Sturgeon Catfish ( Leptodoras acipenserinus )
The Sturgeon Catfish is a truly magnificent and somewhat enigmatic species, prized for its distinctive appearance and peaceful demeanor. Reminiscent of a miniature sturgeon, this large doradid catfish brings a unique presence to a spacious, well-maintained aquarium.
Max Size: These impressive catfish can reach a substantial size, typically growing up to 24 inches (60 centimeters) in length. Due to their ultimate size, they are a long-term commitment.
Behavior:
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A peaceful and generally shy species, the Sturgeon Catfish is primarily nocturnal but will often become active during the day once settled and comfortable in its environment.
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They are bottom-dwellers and will spend much of their time slowly patrolling the tank floor, often sifting through substrate with their sensitive barbels.
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Despite their size, they are not aggressive and are more likely to retreat than confront other fish.
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They are often more confident when kept in small groups of 2-3 individuals, though a single specimen can also thrive if provided with ample hiding places.
Tank Requirements:
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Given their significant adult size, a minimum tank size of 180 gallons is recommended for a single Sturgeon Catfish, with even larger tanks (250+ gallons) ideal for a group or if kept with other large fish.
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Provide plenty of open swimming space along the bottom, as well as numerous large hiding spots created by driftwood, smooth rocks, and caves.
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A soft, fine sand substrate is preferred, as they use their sensitive barbels to search for food along the bottom. Coarse gravel can damage their barbels.
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While not extreme jumpers, a secure lid is always a good precaution for larger fish.
Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C).
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pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, generally ranging from 6.0 to 7.2.
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Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water is suitable.
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Exceptional water quality is crucial. These fish are sensitive to pollutants. Regular, substantial water changes and robust filtration (e.g., large canister filters, sumps) are absolutely essential to maintain low nitrate levels and stable parameters. Good oxygenation is also beneficial.
Diet:
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Omnivorous detritivores, their diet in the wild consists largely of small invertebrates and organic matter found in the substrate.
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In the aquarium, they readily accept a variety of high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, and granules designed for bottom-feeding fish.
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Supplement their diet with a variety of frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, chopped earthworms, and finely chopped market shrimp.
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They can also appreciate blanched vegetables like zucchini or cucumber offered occasionally. Ensure food reaches the bottom, as they are slow eaters.
Compatibility:
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A peaceful giant, the Sturgeon Catfish is an excellent candidate for a large community tank with other similarly sized, peaceful, or semi-aggressive fish.
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Avoid very small fish that could potentially be mistaken for food, although generally, they are not predatory towards tank mates.
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Do not house with highly aggressive or territorial fish that might harass them or outcompete them for food.
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Good tank mates include larger characins (e.g., Silver Dollars, large Tetras), peaceful cichlids (e.g., Severums, Geophagus species), large gouramis, and other large, peaceful bottom-dwellers.