Tatia perugiae Breeding Guide

How to breed the driftwood catfish Tatia perugiae, an internally fertilising woodcat that lays guarded eggs in crevices.

Overview

Tatia perugiae (now widely catalogued as Centromochlus perugiae / Duringlanis perugiae) is a small South American driftwood catfish of the family Auchenipteridae, distributed in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru. Unlike most catfishes it reproduces by internal fertilisation, and it is considered one of the more readily bred members of its group in home aquaria.

Sexing

Mature males develop a modified, extended anal fin that functions in a manner similar to the gonopodium of livebearers and is used to transfer sperm internally. Females are noticeably rounder and stockier in the body, particularly when carrying eggs.

Conditioning

Condition adults on meaty, insect-based foods such as frozen mosquito larvae and other small invertebrate items, which match the nocturnal surface-insect diet of wild fish. Maintain temperatures within roughly 24-30 °C and a near-neutral pH; the species tolerates a wide pH band (reported about 5.0-8.0) and soft to moderately hard water.

Breeding Setup

Provide a moderate to strong water flow and abundant small crevices in which eggs can be deposited; narrow caves, driftwood gaps and lengths of PVC tube are all readily used. Good oxygenation suits the species, which naturally occupies swift river margins over sandy substrate.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Fertilisation takes place internally via the male's modified anal fin, typically at night. The female then deposits eggs into a cave or crevice some days after fertilisation. Because females can retain viable sperm, fertile eggs are sometimes laid without a male present at the moment of spawning. Spawns frequently go unnoticed until fry appear.

Egg & Fry Care

A clutch is on the order of about one hundred eggs. Reported incubation is roughly four to seven days depending on temperature; the female may guard the eggs in the crevice. After the yolk is absorbed, free-swimming fry take small live foods such as microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp. Fry feed in darkness and tend to shelter near the surface, so fine floating cover helps. Adults may eat fry, so separating eggs or young improves survival.

Common Challenges

The main difficulties are confirming sex on quiet, nocturnal fish, providing the flow and crevices needed to trigger spawning, and protecting eggs and fry from being consumed. Stable water quality and consistent feeding of small live foods are the key levers for raising fry.