Product Details

Wood Catfish – Trachelyopterus insignis

The Wood Catfish is an unusual South American driftwood catfish with a broad head, nocturnal habits and a strong preference for hiding among wood and caves during the day. Also sold as the Colombian Wood Catfish, Driftwood Catfish or sometimes under the incorrect name Trachycorystes insignis, this species is best suited to a mature, spacious aquarium with peaceful tank mates too large to be swallowed. It is not an active daytime display fish, but it becomes a fascinating and characterful addition for aquarists who enjoy nocturnal catfish behaviour.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Wood Catfish
Other Names: Colombian Wood Catfish, Driftwood Catfish, Colombian Driftwood Catfish
Scientific Name: Trachelyopterus insignis
Older / Trade Name: Trachycorystes insignis
Fish Type: Driftwood Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Trachelyopterus insignis is native to northern South America, especially the Magdalena River basin of Colombia. It is a freshwater catfish associated with rivers, creeks, floodplain areas and slower margins where submerged wood, roots, bankside cover and natural debris provide daytime shelter.

In the aquarium, this species should be provided with plenty of driftwood, caves, shaded retreats and open space for night-time movement. It is naturally secretive during the day and should not be kept in a bare aquarium where it cannot hide securely.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Wood Catfish have a sturdy, elongated body with a broad front section, large mouth, long barbels and a laterally compressed rear body. Their colour is usually brown, grey or mottled, helping them blend into wood, roots and shaded river habitats.

Mature males may develop thicker barbels and modified fin or reproductive structures typical of driftwood catfish. Adults can reach around 20–23 cm, making this a medium-sized predatory catfish that needs more space than small community bottom dwellers.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to a mature large community aquarium or specialist South American catfish setup. It needs hiding places, subdued lighting, stable water quality and tank mates that are peaceful but too large to be eaten.

Wood Catfish are not suitable for nano aquariums, small tetra communities or tanks with tiny fish. Although not usually aggressive, they are opportunistic nocturnal predators and may eat small fish during night-time activity.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 250 litres for a single adult, with a tank length of at least 120 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for long-term care and mixed communities.

This species is usually best kept singly unless a very large aquarium with multiple secure hiding places is available. More than one may compete for shelters in cramped conditions.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 23–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Provide clean, stable, well-oxygenated water with gentle to moderate flow. Subdued lighting, driftwood and shaded caves are strongly recommended. Avoid immature aquariums, poor water quality, sharp décor and exposed bare setups.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Predator

Wood Catfish are generally peaceful towards fish they cannot swallow, but they are predatory and should not be trusted with very small tank mates. Suitable companions include medium to large peaceful tetras, robust barbs, larger rainbowfish, peaceful cichlids, medium-sized catfish and other calm fish that are too large to fit in its mouth.

Avoid neon-sized fish, small rasboras, fry, ornamental shrimp, very small cory-type catfish and delicate slow feeders. Also avoid aggressive cichlids or territorial bottom dwellers that may harass the catfish in its hiding place.

Feeding:

Wood Catfish are carnivorous to omnivorous nocturnal feeders. Offer sinking carnivore pellets, catfish tablets, chopped prawn, mussel, cockle, earthworm, bloodworm, krill and other meaty frozen foods.

They may learn to take prepared sinking foods, but feeding should often be done after lights out or in dim light to make sure the catfish receives enough food. Avoid feeder fish, as these carry disease risks and are not needed. Remove uneaten meaty foods promptly to protect water quality.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is a mostly nocturnal catfish that spends much of the day hidden inside wood, caves or shaded crevices. Once settled, it may become more visible at feeding time, especially in dim light.

At night, Wood Catfish may patrol the bottom and mid-lower areas of the aquarium searching for food. It is not a constant open-water swimmer and should be expected to behave like a secretive driftwood catfish rather than a daytime community show fish.

Care Notes:

Provide a mature aquarium with secure hiding places, clean water and tank mates too large to be eaten. This fish should not be added to small peaceful communities with tiny fish or shrimp.

Use a secure lid, as larger catfish can jump or push through gaps when startled. Feed after dark if needed, monitor body condition and avoid overfeeding heavy meaty foods. Good filtration and regular water changes are important because larger catfish produce more waste than small community fish.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Rare to occasional / Usually wild-caught or specialist import

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.