Shark catfish - Pangasius sutchi

From the catfish family comes the Pangasius sutchi- whose name is usually only known from the freezer. It is also called Pangasius hypothalmus and among the shark catfishes it is a rather medium-sized specimen, which is nevertheless exclusively suitable for keeping in very large aquariums. For advanced aquarists it is a great challenge.

You will receive our Pangasius in a size of 5 cm. Please note that these animals are group fish in their youth, which can take care of and get sick individually. Only with increasing age they develop to loners!

Originally, the Pangasius comes from Southeast Asia and Indonesia, where it inhabits larger rivers such as the Mekong and the Chao Phraya. The animals have the typical shark body, which gave them their name, and a shiny silver ground color on a leathery and scaleless skin. The mouth has two pairs of barbels. The sexes are difficult to distinguish externally. With a possible final size of almost 130 cm, the Pangasius can be kept permanently only from 6000 liters approximately species-appropriate. It can become up to 12 years old with good care.

There are currently no reports about breeding in the aquarium.

The aquarium for Pangasius hypothalmus should be at least 6000 liters and have a good infrastructure as well as enough swimming space. Since it may occasionally burrow, a sufficiently dimensioned filter is necessary. Therefore sand is suitable as substrate. Plants can be introduced background and at the edges. At water values with a total hardness between 2-30 °dGH, as well as a pH-value of 6,5-7,5 and a temperature of 23-27 °C the Pangasius can be maintained well.

Pangasius are sociable only in the juvenile stage, they even need the group size for well-being. Only with increasing age they become loners. A socialization of these huge animals is therefore only possible with large Barbodes species, because smaller fellow fish and invertebrates will be eaten by him sooner or later.

Pangasius feeds in its habitat on both animal and vegetable food and can be fed in the aquarium most likely with large dry food such as food pellets, but also with food tablets and initially with food flakes for omnivorous ornamental fish. Variety is also provided by live and frozen foods such as fish fillets, smelts, mussels and shrimp.

Our food recommendation: The professional NatureHolic main feed is a professionally formulated complete diet especially for all sucking catfish. The feed tabs contain important dietary fibers such as chitin and plant fibers, which are essential for the survival of catfish for a well functioning digestion. With strong proteins from insect larvae as well as carbohydrate-rich vegetables NatureHolic Catfish Feed provides all sucking catfish optimally with all important building materials for a fast and healthy growth. The extra hard chips can be scraped off by the catfish close to nature - here they really have to do something for their food! An occupation like in nature.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.