Firewood catfish, (planiceps) shovelnose catfish (Sorubimichthys planiceps) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Peixe-lenha, Acha cubo, Doncella, Shovelnose catfish
Family
Pimelodidae (long-whiskered catfishes)
Origin
South America: the Amazon and Orinoco basins, including the Solimões, Rio Negro and upper tributaries; usually in sediment-rich whitewater rivers.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
150 cm
Temperature
24–28°C
pH
6–7.6
Hardness
3–18 dGH (estimated)
Minimum tank
10000 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

The firewood catfish is a giant predatory pimelodid with a very long, flattened, shovel-like head, a slim cylindrical body and a large tail. A broad cream stripe usually runs from the gill cover to the base of the tail, although colour varies across its range. Small juveniles are sometimes sold, but this species reaches 150 cm standard length (PlanetCatfish and FishBase), with a record of about 1.6 m from Colombia. It is realistically a fish for public aquariums or the very few hobbyists with an indoor pond-sized tank. We have estimated a minimum of about 10,000 litres for an adult; no source gives a figure. The tank needs a long, open swimming length, a sand base with large stones and driftwood for shelter, strong water movement and a high oxygen level. A tight, heavy lid is essential. PlanetCatfish gives 24–28 °C and pH 6.0–7.6. In the wild it lives in whitewater rivers that carry a lot of sediment. Heavy feeding means heavy waste, so very powerful filtration and large, frequent water changes are needed. Sexing is unknown, although females are reported to grow larger than males. FishBase describes it as mainly nocturnal. IUCN lists it as Least Concern (FishBase, assessed 2020), but it is caught for food and PlanetCatfish and Wikipedia note that it is vulnerable to overfishing, especially in the Orinoco basin, with the average size of fish caught falling. Introduced specimens, presumably released aquarium fish, have been found in Lake Superior and San Francisco Bay: never release aquarium fish. 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=122); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Sorubimichthys-planiceps.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewoodcatfish). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A voracious fish-eating predator that feeds mainly at night. Juveniles can be weaned on to dead foods such as pieces of fish and prawn; adults need large portions of whole fish or seafood. Avoid live feeder fish, which can carry disease, and do not overfeed.

Breeding

Not bred in aquariums. PlanetCatfish notes that breeding is unreported and that juveniles appear in the wild at the start of the rainy season.

Compatibility and tank mates

Will eat any fish it can swallow, and it can swallow surprisingly large prey. Keep only with other very large fish that share its water needs, such as other large pimelodid or doradid catfish (PlanetCatfish suggestion).

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

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