Species profile
Dorado Catfish
Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii
Semi aggressive
Hard care
Tank size not yet documented
Up to 192 cm adult size
Bottom–mid
Can be kept singly
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Giant migratory South American piscivore. Public-aquarium scale only for practical purposes; no home-aquarium minimum volume is entered because the specialist source explicitly declines to recommend one.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
22–28 °C
pH
6–8
GH
1–20 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Moderate–high
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Can be kept singly
Tank zone
Bottom–mid
Territory level
Low
Predation risk
Small fish
Bioload factor
10
A huge open-water/demersal predator. Tankmates must be far too large to swallow. Its extreme adult size and long-distance migratory biology make ordinary private-aquarium housing inappropriate.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Caution
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
No / caution
Cave breeder
No
Digs substrate
No
Jump risk
Yes
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
Not yet documented
Diet type
Carnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
Not yet documented
Minimum footprint
Not yet documented
Accepted scientific name
Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii
Alternative names
Dourada, Zungaro dorado, Dorado, Oxydoras niger (legacy incorrect scientific label), Ripsaw Catfish (belongs to Oxydoras niger, not this profile)
Native range
South America: Amazon and Orinoco river basins and major rivers of French Guiana.
Natural habitat
Demersal giant catfish of major tropical river systems; a long-distance migratory species requiring exceptional swimming space and high water quality.
Diet & feeding
Almost entirely piscivorous in nature. Captive specimens may adapt to non-live meaty foods; avoid routine feeder-fish use.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
No reliable external sexual dimorphism is established for aquarium identification.
Breeding
Not recorded in captivity; wild reproduction is associated with extraordinary long-distance river migration.