Caring for Electric Catfish

First of all you’ll need to house your electric catfish. For the smaller guys, you can keep them in something as small as a 10-gallon aquarium. Be aware though that these guys will grow to about ten inches long, and will need upwards of 55 gallons. Attach a heater and maintain the temperature at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Make sure that your aquarium has a secure lid. While these catfish aren’t known for jumping, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Next, choose a substrate for your aquarium. Catfish aren’t picky. They like to burrow underneath logs and rocks, so provide something more substantial than sand, but not so large that he can’t shift things around. 

Make sure to provide plenty of hiding spots. Electric catfish like to hide, especially during the day. Provide some flat rocks or pieces of driftwood for your fish to hide beneath. You can even supply him with a plastic PVC pipe to swim into. Just keep in mind that whatever you decorate your tank with should be free of sharp edges. The electric catfish is devoid of scales and has a soft body and underbelly that can easily be cut or damaged.

Keep the water clean. The electric catfish does not have any special water requirements other than having it clean. Choose a filter appropriate to the size of your tank and clean the filter media on a regular basis.

Electric catfish are large, messy eaters, and can also produce sizeable amounts of waste. Because of this high bio-load, you will need to make large water changes at least once a week to keep your fish healthy.

Choose suitable tank mates for your catfish. Electric catfish aren’t exactly friendly. They are territorial and cagey when other fish start pestering them or crowding their hiding spots. Also, they will eat just about any other fish that will fit into their mouths, so don’t house them with small fish you want to keep alive.  

Large, aggressive fish such as Oscars make suitable tank mates as both fish will probably try and steer clear of the other. While the shock of an electric catfish may kill smaller fish, it will just “gently” remind larger fish that he needs some elbowroom.

Whatever you choose to house with your electric catfish, make sure that they have plenty of room so as not to get drawn into any “stimulating” arguments.

Feed your catfish well. Electric catfish will eat just about anything. They love bloodworms, earthworms, feeder fish, beef heart, and frozen foods. 

When it comes to handling, do not handle your electric catfish more than is necessary. Their electrical discharge will give you a tingle, but it is meant as a defense mechanism. If you continue trying to get the fish to shock you, he will become stressed out. The older and more accustomed the fish becomes to you, the less likely he will be to send out a shock.

Use a large net when moving your catfish or if you should have to move him off the floor.

Remember that as your electric catfish gets larger, so does his shock grow more powerful. It may be a tingle when he’s a little guy, but when he becomes a big boy he’ll knock you off your feet.

For more advice on fish care, visit Fish Flats

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