Colombian shark catfish

Care at a glance

Overview

The Colombian shark catfish is a nervous, constantly swimming sea catfish for a large brackish tank. It is a poor fit for a standard freshwater community and is best left to experienced keepers.

Caring for the Colombian shark catfish

Give the Colombian shark catfish a large, open tank of at least 225 gal (850 L). Use a soft sand bed and smooth rock, and run strong, well-oxygenated flow.

It needs brackish water that grows saltier as it matures. Raise the salinity over time, from a low specific gravity toward near-marine for adults. Keep it at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a hard, alkaline pH of 7.0 to 8.5.

Feed meaty sinking foods such as prawn, mussel and chopped fish. It leaves tank mates alone when they are too large to eat, but it will take smaller fish. Keep it with robust companions of a similar size.

Keep it in a group of five or more, so it feels secure and any squabbling is spread out. Handle it carefully, because its dorsal spine can deliver a painful sting.

Sea catfishes are among the few catfishes that brood their eggs. The male carries a clutch of marble-sized eggs in his mouth for weeks, often without feeding, until they hatch. This has not been reproduced in home aquariums.

Good to know

The Colombian shark catfish belongs to Ariidae, the sea catfishes. Its tall dorsal fin, forked tail and streamlined body give it the shark-like look that drives its popularity. It also carries a mildly venomous spine at the front of the dorsal and pectoral fins.

In the wild

The Colombian shark catfish lives along the Pacific coast of Central America. It is found in estuaries, tidal rivers and mangrove-lined shores.

Common questions

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