TankBud

Wallago catfish

Wallago attu

Also known as Helicopter catfish, Tapah, Boal, Freshwater shark catfish

FreshwaterFish

Wallago catfish (Wallago attu)
Reezwan · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
59.1 in
150 cm
Minimum tank
528 gal
2,000 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Siluridae
Origin
Widespread across rivers and lakes of South and Southeast Asia.

Overview

The Wallago catfish is a genuine monster and one of the most predatory catfish kept in the hobby. It is a demanding, long-term animal for experienced keepers only.

Did you know

The Wallago catfish has a fearsome folk reputation as a man-eater across its range, though the stories are exaggerated. Its enormous gape and non-stop appetite make it one of the most effective fish predators in Asian rivers.

Caring for the Wallago catfish

The Wallago catfish needs a tank of at least 528 gal (2,000 L), which really means a pond or a huge custom build. Give it long open swimming lanes and gentle flow. It is fast and powerful, so a very secure, heavy lid is essential.

Keep the water warm, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed meaty foods such as whole fish, prawns and earthworms.

It is aggressive and will eat any tank mate it can catch and swallow, which for a fish this size is almost anything. It is best kept alone. Breeding is not recorded in aquariums.

Good to know

Wallago attu has a long, scaleless, eel-like body and a wide mouth full of small, sharp teeth. Older records claim it reaches close to two meters, though some very large reports probably refer to the related Wallagonia leerii. It is also known as the helicopter catfish, tapah, boal or freshwater shark catfish.

In the wild

The Wallago catfish lives in rivers, lakes and reservoirs across South and Southeast Asia. It is a large, fast swimmer that cruises open water and hunts other fish.

Common questions

What size tank does a Wallago catfish need?

A Wallago catfish needs at least 528 gal (2,000 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Wallago catfish need?

A Wallago catfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a Wallago catfish eat?

A Wallago catfish eats meaty foods, such as whole fish, prawns and earthworms. It will also eat any tank mate it can catch and swallow.

How big does a Wallago catfish get?

An adult Wallago catfish reaches about 59.1 in (150 cm).

Related species