Zebra Shovelnose Catfish Care Guide
Brachyplatystoma juruense is a large predatory catfish from the Amazon and Orinoco basins, reaching about 60 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Brachyplatystoma juruense is a long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae, described by Boulenger in 1898. It is a striped South American predator sometimes called the zebra catfish or gold zebra pim. It is rare in the aquarium trade and reaches a large adult size, making it suitable only for very large or public aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pimelodidae
- Genus: Brachyplatystoma
- Scientific name: Brachyplatystoma juruense
Habitat
The species inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, with records from regions of northwestern Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. FishBase classifies it as a freshwater, demersal (bottom-dwelling) species of tropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1200 L (317 gal)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
FishBase reports a temperature range of 22-27 °C for the species. A maximum recorded length of about 60 cm total length is noted by FishBase.
Diet
This catfish is carnivorous. FishBase assigns it a high trophic level of about 4.5, consistent with a predatory diet. In captivity it takes meaty foods, typically offered once daily.
Compatibility
The species is a semi-aggressive, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling predator. Small fish that fit in its mouth are at risk and should be avoided. Soft substrate and hiding places suit its bottom-oriented behavior.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020). The species has minor commercial fisheries value and is also kept in public aquariums.
Brachyplatystoma juruense Breeding Guide
Overview
Brachyplatystoma juruense, the zebra shovelnose or zebra catfish, is a striped long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. FishBase records a maximum total length around 60 cm in freshwater, demersal habitats and lists it as Least Concern; it is one of the migratory goliath catfishes.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Goliath catfishes of the genus Brachyplatystoma undertake some of the longest freshwater migrations known, moving upstream to spawn in the far western Amazon, in or near the Andes. For B. juruense, spawning is confirmed in western Amazon tributaries, with the maximum distance from the estuary to larval capture points reported around 4,238 km. After spawning, early life stages drift passively downstream, and larval densities peak during the rainy season.
Egg & Fry Care
Reproduction depends on accessing oxygen-rich Andean tributaries, followed by downstream larval drift toward distant nursery areas. There is no parental care and no possible home-aquarium fry-rearing protocol.