How to Identify Aquarium Catfish

Catfish represent a very diverse order of fresh0water fish. These interesting bottom-dwelling species received their common name from feelers that protrude from their jaw. The most commonly kept catfish fall into a few select groups that exhibit different physical characteristics. These noticeable differences assist the aquarist to place his specimen into one of the extended families initially. Due to the huge number of different types within each of these groups, the hobbyist will need to use a catfish guide to further identify individual fish down to species level.

Things You'll Need

  • Updated catfish identification guide
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the length of the adult catfish. In excess of 70 species or types of catfish belong to a single group. These are the corydoras catfish, which are all very similar. All species of corydoras catfish range in size from 1 to 3 inches in length.

    • 2

      Look closely at the body of the catfish. If the fish is adult, smaller than 3 inches and has body armor, you can confirm your earlier identification that the fish is a member of the extended South American corydoras group of catfish.

    • 3

      Observe the body color of these small fish. The vast majority of corydoras catfish possess a white or brown background color, with dark markings which include bars, blotches or a combination of both.

    • 4

      Use your catfish identification guide to identify the fish down to species level once you have placed it in the corydoras group.

    • 5

      Look closely at the body of the catfish that is swimming upside down. If the fish lacks armor, you can confirm that you have one of the upside-down catfish species.

    • 6

      Examine the body of adult catfish that are larger than 3 inches. If these big catfish possess body armor, they are members of the plecostomus family. These catfish grow large, with certain species attaining an adult length of 2 feet. The bodies of fish in this group are also covered with scales.

    • 7

      Look at the colors of the catfish. A catfish with a black dorsal or top color, white belly and brilliant red tail is the red-tailed catfish. This species is kept in aquariums as young fish, but adults eventually outgrow even the largest of tanks. This catfish is not a member of any of the previous groups.