Giraffe Catfish

With large, angular brown blotches on a yellowish light brown background, the giraffe catfish resembles a giraffe's pattern. It feeds by sifting the bottom with its pointed snout and small mouth. It lives across a large part of Africa, on the sandy and muddy bottoms of large rivers and lakes. Mind its size: it is sold in stores as cute 8–10 cm juveniles, but adults exceed 50 cm and eat a lot.

• At least 600 liters and 180 cm of length for an adult.
• A wide, soft sand substrate; the fish constantly digs and sifts sand.
• Sturdy, minimal decor; plants get uprooted.
• Very strong filtration and frequent, large water changes.

Omnivorous and feeds by sifting the bottom. Offer sinking granules and tablets, frozen bloodworms, mysis, shrimp, mussels and vegetable tablets.

Peaceful for its size; because its mouth is small, it does not hunt fish. However, it eats shrimp and snails on the bottom and, by constantly digging, disrupts decor and plants. As it grows it can become territorial toward its own kind and other large bottom dwellers.

Good companions: in a large aquarium, medium to large peaceful fish: big barbs, large Synodontis, calm African cichlids, large plecos.

Avoid: cramped aquariums, planted layouts, shrimp and snails.