Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are peaceful giants towards appropriately sized tank mates but are ruthless predators to smaller fish. They can be somewhat skittish when young but become confident and bold as they grow. Providing vertical driftwood pieces allows them to exhibit their natural resting behavior.

Diet

Carnivore

They are carnivorous predators that naturally feed on smaller fish and crustaceans. In the aquarium, they can be trained to accept meaty foods such as earthworms, market shrimp, fish fillets, and large sinking pellets. Live feeder fish are not required and should be avoided due to disease risks.

Sex ratio

Solitary

Sexing is nearly impossible without observing the fish internally. In a home aquarium, the sex ratio is generally irrelevant, and they can be kept singly or in small groups if the tank is large enough. They are mostly indifferent to conspecifics.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Juveniles should be fed daily to support their rapid growth rate. Adult specimens only need to be fed a large meal 2 to 3 times per week. Overfeeding adults can lead to obesity and poor water conditions.

Bioload

The Lima Shovelnose Catfish grows quite large and produces a heavy bioload. Because they consume substantial, protein-rich meals, their waste output is significant. A large aquarium with oversized, powerful filtration is absolutely necessary to maintain water quality.

Flow

Stagnant

They enjoy moderate to strong water flow, replicating the riverine habitats of South America. Good circulation is important to keep oxygen levels high for these large active fish. Powerheads can be used to create an appropriate current.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Breeding the Lima Shovelnose in a home aquarium has not been documented. They are believed to be migratory spawners that require specific seasonal changes and massive volumes of water. Commercial breeding is achieved using hormone injections in large aquaculture facilities.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are peaceful towards fish that are too large to swallow, but highly predatory toward anything smaller. Good tank mates include large cichlids, pacus, large characins, and similarly sized catfish. Any fish small enough to fit in their deceptively large mouth will eventually be eaten, often at night.

Tank level

Middle

They are unusual for catfish in that they often spend time swimming or hovering in the middle and upper levels of the tank. They use a unique vertical "head-down" posture to camouflage themselves among vertical roots or plants. They will also rest on the substrate when inactive.