The Gulper Catfish is a fascinating, oddball predator known for its astonishing ability to swallow prey nearly as large as itself — a talent that has earned it both its name and legendary status among monster fish keepers. Its huge head, massive mouth, and wide, stocky body give it a truly unique appearance, while its slow, deliberate movements make it mesmerizing to watch.
Native to the Orinoco and Rio Negro river basins in Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil, the Gulper Catfish lurks in slow-moving waters, ambushing prey with incredible speed. This is not a community fish — anything that can fit in its mouth will disappear.
🌊 Tank Setup
🍽️ Diet
⚖️ Temperament
🧠 Behavior & Care
🔖 Scientific Name | Asterophysus batrachus |
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🐟 Common Name | Gulper Catfish |
🌎 Origin | Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil (Orinoco & Rio Negro basins) |
📏 Size | Up to 12–14" (30–36 cm) |
🌡️ Temperature | 74–82°F (23–28°C) |
💧 pH Range | 6.0–7.5 |
🐟 Temperament | Solitary predator |
🏠 Tank Size | 75–100+ gallons |
🍽️ Diet | Carnivore |
🎯 Experience | Intermediate–Advanced |
💡 The Gulper Catfish is a true predator tank showpiece — slow, stealthy, and capable of swallowing astonishingly large prey. Best suited for species-only setups or tanks with tankmates far too big to fit in its cavernous mouth.