Eel-tail Banjo Catfish - (Platystacus cotylephorus)

🐟 Eel-tail Banjo Catfish (Platystacus cotylephorus)

A fascinating and uniquely shaped catfish, the Eel-tail Banjo Catfish is known for its flattened body and eel-like tail. Native to South America, this bottom-dwelling species is nocturnal and well-adapted to soft substrates and dense cover.

🔍 Quick Facts

• 🆔 Common Name: Eel-tail Banjo Catfish
• 🧬 Scientific Name: Platystacus cotylephorus
• 🧬 Family: Aspredinidae (Banjo Catfishes)
• 🌎 Origin: South America (Amazon Basin)
• 📏 Max Size: Up to 12 cm (4.7 inches)

🕊️ Behavior & Temperament

• 🕊️ Nocturnal and shy
• 🐠 Bottom-dweller that enjoys burrowing in soft substrate
• 🤝 Best kept alone or in small groups

🏡 Tank Requirements

• 🛁 Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons or larger
• 🏖️ Soft sand substrate to allow burrowing
• 🪨 Provide driftwood, leaf litter, and caves for hiding
• 💨 Gentle water flow with clean, well-oxygenated water

Water Parameters:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 6.0–7.0
• 💧 Soft to moderately hard water

📊 Overview Table

📝 Snippet

The Eel-tail Banjo Catfish (Platystacus cotylephorus) is a shy, nocturnal bottom-dweller from the Amazon Basin. It prefers soft substrates and plenty of hiding places to thrive.