Barred Sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) Care Guide
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum is a large migratory predatory catfish of South American rivers, reaching about 105 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, the barred sorubim, is a long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae, described by Linnaeus in 1766. According to FishBase it reaches about 105 cm in length and up to 70 kg in weight, making it suitable only for very large or public-aquarium systems.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pimelodidae
- Genus: Pseudoplatystoma
- Scientific name: Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, Orinoco and Paraná River basins. It is a freshwater, demersal and potamodromous (freshwater-migratory) fish that occupies principal river channels and shaded streams. Wikipedia notes the genus is migratory, with reproduction tied to seasonal flooding.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1500 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
FishBase describes it as a carnivorous nocturnal hunter feeding on fish (loricariids, cichlids and characoids) as well as crabs, with a trophic level of about 4.4, indicating a top-predator role.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling predator. Given its adult size it should only share space with similarly large fish; the KB record warns against keeping it with small fish that would be eaten.
Breeding
FishBase reports females mature at about 56 cm and males at about 45 cm, with fecundity estimated at around 8 million eggs per kilogram. Breeding is tied to seasonal flooding and is not feasible in home aquaria.
Conservation status
FishBase lists the species as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; Wikipedia notes that wild populations have declined due to overfishing and dam construction.
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum Breeding Guide
Overview
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, the barred sorubim, is a large long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae inhabiting the Essequibo, Corantijn, Orinoco and Amazon river basins. Adults reach up to about 90 cm in total length, with females notably larger than males, and the species is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Sexual maturity occurs around two years of age, with females maturing near 56 cm and males near 45 cm. The species shows homing behaviour, returning to its natal river, with a mean migratory distance reported around 124 km between dry and rising-water seasons. Breeding is triggered by seasonal flooding: during high flows, eggs are fertilised externally and carried by the current into floodplain nursery habitats.
Commercial Reproduction
In aquaculture, reproduction is induced with hormone injection; using two injections within 24 hours, ovulation occurs after roughly 8 hours at about 27 C. Larvae can be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp from about 48 hours post-hatching, fed frequently to reduce cannibalism. These are controlled facility methods, not home-aquarium practices.