Piraiba Catfish (3-3.5”)

Scientific Name:

Brachyplatystoma filamentosum

Maximum Size and Lifespan:

• Maximum Size: Up to 3.6 meters (12 feet) in the wild; more commonly 1.5–2 meters (3-4 feet) in captivity if kept long-term.

• Maximum Weight: Up to 150 kg (330 lbs) in the wild.

• Lifespan: Estimated 20–25 years in captivity with excellent care.

Recommended Aquarium Size & Setup:

• Juveniles can be raised in a 75-180 Gallon Tank

• Minimum tank size: At least 1,000+ gallons for adults

• Water flow: Moderate to strong current mimicking river conditions

• Substrate: Sand or smooth gravel with driftwood and large rocks for hiding

• Lighting: Low to moderate; prefers subdued light

• Tankmates: They do great with other large catfish, Arowana, Peacock Bass, Redtail Catfish, Arapaima etc. With appropriate sizing! Anything that can possibly fit in their mouth will most likely be eaten!

Water Change & Water Parameters:

• Water changes:

  • Juveniles: 30–50% weekly

  • Adults in massive systems: 40-80% weekly, depending on bioload

• Temperature: 24–30°C (75–86°F)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Filtration: Heavy-duty, industrial-scale filtration systems required due to high waste output

Diet (Including Pre-Breeding Overview):

The Piraíba is a voracious carnivore, both in the wild and in captivity.

Wild Diet:

• Fish (main prey: other catfish, characins, cichlids)

• Crustaceans

• Occasionally dead animals (scavenging behavior)

Captive Diet:

• Shrimp and Tilapia

• Sinking Carivore/Massivore Pellets
  

• Feed 3–4 times weekly as adults; juveniles need daily feeding to sustain fast metabolism

• Bloodworms/Blackworms can be offered to babies

Natural Habitat:

• Geographic Range: Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo River basins in South America

• Habitat Type:

  • Large rivers with deep channels

  • Migratory species: juveniles found in estuaries, adults upstream in freshwater

  • Prefers murky, slow-to-fast flowing waters with sandy or muddy bottoms

Breeding:

Breeding has not been successfully documented in captivity due to the fish’s enormous migratory range and size.

In the Wild:

• Spawning Behavior: Long-distance migrator; may travel thousands of kilometers upriver to spawn

• Spawning Season: Likely during the wet season when water levels rise

• Reproduction: External fertilization; eggs scattered in the river current

• Juvenile Development: Larvae and fry drift downstream toward estuarine regions

Captive Breeding Challenges:

• No known successful breeding.

Overview:

The Piraíba Catfish (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) is among the largest strictly freshwater fish species on Earth. They have beautiful long streamers especially when juveniles. Its combination of size, power, and predatory nature makes it both a challenge and a fascination for advanced hobbyist.