Zebra spatula catfish - Brachyplatystoma tigrinum WF 15-18cm

Zebra spatula catfish – Brachyplatystoma tigrinum

The zebra spade catfish (Brachyplatystoma tigrinum) is one of the most fascinating large catfish of South America. With its striking black and white tiger stripe pattern and elongated body, it appears both extremely elegant and imposing. This species is a real eye-catcher in large display aquariums and impresses with its calm yet powerful swimming behavior.

Brachyplatystoma tigrinum is a peaceful, but very large, open-water catfish that needs plenty of swimming space and is therefore suitable for spacious aquariums or indoor tanks.

🌿 Characteristics & Attitude:

🐠 Fish size: XL (grows to over 100 cm in nature, usually much smaller in aquariums)
🌎 Origin: South America (Amazon and Orinoco region)
🌡️ Temperature: 24-29°C
💧 pH value: 6.0–7.5
⚖️ Overall hardness: Soft to medium-hard
🐟 Social behavior: Peaceful, but predatory towards smaller fish
🌾 Aquarium: 1000 L and up, preferably much larger; powerful filter, plenty of swimming space, subdued lighting

🍽️ Feeding:

Accept frozen food, large insect larvae, mussel meat, and high-quality catfish food. A varied diet supports growth, condition, and coloration. Young fish also eat granules; later, they prefer larger portions .

💡 Tip:

A powerful filtration system, plenty of open space, and a gentle current are ideal, as the zebra shovelnose catfish is an active open-water predator in the wild. Choose robust tank mates that are large enough not to become prey.

👉 Conclusion:

The zebra spade catfish is an impressive, peaceful and beautiful large catfish – ideal for experienced keepers with very large tanks or indoor facilities who are looking for a majestic eye-catcher.