Aquarium catfish are a type of fish commonly kept in freshwater aquariums. Bred specifically to cope with the conditions inside an enclosed tank and needing minimal upkeep, these fish have become one of the most sought-after choices for beginners when it comes to caring for a pet.
Different species are available, each best suited to a particular environment and water body.
What are some of the most sought-after types of aquarium catfish? Let’s take a closer look at each one.
The Most Popular Types Of Catfish
Redtail Catfish
| Common Name | Redtail Catfish |
| Scientific Name | Phractocephalus hemioliopterus |
| Native Region | South America |
| Size | Up to 4 feet |
| Diet | Carnivorous |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Tank Size | Minimum 500 gallons |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5-7.5; Temperature 75-82°F |
| Special Needs | Requires a lot of swimming space and hiding places |
| Notes | Not suitable for most home aquariums due to their size |
The Redtail Catfish is a species of catfish native to the Amazon River basin in South America that can grow up to three feet long and weigh 25 pounds, making it one of the largest freshwater fish worldwide. As a predatory fish, it will consume anything smaller than itself that it can catch, including other fish, frogs, and small mammals like mice or rats.
This fish is a popular choice for aquariums due to its size and personality. It is highly active and playful, often swimming up close to the front of the tank to greet its owners. Unfortunately, it requires an aquarium with plenty of room to swim freely – however, it must be kept alone as it will eat any other fish in sight.
Our personal opinion: Redtail catfish are the real giants of the aquarium world. They may be awe-inspiring with their impressive appearance, but beware! These guys can outgrow most home aquariums and require tons of hiding spaces to make them feel at home. Plus, their aggressive behavior is not for the faint of heart. Therefore, only experienced fishkeepers with ample space and resources can care for them adequately.
Glass Catfish
| Common Name | Glass Catfish |
| Scientific Name | Kryptopterus bicirrhis |
| Native Region | Southeast Asia |
| Size | Up to 5 inches |
| Diet | Carnivorous |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0-7.5; Temperature 75-82°F |
| Special Needs | Requires dim lighting and a well-established aquarium |
| Notes | Can be sensitive to water conditions and should not be kept with aggressive fish |
The Glass Catfish is a type of catfish native to rivers in India that gets its name from its transparent body that allows viewers to view its organs. Without scales and only trace amounts of pigment, this fish almost disappears in murky water due to lack of scales.
These fish are energetic swimmers, constantly darting around your aquarium but peaceful towards other fish. Since they lack teeth, they cannot bite, making them an ideal choice for beginners.
However, they will eat most types of food including flakes and pellets as well as fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately, keeping these pets is more costly due to the need to purchase live foods on a regular basis.
Our personal opinion: Glass Catfish are peaceful, transparent, and have a unique look that adds diversity to any community aquarium. Nevertheless, don’t let their good-natured demeanor fool you. They can be quite sensitive to poor water quality, which is why they require a stable, well-maintained tank. Keeping them in groups of five or more is ideal.
Pictus Catfish
| Common Name | Pictus Catfish |
| Scientific Name | Pimelodus pictus |
| Native Region | South America |
| Size | Up to 5 inches |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Tank Size | Minimum 30 gallons |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0-7.5; Temperature 72-80°F |
| Special Needs | Requires hiding places and open swimming space |
| Notes | Can be sensitive to water conditions and should not be kept with small fish |
The Pictus Catfish is a type of catfish native to rivers in South America that can grow up to 6 inches long and weigh up to 2 pounds.
These fish tend to be quite peaceful, although they can become territorial towards their own kind when kept together in small groups. Therefore, it’s best to only keep one per tank. They are active swimmers and will eat most types of food.
They do, however, require a more specialized diet than some other catfish species as they prefer live foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp in addition to regular fish pellets.
Our personal opinion: The Pictus Catfish is a lively, active species that enjoys the company of its own kind. They are hardy and can adapt to a range of water conditions. However, they can be picky about water quality, which could negatively affect their health. To keep them safe, make sure to use a tight-fitting lid as they are known to be jumpers.
Otocinclus Catfish
| Common Name | Otocinclus Catfish |
| Scientific Name | Otocinclus affinis |
| Native Region | South America |
| Size | Up to 2 inches |
| Diet | Herbivorous |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10 gallons |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0-7.5; Temperature 72-82°F |
| Special Needs | Requires vegetation and a well-established aquarium |
| Notes | Should be kept in groups of at least 5 to reduce stress |
The Otocinclus Catfish is a type of catfish native to South American rivers that can grow up to 2 inches long and weigh up to 0.5 pounds. Though sometimes confused with Otto Catfish, these two fish differ due to differences in their curvature.
The Otocinclus Catfish is a peaceful fish that can be kept with many small species, such as Tetras, Danios, Rasboras and Guppies. However, it prefers being kept in small groups of 5-6 individuals due to its social nature.
Otocinclus Catfish can eat a variety of food, such as flakes, pellets, algae wafers and vegetables; making them relatively easy to care for.
Our personal opinion: Otocinclus Catfish are fantastic algae eaters and make an excellent addition to planted aquariums. Though small and peaceful, they are very sensitive to poor water quality, and their best kept in groups of three or more. Due to their delicate nature, they’re an ideal choice for experienced hobbyists looking for a challenge.
Corydoras Catfish
| Common Name | Corydoras Catfish |
| Scientific Name | Corydoras spp. |
| Native Region | South America |
| Size | Up to 3 inches |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0-7.5; Temperature 72-78°F |
| Special Needs | Requires hiding places and open swimming space |
| Notes | Should be kept in groups of at least 6 to reduce stress |
Corydoras Catfish are native to rivers and streams in South America, where they can grow up to an inch long and weigh 0.15 pounds. There are over 140 different species of this fish with various coat patterns and colors.
They enjoy a peaceful life, and should be kept in lightly stocked community tanks. They will eat most types of fish food such as flakes and pellets, algae wafers, and vegetables.
They are active swimmers and spend much of the day searching for food. However, they can be kept with other small fish such as Tetras, Danios, Rasboras and Guppies.
Our personal opinion: Corydoras Catfish are excellent starter fish for beginners, given their easy-going nature and varied colors and patterns. They thrive in groups of five or more and are perfect for community aquariums with plenty of hiding spots.
Bristlenose Catfish
| Common Name | Bristlenose Catfish |
| Scientific Name | Ancistrus spp. |
| Native Region | South America |
| Size | Up to 5 inches |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0-7.5; Temperature 72-78°F |
| Special Needs | Requires hiding places and open swimming space |
| Notes | Should be kept in groups of at least 6 to reduce stress |
The Bristlenose Catfish is a type of catfish native to rivers and streams in South America. It can grow up to 2 inches long and weigh up to 0.3 pounds, with various species within this family having different coat patterns and colors.
These fish tend to be peaceful, but should not be kept with fish that might bully or compete for food. Instead, keep them in tanks exclusively for their species as they are highly territorial and won’t tolerate another male of their kind.
Bristlenose Catfish can eat most types of fish food, such as flakes, pellets and vegetables; they even eat algae wafers! As a popular community tank fish choice due to their peaceful and active swimming style, the Bristlenose Catfish has become increasingly popular over time.
Our personal opinion: Bristlenose Catfish are excellent for keeping planted aquariums clean, and their unique bristly nose and patterned body make them a popular choice for hobbyists. They are hardy, easy to care for, and prefer to be kept in groups of three or more. However, they can be sensitive to poor water quality, so keep an eye on water conditions.
Catfish Tank And Habitat Requirements
Catfish all require the same general conditions for successful growth. Tanks of at least 20 gallons should be provided with plenty of hiding places and swimming space, as well as some open water to swim around in.
Catfish require a substrate at the bottom of their tank to dig through. Sand is ideal as it’s easy for them to dig and won’t damage their barbels.
All catfish will appreciate a cover on top of their tank, as this prevents them from jumping out or being sucked up by a filter intake. They enjoy decorating it with bogwood and plants to have places to explore and hide in. However, catfish have an inquisitive nature; be cautious when rearranging decorations if you decide to introduce something new into their environment.
Catfish require clean, clear water to survive, as they are highly sensitive to changes in chemistry.
Catfish Tank Requirements
| Requirement | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.8-8.0 | Catfish can be sensitive to large pH swings |
| Water Hardness | 5-20 dH | Soft to moderately hard water is preferred |
| Temperature | 73-81°F | Most catfish prefer warmer water |
| Lighting | Moderate to bright | Catfish do not require high lighting |
| Filtration | Strong | Catfish produce a lot of waste and need good filtration |
| Tank Size | Depends on the species | Larger catfish species require larger tanks |
| Decorations | Hiding places | Catfish like to hide, so decorations should provide hiding spots |
| Substrate | Soft substrate | Some catfish like to burrow, so a soft substrate is preferred |
| Tank Mates | Compatible species | Some catfish can be aggressive and should not be kept with certain species |
| Feeding | Varied diet | Catfish are typically omnivorous and should be offered a varied diet |
Note: It’s important to keep in mind that specific catfish species may have different requirements and preferences, so it’s always a good idea to research the needs of the particular species you plan to keep.
Tank Size For Catfish
When it comes to catfish tank size, aim for at least 20 gallons per fish.
Give them plenty of room to swim and explore, as well as hide if needed. If you have multiple catfish in your tank, ensure there is enough separation between them so they do not get into any fights.
If you keep large catfish, a larger tank may be beneficial as they can grow up to two inches long.
Tank Mates For Catfish
Catfish are generally peaceful fish and can be kept with other small, non-aggressive species.
Due to their territorial instincts, you should not keep these animals in tanks with other species; however, if your tank is large enough, multiple males of the same species can be kept together.
They can be kept with a variety of community fish, such as Tetras, Danios, Rasboras and Guppies.
They will also thrive with other bottom-dwelling species with similar water requirements.
Catfish are social creatures and prefer being in shoals or large groups rather than on their own. If your tank is larger, you may notice them more active as they prefer having their own personal space.
Some catfish species, such as Bristlenose Catfish, may become territorial with other members of their species and need a larger tank to prevent fighting.
Avoid keeping them with fish that could bully or out-compete them for food, such as aggressive feeders or fast-moving species that will snare food before it has a chance to be eaten.
How To Feed Catfish
When feeding your catfish, it is essential to remember that they are opportunistic feeders and will consume whatever can be offered them.
Catfish do not possess excellent vision, so they rely on their barbels at the front of their face to locate food. Since these creatures tend to live at depths, they mainly feed off of substrate.
Catfish will eat a variety of common foods, such as sinking pellets, flakes and algae wafers. They’re also capable of intaking almost any type of food they can fit in their mouth – including live or frozen items like brine shrimps and bloodworms.
Catfish are primarily nocturnal feeders and require a substantial amount of food to fulfill their nutritional requirements.
Catfish do best when fed once or twice a day, as long as their diet is varied and there’s always access to food without overfeeding at once; otherwise, your tank could become constipated from overfeeding.
Additionally, ensure your pet gets enough food so their stomach isn’t overstuffed when eating; this could lead to digestive issues.
If they are underfed, you will notice they have difficulty swimming due to weak muscles – particularly if the fish are smaller in size.
Overfeeding your catfish can lead to decay at the bottom of the tank, creating ammonia spikes which could be detrimental for your fish.
Common Health Issues In Catfish
Catfish commonly suffer from swim bladder disease, dropsy, and fin rot.
Swim Bladder Disease
If your catfish has difficulty swimming or is floating upside down at the surface of its tank, it could be suffering from swim bladder disease.
This condition can be caused by many things, such as constipation or overfeeding. However, most often it’s due to the fish struggling with changes in their environment when introduced into a new tank.
If your catfish has this condition, you will notice it having difficulty swimming and may even float to the surface and then drop back down again.
Dropsy
Dropsy is a health condition that catfish may experience when underfed or stressed from their environment.
Signs of dropsy may include lumps on the skin, scales that stand upright, and weight loss.
Unfortunately, if your fish develop dropsy, there is no cure and it will eventually succumb.
Fin Rot
Fin rot is another common health issue that can affect catfish, typically due to the fish not being able to adjust properly to changes in their environment.
This condition may be due to unsanitary water conditions, such as high ammonia or nitrite levels. It could also be the result of having too many fish in your tank and overfeeding them.
Signs of fin rot in catfish include red or rotting fins and a loss of color. If you observe any symptoms, take action right away to stop the disease from spreading further down your fish’s body.
If not treated promptly, the symptoms will worsen and your catfish could succumb.
Are Catfish A Good Addition To Your Tank?
Catfish make ideal additions to any home aquarium, as they will consume algae and any leftover food that might otherwise rot at the bottom.
These fish tend to be much less aggressive than most other varieties, so you won’t need to worry about them becoming aggressive towards each other or any other inhabitants in your tank.
One important tip when keeping catfish is not to overstock your tank with too many of them; these creatures tend to be picky eaters and will create a lot of waste.
They can become quite large, so make sure your tank has plenty of room for them.
If you have never kept fish before, catfish make an excellent starter fish as they require minimal care and can be quite entertaining to watch.
