How to Grow Catfish in Tanks

Catfish are renowned for their good taste and ease to care for. However, more than just food, catfish make excellent pets as fish. Regardless of your motive, growing catfish in tanks can be achieved by anyone. By growing catfish in tanks, you will be able to gain a inside perspective of what it takes to raise a fish and gain a plethora of memories that you will keep for the long run.

Things You'll Need

  • 30 gallon aquarium
  • Thermometer
  • Aquarium pebbles
  • Air lift filter
  • Ph water testing kit
  • Algae scrubber
  • Hard fish pebbles
  • Artificial plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify a location for your catfish aquarium. Find an area that is neither exposed to direct sunlight or direct shade. The temperature range for the exterior air should be within a consistent range of 60 - 80 F to ensure maximum stability for your catfish.

    • 2

      Place your empty aquarium on the location you have identified, fill your 30 gallon aquarium with tap water and let sit for one week. This allows the chemical compounds that will harm your catfish, such as chlorine, to naturally break down. Although catfish are a hardy fish species, proper dechlorination of your water is essential to ensure the health of your fish.

    • 3

      Pour your pebbles into the bottom of your 30 gallon tank to create a flat plain. With your airlift filter, dig your air bubble into a corner and wind the airline up the side of your tank wall. Turn on your airlift filter to ensure bubbles reach the surface of your tank and read your airlift filter's package to ensure that it will provide enough oxygen for a 30 gallon tank. If you can't find this number, be sure call or speak with your pet store/retailer to find this information.

    • 4

      Dig in your artificial plants into your pebble substrate to give your catfish somewhere to hide. Place your catfish into your aquarium and regularly feed it a pinch of hard fish pebbles each day. Since catfish are bottom feeders, any excess fish pebbles that sink to the bottom and are not instantly eaten are not a cleaning issue. Use your algae scrubber weekly to clean the sides of your tank to prevent algae build up. Your catfish will grow about 4 inches each year.

    • 5

      Monitor your pH levels with a pH kit every two weeks to ensure the aquarium's water stays between 6 - 7 pH. With temperature, use your digital thermometer to ensure the water never dips below 60 F or rises above 80F.