Origin: This catfish lived in western Panama, Ecuador, or Columbia, when it caught for us by very skillful collectors and then shipped to us.

Maximum Size: These Catfish can grow to be about 8" long, including their tails, which are long.

Behaviors: They will usually move around pretty actively during the day, but some of them seem to hide during the day and become more active at night.

But if there is food to be eaten, they become very active looking for it.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include Tetras, Cory Catfish, Angelfish, and other mild tempered community fish.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: They live well from about 75 to 82 degrees F., but they're probably most comfortable at about 78 degrees F.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Flakes when very small and small Premium Pellet Food when larger.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: This Catfish seems to be tolerant of a wide range of water conditions. Probably a pH of about 7.0 to 7.5 with moderate hardness is best.

Most water in the US has a higher pH and is harder but seems to be OK, so it's probably best NOT to adjust the pH or the hardness of the water.

Their ancestors lived in rapidly flowing water, so they need vigorously moving water and frequent partial water changes in their aquarium.

Here in our facilities the water is hard and the pH is usually about 7.8. We ship them in this water.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: It is probably best to house these fish in at least a 30-gallon tank, when they're less than 3" long, but a bigger aquarium is always better.

Allow at least 5-gallons of water for each Catfish under 3" long.

They'll grow rather slowly. At about 3" they should be moved into a 60-gallon aquarium.

Decor: These Catfish do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel. Pieces of aquarium-safe driftwood are also nice.

Live Plants are beautiful and improve the water quality and these catfish do better in an aquarium with live plants.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended. A Penguin 200B Filter in an aquarium with 30-gallons of water is OK to start with a few of these Catfish that are less than 3" long.

At 3" long they should be moved into a 60-gallon aquarium with two Penguin 350B filters.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: These Catfish can live for several years, probably many years provided they are fed premium food and kept in a large aquarium with very fresh water.

Gender: As they mature females presumably become plumper than males.

Breeding: Apparently they are not too difficult to breed.

Popularity: This Catfish is rare and not often seen.

Names: The scientific name is Sturisoma panamense.

Variations: None that we know of, but this species inhabits a huge area, so there may be variations.

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