Species profile
False Jaguar Catfish
Liosomadoras oncinus
Peaceful
Hard care
250 L minimum aquarium
15–20 cm adult size
Bottom–mid
Can be kept singly
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Provide abundant dark shelter and confirm it is feeding. Bright, bare community tanks often leave this species permanently hidden and underfed.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
22–28 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
2–15 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Low–moderate
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
3
Very shy nocturnal catfish. Usually non-confrontational, but fish small enough to swallow are at risk once the lights go out.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Yes
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
Yes
Cave breeder
Yes
Digs substrate
No
Jump risk
Yes
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
8–12 years
Diet type
Carnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
250 L
Minimum footprint
120 × 45 cm
Accepted scientific name
Liosomadoras oncinus
Alternative names
False Jaguar Catfish, Jaguar Catfish, Liosomadoras oncinus
Native range
Rio Negro and upper Amazon-associated blackwater systems of South America.
Natural habitat
Shaded blackwater habitats with submerged branches, roots, leaf litter and extensive daytime cover.
Diet & feeding
Nocturnal predator/scavenger taking worms, crustaceans, insects and small fish; target-feed sinking/frozen meaty foods after dark.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
External sexing is difficult; mature males may show genital/anal-fin differences typical of auchenipterids, but casual visual sexing is unreliable.
Breeding
Reliable routine aquarium breeding information is limited; treat reproduction as specialist rather than presenting a generic catfish spawning method.