Sturgeon catfish (Platystomatichthys sturio) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Sturgeon catfish, Fox catfish, Platystoma sturio
Family
Pimelodidae (long-whiskered catfishes)
Origin
South America: Amazon basin (described from the Rio Branco, Brazil).
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
21–25°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
Soft to fairly hard, up to about 18 dGH
Minimum tank
800 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

A large, slender, long-snouted pimelodid catfish that reaches about 40 cm SL (PlanetCatfish). It is an active swimmer and needs a very large tank; as our estimate, at least 200 × 60 cm (around 800 litres) for an adult, with plenty of open swimming space. Use a soft sand substrate, a few large pieces of wood for cover, and strong, efficient filtration with good water movement and plenty of oxygen. A secure, heavy lid is advisable, as active pimelodids can jump when startled. PlanetCatfish gives 21–25 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and hardness up to about 18 dGH. Large predators produce a lot of waste, so keep up large, regular water changes. Identification: a flattened, shovel-shaped head and a long, sturgeon-like body, which give it its name. PlanetCatfish lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2020). FishBase could not be checked for this page, and sexing and breeding details are not known. 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=319). Checked October 2026.

Diet

PlanetCatfish gives no feeding notes. Like other long-snouted pimelodids it is a predator: offer sinking carnivore pellets and frozen foods such as prawn, mussel, krill and fish, and assume it will eat any fish small enough to swallow.

Breeding

Breeding has not been reported in the aquarium (PlanetCatfish), and there is no reliable way to tell the sexes apart.

Compatibility and tank mates

Only keep it with fish too large to be swallowed, such as large cichlids, large characins, arowanas and other big catfish. It is not a community fish. Plan for its adult size before buying a juvenile.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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