Frogmouth Catfish (Chaca bankanensis) is a intermediate-level freshwater fish that needs at least 40 gallons and 73-82°F. A camouflaged ambush hunter that sits motionless on the bottom, looking like a decaying leaf, and lunges at anything small enough to swallow. It is a fascinating but specialist fish that needs a tank with no small tankmates.
Care facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Chaca bankanensis |
|---|---|
| Family | Chacidae |
| Origin | Southeast Asia (Sumatra, Borneo, Malay Peninsula) |
| Adult size | 7-8 in |
| Minimum tank | 40 gallons |
| Temperature | 73-82°F |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Temperament | Ambush predator, eats any fish it can swallow |
| Social behavior | Solitary |
| Swim level | Bottom |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Diet | Carnivore: frozen or live fish and shrimp, worms, sinking carnivore pellets |
| Typical lifespan | About 10 years |
Quick tips
- Do not keep with small fish or shrimp.
- Provide soft sand, leaf litter and wood to rest on.
- It is mostly active at night; feed in the evening.
San Diego water
Captive-bred stock usually adapts to San Diego tap water with slow acclimation. For best color and health, many keepers blend tap with RO/DI water. Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.
Before you buy
Make sure your tank is cycled (how to cycle a tank), check your numbers with the water testing guide, and use the compatibility guide to check tankmates. These are general ranges; individual fish and local water vary.
Find it at Pet Zone
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a San Diego aquarium store with two locations. Stock changes daily, so call ahead if you are after a specific species or plant. Shop online at petzonesd.com.
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open daily, 10am-6pm
Aquascaping, planted tanks
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Closed Monday; Tue-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Monster fish, koi