Sturgeon Catfish

Siluriformes sp.

Sturgeon Catfish (Siluriformes sp.) — Easy care, Peaceful, under Catfish & Cory. Minimum tank in the app: 36 US gal min; aim for 72–86°F and pH 6–7.8. The Sturgeon Catfish is an intriguing choice for aquarists who appreciate a unique bottom-dwelling species that thrives in a variety of environments.

Sturgeon Catfish (Siluriformes sp.) in a planted freshwater aquarium
Care levelEasy
TemperamentPeaceful
Min tank size36 US gal min
pH range6–7.8
Temperature72–86°F
Max size6.3 in (16.0 cm)
Captive lifespan8–16 years
SchoolingNo

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.

Sturgeon Catfish Tank Setup

Creating an engaging environment involves a balance of open space for swimming and ample hiding spots, such as caves or dense plant arrangements, to satisfy its exploratory instincts. A soft substrate is essential to protect its sensitive barbels, while moderate water flow and subdued lighting can mimic its natural habitat, promoting comfort and activity.

What Do Sturgeon Catfishs Eat?

This omnivorous catfish thrives on sinking pellets, frozen foods, and vegetable matter, making it a relatively easy feeder. Due to its slower feeding speed, competition can arise with more aggressive eaters; thus, providing a variety of feeding locations can help mitigate this issue and encourage healthy foraging behavior.

Sturgeon Catfish Tank Mates

Ideal tank mates include similarly sized peaceful species that occupy different levels of the tank, such as larger tetras or rasboras. Caution should be exercised with aggressive or overly active fish that might stress the Sturgeon Catfish. While it does not shoal, keeping multiple individuals can be beneficial if space allows, emphasizing an environment where each fish can establish its own territory.

Are Sturgeon Catfishs Good for Beginners?

In App-aquatic we file this under easy care. That still means a cycled tank, realistic stocking, and parameters that do not swing every weekend. Aquarists often underestimate the importance of tank size and structure for the Sturgeon Catfish, leading to stress in overcrowded or bare tanks. failing to provide a soft substrate can harm its barbels, resulting in health issues that stem from injury or infection.

Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.

Log tests and reminders in App-aquatic—free, same data you see here.