TIGRINUS CATFISH

Tigrinus Catfishes have a very unique look. They have a long slender white body that is covered with remarkably black stripes. These continuous strips run horizontally along the body and continue on their dorsal, adipose, and caudal fins.

These fish are often mistaken with Brachyplatystoma juruense, which has divided strips and a short upper jaw. Juvenile Tigrinus Catfish are mostly grayish and are not equipped with these strips. They develop these strips as they mature.

Their elongated head and long “whiskers” or barbels make the Tigrinus Catfish look very elegant in the aquarium. Sometimes, their maxillary barbels may reach half the length of their body.

The adipose fin is large and rounded, while the dorsal and caudal fins are both forked. Like many other long-whiskered catfishes, the Tigrinus Catfish lack scales.

Size

What is the expected maximum size of Tigrinus Catfish? The Tigrinus Catfish can grow quite large, with some specimens reaching up to 23.6 inches (60 cm) in length. However, the average size is usually around 20 inches (50 cm).

Lifespan

The average Tigrinus Catfish lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 15 years. That’s significantly longer than most other freshwater fish, which tend to have lifespans of 5 – 10 years or less. 

Tank Size

The recommended tank size for a full-grown Tigrinus catfish is 180 gallons with a large footprint (as long and wide as possible). If you plan on keeping young Tigrinus Catfish in your aquarium, you will need to increase the tank size accordingly.

These fish are known to grow fast, and they can outgrow small aquariums pretty quickly. If you keep them in a small tank, that will stunt their growth and can cause long-term health problems.

Water Parameters

In their native habitats, these fish are found in the fast-flowing murky waters with a high proportion of dissolved oxygen and solids. Maintaining a high level of dissolved oxygen is very important for Tigrinus Catfish.

Tigrinus Catfish are very tolerant of a wide range of water parameters, but the following conditions should be met for optimal care: 

• Temperature: 75.2 – 82.4°F (High Oxygen Level)
• pH: 6.8 – 7.6
• GH: 0 – 18
• Ammonia: 0ppm
• Nitrite: 0ppm
• Nitrate: <30ppm

Food & Diet

As we mentioned before, Tigrinus Catfish are entirely piscivorous and will consume fish they can fit into their mouths.

Tigrinus Catfish are also a notoriously finicky species when it comes to their eating habits. In the wild, they subsist primarily on a diet of smaller fish and crustaceans. However, in captivity, new fish often refuse to eat anything that isn’t live food. These problems can be overloaded in a community tank.

As a result, Tigrinus Catfish owners must take special care to ensure that their fish are getting enough to eat.

One method is to feed Tigrinus Catfish live freshwater bait fish. This will stimulate their natural hunting instincts and encourage them to eat.

However, there is some debate over whether Tigrinus Catfish should be fed with shrimp and other shellfish or not. Almost half of the keepers suggest not to provide them with any shellfish as young Tigrinus Catfishes’ diets, even if they are freshwater. While the other half argue that Tigrinus Catfish can consume shrimp after they reach 12 inches.

Given the records and associated risks, it is the best way to avoid them no matter your fish’s age and size, and there are plenty of food options out there. Tilapia, live blackworms, and nightcrawlers have been proved to be the Tigrinus Catfish’s favorites. Some catfish pellets will work as well. The most popular ones are Hikari Sinking Carnivore Pellets and Hikari Massivore Delite.

Tank Mates

Due to the fact that feeding these fish can be tricky, young Tigrinus Catfish are not recommended for most community tanks. It’s best to keep them isolated in their own grow-out tanks until they reach 12 inches.

When choosing tank mates for your adult Tigrinus Catfish, it’s best to steer clear of many small fish, as they may become prey. You also want to avoid aggressive fish that may nip at their delicate fins and long filaments.

Here are some potential tank mates to consider:

• Clown loaches
• Endlicheri Bichir
• Johanna Pike Cichlid
• Silver Cichlid