How to Raise Aquarium Catfish

Catfish are typically found in freshwater -- they get their name from the distinctive barbs or "whiskers" emerging from either side of their head, giving them a cat-like appearance. When kept in an aquarium, catfish can be an asset to the tank. They are known scavengers who will clean up any stray food that lingers on the bottom of the tank. If you are planning to raise a catfish in your aquarium, there are a few arrangements that you can make to ensure the catfish has a long and healthy life in your aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • Fine sand or small gravel
  • Fish food
  • Rocks and plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill the bottom of the aquarium with a fine sand or small pebbles. Catfish live mostly on the bottom of the tank and enjoy burying themselves at the bottom of the tank. They cannot do this if the tank is filled with large glass stones or other larger gravel.

    • 2

      Provide the fish with lots of plants and rocks so it can hide. A catfish can survive if there are no rocks or plants, but they do best when they are provided with adequate hiding spots.

    • 3

      Keep the pH level of the aquarium neutral to best suit the catfish. Also, the temperature of the tank should be in the 70s (Fahrenheit).

    • 4

      Feed the catfish the same food you feed all the other fish in the aquarium. Feed the fish enough food so that the rest floats to the bottom of the tank where the catfish can eat it. Also, since catfish are nocturnal creatures, you might want to feed the fish later in the day to adjust to the catfish's feeding schedule.

    • 5

      Avoid putting the catfish in an aquarium with certain cichlids. These fish are not always compatible with catfish and will kill the catfish if they reside in the same tank.