Squeaking Orinoco Catfish

Adults of this fish can reach 34 cm in length. As mentioned, its appearance distantly resembles a marine mammal—the orca—mainly due to its high dorsal fin. The fins—both dorsal and pectoral—contain first rays modified into sharp, serrated spines, while the remaining rays retain their softness. The body coloration is dark, with a greenish, olive, or yellow sheen on the sides; its intensity can vary from lighter to rich dark tones depending on the habitat.

The species' range covers water bodies of East and Southeast Asia, including China, Laos, Vietnam, Korea, and the Amur River basin in Russia. In nature, the Squeaking Orinoco Catfish prefers sections of rivers with slow currents, silty-clay bottoms, and deep, non-freezing places for wintering.

In confined spaces, they tend to conflict with other bottom dwellers over territory. Otherwise, this catfish does not exhibit pronounced aggression. However, given its diet, any small fish will be considered a potential food source. Therefore, when choosing tank mates, one should focus exclusively on large fish capable of feeling comfortable in cool waters. Although Goldfish also prefer cool water, cohabitation with Squeaking Orinoco Catfish is still not recommended.

For keeping one or two Squeaking Orinoco Catfish, an aquarium of at least 500 liters is required. Hiding places are extremely important in the decor: these can be snags, rock formations, or other decorative material, both natural and artificial. A soft sandy substrate is preferred. Since the fish is nocturnal, the intensity of lighting is not critical; during daylight hours, it will remain in shelters. Keeping conditions largely depend on the fish's origin—from Asia or Siberia. The further south the habitat, the higher the required water temperature: for Amur catfish, a range of 16–25°C is considered comfortable, while for Asian catfish it is 23–27°C. In any case, these fish need clean water and tolerate the accumulation of organic waste poorly.

This species is omnivorous. Its diet primarily consists of small invertebrates, fry, and small fish. Catfish can be trained to eat dry sinking foods. Feeding is recommended shortly before turning off the aquarium lights.

Fish reach sexual maturity at 3–4 years of age. Spawning occurs in the summer, usually in late June. Males independently dig burrows in clay banks, which serve as nests. The female lays up to 7000 eggs, which the male actively guards until the fry become independent.

The species has a strong immune system but is sensitive to the accumulation of organic waste in the water. The main danger comes from injuries sustained from contact with sharp fin spines, which can lead to secondary bacterial infections. Prevention includes regular water changes and maintaining substrate cleanliness.

When selecting, attention should be paid to the integrity of the skin and the absence of spots or film on the body. A healthy fish should show activity at dusk and have clean, undamaged fins. It is important to note that the spiny rays of the fins and gill covers contain venomous mucus, so caution must be exercised during transportation and transfer.