..........Tiger Shovelnose catfish
Other names:...........none Origin:......................Northern and Eastern South America Max size:..................5 feet PH:............-..............6.6-7.6 Temperature:...........75-82 F. Min tank size:..........200 gallons Food:.........................live foods, beef heart, may accept pellets |
The Tiger Shovelnose catfish is a very large and a powerful predator. Like other large catfish, it has many large barbels that it uses to locate food and find its way around in dark and muddy waters. If unable to move these barbels freely, a large specimen has been known to smash its way through the end of an aquarium. A tank of at least 180 gallons is recommended. This fish has a sleek, streamlined body that's silvery on the bottom and olive\dark brown on the top.
The Tiger Shovelnose lives in large rivers and the deeper sections of smaller rivers. In the aquarium, it is recommended to feed this monster twice a week on a diet of trout, sprats, prawns, and similar foods. They shouldn't be trusted with smaller fish, as they will eat anything that will fit into their huge mouthes.
Maintenance requirements in the aquarium are generally the same as for any other large pimelodid catfish - an excellent filtration system, highly oxygenated water, regular water changes and a temperature of about 75 F. This fish will accept a wide PH range and a general hardness range of 4-30 dH. Sexing and breeding information on this fish is unknown.
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