All fish / Ariidae

Berney's catfish

Neoarius berneyi

Also known as berney's shark catfish, berney's sea catfish, highfin catfish, arius berneyi, shark catfish, berneys catfish, fork-tailed catfish

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This is a silvery to bronze fork-tailed catfish. It has a tall, pointed dorsal fin, a flattened head with a bony shield, and three pairs of barbels. It is a strong, active swimmer that roams the tank in groups, and people keep it as a hardy, unusual oddball for large aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

22 to 30 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

A group of 3 or more in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, prawns, mussel, fish pieces, earthworms

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern Australia and southern New Guinea, in river systems that drain into the Timor Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria

Breeding

The males are mouthbrooders and carry the large eggs in their mouths until the young hatch. There are no known reports of it breeding in home aquariums.

Good to know

Unlike many shark catfish, this species mainly lives in fresh water, so it does not need brackish conditions. It grows large and will eat any fish small enough to swallow, and its fin spines can give a painful wound, so take care when handling it.