Lima Shovelnose Catfish Sorubim Lima

[snake007]

I was looking at these and the website says it grows to about 15cm, I thought shovelnoses grew large.
What size do these grow and whats the minimum tank size?

 

[josh_g]

you wont have a problem housing it in your 900 gal

 

[MBOU]

15cm is rubbish. 30cm more likely!

I had one at 30cm in 340L and he seemed to fit in just right, they arent all that active but do need that space to swim.

They will also eat anything smaller than 2" if they can catch it which, dspite not being active, if hunting, he cant swim 5ft with one big flick of the tail. Other fish wouldnt stant a chance.

Mine was in with a foot long tyre track eel, 5 large angels, crysichthys ornatus (catfish)and a Royal Panaque.

I certainly would say that 340L is absolute minimum for one though...

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Where on earth (in the UK) do you buy sorubim lima? Never heard of it but he looks like one beautiful cat!

 

[MBOU]

Its more of a point they are easy enough to care for, very tempermental over water quality though...

But not many people want them/have the right tanks for them and so shops dont get them in... they are one of those that if you buy them, you end up with a bag of 20 odd little ones... not really worth it.

I love them!

 

[snake007]

My shop has many of them in and it says they get up to 15cm, Is there a smaller type?

 

[MBOU]

No, at a foot long... They ARE the smaller ones!!! Not getting to 6ft and all that! The shop is wrong... But if it's the same shop you've had advise from before and got your convicts from then I'm not surprised.

 

[MartinS]

Actually, there are two that it could be:

Sorubim lima (~ 20")
Sorubim elongatus (~12")

'Lima shovelnose' are not always the former species we expect, but can also be the latter. But realistically, they are going to max out at a minimum of 12", require a large tank (minimum 4'x2'x2') with soft, acidic water, plenty of shaded areas and large plants for them to hide amongst and be kept with fish that wil not harass them, or be small enough to become dinner.

Martin

 

[moochy13]

just back from my lfs, they had 4 of these in at 28 quid each. about 5" long i reckon. weird looking little things. definitely looked more like the 20" version.

 

[dbanner]

Iv just bought myself a Lima shovelnose. He is awesome.

MBOU has been very helpful answering my questions on feeding and such on a previous thread. Thanks again

Mine is around 3 inches or so, maybe even smaller and he cost £21.75 (in uk) from Trimar in Cornwall. He is currently in my rio 400 which is 450 litres (151x51x66cm) until August when he will be going in either a 6x2x2 or if I can persaude the other half il be getting an 8x2x2 (800 litres i think) which is starting to look promising

Get one if you have a big enough tank i say, best fish iv bought so far. Even though my Ornate bichir comes close