Auchenoglanis is a genus of large African catfish in the family Claroteidae, widespread across sub-Saharan river and lake systems - the atlas records it from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These are substantial fish, with atlas species reaching 21.5–27.5 in, built with a long, tubular body, a broad head, and prominent barbels used to probe soft substrate for buried invertebrates and organic matter - a bottom-sifting feeding style shared with several other claroteid genera.
Both atlas species are established, if niche, fish in the larger-tank hobby. The giraffe catfish (A. occidentalis) and the closely related yellow giraffe catfish (A. biscutatus) are named for their mottled, blotched patterning, and both are popular for their bold, inquisitive personalities and their willingness to sift sand for food - a natural behaviour aquarists can encourage with a fine substrate. They need generous swimming room as adults and are best matched with robust tankmates. Conservation status is reassuring: both atlas species are assessed as Least Concern.