Remarks: Centromochlus heckelii, which we call the Blue Whale Woodcat, is a small, strange fish from Peru. They have long, slender bodies with a shining blue upper half and white belly (think Blue Whale or Great White Shark for comparisons), along with huge eyes and long, skinny fins. Like many woodcats, they spend most of the day motionless on the substrate, in a clump of leaf litter, or among driftwood. They come alive when they sense food, as well as in the night.

They appear to be very poor swimmers and have difficulty maneuvering in tight spaces. Their lack of activity often catches our eye as a “problem” – i.e. they look like a fish that may have passed away during the night. However, a small drop of frozen bloodworms gets them excited again, and they are instantly zooming around the glass in search of food.

Scientific Name: Centromochlus heckelii

Common Name: Blue Whale Woodcat

Max Size: 3″

pH: 5.0-7.0

Hardness: Soft

Temperature: 72-82

Aggressiveness: Peaceful

Region of Origin: South America

Captive Bred or Wild: Wild

Diet: Flake or pellet