🐟 Iron Head Driftwood Catfish — (Trachycorystes trachycorystes)

The Iron Head Driftwood Catfish earns its name from its armored, bony skull and ability to wedge itself tightly among driftwood and crevices. Native to South America, particularly the Amazon and its tributaries, this nocturnal predator blends into submerged root tangles, waiting to ambush prey.

This species is highly adaptable, secretive by day, and a powerful hunter at night. Its combination of rugged armor, large size potential, and stealthy behavior makes it a favorite among serious catfish keepers who appreciate unusual predatory species.

🌊 Tank Setup

• 🏠 Tank Size: Minimum 150 gallons for adults.
• 🪵 Lots of driftwood, caves, and shaded areas for hiding.
• 💨 Moderate to strong filtration — thrives in well-oxygenated water.
• 💡 Dim lighting to reduce stress and mimic natural habitat.

🍽️ Diet

• 🥩 Carnivore — feeds on fish, crustaceans, and insects in the wild.
• 🐟 In captivity: offer fresh/frozen shrimp, tilapia, silversides, mussels, earthworms, and quality carnivore pellets.
• ⚠️ Will consume tankmates small enough to fit in its mouth.
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⚖️ Temperament

• 🐾 Generally peaceful toward similar-sized fish but strictly predatory toward smaller ones.
• 🚫 Not a community fish — best kept with other large, robust species.

🧠 Behavior & Care

• 🌙 Strongly nocturnal — becomes far more active after lights out.
• 🪵 Excellent at camouflage among driftwood.
• 🧹 Requires excellent water quality due to messy feeding habits.

📋 At a glance

💡 A nocturnal ambush predator built like a tank, the Iron Head Driftwood Catfish thrives in large aquariums with plenty of hiding places — but demands keepers who can meet its space, diet, and water quality needs.