Pseudoplatystoma

The barred shovelnose, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, is a large pimelodid catfish with a very wide range in South America, from Colombia to Argentina. Recorded at 104 cm and 70 kg, it reaches close to that size quickly in captivity and can live for well over 20 years, so it is debatable whether it should be considered an aquarium subject at all. It is easily confused with P. tigrinum, and both are usually sold as 'tiger shovelnose'.

The tiger shovelnose, Pseudoplatystoma tigrinum, is a large pimelodid catfish native to the Amazon and Rio Orinoco basins. It grows to around 105 cm and reaches close to that size quickly in captivity, so it is debatable whether it should be considered an aquarium subject at all. It is easily confused with P. fasciatum, which is usually sold under the same name, though P. tigrinum is generally the more uniformly striped. Hybrids with the red-tailed catfish also reach the market.