Shovel-nosed Catfish

About

The shovel-nosed catfish (Sorubim lima) is a large, arrow-shaped pimelodid from the river systems of South America, ranging across the Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná, and Parnaíba drainages. That dramatically flattened, duck-billed head and the bold dark lateral stripe running from snout to tail make it one of the more recognizable big catfish in the hobby, though be aware it is sometimes sold as the closely related Sorubim elongatus, so double-check before you buy. One of the most interesting things about this fish is its posture: it frequently tilts itself head-down at an angle, mimicking a drifting leaf or a root fragment among submerged vegetation. Juveniles rely on this camouflage heavily and carry dense, contrasting pigmentation to sell the illusion; adults tend toward a more open-water lifestyle and the behavior becomes less pronounced as they grow. Despite a reputation for aggression, the main concern is simply mouth size. Anything small enough to swallow will be swallowed. Toward fish its own size, it is actually fairly tolerant, and groups can be kept together in a suitably large setup, especially if raised together from young. Nocturnal by nature, it will be most active after lights out. This is a species for keepers who can plan ahead for a genuinely large, well-filtered aquarium.