How to Keep Catfish in an Aquarium

Keeping fish in an aquarium is a hobby that requires less work than other pets, such as dogs or cats. But maintaining an aquarium does require some work, including cleaning the tank and feeding the fish regularly. It also requires knowledge of which types of fish can be kept in an aquarium and which fish can be kept with which other types of fish. For example, catfish can be kept in an aquarium, but they must be kept under specific conditions and cannot be kept with certain types of other fish, such as angelfish and gouramis, which feast upon newborn catfish.

Things You'll Need

  • 5- to 10-gallon aquarium
  • Sand or gravel
  • Large rocks
  • Plants or driftwood
  • Heater and thermostat
  • pH testing kit
  • Filter
  • Fish food
  • Catfish
  • Compatible fish (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Select at least a 10-gallon aquarium to place the catfish in if the fish are adult catfish. If the fish are young catfish, a smaller aquarium may be used (five gallons). Select an aquarium that provides enough space for territorial adult male catfish, which need around 10 square centimeters to themselves. A rule of thumb is a minimum of six gallons of water for every three adult catfish.

    • 2

      Place around two inches of sand or gravel at the bottom of the aquarium to allow the catfish to dig. Add several rocks large enough for the fish to hide behind or under, since catfish need to hide when frightened or to breed. Young catfish also need hiding places when the aquarium has other types of fish. Add several plants or driftwood, but avoid having too many items in the tank so the catfish has plenty of unobstructed room to swim in.

    • 3

      Maintain a water temperature between 77 degrees and 82 degrees Fahrenheit with a heater and thermostat. Maintain a pH balance somewhere between 6 and 8 (medium to hard). Place a large filter in the tank, which should circulate the water properly and keep the water clean.

    • 4

      Select a fish food composed of shrimp and crab, or buy shrimp and crab and grind to small bits. This is the preferred food of catfish (along with insects), but they will also eat other types of food meant for other fish, including the fish tablets you can buy at the pet store and drop in the water. Monitor and remove any uneaten food from other fish since catfish are bottom feeders and will feed upon any leftover food. Avoid overfeeding, which can kill catfish. One feeding at night is sufficient, dropping one tablet per catfish into the aquarium.

    • 5

      Place fish in the aquarium that are compatible with catfish, such as glass fish, ghost shrimp and fancy guppies. Add more plants and rocks for hiding places when there are a greater variety of fish, especially when the catfish breed. Some types of fish, including cichlids, will feed upon the catfish, which are generally not aggressive toward other fish. Monitor young catfish, taking care that they have hiding places to avoid being eaten by other fish.

    • 6

      Maintain a male catfish population equal to the female population when breeding catfish. Breeding catfish doesn̵7;t require much, since the male catfish will stay guard and protect the eggs. The male catfish will fan the eggs and keep predators away.