Centromochlus Perugiae Care Guide: The Oil Catfish
Small, secretive, and endlessly charming once you learn their habits, Centromochlus perugiae — commonly called the Oil Catfish or Honeycomb Catfish — deserves far more attention than it receives. This centromochlus perugiae care guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, covers the essentials for keeping this fascinating South American catfish happy in a tropical home aquarium. Reaching just 5-7 cm, these nocturnal micro-catfish are perfect for nano and community setups alike.
Species Overview
Centromochlus perugiae belongs to the family Auchenipteridae, commonly known as driftwood catfish. They originate from slow-moving tributaries and flooded forest floors in Peru and Ecuador. Their body is pale cream to light brown with dark reticulated markings that resemble honeycomb — hence the common name. A pronounced adipose fin and large eyes relative to body size hint at their nocturnal lifestyle. Males and females are similarly patterned, though males develop a thickened first ray on the anal fin used during internal fertilisation.
Tank Requirements
A 60-litre aquarium is sufficient for a group of five to six Oil Catfish. These are social fish that feel most secure in numbers — keeping fewer than three results in permanently hidden, stressed individuals. Provide dense cover using driftwood tangles, leaf litter, and low-light plants like Cryptocoryne and Java fern. A thick layer of dried Indian almond or ketapang leaves on the substrate creates a natural-looking environment and releases tannins that darken the water — conditions these catfish prefer.
Water Conditions
Oil Catfish thrive in soft, acidic water — pH 5.5-7.0 and GH 2-8. Singapore’s naturally soft PUB tap water is an excellent match once dechlorinated, requiring little to no adjustment. Temperature should range between 24-28°C; our ambient conditions of 28-30°C are at the upper end but acceptable with good oxygenation. Use a gentle sponge filter or small hang-on-back filter — these fish inhabit calm waters and dislike strong currents.
Feeding Habits
In the wild, Centromochlus perugiae feeds on aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, and small crustaceans after dark. In captivity, offer sinking micro pellets, frozen cyclops, daphnia, and baby brine shrimp. Bloodworms make an excellent occasional treat. Feed shortly after lights-out — drop food near their hiding spots and watch them emerge cautiously to forage. Daytime feeding rarely works; these catfish simply will not come out under bright light. A moonlight LED helps you observe their fascinating after-dark behaviour without disturbing them.
Behaviour and Social Dynamics
Oil Catfish are peaceful, non-territorial, and completely harmless to tankmates. During the day they wedge themselves into tight crevices between driftwood or under leaves, sometimes stacking on top of one another in favoured hiding spots. At dusk they become active, swimming mid-water in a characteristically jerky, darting motion. Their sudden bursts of speed can startle new keepers, but this is normal foraging behaviour. Suitable companions include small tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras, and dwarf shrimp (adults — they may eat tiny shrimplets).
Breeding
Auchenipterid catfish practise internal fertilisation, making their reproductive biology unusual among freshwater fish. The male’s modified anal fin delivers sperm packets to the female, who stores them until conditions are right for egg-laying — sometimes weeks later. Females deposit small clusters of adhesive eggs on solid surfaces, often on the underside of leaves or driftwood. Clutch sizes are modest, typically 20-40 eggs. Fry hatch in three to four days and are tiny, requiring infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Health and Maintenance
Oil Catfish are hardy once acclimated but can be sensitive during transport and initial settling. Give new arrivals at least a week of quiet acclimation with dim lighting and plenty of cover. Maintain water quality with weekly 20-25% water changes using dechlorinated tap water. Nitrate should stay below 20 ppm. They are relatively disease-resistant, though scaleless patches on their body make them vulnerable to medications containing copper or formalin — always check treatment labels before dosing.
Where to Find Them
Oil Catfish are not mainstream stock in Singapore shops, but they appear intermittently in specialist stores and through online importers on Shopee and Carousell. Prices typically range from $5-$10 per fish. Their rarity in retail makes them a conversation piece in any planted tank. If you can source a group and provide the dim, tannin-rich environment they crave, Centromochlus perugiae will reward your patience with years of quiet, captivating behaviour — the kind of fish you keep watching long after the lights go down.
Related Reading
emilynakatani
Still Have Questions About Your Tank?
Drop by Gensou Aquascaping — most walk-in questions get answered in under 10 minutes by someone who has set up hundreds of tanks.
5 Everton Park #01-34B, Singapore 080005 · Open daily 11am – 8pm
