Sun Catfish
Horabagrus brachysoma
The Sun Catfish (Horabagrus brachysoma) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 645 litres (170 US gallons), water held at 73-77°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Asia (India)
- East & Southeast Asia
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Sun Catfish Tank Setup
Plan for at least 645 litres (170 US gallons) with soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel - sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the water at 73-77°F with a pH around 6-7.5. They grow to around 45 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 Sun Catfish Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Sun Catfish Tank Mates
Large predatory catfish (~45 cm SL) - will eat any tankmate that fits in its mouth. Unsuitable for general community tanks despite marketing. Needs a very large, well-filtered tank. The Sun Catfish is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. 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 Sun Catfish Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Sun Catfish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Sun Catfish need?
Sun Catfish need a tank of at least 645 litres (170 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 Sun Catfish need?
Keep them at 73-77°F with a pH of 6-7.5, 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 Sun Catfish eat?
Sun Catfish are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Sun Catfish good for beginners?
Sun Catfish are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Sun Catfish
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 645 litres (170 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.
Check Sun Catfish against any other fish → Compares water parameters, predation risk, fin nipping and tank size, and draws both at life size.
Fish to avoid mixing with Sun 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
- Iridescent SharkPredator - Iridescent Shark will eat or injure smaller tank mates
