The eclipse catfish (Horabagrus brachysoma) is a nocturnal predator that is sold as a small, golden “community” fish and grows into a 12-18 inch giant. It will eat any tank mate it can fit in its mouth, and it needs a far bigger tank than most listings suggest.
How big do eclipse catfish get, and what do they need? Most aquarium specimens reach about 12 inches (30 cm), and the maximum recorded is 18 inches (45 cm). A single adult needs a tank around 6 feet long, and Seriously Fish lists 180 x 60 x 60 cm (about 170 gallons) as the minimum for one fish. Keep the water at 74-77°F (23-25°C) with a pH of 6.0-7.5, and house it only with large, peaceful fish.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eclipse Catfish Facts & Overview
| Category | Rating |
| Scientific name: | Horabagrus brachysoma |
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Temperament: | Peaceful with fish its own size; eats anything it can swallow |
| Color Form: | Yellowish-brown |
| Lifespan: | Up to 10 years |
| Size: | About 12 inches (30 cm) typical in aquariums, up to 18 inches (45 cm) |
| Diet: | Carnivore/omnivore: meaty foods, pellets, some plant matter |
| Family: | Bagridae |
| Minimum Tank Size: | About 170 gallons (180 x 60 x 60 cm) for one fish |
| Temperature: | 74-77°F (23-25°C) |
| pH: | 6.0-7.5 |
| Hardness: | 5-25 dGH |
| Tank Set-Up: | Freshwater with caves, wood, and rocks |
| Compatibility: | Fish of the same size or larger |
The eclipse catfish is native to Kerala in southwestern India. It lives in sluggish tributaries, backwaters, lakes and pools with muddy or sandy bottoms, plenty of plant cover and slow currents. In the wild it eats smaller fish, insects, other invertebrates and some plant matter.
The fish is sold under many names, which makes it easy to mix up:
- Asian Sun Catfish
- Burmese Sun Catfish (a misleading name, since the fish is Indian)
- Indian Sun Catfish
- Sun Catfish
- Sunspot Catfish
Typical Behavior
Eclipse catfish are predators. After lights out, they will swallow any fish small enough to fit in their mouths, including fish that were safe all day.
During the day they are shy and stay hidden among rocks, caves and wood. They become active at night, when they patrol the tank and hunt.
They also eat enthusiastically and will keep begging, so judge portions by the size of the fish and not by how hungry it acts.
What Do Eclipse Catfish Look Like?
Eclipse catfish are yellowish-brown, with a dark, round blotch behind the head that gives the “eclipse” name. The color fades as the fish matures, so a bright golden juvenile will usually turn duller.
They have four pairs of barbels, a forked tail, a rounded dorsal fin, and a large head and eyes.
The genus Horabagrus is easy to confuse with its relatives. Horabagrus nigricollaris is a smaller species from the Chalakudy River, and it has a collar-like marking on its neck instead of a round shoulder spot. A third species, H. melanosoma, was described in 2013 but is now considered a synonym of H. brachysoma.
Juveniles are sold at 2-3 inches, which is why the fish looks manageable in the shop. Practical Fishkeeping notes that claims of a 5 inch adult size are wrong, so plan for a foot or more.
How can you tell males from females?
You mostly can’t. Sexing is described as difficult or unknown, and captive fish rarely reach maturity. Some keepers report reddish vents on males and soft, rounded bellies on mature females, but treat this as unconfirmed.
What Tank Setup Do Eclipse Catfish Need?
Eclipse catfish are nocturnal, so keep the lighting dim. Floating plants help, and a blackwater look with driftwood tannins is a good fit for a fish from slow, turbid water.
Give them plenty of cover: large chunks of bogwood, tangles of beech branches, big rocks, or wide lengths of plastic pipe. A fish that can’t hide in the day becomes stressed and may stop eating.
They produce a lot of waste, so you need a large, efficient biological filter. But they come from slow water, so aim the outflow at the glass or place a plant in front of the intake to soften the current.
Use sand or fine, smooth substrate to mimic their natural bottoms.
What water conditions do eclipse catfish need?
Eclipse catfish adapt to a fairly wide range, but they dislike sudden swings. Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate often, since heavy waste pushes those numbers up fast.
A 25% water change every week is safer than every other week for a fish this size in a tank at the minimum. Every other week can work in a much larger, lightly stocked tank, as long as nitrate stays low. Snails and “cleaner” fish don’t remove enough waste to replace water changes, and most of the usual cleaner fish would end up as food.
Target parameters:
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Water hardness: 5-25 dGH
- Water temperature: 74-77°F (23-25°C)
What size aquarium do eclipse catfish need?
Plan on at least 170 gallons (about 650 liters), with a footprint of roughly 6 feet by 2 feet, for one adult. Seriously Fish gives 180 x 60 x 60 cm as the minimum, and Aquariadise recommends 200 gallons for a single fish. A 75-gallon tank is only suitable as a short-term home for a juvenile.
For several fish or any tank mates, go larger still.
What are good tank mates for eclipse catfish?
Choose fish that are about the same size as the eclipse catfish or larger, and peaceful. Anything small enough to swallow, including tetras, small barbs, guppies and shrimp, will be eaten.
Compatible tank mates reported by Seriously Fish and other sources include:
- Arowanas
- Large cyprinids, such as big barbs
- Large characins, such as silver dollars
- Large Cichlids
- Other large catfish, including big plecos
- Bichirs
Most of these fish also get big, so tank size is the real limit. Avoid slow, long-finned fish that a night-time predator could nip or swallow.
Can you keep eclipse catfish together?
Yes, but only in a very large tank. Seriously Fish reports no conflict between members of the species, and juveniles are often kept in groups. Practical Fishkeeping notes that larger individuals become less tolerant of companions, so expect more squabbling as they age and have extra hides and space ready. For three or four juveniles or subadults it suggests a tank of at least 120 x 45 x 45 cm (about 48 inches long), which you will outgrow quickly.
What Do Eclipse Catfish Eat?
Eclipse catfish are predators that also take some plant matter. Live food is their first choice, but most specimens are easy to feed and accept frozen and dried foods.
Good foods include:
- Earthworms
- Frozen prawns and shrimp
- Mussels and clams (a good choice for juveniles)
- Insects and other invertebrates
- Sinking carnivore pellets
- Algae wafers or other plant-based food as an occasional extra
Feed juveniles once or twice a day and adults once a day, offering only what they finish in a few minutes. Feed after the lights go dim, since they are more active then. Avoid live feeder fish, which can carry parasites and disease.
How Do You Keep Eclipse Catfish Healthy?
The eclipse catfish is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (last assessed in 2010), and wild populations face pollution and habitat loss. If you decide to keep one, buy captive-sourced fish where you can, and commit to the tank size it needs for life.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Cloudy or bulging eyes
- White spots, which suggest ich
- Open sores or inflamed patches
- Lethargy or refusing food for several days
Those signs can point to parasites such as ich or skin flukes, or to a bacterial infection. Test the water first, because poor water is the most common cause, then quarantine and treat the fish as needed.
The most common mistake is buying a 3-inch juvenile for a 55-gallon tank. The fish outgrows it within a year or two, and the usual outcomes are stunting, stress, or rehoming a 12-inch fish.
Can You Breed Eclipse Catfish?
No. Seriously Fish lists reproduction as unrecorded in captivity, and no home-aquarium success is documented. Home tanks rarely give the fish enough room to reach breeding size, and sexing them is close to impossible. In the wild they are egg layers.
Are Eclipse Catfish Right for Your Aquarium?
Eclipse catfish suit keepers with a tank of 170 gallons or more, no small fish, and an interest in a night-active predator. They are quiet and hidden during the day, and active when you feed them in the evening.
If you have a smaller tank or a community of small fish, choose a different species.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can sun catfish get?
Sun catfish, the same fish as the eclipse catfish, reach about 12 inches (30 cm) in aquariums and up to 18 inches (45 cm) at most. The 18-inch maximum is the recorded wild length, so plan the tank for a 12-inch adult.
Can eclipse catfish live with other fish?
Yes, with large, peaceful fish such as arowanas, big cichlids, large barbs and silver dollars. They eat anything that fits in their mouth, so never keep them with small fish or shrimp.
Are eclipse catfish aggressive?
Not toward fish their own size. They are best described as peaceful predators, and the danger is to anything small enough to swallow, mostly at night.
What do eclipse catfish eat?
They eat meaty foods such as earthworms, prawns, mussels and insects, plus sinking pellets. Live food is their favorite, but most accept frozen and dried foods.
What size tank does an eclipse catfish need?
About 170 gallons (180 x 60 x 60 cm) for one adult, according to Seriously Fish. Some keepers recommend 200 gallons or more.
Are eclipse catfish the same as sun catfish?
Yes. Asian sun catfish, Indian sun catfish, sunspot catfish and eclipse catfish all refer to Horabagrus brachysoma.
Can an eclipse catfish stay in an outside pond year round?