SCOTCAT.COM  

f we are talking about an impressive-looking catfish, we need to go no further than the Bolt cat, Aguarunichthys torosus, from the Pimelodidae family. This catfish grows to 35cm (14 inches) in standard length and is therefore not a good candidate for a typical community fish tank.

    Aguarunichthys torosus

Aguarunichthys torosus is an agile and fearless fighter, making it ideal for a predator aquarium. Feeding time is particularly interesting and promises exciting observations. At other times, it usually rests, giving the impression of a timid and attractive catfish. However, with this species, those first impressions can be deceptive! (Ros, Wolfgang).

The genus Aguarunichthys belongs to the family of the "Antenna Catfishes" (Pimelodidae) and includes, besides the sporadic imported A. torosus, two other species which are rare even in nature and therefore are not imported very often: A. inpai, which at 42 centimeters SL is the biggest species, and A. tocantinsensis, which at nearly 32 centimeters SL is a bit smaller than A. torosus, whose SL in nature is specified at approximately 35 centimeters. Based on a light background, all three have a characteristic fine pattern of black dots/points which vary in number and size depending on the species (Ros, Wolfgang). The key to the three species is in Zuanon et al. (1993).

Bolt cat

None

-

South America: Cenepa River basin, Amazon River drainage, Peru. Type locality: Peru, Departamento Amazonas, Río Cenepa, 1.6 km west of Huampami and near Peruvian military camp Chavez Valdivia, about 210 m elev., Approx. 4º28'S, 78º10'W.

35.0cm. (14ins)

22-27°C (71-81°F)

Dorsal fin, short-based with a spine and six rays. Pectoral fin with a spine and 13 rays. Anal fin has 14 rays. The adipose fin is moderately long but well separated from the dorsal and caudal fin. The caudal fin is forked, with the upper lobe longer and more pointed than the lower lobe.

Very much a catfish for the larger aquarium to be kept by the more serious catfish keeper. As with most species in this genera it will be predatory so would need to be kept with fish that are not too small although this species would be better to be kept on its own as other fish will be seen as prey. A large tank would be needed no smaller than 2 metres (6ft) long and a depth of 70cm (28ins) with powerful filtration, to give it plenty of swimming space

Not reported.

Not reported.

Earthworms, fish fillets, frozen foods such as whole and unbroken smelts, shrimp or mussel meat. Tablet and pellet foods will also be taken.

Afdipos fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Pectoral fin: The paired fins just behind the head.
Premaxillary: In relation to the premaxilla (an upper jaw bone) e.g. premaxillary tooth band.
Ventral fins: The paired fins, between the pectorals and the anal fins.

Aguarunichthys: From Aguarun, a Peruvian tribe that lives in the limit with Ecuador+ Greek, ichthys = fish.
torosus: Muscular.

Photo Credits

© Haakon Haagensen @ 
© Wolfgang Ros
© Map: Wikepedia 2026.