One of the largest freshwater fishes, reaching about 3 m. PlanetCatfish says it is not recommended for home aquaria: even a big home tank cannot house an adult, which needs a vast amount of open swimming space. It is nervous and can injure itself in a small tank; some plants help it settle. No minimum tank size is given here because no home aquarium is suitable. Water at 24–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to medium-hard suits it. Juveniles show a black extension on the dorsal fin from about 4 cm. A short-bodied "balloon" form also exists in the hobby. No sexual differences have been recorded. Status: it is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2007). Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=268). Checked October 2026.
Diet
A large predator and scavenger. Young fish take pellets and flake; adults need large meaty foods. In the wild it eats fish, crustaceans and carcasses.
Breeding
Not reported in captivity.
Compatibility and tank mates
Not suitable for a home aquarium. It will eat any fish it can swallow.
Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
About Aquatic-Auctions
Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].