Lesser Salmon Catfish (Neoarius graeffei)
From The Aquarium Wiki
Neoarius graeffei
946 Litres (250 US G.)
45.7-50.8cm (18-20 ")
6.4 - 8.0
17 -27 °C (62.6-80.6°F)
6-16 °d
1:2 M:F
5-12 years
Family
Ariidae
Contents
Additional names
- Lesser Salmon Catfish, Australian Shark Catfish, Blue Catfish, Fork-tailed Catfish, Blue Salmon Catfish
Additional scientific names
- Arius graeffei, Arius australis, Arius curtisii, Ariopsis graeffei
Sexing[edit | edit source]
- Females have longer, more rounded pelvic fins than males.
Tank compatibility[edit | edit source]
- Should only be kept with similar sized fish or larger, smaller fish may be seen as prey. Good tank mates are Mullets (Mugil sp.) Scats (Scatophagus argus and other species, and Selenotoca multifasciata) and Monos (Monodactylus argenteus and Monodactylus sebae), but they enjoy conspecific company and are best kept in a small group of 4 - 6 in a large species tank.
Diet[edit | edit source]
- Will accept most foods including good quality pellet and flake as well as live/frozen food such as bloodworm. Fresh chunks of meat, fish and prawns are good but live food is even better. Some specimens are too slow to catch live prey.
Feeding regime[edit | edit source]
- Feed once or twice a day.
Environment specifics[edit | edit source]
- Lives in brackish waters in Australia, best kept in brackish conditions with bogwood and rock décor with hiding places provided.
Behaviour[edit | edit source]
- Active. Fairly peaceful and does not bother tank mates, provided the latter are larger than the catfish's mouth.
Identification[edit | edit source]
- Has an elongate shark-like body with a forked caudal and tall dorsal fin. Similar to Neoarius berneyi but the eyes are smaller and the dorsal is slightly shorter. The colour is generally a deep grey-silver with a pale underside, the barbels are also lighter in colour. The caudal fin is edged in black. Piebald and albino variations have been seen.
Pictures[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
- Fishbase (Mirrors:
)