Pygmy Driftwood Catfish (Trachelyichthys exilis) is one of the smallest members of the driftwood catfish family (Auchenipteridae), native to the Rio Nanay — a tributary of the Amazon River in northern Peru. Slender and elongated, this peaceful little catfish is uncommon in the hobby but makes an excellent, low-impact addition to a South American community tank.
In the wild, this species inhabits slow-moving, heavily shaded blackwater streams. To replicate that in the aquarium, set up a heavily planted, dimly lit tank — floating plants are an easy way to diffuse bright lighting, which this species genuinely dislikes. Leave open swimming space between planted areas, and provide caves, tubes, or driftwood for daytime hiding, as this catfish is somewhat nocturnal but will also scavenge during the day once settled.
Feeding & Care Tip: An omnivorous scavenger, this species accepts most sinking foods readily — high-quality sinking pellets or wafers make a fine daily staple. For ideal condition, supplement regularly with live or frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp, plus occasional finely chopped vegetables. Feeding is best done in the evening or after lights-out, when this species is most active and confident coming out to forage.
Keep in groups of 3 or more — this species is completely non-aggressive toward its own kind and is more confident and visible in a small group than kept singly. It's a genuinely peaceful tankmate for tetras, dwarf cichlids, Corydoras, and smaller Loricariid plecos, and is safe with all but the smallest fry. Males have a distinctly modified anal fin (used similarly to a livebearer's gonopodium, since this family uses internal fertilization) — an easy way to tell the sexes apart once mature.
Acclimate slowly, as with most wild-caught South American imports, and avoid sudden parameter swings. This species has been bred occasionally in the home aquarium, with females scattering a handful of eggs at a time rather than laying a single large clutch, though detailed breeding data remains limited.
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Temperament | Completely peaceful — safe even with most fry |
| Typical Adult Size | 3–3.2 inches (7.6–8 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 3 or more — non-aggressive but more confident in a group |
| Ideal Temp | 72–77°F (22–25°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.0 |
| Ideal GH | 8–15 dGH |
| Primary Food | High-quality sinking pellets/wafers, plus regular live/frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp |
| Supplemental Food | Finely chopped vegetables |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Origin | Rio Nanay, a tributary of the Amazon River, northern Peru |
| Notes | Dislikes bright light — use floating plants to diffuse. Males have a modified anal fin used for internal fertilization. Feed in evening/after lights-out for best activity. |
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