Good Catfish for an Aquarium

When selecting fish for your freshwater aquarium, you may be drawn to the bright colors of the neon tetra or the long fins of the angelfish. These fish are beautiful; but do not overlook the various species of aquarium catfish your local pet store may have in stock. Aquarium catfish make excellent additions to a home tank because many species serve as bottom feeders, helping to remove waste buildup before the water quality in your tank declines. Other species are predatory and, while they may not perform any particular function in your tank, they can be enjoyable to watch.

  1. Plecostomus

    • One of the most popular species of aquarium catfish is the plecostomus. These fish have long, brown bodies with flat bellies and large heads. The defining characteristic of these fish is their suction-cuplike mouths that enable them to suck algae off tank walls and to siphon uneaten fish food from the gravel in your tank. Plecostomus are typically peaceful fish while they are small, but they can become aggressive and territorial once they reach maturity. These fish are recommended for tanks 20 gallons and larger, and the hobbyist should supplement their diet with spirulina pellets and algae wafers.

    Bristlenose Catfish

    • These fish are related to the common plecostomus but are typically smaller and have flatter bodies. Bristlenose catfish, also called bristlenose plecos, are easily identifiable by the fleshy tentacles protruding from the heads in males of the species. Though typically brown in color with white or yellow spots, an albino variant of this species exists. This species is hardy and serves as an excellent algae eater in the home aquarium. Although bristlenose catfish will forage in the tank for food, it is wise to provide them with dietary supplements like algae wafers and spirulina pellets to ensure they get all the nutrients they require.

    Corydoras Catfish

    • Corydoras catfish, also known as cories, are another popular variety of bottom feeder in the home aquarium. These fish have short, squat bodies and prefer to live in groups with at least six of their own species. Most species of corydoras catfish grow to a maximum length around 2.5 inches, though some, like pygmy corydoras, reach a maximum length just over 1 inch. These fish can be very active when kept in groups, but they remain peaceful, which makes them an excellent addition to the community tank. Corydoras will scavenge for food along the bottom of the tank but will benefit from a diet supplemented with sinking pellets and wafers.

    Pictus Cat

    • The pictus cat is one of the smaller species of predatory aquarium catfish, growing to a maximum length around 5 inches. Being a predatory species, pictus catfish should not be kept with small, community species like guppies and live bearers. You can, however, keep Pictus catfish in tanks with more robust species such as rainbow fish, cyprinids and larger characins. This species is likely to accept a variety of foods including live or frozen bloodworms and tubifex worms. Because they have a tendency to gorge themselves, it is wise to feed these fish only every few days once they reach maturity.

    Shovelnose Catfish

    • Found throughout the Amazon River basin, shovelnose catfish are predatory fish that feed on crustaceans as well as other fish. One of the most popular species of shovelnose catfish is the Tiger Shovelnose, which can grow to more than 3 feet long. Because they grow so large, shovelnose catfish are suitable for tanks 200 gallons or larger -- though they can be kept in slightly smaller tanks as juveniles. These fish are best kept with other aggressive species that are not small enough to fit in the catfish's mouth. Another species of shovelnose catfish is the Lima Shovelnose which only grows to a maximum length of 18 inches.