Edit Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
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Name
Scientific name
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
Described by
Not recorded
Family
Pimelodidae
Common names
Barred Shovelnose
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The barred shovelnose, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, is a large pimelodid catfish with a very wide range in South America, from Colombia to A…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
1040mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Not recorded
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–26°C, pH 6–7.6
Hardness
2–30dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Has a very wide natural range. Confirmed populations exist in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Argenti…
Habitat
Inhabits a vatiety of biotopes, from large rivers and lakes to areas of flooded forest. Supposedly it's often found in more sluggish habitats than many large P…
Aquarium size
Something in the region of 12' x 8' x 4' (360cm x 240cm x 120cm) - 10,368 litres would be needed for a fully-grown fish. Even this would not give it space to c…
Maintenance
Strictly speaking, decor isn't necessary for a tank containing an adult, provided the lighting is fairly dim. You can however add some large chunks of bogwood,…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 26 °C pH: 6.0 to 7.6. It does best in slightly acidic water. Hardness: 2 to 30°H
Diet
Piscivorous by nature, but usually adapts well to dead foods in captivity. It relishes meaty items such as prawns, mussels, cockle, lancefish or earthworms. La…
Behaviour and compatibility
Whilst it won't hesitate to gobble any smaller fish, it's actually quite peaceful and can be kept alongside other similarly-sized species in suitable surroundi…
Sexual dimorphism
Virtually impossible to sex by external characteristics. Adult females are likely to be stockier in build than males.
Reproduction
Unreported in the hobby. It migrates over long distances to spawn in nature, and replicating these conditions in an aquarium would be nigh on impossible.
Notes
It's debatable as to whether this species should be considered an aquarium subject at all, given its eventual size. All too often juveniles are sold without ad…
References
References
No references