Tiger shovelnose catfish - Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum

Scientific name: Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum

Common name: Tiger shovelnose catfish

Family: Pimelodidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 95 - 100 cm (37.4 - 39.37 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.3 - 8

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 28 °C (73.4 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and feeding

In the wild Tiger shovelnose catfish are nocturnal hunters but in the aquarium they can be fed on cockles, mussels, prawns, white bait and fish fillets. Never feed these fish animal meats as they cannot digest the lipids that they contain.

Origin

South America; Tiger shovelnose catfish are widespread over most of the South American waterways.

Sexing

There are no visible differences between the sexes.

Breeding

Due to the large adult size of these fish it is impossible to breed these in the aquarium.

Lifespan

The true lifespan is unknown but it is believed to be 15+ years.

Short description

Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum are often sold in the aquarium trade as juveniles but they will quickly outgrow any tank and when they have reached adult size they would require a tank the size of a public aquarium. They are avid predators and will attempt to eat any fish in close proximity.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.