Ripsaw Catfish (Oxydoras niger)

The Ripsaw Catfish (Oxydoras niger) is a larger catfish that has a wide distribution in most of the waterways and rivers of Northern South America. This gentle giant is also known as the plated catfish, evidenced by the large sharp armored scales encompassing their body. Though they may look menacing they are shy and best kept with other peaceful catfish and species that won’t harass them. An excellent candidate for larger aquaria or tropical ponds, this fish has a great personality once adjusted and is known to vocalize, making audible sounds. It is an omnivore in the wild and sifts through the substrate for edible items but in the home aquarium it adjusts relatively quickly to most prepared foods.