Care
The Zebra Shovelnose Catfish is known from the fast-flowing whitewaters of the Upper Amazon basin. Adults of this attractive, stripy bottom-dwelling species inhabit the main river channels, cataracts, and rapids through which water flows at a staggering velocity. The water is rich in dissolved solids, of a neutral pH, and is very high in dissolved oxygen as it is forced at speed through the gaps between rocks and boulders. Juvenile specimens, which are not as heavily patterned, tend to be found in smaller, less torrential tributaries. This is a large, predatory species that requires a very spacious aquarium with vigorous water movement and a high level of oxygenation. Young specimens grow quickly, so it is vital that they are provided with vast quarters from the outset, in order to prevent stunting and associated health problems. The footprint of the tank (length and width) is much more important than the height, so always aim for a tank as long and wide as possible. These fish are voracious eaters and therefore produce a lot of nitrogenous waste, so it is essential to run powerful filtration on the aquarium - ideally with 2 or more canister filters, so that if one should fail or requires maintenance, there is back up. Frequent, partial water changes are an absolute must in order to keep the nitrate level as low as possible. Along with the aforementioned areas of brisk water movement, there should be one or two calmer areas out of the main flow, some large shady caves, and an ample swimming space along the front of the aquarium. Robust plants should not be eaten, but they may be uprooted as the catfish noses about in the substrate, so most aquarists opt to omit them from the aquascape or alternatively tie Java Fern or Anubias spp. motherplants onto the decor where they can be trained to grow. Lighting should not be too bright, and a blue moon light turned on just before the main lights switch off will allow you to observe the antics of these fascinating fish for a time during the late evening. Tankmates must be chosen with care: keep only with fish that are large enough not to be eaten, and which enjoy the same fast-flowing conditions. Large Loricariids (suckermouth catfish) and sizeable characins that originate from the same type of extreme environment are perhaps the best choices.
Feeding
Offer a variety of foods including quality large sinking pellets/tablets, and frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, and Mysis shrimp, moving on to larger foodstuffs such as earthworms, cockles, mussels, chopped whitebait, silversides, and prawns as they grow.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
