Debauwi Catfish Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Debauwi Catfish, Pareutropius buffei, is a slender African catfish with a reflective, silvery body and dark longitudinal markings. Its streamlined shape and forked tail give it a graceful appearance, while the relatively large eyes suit a fish that is active in dimmer, structured waterways. Despite its common name, it is not a close relative of the Asian glass catfishes often sold under similar names.

This species belongs to the Schilbeidae family, a group of African river catfishes that includes several active, open-water species. Debauwi Catfish are peaceful and sociable, spending much of their time swimming in the middle and upper areas of the aquarium rather than resting on the bottom like many familiar catfish.

In a group, they display much more natural behaviour. Individuals move together, investigate their surroundings and may briefly scatter when startled before regrouping. Their silvery flanks catch the light as they turn, making a shoal particularly attractive in a well-planted aquarium.

In nature, Debauwi Catfish are associated with warm African freshwater habitats where current, submerged roots and aquatic vegetation provide shelter. Their combination of active swimming, gentle temperament and unusual appearance makes them an appealing choice for aquarists interested in less commonly seen African freshwater fish.

Debauwi Catfish are native to tropical Central and West-Central Africa, particularly river systems associated with the Congo Basin and neighbouring regions. They inhabit warm freshwater streams and rivers with vegetation, submerged structure and flowing water.

A group should be provided with an aquarium of at least 75 litres, with a footprint of around 90 cm by 30 cm or larger to provide uninterrupted swimming space. Use a gentle to moderate current, efficient filtration and a secure cover, as these active catfish may jump when startled. A dark sand or fine-gravel substrate, robust plants, driftwood, roots and shaded areas create useful shelter while leaving an open central swimming zone. Dimmed lighting or floating plants can help them feel secure, particularly when first introduced.

Up to approximately 10 cm (4 inches) in total length. Females may become slightly fuller-bodied than males, but the difference is modest and overall size varies with age and condition.

This species is an omnivorous opportunistic feeder that benefits from a varied diet. Offer high-quality small flakes, micro-pellets and sinking foods, supplemented with frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm and other appropriately sized aquatic foods. Several modest meals are preferable to one large feeding, and food should be spread through the water column so the active shoal can feed without excessive competition.

Debauwi Catfish are peaceful community fish and can be kept with similarly peaceful species such as Congo Tetras, smaller African characins, peaceful barbs, rasboras, small tetras, Corydoras and other non-aggressive catfish. Tankmates should be chosen for compatible temperature and water chemistry, and large cichlids, predatory catfish, boisterous fish and fin-nippers should be avoided. Their small size and active nature make them vulnerable to being outcompeted or harassed by aggressive species.

Captive breeding of Debauwi Catfish is uncommon and relatively poorly documented. They are believed to be egg-scattering fish that spawn among fine-leaved plants or other cover, with the eggs receiving no parental care. A separate spawning setup with mature, well-conditioned adults, soft clean water and a gentle current may encourage spawning; remove the adults after eggs are laid to reduce the risk of predation. The fry require very small first foods such as infusoria before progressing to newly hatched brine shrimp.

Sexual differences are subtle. Mature females are generally deeper-bodied, especially when carrying eggs, while males tend to remain slimmer; there are no strongly contrasting colour or fin features that reliably distinguish the sexes.