Freshwater ich
Watch for: Small white spots, flashing against objects, clamped fins or faster breathing.
First response: Confirm the signs, test water and use a treatment known to be safe for every species in the system.
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Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Bubu
freshwater
Bioload 1.0
Expert care
Auchenoglanididae
Your complete care profile
Bubu (Auchenoglanis occidentalis) is a freshwater fish associated with Africa, with a recorded adult length of up to 70 cm. This source-backed catalogue profile brings its essential aquarium planning information together on one page.
Temperature
21–25°C
pH range
6.5–7.8
Minimum tank
900 litres
Typical lifespan
15 years
Diet
Carnivore
Origin
Africa
Adult size
Up to 70 cm
Care level
Expert
Care level recorded in the source-backed catalogue profile.
Aquarium context
freshwater system
Rarely kept; specialist or institutional care may be required
Planning to add Bubu?
Check it against your aquarium before purchase, then use the complete preparation checklist below.
Check compatibilitySpecies identity
Know the fish
Common name
Bubu
Scientific name
Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Family
Auchenoglanididae
Family group
Flatnose catfishes
Water type
freshwater
Native range
Africa
Social planning
Individual assessment
Conservation
Least concern (LC)
Aquarium setup
Build the right system
A fully cycled freshwater aquarium using conditioned water, stable temperature and no detectable ammonia or nitrite.
Use 900 litres as the minimum planning baseline before allowing extra space for a group, tank mates, decor and swimming behaviour.
Hold temperature at 21–25°C and pH at 6.5–7.8; stability matters more than chasing a single number.
Design the aquarium around the recorded adult length of 70 cm, not the juvenile size seen at purchase.
Provide retreat areas and visual breaks while preserving enough unobstructed space for normal movement and feeding.
Filtration & waste
High waste load (1.0 index): use generously sized biological and mechanical filtration, strong oxygenation and close test-led maintenance.
Feeding
Carnivore diet
Offer varied, appropriately sized animal-based foods. Confirm that the fish is eating and avoid relying on a single food long term.
Observe
Confirm every fish reaches food and swallows it.
Control
Stop before leftovers can decay in the aquarium.
Review
Track body condition, waste and feeding response over time.
Behaviour & tank mates
Community planning
Treat temperament as an individual assessment. Observe feeding and territorial behaviour, and keep a safe separation plan available.
No simple community match is approved in this profile. Plan species-only housing or obtain a specialist compatibility assessment before adding tank mates.
No pre-approved tank mate is listed. That is a safety signal, not a claim that every pairing will fail.
Health watch
Recognise warning signs early
These are risks to monitor, not diagnoses. Test the aquarium first and seek an aquatic vet or experienced specialist for severe, fast-moving or uncertain symptoms.
Environmental stress
Watch for: Hiding, faded colour, clamped fins, glass surfing, rapid breathing or appetite loss.
First response: Test water, review temperature and tank mates, reduce disturbance and correct problems gradually.
Before bringing one home
Five-point readiness check
The established aquarium is at least 900 litres and matches the required freshwater system.
Temperature and pH overlap the full 21–25°C and 6.5–7.8 ranges.
A suitable carnivore food is available and the seller can demonstrate that the fish is feeding.
Ammonia and nitrite test at zero, acclimation is planned and a quarantine or observation option is ready.
Every proposed tank mate has been screened for adult size, behaviour, feeding competition and water compatibility.
Data & source notes
Transparent, in-app data
IUCN LC
Catalogue source
FishBase · release 26.07
Species record
FishBase SpecCode 2438
Aquarium context
Rarely kept; specialist or institutional care may be required
Temperature basis
FishBase stock temperature range
pH basis
FishBase stock pH range
Tank basis
FishSnap conservative planning baseline derived from adult size, water type, social ecology and family
Lifespan basis
FishSnap size/family planning estimate
Photo credit
Liné1 · CC BY-SA 3.0
FishBase remains an editorial reference, but the useful species and care information is interpreted here so you do not have to leave FishSnap. Conservative planning baselines are labelled as guidance, not guarantees.