Species profile
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
Aggressive
Hard care
2,500 L minimum aquarium
80–105 cm adult size
Bottom–mid
Can be kept singly
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
One-metre predatory pimelodid. Adult housing is indoor-pond/public-aquarium scale, not a conventional home aquarium.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
24–28 °C
pH
6–7.5
GH
2–15 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Moderate
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Can be kept singly
Tank zone
Bottom–mid
Territory level
Low
Predation risk
Small fish
Bioload factor
7.5
Large ambush predator that will swallow tankmates it can fit in its mouth. Requires enormous floor area, powerful filtration and robust escape-proof covers.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Caution
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
No / caution
Cave breeder
No
Digs substrate
Yes
Jump risk
Yes
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
Not yet documented
Diet type
Carnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
2,500 L
Minimum footprint
300 × 100 cm
Accepted scientific name
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
Alternative names
Tiger Shovelnose Catfish, Barred Shovelnose, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
Native range
Amazon drainage and Guiana Shield river systems of northern South America.
Natural habitat
Large rivers, floodplains and flooded-forest margins. Recreate only at massive scale with open bottom area, heavy filtration and large secure refuges.
Diet & feeding
Obligate predator/carnivore. Feed varied non-live whole marine/freshwater invertebrate and fish-based foods of appropriate size; avoid feeder-fish dependency.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
Reliable external sexing is difficult outside mature broodstock.
Breeding
Not a realistic home-aquarium breeding species; natural reproduction is tied to large river/flood cycles.