🐟 Albino Tiger Shovelnose Catfish – (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) – Rare Giant Albino South American Catfish

The Albino Tiger Shovelnose Catfish (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum) is an exceptionally rare captive-bred color morph of one of South America's most impressive predatory catfish.

Instead of the silver-gray body and bold dark bands normally associated with the species, albino specimens develop striking cream, pale yellow, pinkish-white, or golden coloration with red to pink eyes. Some individuals may retain faint patterning or markings as they grow.

With its long shovel-shaped head, extremely long sensory barbels, streamlined body, powerful predatory feeding response, and extraordinary albino coloration, this is a true collector-quality monster fish.

However, its rarity should never overshadow its adult requirements. Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum is scientifically documented at more than 40 inches in standard length, meaning the tail is not included in that measurement. Adults require an enormous custom aquarium or indoor pond-style system, extremely powerful filtration, and carefully selected tankmates.

This species is recommended only for experienced monster-fish keepers with a realistic long-term housing plan.

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🔎 Quick Facts – Albino Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

• 📛 Common Name: Albino Tiger Shovelnose Catfish
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
• 🎨 Color Form: Albino
• 🧬 Stock: Captive Bred
• 🐟 Family: Pimelodidae
• 🌎 Origin of Species: South America
• 🌊 Habitat: Large tropical rivers and seasonally flooded areas
• 📏 Maximum Documented Size: Approximately 105 cm standard length / over 41 inches excluding the tail
• 🏠 Adult Housing: Extremely large custom aquarium or indoor pond-style system
• 📐 Recommended Adult System: Approximately 400–500+ gallons, with substantially larger systems preferred
• 📏 Tank Footprint: Approximately 8–10 feet of swimming length is strongly preferred for a full-grown specimen
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 75–82°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
• 💦 Hardness: Approximately 4–30 dH
• 🍽️ Diet: Carnivore / Piscivore
• 🌙 Activity: Primarily crepuscular to nocturnal
• 😠 Temperament: Predatory; generally not aggressive toward fish too large to swallow
• 🐠 Swimming Area: Bottom / Lower water column
• ⭐ Care Level: Advanced / Expert
• 🏆 Availability: Extremely rare albino color morph

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🤍 What Is an Albino Tiger Shovelnose?

The Albino Tiger Shovelnose is a pigmentation morph of:

Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum

It is not a separate species.

Normal-colored Tiger Shovelnose Catfish typically display:

• Silver-gray coloration
• Olive tones
• Dark vertical bars
• Dark blotches
• Spotted fins

Albino individuals may instead display:

• Cream
• White
• Pale yellow
• Golden
• Peach
• Pink coloration
• Red or pink eyes

Depending on the individual and breeding line, faint markings may remain visible.

Exact adult color and pattern cannot be guaranteed because these characteristics may change as the fish matures.

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🧬 Important Identification Note

The name Tiger Shovelnose Catfish has been used broadly in the aquarium trade for several members of the genus Pseudoplatystoma.

There are also commercially produced hybrids involving large South American catfish.

For this reason, rare albino specimens should be purchased from a trusted source with known breeder or importer information whenever possible.

This listing identifies the fish as:

Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum

and:

Captive Bred

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👃 The Shovel-Shaped Head

One of the most recognizable characteristics of this species is its extremely long, flattened head.

The fish also possesses long sensory barbels that help it locate prey, particularly under low-light conditions.

These barbels function as highly sensitive sensory structures and should never be:

• Pulled
• Cut
• Handled unnecessarily
• Allowed to repeatedly rub against abrasive décor

A properly sized aquarium should provide open areas so the fish can move without constantly striking its head or barbels against decorations.

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📏 Adult Size – A True Monster Fish

This is one of the most important sections of the entire product listing.

FishBase documents Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum reaching approximately:

105 cm standard length

That equals roughly:

41 inches before the tail fin is included

FishBase also lists a published maximum weight of:

70 kg / approximately 154 pounds

although aquarium specimens should not be assumed to reach maximum wild weight.

Plan for More Than Three Feet

For aquarium planning, customers should consider this a fish capable of becoming:

3–4+ feet long

rather than treating 30 or 36 inches as a guaranteed maximum.

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🚨 Do Not Purchase Based on Juvenile Size

This is especially important because Albino Tiger Shovelnose Catfish may be sold as juveniles only a few inches long.

A 6-inch juvenile can look manageable.

A full-grown specimen is an entirely different animal.

Before purchasing, the keeper should already have a realistic plan for:

• Adult aquarium dimensions
• Filtration
• Water changes
• Food costs
• Tankmates
• Moving the fish
• Long-term housing

Do not purchase one with the expectation that you will simply “upgrade later” without already understanding what that upgrade requires.

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🏠 Adult Aquarium Size

For an adult Tiger Shovelnose, aquarium dimensions are more important than gallon count alone.

A practical long-term system should be approximately:

400–500+ gallons

with substantially larger systems strongly preferred.

For maximum-sized adults, a:

• Custom aquarium
• Indoor pond
• Large monster-fish system

may be considerably more appropriate than a conventional glass aquarium.

Recommended Footprint

For a large adult, think in terms of roughly:

8–10 feet of aquarium length

with substantial front-to-back width.

Large-catfish husbandry references similarly recommend extremely long, wide systems rather than conventional aquariums.

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📐 Width Matters

A 500-gallon aquarium that is too narrow can still be inappropriate.

The fish must have enough room to:

• Turn comfortably
• Swim without rubbing its barbels
• Accelerate without immediately striking glass
• Rest naturally
• Feed without being cramped

These are long, powerful river fish.

A tall aquarium does not compensate for inadequate length or width.

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⚠️ Prevent Head & Snout Injuries

Tiger Shovelnose Catfish can move extremely quickly when frightened.

A startled large individual may suddenly accelerate across the aquarium.

This creates a risk of:

• Damaged snout
• Injured barbels
• Abrasions
• Impact injuries

Avoid overcrowding the aquarium with hard decorations.

Maintain:

Large, unobstructed swimming lanes

Decorations should be positioned primarily around the edges and rear of the aquarium.

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🏠 Aquarium Setup

Recommended features include:

• Fine sand or smooth substrate
• Large open swimming areas
• Large pieces of driftwood
• Shaded areas
• Smooth rocks
• Large protected resting areas
• Powerful filtration
• Strong oxygenation
• Moderate water movement
• Secure aquarium covers

Avoid:

• Sharp rocks
• Tight caves
• Rough décor
• Narrow gaps
• Unsecured structures

Anything placed in the aquarium should be appropriate for a powerful fish potentially exceeding 3 feet.

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💩 Extremely Heavy Bioload

Large Tiger Shovelnose Catfish produce a substantial amount of waste.

As adults they consume large meals and require exceptional filtration.

Recommended filtration may include:

• Large sump systems
• Oversized mechanical filtration
• Large biological chambers
• High-flow pumps
• Easy-to-clean prefilters
• Strong surface agitation

Maintain:

• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: As low as reasonably possible
• 💨 Oxygenation: High

Regular large water changes should be expected.

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💧 Water Parameters

FishBase reports the following environmental range for Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 24–28°C / approximately 75–82°F
• 💧 pH: 6.0–8.0
• 💦 Hardness: 4–30 dH
• 🌊 Water Type: Freshwater

For aquarium maintenance, I recommend:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F
• 💧 pH: 6.0–7.5
• 💦 Water: Soft to moderately mineralized freshwater
• 💨 Oxygen: High
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0

Stable, clean water is more important than constantly adjusting the aquarium to reach one exact pH.

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🌎 Natural Habitat

Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum is a large South American river catfish.

FishBase reports it from major South American drainage systems including the:

• Amazon
• Corantijn
• Essequibo
• Orinoco
• Paraná

Adults inhabit major river channels and may also enter seasonally flooded forest areas.

They appear particularly associated with riverbeds and shaded aquatic environments.

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🌙 Nocturnal Predator

Wild Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum are primarily active predators during lower-light periods.

FishBase reports feeding on:

• Loricariid catfish
• Cichlids
• Characins
• Crabs

with much of the foraging occurring at night along the river bottom.

Their:

• Long barbels
• Large mouth
• Streamlined body
• Sensory abilities

make them extremely effective predators.

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🍽️ Diet & Feeding

The Albino Tiger Shovelnose is a carnivorous predator.

Recommended foods include:

• Shrimp
• Prawns
• Krill
• Mussels
• Clams
• Squid
• Pieces of fish fillet
• Large carnivore pellets
• Quality catfish pellets
• Other appropriate frozen or fresh aquatic foods

Juveniles should receive appropriately sized portions.

Adults should receive larger meals less frequently rather than being constantly overfed.

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🚫 Avoid Routine Feeder Fish

We do not recommend routinely feeding live feeder fish.

Feeder fish can introduce:

• Parasites
• Bacterial disease
• Viral disease
• Nutritional deficiencies

Tiger Shovelnose Catfish can generally be conditioned to accept:

• Frozen foods
• Fresh seafood
• Pellets
• Prepared carnivore diets

This gives the keeper much better control over nutrition and disease exposure.

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🚫 Avoid Mammal & Poultry Meat

Foods such as:

• Beef
• Pork
• Chicken
• Beef heart

should not form a regular part of the diet.

These foods contain fats and tissues that freshwater predatory fish are not naturally adapted to consuming in large amounts.

Aquatic animal proteins are a much better long-term choice.

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😠 Temperament

Tiger Shovelnose Catfish are primarily dangerous to other fish because of predation rather than territorial aggression.

They possess an enormous mouth.

If another fish can fit inside that mouth:

Assume it may eventually be eaten.

A fish that is safe with a juvenile Tiger Shovelnose may become prey several months later as the catfish grows.

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🐠 Tankmates

Potential tankmates in an enormous aquarium may include:

• Large Peacock Bass
• Large South American cichlids
• Large Arowanas
• Large Datnoids
• Large Bichirs
• Large Plecos
• Other giant catfish
• Other robust monster fish too large to swallow

Compatibility can never be guaranteed.

Avoid:

• Small cichlids
• Tetras
• Small plecos
• Small catfish
• Goldfish
• Small bichirs
• Small community fish
• Any fish narrow enough to fit inside the mouth

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⚠️ Body Shape Matters With Tankmates

Do not judge prey size only by length.

A long, narrow fish may still fit inside a Tiger Shovelnose's mouth even when it appears surprisingly large.

Always consider:

• Body depth
• Body width
• Head size
• Mouth size

when selecting tankmates.

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👥 Keeping Multiple Tiger Shovelnose Catfish

Multiple specimens can sometimes coexist when:

• The enclosure is enormous
• The fish are similarly sized
• Food is distributed properly
• Adequate swimming room is provided

However, keeping multiple adults dramatically increases:

• Required tank volume
• Waste production
• Food requirements
• Filtration requirements

A system suitable for one adult should not automatically be considered large enough for two.

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♂️ Male vs. Female

There is no simple, reliable method for externally sexing juvenile Tiger Shovelnose Catfish.

Mature females may become heavier-bodied than males, particularly when reproductively mature.

However, customers should not expect reliable visual sexing of small aquarium specimens.

Unless sex has been determined through a reliable method, fish should be sold as:

Unsexed

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🥚 Breeding

Breeding Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum is not considered practical in the typical home aquarium.

The species is:

• Large
• Riverine
• Migratory
• Highly fecund
• Dependent on environmental reproductive cues

FishBase reports females becoming sexually mature at approximately 56 cm and males around 45 cm.

Commercial propagation of large pimelodid catfish generally requires specialized facilities.

For the normal home aquarist, this should be considered a display species rather than a realistic breeding project.

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🧬 Albino vs. Hybrid

Because Tiger Shovelnose Catfish are commonly hybridized in commercial aquaculture, customers should understand that:

Albino does not automatically mean pure species.

Albino describes coloration.

It does not establish genetic identity by itself.

Known hybrids exist between large South American catfish, including Tiger Shovelnose-type fish and Redtail Catfish.

For rare collector specimens, known breeder lineage is valuable.

This listing identifies the animal as a captive-bred:

Albino Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum

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⭐ Why Keep an Albino Tiger Shovelnose?

For a properly equipped monster-fish keeper, this is an extraordinary collector fish.

Its combination of:

• 🤍 Extremely rare albino coloration
• 👁️ Red or pink eyes
• 👃 Long shovel-shaped head
• 🧔 Extremely long sensory barbels
• 📏 Giant adult size
• 🍽️ Powerful predatory feeding behavior
• 🌎 South American river origin
• 🧬 Captive-bred availability
• 🏆 Exceptional rarity

makes the Albino Tiger Shovelnose one of the most striking giant catfish available in the aquarium hobby.

However, this fish should be purchased because the keeper can provide for the adult animal, not simply because the juvenile is rare.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing an Albino Tiger Shovelnose Catfish:

• Plan for a fish potentially exceeding 3½ feet.
• Do not purchase based on juvenile size.
• Plan for approximately 400–500+ gallons as the fish matures.
• Larger custom systems or indoor ponds are preferred.
• Prioritize aquarium length and width.
• Maintain large open swimming lanes.
• Avoid sharp decorations.
• Use exceptionally strong filtration.
• Maintain high oxygen levels.
• Perform regular large water changes.
• Feed a varied carnivorous diet.
• Avoid routine feeder fish.
• Avoid mammalian and poultry meat as staple foods.
• Do not house with fish small enough to swallow.
• Understand that albino coloration does not by itself prove genetic purity.
• Never release this fish into local waterways.

This species is recommended for advanced or expert monster-fish keepers only.

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🚨 Invasive & Legal Considerations

Large nonnative predatory fish may be restricted in certain states or local jurisdictions.

Customers are responsible for confirming whether this species may legally be:

• Purchased
• Possessed
• Imported
• Transported
• Received

at the destination.

Never assume that because a fish is legal in one state it is legal in every state.

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Live fish are professionally packed for safe transport.

Shipping availability depends on:

• Fish size
• Destination
• Weather
• Carrier availability
• Applicable state and local regulations

Larger specimens may require:

• Oversized insulated boxes
• Additional water
• Specialized bags
• Specialized handling
• Airline cargo shipment

Please review our Shipping & Payment Information and Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy before ordering.

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⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for confirming that this species may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into local waterways.