There are a lot of cool catfish which don't get quite as big and are pretty active. I have a Sun Catfish, which can still grow to 18 inches, but it does not grow anywhere near as fast as a TSN or RTC. It loves to swim back and forth across my tank...and it hasn't swallowed any of my fish like my RTC and TSN. (I re-homed these guys as I bought them without doing the proper research - which I implore everyone new to a particular species to do...I learned the hard way) But GOOD LUCK. I'm sure some of the more seasoned catfish keepers can offer up some great suggestions for a 55g.
Size of Tank Need for Tiger Shovel Catfish?
- Thread starter Abby Ru
- Start date
As far as what cats I can suggest for a tank that size there's a lot! Striped Raphs are pretty good cats but they hide, a LOT 
. I also love my Asian bumblebee Catfish, he even hand and surface feeds which is extremely unusual for his species. I can pretty much recommend most cats I've kept and every catfish I'm currently keeping except gibbiceps plecos since they'd get to big.
. I also love my Asian bumblebee Catfish, he even hand and surface feeds which is extremely unusual for his species. I can pretty much recommend most cats I've kept and every catfish I'm currently keeping except gibbiceps plecos since they'd get to big.Sun catfish are awesome i have a 11 inch one bit hides a bit. Active during feeding though.
I would STRONGLY recommend a LIMA SHOVELNOSE, same appetite and personality as a tiger shovelnose but not nearly as big and limas are more active and fun to watch.
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I would STRONGLY recommend a LIMA SHOVELNOSE, same appetite and personality as a tiger shovelnose but not nearly as big and limas are more active and fun to watch.
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For a 55? I'd say at least a 75 for a Sorubim elongatus if the OP knows for sure it's an elongatus. For a true Sorubim lima I'd say 180 minimum.
I've also never kept them so I can't say for sure but that's the jist of what people were telling me here when I thought about getting one.
Oh its only a 55? Then why are people suggesting a sun cat? They get 13 inches.
Too small for lima. And Sorubim Limas are VERY rare and unless it is labeled as so and is expensive it is 99% elongatus.
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Pictus catfish, very active and like to be kept in large groups 5 or more, always moving around, or Raphaels, but as stated they tend to hide all the time.
