Photo: Beta Mahatvaraj (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
Black Collared Catfish (Horabagrus nigricollaris)
A boldly patterned, endangered Indian catfish with a striking black collar — a rare and rewarding specimen for the dedicated large-tank keeper.
Will it live with a Black Collared Catfish?
We compare each fish against your black collared catfish on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Bristlenose Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 23–30 °C (73–86 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Elephant-nose Knifefish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 35 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Marbled Hoplo✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 14 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Rubber Lip Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Snowball Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 16 cm · Medium care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–25 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Spotted Rubbernose Pleco✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 12 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–25 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Spotted Talking Catfish✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 15 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Weather Loach✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 25 cm · Easy care · 5–24 °C (41–75 °F)
- Semi-aggressive + Peaceful, but with no direct clash here, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Altifrons Geophagus⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Altifrons Geophagus can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~378 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Altifrons Geophagus in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Angelicus Synodontis⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Angelicus Synodontis can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Clown Loach⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 30 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~400 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Galaxy Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Galaxy Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Gold Nugget Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 28 cm · Hard care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~250 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Honeycomb Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 21 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Honeycomb Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Kissing Gourami⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Leopard Cactus Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Mango Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 28 cm · Hard care · 25–32 °C (77–90 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Mango Pleco can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~265 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Peacock Eel⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Pearl Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 28 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Severum⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 25 cm · Medium care · 23–30 °C (73–86 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Severum can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Silver Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Silver Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~280 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Spotted Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Sunshine Pleco⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 30 cm · Hard care · 23–29 °C (73–84 °F)
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~473 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- True Parrot Cichlid⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 33 cm · Hard care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and True Parrot Cichlid can both be territorial; doable with space and dense planting, but watch for chasing.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Black Collared Catfish and Alligator Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Black Collared Catfish is bite-sized to a 250 cm predatory alligator gar — it will be eaten.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Clown Knifefish are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Size gap is too large (90 vs 27 cm): Clown Knifefish will treat Black Collared Catfish as food.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Fire Eel⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Size gap is too large (100 vs 27 cm): Fire Eel will treat Black Collared Catfish as food.
- Both are a bit pushy (semi-aggressive + semi-aggressive) — workable only in a larger tank with cover and broken sight lines.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Black Collared Catfish and Redtail Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Redtail Catfish (120 cm) is big enough to swallow the 27 cm Black Collared Catfish whole.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Black Collared Catfish and Spotted Gar will hold territory and clash.
- Spotted Gar (90 cm) is big enough to swallow the 27 cm Black Collared Catfish whole.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Two assertive fish, one genuinely aggressive: Black Collared Catfish and Wels Catfish will hold territory and clash.
- Black Collared Catfish is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Black Collared Catfish and Wolf Cichlid are both territorial and at least one is outright aggressive — expect serious fighting.
- Size gap is too large (72 vs 27 cm): Wolf Cichlid will treat Black Collared Catfish as food.
- Your 243 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Black Collared Catfish care specs
- Care level
- Hard
- Breeding
- Very Hard
- Max size
- 27 cm (10.6 in)
- Min tank size
- 243 L (64.2 gal)
- Temperature
- 23–25 °C (73–77 °F)
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 8–15 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Group size
- Best alone or in a pair
- Family
- Bagridae
- Origin
- South India — Chalakudy River basin, Western Ghats, Kerala
What is a Black Collared Catfish?
The Black Collared Catfish (Horabagrus nigricollaris) is a nocturnal, predatory bagrid catfish endemic to South India and listed as endangered in the wild. It belongs to the same genus as the more familiar Sun Catfish (H. brachysoma), but is considerably rarer in the ornamental trade — sourced almost exclusively from wild collection. Adults reach up to 27 cm (about 11 in) and carry one of the most distinctive markings in the catfish hobby: a bold, solid black collar band wrapping the body just behind the head, set against a yellow-olive base colour.
This is a specialist’s fish. It is secretive, large, and carnivorous. The conservation context matters too: responsible sourcing and excellent long-term husbandry are both an ethical and practical obligation.
Where does the Black Collared Catfish come from?
Horabagrus nigricollaris is known only from the Chalakudy River basin in Kerala, South India, part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. These rivers are warm, relatively soft, slightly acidic, and carry moderate organic loads from leaf litter and forest runoff — conditions that define the species’ preferred water chemistry.
The Western Ghats face ongoing habitat pressure from hydroelectric development and agricultural runoff, which is why the IUCN lists this species as endangered. Wild-caught individuals occasionally appear in the ornamental trade, but volumes are low and specimens rarely surface in mainstream stores. Verify the source carefully before buying.
What tank size and setup does the Black Collared Catfish need?
A single adult requires a minimum of 243 litres (64 gal). Because this is a bottom-dwelling fish up to 27 cm (11 in) long, footprint matters more than height — aim for at least 120 × 50 cm (48 × 20 in) on the base. A 300–400 L (80–105 gal) tank is a more comfortable long-term home.
The aquascape should prioritise cover and subdued light. Without secure hiding spots this catfish remains chronically stressed and may refuse food. Suitable structures include large bogwood tangles, stacked flat slate forming cave overhangs, or wide-bore PVC pipe. Keep the substrate soft — fine sand or smooth gravel — and use dense perimeter planting to break sightlines. Filtration must handle the bioload of a large carnivore, but keep bottom flow moderate. A dusk-onset lighting timer suits a fish that is active mostly at night.
What water parameters does the Black Collared Catfish need?
Match the chemistry of the Chalakudy River — soft, slightly acidic to neutral:
- Temperature: 23–25 °C (73–77 °F). This is a cooler range than many tropicals; avoid tropical community temperatures pushing 28–30 °C.
- pH: 5.5–7.5. A target of 6.5–7.0 is comfortable and easy to maintain.
- Hardness: 2–12 dGH — soft to moderately hard; avoid calcium-heavy hard tap water unless mixed down.
Weekly partial water changes of 20–25% are essential given the carnivore diet and corresponding ammonia load. Test for ammonia and nitrite regularly, especially in a newly cycled tank. Stable parameters matter more than perfect numbers — sudden swings are more damaging than a pH that is 0.3 off target.
What does the Black Collared Catfish eat?
This is a carnivore and an opportunistic predator in the wild, feeding on fish, invertebrates, and large organic matter. In captivity it adapts well to a varied diet of meaty foods offered at or after lights-out:
- Sinking carnivore pellets (a practical staple — choose a protein-rich formula sized for large catfish)
- Whole or chunked earthworms — an excellent conditioner
- Prawn, mussel, or cockle (fresh or frozen)
- Frozen lance fish or whitebait for variety
- Live fish should be avoided; feeder fish carry disease and reinforce undesirable predatory focus
Feed once daily after the lights go down. Remove uneaten food before it fouls the water — a large catfish can leave behind significant waste. Monitor body condition over weeks: a healthy specimen should be gently rounded between the pectoral fins, not sunken or bloated.
How does the Black Collared Catfish behave, and what tank-mates can it have?
The Black Collared Catfish is semi-aggressive and a confirmed predator — at 27 cm, it can swallow a wide range of community fish. It hides during daylight and becomes active and deliberate at dusk and through the night.
Tank-mate selection starts from one rule: if it fits in the mouth, it will eventually disappear. Safe companions include large barbs (Tinfoil Barb, adult Denison Barb), substantial cyprinids such as large Labeo species, and robust medium-to-large catfish — provided the tank is large enough that territories do not overlap. Avoid all nano fish, dwarf cichlids, shrimp, snails, and any fish under roughly 12–15 cm in an adult tank.
For a full compatibility breakdown, see Black Collared Catfish tank mates.
How do you tell male from female Black Collared Catfish?
Sexual dimorphism in Horabagrus nigricollaris is not reliably distinguishable by external examination under normal aquarium conditions. Unlike many catfish families where vent shape, odontodes on the pectoral spines, or fin coloration give clues, Horabagrus species do not show consistently useful markers in hobbyist observation. Mature females may appear broader and fuller-bodied when gravid — a subtle and seasonal difference. In practice, most keepers cannot reliably sex individuals without veterinary or specialist examination. When buying, choosing the largest available specimens and accepting uncertainty is the realistic approach.
How do you breed Black Collared Catfish?
Breeding Horabagrus nigricollaris in captivity is rated Very Hard and has not been documented reliably in the hobbyist literature. H. brachysoma (the Sun Catfish) has been farmed commercially using hormone induction, which provides some structural guidance, but replicating this at home with a rarely kept endangered species is a serious undertaking. Any attempt would need a large dedicated breeding tank, extended conditioning on live and frozen foods, seasonally mimicked parameters, and likely hormone induction beyond normal hobbyist scope. For most keepers, excellent long-term care of existing specimens is the more meaningful contribution.
What diseases are common in Black Collared Catfish?
As a scaleless or thin-scaled catfish, Horabagrus nigricollaris is more vulnerable than scaled fish to some disease and treatment issues. Key concerns include:
- Bacterial infections — often manifested as redness around the collar band, fin edges, or barbels; typically triggered by poor water quality or physical injury
- Fungal infections — secondary infections at injury sites, particularly after transport stress
- Ich (white spot) — possible in cooler, stressed conditions; catfish can carry ich and show symptoms differently than scaled fish
- Internal parasites — a realistic concern in wild-caught specimens; a veterinary-supervised prophylactic protocol is worth discussing when a new fish arrives
The single most effective prevention strategy is water quality. Frequent partial water changes, a mature biological filter, and prompt removal of uneaten food eliminate the conditions under which most pathogens take hold. Quarantine all new arrivals for a minimum of four weeks before adding them to an established tank.
Health note: medication dosing and disease diagnosis are beyond the scope of a care profile. Scaleless catfish are sensitive to many standard medications — always check species compatibility before treating, and consult a fish-health specialist or aquatic vet when in doubt.
How long does the Black Collared Catfish live?
With dedicated care, a Black Collared Catfish can live 8–15 years in captivity — a substantial commitment. That lifespan is only achievable if the fundamentals are maintained consistently: appropriate tank size, cool and stable water chemistry in the 23–25 °C range, a varied carnivore diet, and secure daytime hiding. Given its endangered status in the wild, a long, healthy life in a well-maintained aquarium is both a personal reward and a meaningful outcome for a fish that should never have been an easy commodity.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Black Collared Catfish the same as the Sun Catfish?
No — the Sun Catfish is Horabagrus brachysoma, a more commonly traded and commercially farmed relative. H. nigricollaris is rarer in the hobby, grows slightly larger, and sports a distinctive solid black collar rather than the spotted pattern of its cousin. Both come from the Western Ghats of Kerala.
Can I keep Black Collared Catfish with small tank-mates?
No. This species is an opportunistic predator that will consume any fish or invertebrate small enough to fit in its mouth. Stick to robust, similarly sized tank-mates such as large cyprinids or other substantial catfish, and never house it with nano fish, dwarf shrimp, or small tetras.
What you need to keep a black collared catfish
The baseline is a heated, filtered 243 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 23–25 °C (73–77 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a black collared catfish in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
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