Auchenoglanis occidentalis occidentalis

Characteristics
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 3-4; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Head large with heavily built body. The upper jaw has oval-shaped teeth.

Colour
The main description for A.occidentalis is that it can be differentiated from all other congeners (except A.tchadiensis) by having a uniformly coloured body

Compatibility
Best suited to the larger aquarium. Peaceful large catfish which will do well in company of larger characins from Africa and large Barbs.

Breeding
No reports on the breeding of this species in captivity as it would need a very large tank with a number of individuals. In its natural habitat the nested eggs are guarded by the male. Furthermore, the male plays host to eggs and young of Dinotopterus cunningtoni, a member of the Claridae catfish family, which takes advantage of the already prepared nest and feeds on the host brood.

Feeding
Will eat a variety of foods. Tablet and pellet foods with a good quality flake and frozen bloodworms. Also relishes live worms such as the common garden worm, making sure that there has been no weedkiller on the premises, and white worm.

these are great quite friendly to other fish and very active,wish there were more of the larger and predatory african cats avaible