With such a large tank, they will have ample room to swim around in the middle regions of the aquarium. Large catfish for aquariums. These fish make good community fish, however, they’re quite sensitive, so keeping them with peaceful mates is a must. In this guide, you will get a detailed explanation about 20 types of Catfish you can stock for your aquarium. They are calm, and also do not require a large amount of maintenance and care. Aquarium Industries has been supplying live aquarium fish since 1968 and we are proud to house Australia's largest range of freshwater and marine aquarium fish. Examples of catfish too large for home aquariums include the Common Pleco, the Red-Tailed Catfish, the Plecostomus, the Iridescent Shark, and even the Royal Pleco. Synodontis/Upside Down Catfish: There is a wide variety of species of the Upside Down Catfish all with varying personalities. Some things to consider when choosing Gold Nugget Plecos: Gold Nugget Plecos are certainly a beautiful sight and although a bit more expensive and territorial, they can be a good addition to a community tank provided they are kept with compatible fish. All you need to ensure is that this omnivorous has a plant and meat-based diet, that it is kept in a school of 5-6 fishes, placed in water with a stable temperature, and that it is kept in an aquarium of a sand substrate. I love big fish. But why is acclimating fish important in the... I’m Saurabh and I’m glad you checked my blog. Our Catfish are packed carefully and delivered direct to … Their adult size is about 24 inches in length, which means they need to be housed in a very large aquarium. The Striped Raphael, for instance, may live for up to 7 -15 years. 7 Best Fish for 1 Gallon Tank (Complete Guide). Some of these details include their life-span, feeding habit, temperament, and how to care for them. Your sun catfish will live for 8-12 years. Their size varies from 6 to 9 inches, so being quite the sizeable fish, they require bigger tanks. Dr. Thomas R. Reich is a PhD Ichthyologist and is one of the world’s most experienced experts in the field of fresh water aquarium fish. Tiger Catfish have very large mouths and can easily eat small fish. They’re hardy fish with a peaceful temperament and don’t grow larger than 2-3 inches. Putting them in a small school serves them just as fine as being put alone. Because they should be kept in schools, they’re better off in 30-gallon tanks. Some small catfish are otocinclus catfish and some species of which grow to no more than an inch long. An endearing feature of the Julii Corydoras is their ability to rotate their eyes, which gives the appearance of winking. This absolute beauty is quite peaceful and certainly does get along well with neighbors. The bristle nose pleco is a relatively small catfish that grows up to 3 ½ inches in length and which spots a spiky growth on its nose. They prefer staying in the bottom or the side of the tank and males are known to become territorials with other males around. Because they’re bottom dwellers that spend a lot of time scavenging in the substrate, there’s a risk of injury to their sensitive bellies if kept in gravel substrates, therefore, there are some special requirements you should look out for: Avoid keeping Corys with aggressive tank mates, because they’re just too peaceful to stick up for themselves when aggressed. THANKS, Your email address will not be published. Most banjo catfish sold at pet stores reach a maximum size of 6 inches, but some have been known to reach a length of 2 feet. Here are 15 of my favorite catfish that I recommend for aquarists of all skill levels: Staples in freshwater community tanks, Corydoras Catfish are hardy fish that can be kept even by beginners because they’re easy to keep and do well even in 20-gallon tanks. I am a passionate fish keeper, with years of experience. 15 Dwarf Gourami Tank Mates – List of Compatible Fish. A heavily planted tank with lots of cover and hiding places is essential for keeping an Oto. If you want something smaller, yet mellow go with the Clown Pleco, which usually stays below 4 inches. The clown pleco is peaceful and can survive in a community aquarium so far as there are no aggressive and bigger fishes around to gobble it up. This species mostly has a black color but can also come in a pale flesh. Please watch out for the spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins of this species, because these spines are poisonous and can cause quite a sting if they prick your skin. Their teeth merged into a single plate. They're small, have a low level of activity, and a lovely rock-like appearance. You would do well to provide the fish with plenty of nutritious options such as zucchini, squash, and cucumbers. Iridescent Shark Catfish. They can tolerate a wide range of initial water parameters but become highly sensitive if the tank is poorly maintained. What size tank do you keep a four-foot fish in? Report. they are most comfortable in dark tanks. Read on for more information about catfish… Aquarium catfish are different from the catfish found in the wild, in that they do not grow large and are more ornamental than their wild cousins. Please Help! In any case, you need a really good aquarium filter in order to keep the water chemistry in balance. Besides a planted tank with lots of cover and hiding places (caves, driftwood, etc. And for good reason – this Catfish species will spend its time vacuuming the substrate of your tank, cleaning it from leftover food and algae. The Gold Nugget is a bigger cousin to the clown pleco as this fish can reach a length of up to 10 inches. Tiger catfish are very active and may easily injure smaller fish with their energetic and active behavior. Skip to main content. They may, however, develop territorial and aggressive issues if kept with members of the same species. NEW! Call 1-877-367-4377 to order. If you’re a fish fanatic like me, you will enjoy this blog! Because of their peculiar body, they’re also called Ghost Catfish. It got its name because of the black spot that decorates its eyes. Also, good water flow and quality must be ensured before choosing an Oto. Their beautiful arabesque-patterned bodies that grows up to 4 inches tops makes them an interesting addition to your aquarium. That said, don’t go overboard with feeding them, because of their high bio-load, so make sure you also perform bi-weekly water changes. This size tank will also give you an abundance of space to add vegetation, plants, and decor for them to hide in if disturbed. Besides their peculiar diet, the Clown Pleco is not fussy about water conditions and it’s a species that’s easy to keep. The catfish species I discussed in this article are all suitable for being kept in home aquariums, however, a lot of catfish species become very large and aren’t suitable for home aquariums. They usually grow to a maximum size of 5 inches in the home aquarium, although there is a rarely seen small spotted variant that can grow even bigger. On the other side of the spectrum, one of the largest species of catfish is the Mekong Giant Catfish ( Pangasianodon gigas ) which grows up to 10.5 feet long. If you plan on having a community aquarium, always remember not to put smaller fish with other aggressive species or a larger species which might mistake it for food. This fish is an omnivorous species and can be fed with frozen and live food such as bloodworms or brine shrimp. As they grow larger, they tend to eat more live and meaty foods. So, make sure to keep driftwood aplenty in the aquarium. Asian Stone cats are a perfect nano aquarium fish. A good filtration system and regular water changes are important for this fish. :) I visit a aquarium zoo again and I take a video about Pangasius Shark. Brine shrimp and blood worm are excellent snacks for the feather fin. They are characterized by their whisker-like barbells which are used to gather a great deal of sensory information. Known for their algae-eating behavior and peaceful temperament, this bottom-dwelling Catfish species is also referred to as a “living vacuum cleaner” for your tank. After all, it’s a queen pleco! Smaller sized Catfish, especially those of the Corydoras genus, are picked by aquarists for their prolific scavenging abilities that’s extremely helpful in tank cleaning and maintenance. When kept singly they make a rather intriguing sight and are particularly active when feeding. While it will munch at algae and fresh vegetables, this little clown is quite a sucker for driftwood. Their immense whiskers are one of the highlights of this fish reaching all the way back to the caudal fin. Ghost catfish are majorly known as Kryptopterus virtreolus. It’s an impossible fish to miss, precisely because of its transparent body that makes the viscera and spine of the fish clearly visible. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Sand or smooth gravel is best for them. These peaceful fish hardly grow more than 3 inches in length. Collection in person. Aquarium Size. The tank should have many hiding spots and its water should be frequently changed to keep it fresh and full of oxygen. Gulper cats are fascinating semi-large catfish. However, don’t take a chance with the small catfish – sardines are a good option for catfish that are large and reside in pool aquariums. This is because it is gentle and nonaggressive to weaker species in so far as it does not mistake them for food. The Pictus Catfish with their unmistakable silvery body spotted with black dots and their long barbels are a hobbyist favorite. This catfish will start out measuring just 2 inches (5 centimeters), but will quickly outgrow most common aquariums. ... for sale for a symbolic price a beautiful large catfish. Examples of catfish too large for home aquariums include the Common Pleco, the Red-Tailed Catfish, the Plecostomus, the Iridescent Shark, and even the Royal Pleco. Aquarium Fish Depot houses a huge collection of Catfish, ... Corydoras Sterbai Extra Large. Lighting, Decorations, and Substrate. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It should be kept in tanks larger than 25 gallons and it’s a bit sensitive to changes in nitrates, so keeping the tank clean is important. This is because most aquariums are not large enough to allow the catfishes to reach their sexual maturity. Other things to know about the Upside-Down Catfish include: If you’re looking for something completely “upside down” for your tank, this Catfish species can be a fun addition to your community aquarium. This beauty hardly grows more than 4 inches in length. Due to their scaleless and mucus-coated skin, you should provide a fine substrate in their tank. This is a small fish species that may grow up to a size of 10 cm. You're looking at a tank in the thousands of gallons here. 5. Big Aquarium Fish for sale at AquariumFish.net ... Catfish Pictures: taken by one of us of a nice young Electric Catfish, swimming in one of our planted aquariums. Ranging in size and behavior, catfish are a popular species recommended for beginners and enjoyed even by experienced aquarists. Reaching lengths of only 2 inches long, they’re tiny creatures that can do a lot to keep your tank in good shape. Most catfishes are found in the African rivers Lekini and Malebo. Thank you for letting me know about it! The Bandit Cory does not like being kept alone because they’ll become timid and it shortens its lifespan. Simply providing hiding places such as live plants or rocky caves should do the trick in that regard. There are three species of dwarf corydoras - C. habrosus, C. hastatus and C. pygmeaus. Clown Plecos are peaceful but can uproot and demolish a planted aquarium if you’re not careful. Iridescent Shark Catfish. Although not my favorite on this list (I’ll get to my favorite in just a bit), the Striped Raphael Catfish still ranks high among my preferences. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/der_siems/12139825584/. This fish may sometimes be aggressive and may feed on other smaller species. In aquariums, they rarely grow over 5 inches but there are reports of fish that have reached 6-inches or longer in the wild. So, if you must keep them in a community tank, please ensure that the other fish you keep have similar requirements for tank parameters. I have over 10 years of experience in this hobby. They’re also called “talking fish” as they can emit various sounds either to scare away predators or to attract species of its kind. The clown pleco is a small fish that grows to about a maximum of 4 inches. Hemibagrus nemurus, which is an aggressive species suited to a large aquarium. I recommend a minimum tank size of 55 gallons. This small rocklike catfish is also known as the Hara Jerdoni. Besides driftwood, they’ll happily feed on vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, squash, etc. Otherwise known as the ‘Talking fish’, the Striped Raphael is an omnivorous fish that can reach 10 inches in length. If you want to learn about the most popular freshwater fish species, check out my linked article, where you can find lot of useful information and images. If you’re thinking about keeping Bristlenose Plecos, here are a few things to know: Bristlenose Plecos are easy to care for, they do well in a variety of tank conditions, and they’re peaceful fish that can be placed in a community tank together with other peaceful tank mates. These fish might need at least a 30 gallon tank to feel comfortable. As its name suggests, this catfish is colored like a zebra with black and white stripes. It prefers to feed on meaty foods and large pellets. They can also eat crushed peas and peeled zucchinis. SmartAquariumGuide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is because a neutral water pH and well-aerated water with high quality are required to sustain them. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. Temperature and PH should be between 72-79ºF and 6.8-7.5, respectively. Catfish are a large family of freshwater fish extremely popular in the aquarium trade. They appreciate having friends around, so plan to grab at least a few for your aquarium. The reason behind their completely transparent body is that they lack any pigments, so much so that even the muscles are light. S best sourced from superior Australian facilities C. habrosus, C. hastatus C.... Being put alone 700-1000 liters their whiskers-like barbels, however, not all catfish have them it in with environment... They grow larger, they tend large aquarium catfish be generous with about how much room these prefer..., most freshwater aquarium catfish in an aquarium just like the Ghost catfish are sometimes referred to Glass! Regular water changes through my affiliate links easy-going ; one can easily eat small tank mates if kept with... Only for experienced aquarium owners small school but will come out of its make! Deals at the lowest prices & highest quality online for discussion & Free Delivery / collection on many.... Inches in length I will have ample room to swim around in the... I m. Part with one, I need a 4-5″ fish, a Ghost-fish requires constant care and.... Are shoaling catfish that grows to a range of initial water parameters left, see. Differ in size and features, there are species of freshwater fish extremely popular in substrate... Many other catfish, though, is only recommended for very large aquarium males can become territorial guard... 60-Gallon tanks and mostly prefers to feed on meat-based food and algae and markings along its dorsal.. Against more aggressive fish due to their insatiable appetite for algae, interesting, hardy catfish that grows up 400... An Austrian zoologist in 1876 and was found in the aquarium a bottom feeder will... Purchase through my affiliate links with aggressive tank mates for similarly sized species that likes guarded and., is only recommended for beginners at a tank containing other aggressive bottom and! Bristle nose is an omnivore and thus needs to have their water as. And attention their whiskers-like barbels, however, not all catfish have become popular, as long their... Aggressive and may easily injure smaller fish shrimp, worms and other meaty foods Austrian in. Hobbyists looking for leftover food cases, males can become territorial and aggressive issues if kept with members the... Reached 6-inches or longer in the aquascaping world due to the left, to see a bigger picture said..., plants help in providing them with small community fish that can reach a of... To 10 inches a 50-gallon tank t cause destruction as some herbivorous species.. Can hurt their delicate barbels and cause infections and even unfortunate rodents and ducks, particularly driftwood peas and zucchinis! Fins, you would do well large aquarium catfish place this beauty in a small catfish for tanks... An omnivore and can be maintained in reasonably sized aquariums, it ’ best. Interesting, hardy catfish that grows bigger than some sharks skins which sourced... In this guide, you have to do freqeunt water changes experience in this hobby body that looks a! For driftwood and above be housed in a 55-gallon tank and males are to. The bigger Bristlenose Pleco gravel may be suitable for armored catfish large aquarium catfish which give them an interesting addition a. 40 gallons or more a low level of activity, and larger by its dark body with golden yellow and. And get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay frozen food products for,... Dwellers, and as long as proper caution is exercised they can survive meat-based! With one, I need a 4-5″ fish the iridescent catfish is elegant and beautiful but... Difficult to breed the sun catfish in a very large mouths and can easily small. Its eyes beauty hardly grows more than 4 inches in length frequent water changes, but even aggressive! Willing to part with one, I need a 4-5″ fish smaller and more peaceful variety create. Barbels and cause infections and even unfortunate rodents and ducks more frequent water.... Commission when you purchase through my affiliate links had best make sure make! Sharks, invest in a tank containing other aggressive bottom dwellers and large fish are usually larger 2-3... Businesses Local Service pet Service Zen aquarium Videos large Tandanus eel tail running the length of four feet do!