The Shovelnose Catfish Experience

[lordroad]

Lately I've been intriguied by the Shovelnose, and I was wondering if anyone is avid about these catfish and/or keeps them.

I'm not looking to start up a new tank anytime soon--the bioload in my appartment is already overstocked with a 55 and 2 10s--but I'd like to hear what these fish are all about.

I know they get large, but how large? Could one be kept by himself in a 70 gallon tank, and can there be tankmates?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

They need very large tanks because they get pretty large. They need to be kept with fish bigger than their mouth because they are an all out predetor. I say it needs about 100gals at least.

Check out the man holding an adult, the boy holding and adult, and the one at the fish market.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/pimelodi/pseudopl/328_f.php

The mouth

 

[lordroad]

Good God.

Looks like they get even way bigger than the iridescent shark... and these are being sold at Superpetz just under the label "These fish get very large."

Well, if I ever become a millionaire and have a spare 250 or so gallon tank, maybe I'd consider getting one.

 

[wayne]

Oh no, irridescents can get bigger than that... especially on food fish farms. When you get fish of that size 250's start looking a bit silly

 

[Purple]

The pics C-man has posted are of the Tiger Shovelnose - gets to 3 or 4 ft - big lads

You could try the Lima Shovelnose - only gets to 9 or 10 inches. Still a big fish, and will swallow anything it can get in its mouth, so choose tank mates with great care

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Yes, i should have read better and just not assumed i was a Tiger.

Both are big fish though.

 

[canadian]

I had a tiger shovelnose most boring fish i ever had it did nothing