Barred Sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) Care Guide
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum is a large migratory predatory catfish of South American rivers, reaching about 105 cm.
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.