Flathead Catfish Aquarium for Beginners

Flathead catfish have become nuisance invaders in many lakes and streams in North America, crowding out native species of catfish. They are still fascinating creatures, however, and make interesting pets if you can find an aquarium big enough to house them. Generally speaking, these large catfish start out life at only a few inches long, but over their 20-plus year life span can grow to more than 125 lbs. Keeping a pet flathead catfish for the first few years of its life can be accomplished in a normal freshwater aquarium, however.

  1. Aquarium size

    • The size of the aquarium that you choose to house your flathead catfish in is absolutely critical. A typical 10-gallon aquarium will not house the catfish for more than one or two years at most, as it will outgrow the tank and you will have to either upgrade your tank or release your catfish. The best option for your fish is to provide it with a minimum 55-gallon aquarium. If possible, a 100-gallon aquarium is more ideal, though it will still eventually be too small for the flathead catfish. The fish will outgrow a 55-gallon aquarium in approximately five years and will outgrow a 100-gallon aquarium in 10 years.

    Environmental needs

    • Like all fish kept in captivity, the flathead catfish has to have the right water conditions in order to survive. First, install a substrate in the aquarium that is at least 3 inches deep. Avoid using sand, as the fish will displace sand as it grows, clouding the aquarium. Medium-sized pebbles are best. Next, install a filter in the aquarium that hangs off of the back. You will need slightly more filtration for a flathead catfish than you would for a fish such as a goldfish, so if you have a 55-gallon aquarium, choose a filter designed for use with a 75-gallon or larger aquarium. Finally, you'll have to oxygenate the water that the fish will be living in. This requires using an air pump with a bubbler inside the aquarium.

    Feeding

    • Catfish of all sorts are opportunistic hunters, taking food pretty much wherever they can find it. Feeding your catfish a diet of live foods along with freeze-dried or pellet foods will maintain the fish's health and let it grow at its usual pace. Avoid feeding the flathead catfish live goldfish too often, though. These are like candy bars to large predatory fish. While they will readily accept and enjoy them, goldfish, and in particular feeder goldfish, often carry diseases that can be transmitted into your aquarium. A better option is to purchase minnows from a bait and tackle shop, install them into their own aquarium, and attempt to build your own food stock with them.

    Releasing

    • Eventually, your flathead catfish will outgrow the aquarium that you have placed it in. These animals have been known to reach as large as 125 pounds. You cannot, however, just release the fish into any stream or pond you want. You really only have a few options. You could sell the catfish to a local fisherman or a restaurant, as their flesh is widely considered the best among catfish species. You can also contact your local wildlife management agency to determine what you should do with it. In addition to this, some sporting goods stores may be willing to give the flathead catfish a home, provided that it has exceptional coloring or comes very near to being a record size fish in some way. Once the fish has reached its maximum size, however, it can no longer be safely kept in an in-home aquarium.