Description
Black Lancer Catfish are native to Thailand, Indonesia and Sumatra and found in slow moving turbid waters with muddy bottoms. A very attractive species, it benefits from a dimly lit aquarium with lots of hiding places in the form of driftwood, clay pots and pipes.
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Features of Black Lancer Catfish:
- Black to dark grey long body with a silver to white strip running laterally
- Females are larger bodied
- Small tail compared to body with large upright dorsal fin
- Nocturnal species
- Care level: Easy
- Grows to 23cm
The Best Aquarium Size for Black Lancer Catfish:
Black Lancer Catfish do well in a tank of 200L or larger. If keeping a community aquarium or multiple talking catfish, consider a larger aquarium.
After an Aquarium for your fish? Browse Aquarium Tank Selection here.
Tank Mate Compatibility:
Black Lancer Catfish are peaceful community dwellers that can be territorial towards their own kind. They are nocturnal therefore spend the day hiding and become active under moonlight conditions. Usually peaceful to even smaller species of fish, best to keep with medium peaceful species.
Great tank mates include:
Diet:
Black Lancer Catfish are omnivores and feed on small insects, larvae and organic detritus. Feed spirulina wafers, catfish pellets of wafers or sinking pellets. Their diet can be supplemented with live, frozen or freeze dried bloodworms, blackworms, and brine shrimp.
Check out our extensive range of aquarium fish foods.
Black Lancer Catfish Tank Setup:
Aquarium Filtration
Black Lancer Catfish prefer slow moving waters. Ensure your filter has an adequate flow rate for your aquarium size to effective remove waste and debris while offering only gentle water movement. For extra oxygenation, add an air pump and air stone.
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Plants for Black Lancer Catfish
There are no strict cultivars that these fish prefer and they typically do not eat aquarium plants unless plants are deteriorating. They enjoy shaded areas and places to hide, this makes them feel safe. They do become less shy when the aquarium is shaded with foliage.
Interested in live plants for your aquariums? Browse live plants here.
Decorations for Black Lancer Catfish
Driftwood is excellent forBlack Lancer Catfishas this provides lots of structure for the fish to hide in during the day. Other decorations include caves and ornaments the fish can swim and hide in. Stack rocks and create the perfect hideaways or use terracotta pots and pipes.
After more nice quality decorations? Check our Aquarium Ornaments.
Aquarium Lighting for Black Lancer Catfish
These fish enjoy lower light levels with lots of shade and dark spaces to hide. If keeping live plants, they will need sufficient light to grow. Dimmable LED lighting offers the ability to change to moonlight modes and encourage more activity.
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Aquarium Substrate Black Lancer Catfish
Aquarium sand and smooth small grade gravels are perfect for this species. As it is a bottom dweller it will spend its time on the aquarium floor.
A variety of Substrates are available at Coburg Aquarium.
