{"product_id":"wood-catfish-trachelyopterus-insignis","title":"Wood Catfish – Trachelyopterus insignis","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWood Catfish – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrachelyopterus insignis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWood Catfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColombian Wood Catfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDriftwood Catfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or sometimes under the incorrect name \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrachycorystes insignis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Wood Catfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Colombian Wood Catfish, Driftwood Catfish, Colombian Driftwood Catfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrachelyopterus insignis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlder \/ Trade Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrachycorystes insignis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Driftwood Catfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrachelyopterus insignis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWood 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature males may develop thicker barbels and modified fin or reproductive structures typical of driftwood catfish. Adults can reach around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20–23 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making this a medium-sized predatory catfish that needs more space than small community bottom dwellers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWood 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA practical minimum is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e250 litres for a single adult\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a tank length of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e120 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e recommended. Larger aquariums are better for long-term care and mixed communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species is usually best kept \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esingly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e unless a very large aquarium with multiple secure hiding places is available. More than one may compete for shelters in cramped conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 23–28°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soft to moderately hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Predator\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWood 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWood 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare to occasional \/ Usually wild-caught or specialist import\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43730002378826,"sku":"AG-103681","price":6.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43730002411594,"sku":"AG-103682","price":8.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43730002444362,"sku":"AG-103683","price":9.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/WoodCatfish-Trachycorystesinsignis.jpg?v=1782143961","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/wood-catfish-trachelyopterus-insignis","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}