Buy Aulonocara and Malawi at Vegas Valley Cichlids

$49.99

$55
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$55
FLAT RATE SHIPPING

100% LIVE ARRIVAL
GUARANTEE

TALK TO A PERSON
SUPPORT 24/7

Availability: 1 In Stock

Vulture Catfish (Calophysus macropterus)

The Vulture Catfish, also known as the Piracatinga, Zamurito, or Carrion Catfish, is a unique scavenging fish native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America. Its reputation as a rapid scavenger, capable of stripping carcasses clean, makes it a fascinating but challenging species to keep in captivity.


Origin and Habitat

  • Native Region:
    The Vulture Catfish is found in South America, primarily in the Amazon River Basin and Orinoco River Basin, covering countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.
    • It thrives in slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and murky waters.
    • Often found in areas with high organic matter, where it can scavenge efficiently.

Physical Characteristics

  • Size:

    • Can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) in length.
    • Requires ample swimming space due to its active nature.
  • Coloration:

    • Typically gray to dark brown with a lighter underbelly.
    • Juveniles may exhibit subtle patterns that fade as they mature.
  • Body Structure:

    • Elongated body with a broad head and large eyes for nocturnal activity.
    • Possesses strong barbels (whiskers) to detect food in murky waters.

Behavior and Temperament

  • Temperament:

    • Highly opportunistic scavenger with an aggressive feeding response.
    • Can become territorial, especially when food is scarce.
  • Activity Level:

    • Nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night.
    • Prefers to hide during the day and emerge at night to search for food.
  • Compatibility:

    • Best kept with other large, fast-moving fish.
    • Avoid housing with small or slow fish, as they may be seen as food.

Aquarium Care

  • Tank Size:

    • 125+ gallons is recommended for a single adult Vulture Catfish.
    • Larger tanks (200+ gallons) are needed for multiple specimens.
  • Water Parameters:

    • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
    • pH: 6.0-7.5
    • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water.
  • Tank Setup:

    • Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to prevent injury.
    • Decor: Rocks, driftwood, and caves for hiding spots.
    • Filtration: Strong filtration is essential to handle the high bioload.
    • Lighting: Prefers dim lighting or shaded areas.

Diet and Feeding

  • Natural Diet:

    • Feeds primarily on dead fish, carcasses, and organic debris.
    • Will eat weakened or slow-moving prey if given the opportunity.
  • Diet in Captivity:

    • Requires a high-protein diet consisting of:
      • Fish fillets, shrimp, squid, mussels, and worms.
      • Sinking carnivore pellets or frozen foods.
    • Avoid overfeeding, as they are prone to obesity.

Breeding

  • Reproduction in the Wild:

    • Little is known about their exact breeding behaviors.
    • Believed to reproduce in flooded areas during the rainy season.
  • Captivity Breeding:

    • Extremely rare, as breeding conditions are difficult to replicate.

Importance in the Ecosystem and Human Use

  • Ecosystem Role:

    • Acts as a natural cleaner, consuming decaying organic matter.
    • Helps prevent the spread of disease by removing dead fish.
  • Commercial Use:

    • In some South American countries, Vulture Catfish are used for fishing bait.
    • Also harvested for food, but concerns exist over high mercury levels in their flesh.

Vulture Catfish (Calophysus macropterus)

The Vulture Catfish, also known as the Piracatinga, Zamurito, or Carrion Catfish, is a unique scavenging fish native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America. Its reputation as a rapid scavenger, capable of stripping carcasses clean, makes it a fascinating but challenging species to keep in captivity.


Origin and Habitat

  • Native Region:
    The Vulture Catfish is found in South America, primarily in the Amazon River Basin and Orinoco River Basin, covering countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.
    • It thrives in slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and murky waters.
    • Often found in areas with high organic matter, where it can scavenge efficiently.

Physical Characteristics

  • Size:

    • Can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) in length.
    • Requires ample swimming space due to its active nature.
  • Coloration:

    • Typically gray to dark brown with a lighter underbelly.
    • Juveniles may exhibit subtle patterns that fade as they mature.
  • Body Structure:

    • Elongated body with a broad head and large eyes for nocturnal activity.
    • Possesses strong barbels (whiskers) to detect food in murky waters.

Behavior and Temperament

  • Temperament:

    • Highly opportunistic scavenger with an aggressive feeding response.
    • Can become territorial, especially when food is scarce.
  • Activity Level:

    • Nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night.
    • Prefers to hide during the day and emerge at night to search for food.
  • Compatibility:

    • Best kept with other large, fast-moving fish.
    • Avoid housing with small or slow fish, as they may be seen as food.

Aquarium Care

  • Tank Size:

    • 125+ gallons is recommended for a single adult Vulture Catfish.
    • Larger tanks (200+ gallons) are needed for multiple specimens.
  • Water Parameters:

    • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
    • pH: 6.0-7.5
    • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water.
  • Tank Setup:

    • Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to prevent injury.
    • Decor: Rocks, driftwood, and caves for hiding spots.
    • Filtration: Strong filtration is essential to handle the high bioload.
    • Lighting: Prefers dim lighting or shaded areas.

Diet and Feeding

  • Natural Diet:

    • Feeds primarily on dead fish, carcasses, and organic debris.
    • Will eat weakened or slow-moving prey if given the opportunity.
  • Diet in Captivity:

    • Requires a high-protein diet consisting of:
      • Fish fillets, shrimp, squid, mussels, and worms.
      • Sinking carnivore pellets or frozen foods.
    • Avoid overfeeding, as they are prone to obesity.

Breeding

  • Reproduction in the Wild:

    • Little is known about their exact breeding behaviors.
    • Believed to reproduce in flooded areas during the rainy season.
  • Captivity Breeding:

    • Extremely rare, as breeding conditions are difficult to replicate.

Importance in the Ecosystem and Human Use

  • Ecosystem Role:

    • Acts as a natural cleaner, consuming decaying organic matter.
    • Helps prevent the spread of disease by removing dead fish.
  • Commercial Use:

    • In some South American countries, Vulture Catfish are used for fishing bait.
    • Also harvested for food, but concerns exist over high mercury levels in their flesh.

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Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water.  This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.

Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)

Order Placed on:

Ship Date:

Arrival Date: UPS Overnight

Arrival Date: Southwest

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Monday

Tuesday

Friday

Thursday

Monday

Tuesday

Saturday

Friday

Monday

Tuesday

Sunday

Saturday

Monday

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

Tuesday

Wed

Tuesday

Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.

Note:  If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.

Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
     For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.          

    Southwest:
    
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
    we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.

Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water.  This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.

Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)

Order Placed on:

Ship Date:

Arrival Date: UPS Overnight

Arrival Date: Southwest

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Monday

Tuesday

Friday

Thursday

Monday

Tuesday

Saturday

Friday

Monday

Tuesday

Sunday

Saturday

Monday

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

Tuesday

Wed

Tuesday

Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.

Note:  If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.

Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
     For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.          

    Southwest:
    
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
    we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.

Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.

VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.

    25% DOA
    We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish. 

   50% DOA
  
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.

   75% DOA
   We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
   You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.

 

Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.

VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.

    25% DOA
    We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish. 

   50% DOA
  
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.

   75% DOA
   We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
   You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.

 

Vulture Catfish Vulture Catfish

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