4 bumblebee catfish, depending on how many fish you want to keep. Also, if other fish are kept in the same tank, space should be allocated according to their size and temperament.
Care of Bumblebee Catfish
Water Conditions and Parameters: Water temperature should be 22-26°C (72-79°F), pH level 6.5-7.5, water hardness 4-12 dGH, and nitrite and ammonia should be kept at 0 ppm. A 20-25% water change should be performed every week to maintain good water quality.
Diet: Bumblebee catfish are omnivorous. They can eat small insects, crustaceans, worms, and other aquatic animals, as well as sinking pellets, bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.
Breeding
During spawning, female fish lay eggs, which male fish fertilize. They can usually lay 50-150 eggs. The eggs typically hatch in 3-4 days. Young fish may eat fine powder (fry food) or very small organisms.
Suitable Partners
Choosing the right mates for bumblebee catfish involves selecting calm and compatible fish (such as tetras, rasboras, corydoras, platies, and guppies) that match the size and temperament of the bumblebee catfish.
9. Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus-Catfish
Species Overview
- Scientific Name: Otocinclus vittatus
- Common Names: Otocinclus, Oto Catfish, Dwarf Sucker, Oto
- Family: Loricariidae
- Size: About 2–4 cm (up to 1.5 inches)
- Color: Body color is usually light brown or greenish, with black or dark brown stripes along the body.
- Origin: Riverine regions of South America, especially Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.
- Lifespan: Usually 3–5 years
Residence
Typically, 20 liters of water is needed for every 2 to 3 Otocinclus catfish. However, they will grow better in larger tanks. Caves, rocks, and suitable plants (Java Fern, Anubias, Aquatic Grass, Moss) should be kept in order to maintain the environment of Otocinclus catfish.
Care of Otocinclus Catfish
Water Conditions and Parameters: 22 to 28 degrees Celsius (72 to 82 degrees F), (pH) 6.5 to 7.5, hardness 2 to 15 degrees (dGH), and ammonia and nitrite should be kept at 0 ppm. Moreover, 20-30% of the water should be changed every week to maintain the water quality.
Diet: Otocinclus catfish are omnivorous but prefer to eat algae. Moreover, they can eat aquatic plants, flake food, and frozen food.
Breeding
Fish should be healthy and active before breeding. The female fish usually lays 50 to 200 eggs, which are attached to plant leaves or tank walls. Eggs usually hatch in 2 to 7 days. During this time, the male fish takes care of the eggs and keeps the algae clean.
Suitable Partners
Otocinclus catfish are peaceful fish that can coexist peacefully with other calm-loving fish (Tetras, Platies, Guppies, Danios). Fish or life should not be kept with them in a violent and aggressive manner.
10. Chinese Algae Eater
Chinese Algae Eater
Species Overview
- Scientific name: Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
- Common name: Chinese Algae Eater
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Size: Adult size is usually 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm).
- Color: Yellow or golden in color with dark spots or streaks on the tail, which gives them a distinctive look.
- Origin: Rivers and reservoirs of Southeast Asia, especially China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Lifespan: Generally 5 to 10 years.
Residence
First, select at least a 30-gallon tank for 2 fish. Generally, 1 fish can be kept per 10 gallons. A 15-gallon tank should be added for each additional fish. They should be provided with safe shelter, suitable plants for oxygen generation and shelter (Java Fern, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, Hornwort), and stone caves.
Care of Chinese Algae Eater
Water conditions and parameters: Water temperature should be 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F), and a pH of 6.5 to 8.0 is ideal for them. Moreover, to maintain proper water quality, 15-20% of the water should be changed every week.
Diet: Their main diet consists of algae and plants in the tank, but other foods include a variety of flake foods, sinking pellets, and vegetables (green beans).
Breeding
The breeding process of the Chinese Algae Eater is quite challenging and rare in aquariums. Although they can breed successfully in the wild, they do not usually breed in aquariums.
Suitable Partners
Choosing the right mate for the Chinese Algae Eater is important, as they are somewhat territorial and can influence their behavior. Suitable companions for them include Nectria tetra, Gembuzia tetra, guppies, mollies, freshwater snails, etc.
