
There is no specific name for a baby tiger shovelnose catfish. What do they eat? These fish mostly consume smaller fish and crustaceans in the wild. They have been seen nibbling on plants from time to time. To have a nutritious diet, aim for a combination of frozen meals, worms, and pellets.
How to care for a tiger shovelnose catfish?
Aim for a mix of frozen foods, worms, and pellets to give them a balanced diet. For a treat, you can drop in pieces of fish for them as well. We like doing that from time to time because it’s a nice snack and a good source of enrichment (tiger shovelnose catfish like variety just like we do).
What is a shovelnose catfish?
The Lima Shovelnose Catfish (Sorubim lima), also known as the Duckbill Catfish or the Shovelnose Catfish, is native to Peru and other areas of the South American Amazon.
What do you feed a baby catfish?
Since your catfish is still small, you can try feeding it bottom feeder tablets. JustYourAverageCat ... I have a baby channel cat that i got in January and when he was around 1 or 2 inches, i would feed him broken up algae wafers and small minnows and now i feed him Hikari carnivor pellets and minnows and bloodworms
How big do Lima shovelnose catfish get?
A prized oddball predator in the aquarium hobby, the Lima Shovelnose Catfish can grow up to 16″ as an adult and will generally coexist well with other fish large enough to not be considered a meal!

What do baby shovelnose catfish eat?
Feeding the Tiger Shovelnose Catfish is not difficult due to the fact that it is not a picky eater. In the wild, this fish will eat fish and crustaceans. In the aquarium setting, assorted worms, frozen foods, sinking catfish pellets, and dry foods will provide the proper nutrition.
What do I feed my Tiger Shovelnose Catfish?
Food: Live fish, earthworms, tablets, meat scraps. Other: The Shovelnose Tiger Catfish is the most popular of the five Pseudoplatystoma species. It is a popular food fish in South America where it can be found easily in local fish markets.
How fast do shovelnose catfish grow?
– Growth Rate If they get all the nutrients they need, along with ideal living conditions, these not-so-little guys can grow up to six inches per year. That means your Shovelnose catfish will have reached its full potential in the short time of five years.
How long do shovel nose catfish live?
18-25 yearsThe lifespan of a shovelnose catfish can range anywhere from 18-25 years. This range can be significantly impacted by genetic factors and the quality of care they receive in captivity.
How big does a shovel nose catfish get?
Size: They can grow to a length of 65 inches (166 cm) and weigh more that 220 pounds (100 kg). Behavior: Catfish are territorial fish and aggressive toward smaller fish. They are always lurking through murky waters for prey.
Do catfish need air?
All animals need oxygen. Mammals breathe it out of the air, and fish breathe it in the water — this is the truth we are taught in grade school and the cause of death for many unfortunate childhood goldfish.
How big of a tank does a catfish need?
Aquarium & stand Cory catfish, which grow to be about 4 inches long, can live in 5 to 10-gallon tanks. Larger catfish require at least a 30-gallon tank. Keep the aquarium near a power source in a low-traffic area, away from direct sunlight and drafts.
How do you feed a shovelnose catfish?
1:445:52Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Care - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's very common to feed like cut-up tilapia earthworms. And anything protein-rich that kind ofMoreIt's very common to feed like cut-up tilapia earthworms. And anything protein-rich that kind of sinks to the bottom.
What size tank does a red tail catfish need?
around 1,500-2,000 gallonsThe minimum tank size for an adult redtail catfish is around 1,500-2,000 gallons (yeah). This will give them enough room to swim around and be active without feeling cramped and unhappy. This huge tank size is obviously quite a lot compared to most freshwater home aquariums.
How big can red tail catfish get?
The tail is red and sometime the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are also red. Size: This catfish can reach five feet (1.5 m) or more in length and can weigh up to 180 pounds (82 kg), making them a favorite game fish in their native habitats.
How big do Lima shovelnose catfish get?
A prized oddball predator in the aquarium hobby, the Lima Shovelnose Catfish can grow up to 16″ as an adult and will generally coexist well with other fish large enough to not be considered a meal!
How big do red tail catfish grow?
The redtail catfish can grow to 3 to 4 feet in length in captivity.In the wild, they can grow up to six feet long, easily weighing 80 pounds.
Species Summary
The tiger shovelnose catfish ( Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) originates from the waters of South America. You can typically find them in the deepest areas of large rivers where they have the room to move freely and find food to each (primarily other fish).
Appearance
The appearance of tiger shovelnose catfish is what makes them stand out so much in the first place.
Size
The average tiger shovelnose catfish size is around 2.5 to 3 feet in captivity. These fish can grow even larger in the wild but rarely exceed 4 feet in their natural habitat.
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Care
There are some elements of tiger shovelnose catfish care that are straightforward and others that require some knowledge and preparation. This section will lay out the essential things to know if you want to help these fish thrive and live a long, happy life.
Food & Diet
In the wild, these fish mostly eat smaller fish and crustaceans. They have been known to nibble on plants here and there, but spend most of their time looking for meaty protein-rich foods.
Behavior & Temperament
Tiger shovelnose catfish are an active species that can show aggression in certain circumstances. While this is always something to be aware of, their size makes it an even greater priority.
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Tank Mates
The most important thing to remember when it comes to choosing the right tank mates for these fish is size and temperament. Tiger shovelnose catfish are quite large, which means they can easily injure other smaller fish (or even eat them).

Species Summary
Appearance
Size
- The average tiger shovelnose catfish size is around 2.5 to 3 feet in captivity.These fish can grow even larger in the wild but rarely exceed 4 feet in their natural habitat. There’s a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to their growth rate. These fish grow quite fast and you’ll need to be prepared to handle that. No matter how little you feed them or how small their tank is…
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Care
- There are some elements of tiger shovelnose catfish care that are straightforward and others that require some knowledge and preparation. This section will lay out the essential things to know if you want to help these fish thrive and live a long, happy life.
Food & Diet
- In the wild, these fish mostly eat smaller fish and crustaceans. They have been known to nibble on plants here and there, but spend most of their time looking for meaty protein-rich foods. This means it’s important for you to have a significant amount of food in stock at all times. Since these are large fish, they’ll obviously eat a lot more than y...
Behavior & Temperament
- Tiger shovelnose catfish are an active species that can show aggression in certain circumstances. While this is always something to be aware of, their size makes it an even greater priority. Like we mentioned earlier, these fish are used to deep rivers. Just because they’re catfish you shouldn’t confuse them with pure bottom feeders. These massive fish will spend a lot of tim…
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Tank Mates
- The most important thing to remember when it comes to choosing the right tank mates for these fish is size and temperament.Tiger shovelnose catfish are quite large, which means they can easily injure other smaller fish (or even eat them). This means other freshwater fish that are large enough to defend themselves or not be considered a target are a must. Obviously, this will impa…
Breeding Viability
- If you’re thinking about attempting to breed tiger shovelnose catfish, you’re in for a challenge. While it’s definitely possible, there’s not much information floating around online about the process. This means that aside from sticking to best practices and replicating their natural habitat as much as you can, there’s an element of uncertainty that you need to accept. It’s also worth po…
Conclusion
- You should now have a better understanding of the tiger shovelnose catfish and how to care for them. These fish are impressive specimens that are a treat to observe in your tank. The raw size, power, and unique appearance will make them an instant standout no matter what other fish you own. Their activity level makes for fun viewing as well since they’re always up to something! If y…
Species Summary
Lifespan
Appearance
Size
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Care
What Do Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Eat?
- In their natural habitat, Tiger Shovelnose Catfish prey on smaller fish and crustaceans. While they munch on plants sometimes, they prefer protein-rich foods that they can find in the wild. If you are planning to keep them in an aquarium, you will have to keep a large amount of food handy all the time. These fish are used to eating more food than o...
Behavior & Temperament
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish Tank Mates
Breeding
Final Thoughts