Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

Tiger Shovelnose Catfish key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

10-15 years

Size

Up to about 105cm

Temperature

22〜26℃

Diet

Prawns, mussels, cockles, lancefish, earthworms, fish fillet

Tank

Seriously Fish gives 360 x 240 x 120cm (about 10,368 litres) as the minimum for an adult. The long snout is easily damaged against the glass in a cramped tank.

Water Temperature & Quality

22-26C, pH 6.0-7.6, 2-30 degrees hardness, with a preference for slightly acidic water. Heavy feeding demands powerful filtration.

Tank Mates

Fairly peaceful with similarly sized fish, but it eats smaller ones and is territorial towards conspecifics and other large catfishes. Large doradids and characins can work in spacious systems.

Diet & Feeding

Prawns, mussels, cockle, lancefish, earthworms and fish fillet. Avoid mammalian meat and feeder fish. Feed juveniles every other day, adults about weekly.

Breeding & Spawning

It migrates long distances to spawn in the wild. Reproduction is unreported in the hobby.

Health & Notes

Easily confused with Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum, so check the identification when buying. Growth is fast: settle the lifetime housing before acquiring one.

About Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

A large Amazon catfish with a striking black-striped silver body, a flattened snout, and three pairs of long barbels. Growing to about 105 cm, it's a fish for experienced aquarists only.

7 things to know before welcoming a Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

1. 1Grows to About 105 cm

   This catfish can reach roughly 105 cm in total length as an adult. Its size at the juvenile stage is misleading, and a tank chosen for a small fish will quickly become inadequate. Planning around its full adult size from the start is essential.

2. 2Needs a ~10,000 L Setup

   A fully grown adult requires a water volume on the order of 10,000 liters. This far exceeds what a typical home aquarium can provide, so it's important to carefully consider whether you can secure a large, purpose-built setup before committing.

3. 3Advanced-Level Difficulty

   Due to its size and the demands of managing such a large water volume, this species is considered suitable only for experienced keepers. Prior experience with catfish and the water-quality and feeding routines specific to large fish is strongly recommended.

4. 4Calm but Predatory

   Despite its imposing appearance, this fish is relatively calm and spends much of its time swimming unhurriedly. However, any tankmate small enough to fit in its mouth may be viewed as prey, so tankmate size needs careful consideration.

5. 5Flattened Snout and Barbels

   Its long, flattened snout and three pairs of barbels function as sensory organs for probing the substrate for prey. This structure allows it to detect its surroundings even in dim water, reflecting its natural foraging behavior in the wild.

6. 6Silver Body, Black Stripes

   The black stripes across its silvery body are the source of its name, and the pattern's appearance can change somewhat as the fish matures. Watching these gradual changes over the years is one of the rewards of keeping this fish long-term.

7. 7A Long-Term Commitment

   Bringing home a fish that grows this large means committing to maintaining a large tank and equipment for years to come. Before deciding, it's worth discussing with your household whether you can keep providing adequate space and facilities long-term.

Frequently asked questions about Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

Q.Can I keep it in a home aquarium for life?

A.Adults can reach about 105 cm and are said to need a water volume on the order of 10,000 liters, so keeping one long-term in a typical home aquarium isn't realistic. Before bringing one home, have a concrete picture of the setup scale you'll eventually need.

Q.Is this fish suitable for beginners?

A.No — its care level is rated for advanced keepers, so it isn't recommended for beginners. Consider it only after building up experience with water-quality management, feeding, and planning equipment around a large fish's eventual size.

Q.Can it be kept with other fish?

A.Its temperament is relatively calm, but any fish small enough to fit in its mouth may be eaten. If you plan to keep tankmates, choose robust fish of a similar or larger size and pay close attention to the size difference.

Q.Is it subject to CITES regulation?

A.No, the Tiger Shovelnose Catfish is not subject to CITES. That said, regardless of regulatory status, keeping this fish still requires preparing adequate facilities and space.

Q.What does it look like?

A.Its most distinctive features are the black stripes across its silvery body, a long flattened snout, and three pairs of long barbels. Watching how it moves those barbels while probing the substrate for food is also an interesting point to observe.

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