How to Rear Catfish

Catfish have no scales and are distinguished by barbells on the face that have the appearance of whiskers on a cat, thus the name. Catfish are commonly kept in freshwater aquariums and require some things different than other aquarium fish. The most common aquarium catfish are armored catfish. If you choose to rear catfish in your aquarium, you need to provide a soft substrate material because catfish forage for food at the bottom of the tank. They are best fed food that sinks because they are bottom feeders. They also feel more secure when hidden from light, so require caves and hiding places in the aquarium. Catfish are hardy, easy-to-care-for fish, and get along well in most community tanks.

Things You'll Need

  • Shallow aquarium
  • Filter
  • Heater
  • Thermometer
  • Sinking vegetable flake and pellet foods
  • Tubifex worms, earthworms, bloodworms, glass worms and brine shrimp
  • Caves
  • Bunch and root plants
  • Water test kit
  • Gravel vacuum
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy a shallow aquarium. Catfish prefer aquariums that aren't too deep because they occasionally swim to the surface to gulp air. The size of the aquarium depends on the type and number of catfish. Corydoras catfish can be housed in a 5- to 10-gallon aquarium, while larger species can require 30 gallons or more; general rule is 1 gallon of water for every 1 inch of full-grown fish.

    • 2

      Place your aquarium in a low-traffic area away from direct sunlight and drafts.

    • 3

      Set up the tank with a filter and heater suited for the size of the tank. Use a thermometer to monitor water temperature. Catfish do best in temperatures of 74 to 78 degrees.

    • 4

      Put 2 to 3 inches of substrate on the bottom of the tank. Use sand or fine gravel substrate.

    • 5

      Plant the tank with bunch plants such as cabomba and elodea and and root plants like vallisneria and swordplants where fish can hide.

    • 6

      Place caves, rocks or driftwood in the tank to provide additional hiding places for catfish. Leave plenty of room in the center of the tank for fish to swim.

    • 7

      Catfish are nocturnal, so feed catfish late in the day or at night. Feed live or frozen tubifex worms, earthworms, bloodworms, glass worms and brine shrimp twice daily. Thaw frozen food before feeding. Feed as much as the fish will eat in three minutes. Supplement catfish's diet with sinking pellet food.

    • 8

      Test water weekly with a water test kit to maintain a neutral pH for catfish. Change 10 percent of the aquarium water weekly. Use a gravel vacuum weekly to clean any accumulated waste from the tank. Clean the aquarium filter weekly.