posted 12-10-2003 12:36 PM         

Common Name(s) (White Tip) Shark Catfish, Jordan's Catfish, Colombian Shark

Latin Name Arius seemani

Water pH 6.8 - 8.0 with added salt
Origin Pacific rivers from Southern California down to Colombia.

Temperature 22 - 26°C

Size 350mm

Feeding A true omnivore, these fish are often near starvation when bought at the smaller than 2" size but can be brought on very successfully on frozen bloodworm. Once acclimatized, feed less protein rich foods such as catfish tablets. The fish can be trained to approach the surface to feed. Adults can be fed frozen prawns intermittently.

Compatibility Very similar to South American Pimelodids, keep with fish that like similar water conditions and are big enough to prevent being considered prey. Youngsters (smaller than 12cm) can be kept in alkaline fresh water (with for example rift lake cichlids), but larger fish MUST have salt added to the water in order to thrive.
Suggested Tankmates Initially most medium sized active fish, but with the addition of salt to the water as the fish grow, brackish water fish such as Monos, Scats or large Mollies are the order of the day.