Vulture Catfish (9”)

Scientific Name

Calophysus macropterus

Maximum Size and Lifespan

• Size: Can reach up to 24 inches in captivity, though most remain closer to 18–20 inches.

• Lifespan: Typically 15–20 years with proper care.

Recommended Aquarium Size, Water Changes, and Care

• Aquarium Size: Minimum 180 gallons (1,100+ liters) for an adult, as this is a very large and active catfish. 250 gallons+ is recommended in a community setup 

• Water Parameters:

  • Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)

  • pH: 6.0–7.5
    

• Filtration: Extremely heavy bio-filtration is required due to their size and messy feeding habits.

• Water Changes: 30–50% weekly to maintain pristine water quality.

• Care Level: Best suited for advanced aquarists with large aquaria or indoor ponds.

Tankmates

• The Vulture Catfish is a voracious predator and opportunistic feeder.

• Tankmates must be very large, robust fish Peacock Bass, Oscars, Arowana, Datnoids, Silver Dollars and Tinfoil Barbs, Large Central/South American Cichlids, other large catfish and plecos 

• Do not keep with smaller or slow fish, as they will be eaten.
  

Diet

• A true scavenger and predator, known for feeding on dead or weakened fish in the wild.

• In aquaria, they readily accept:

  • Frozen shrimp and bloodworms

  • Sinking carnivore pellets

Overview

The Vulture Catfish (Calophysus macropterus) is a powerful, fast-growing, and highly predatory species native to South America. It is not a community fish but instead a specialist for keepers of monster aquaria. Their adaptability, durability, and feeding aggression have made them popular in the monster fish-keeping community, though they require massive setups and careful management.

Natural Environment

• Found in large river systems of the Amazon and Orinoco basins.

• Typically inhabit main river channels, floodplains, and deep waters, where they scavenge and hunt for prey.

• Play an important ecological role as scavengers in their ecosystem.

Breeding

• Extremely rare in captivity and not well-documented.

• In the wild, spawning likely coincides with the flood season, with eggs laid in submerged vegetation or protected areas.

• No reliable breeding reports exist from aquaria, and commercial availability comes from wild-caught specimens.