Colombian Shark Catfish
Siluriformes sp.
The Colombian Shark Catfish (Siluriformes sp.) is a peaceful fish that's easy to keep. Give it a tank of at least 850 litres (225 US gallons), water held at 72-79°F, and a pH of 6-7.8.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Mostly South America / Africa
- South America
- Africa
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Colombian Shark Catfish Tank Setup
Plan for at least 850 litres (225 US gallons) with soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel - sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the water at 72-79°F with a pH around 6-7.8. They grow to around 35 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Colombian Shark Catfish Eat?
They're bottom feeders, so give them sinking wafers, tablets, or frozen treats like bloodworm once the lights go down. Flakes that never reach the bottom leave them hungry even when the tank looks well-fed.
Colombian Shark Catfish Tank Mates
Requires a large tank and good filtration. The Colombian Shark Catfish is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. At around 35 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Colombian Shark Catfish Good for Beginners?
Reasonable early choice after cycling. Buy after the tank has stable ammonia and nitrite readings, not the same weekend you fill it.
Colombian Shark Catfish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Colombian Shark Catfish need?
Colombian Shark Catfish need a tank of at least 850 litres (225 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Colombian Shark Catfish need?
Keep them at 72-79°F with a pH of 6-7.8, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Colombian Shark Catfish eat?
Colombian Shark Catfish are bottom feeders. Give them sinking wafers, tablets, and frozen foods that settle on the substrate, ideally after the lights go off. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Colombian Shark Catfish good for beginners?
Yes - Colombian Shark Catfish are a reasonable beginner fish once the tank is cycled and parameters are stable. Add them after ammonia and nitrite read 0 ppm, not the same day you fill the tank.
Common mistakes with Colombian Shark Catfish
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 850 litres (225 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Colombian Shark Catfish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
