🐟 Albino Iridescent Catfish Quick Summary Guide

(Albino form of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

📏 Species Overview

• Common names: Albino Iridescent Shark, Albino Pangasius

• Size: 3–4 feet (90–120 cm) in adulthood

• Temperament: Nervous, skittish; generally peaceful

• Lifespan: 15–20+ years

• Schooling: School when young; adults usually solitary due to size

🏠 Tank Requirements

⚠️ Not recommended for home aquariums due to size and growth rate.
If kept:

• Tank size: 300+ gallons minimum for a single adult

• Length: At least 8+ feet long

• Water flow: Moderate

• Décor: Open swimming space; minimal sharp decorations (they crash into things when spooked)

🌡️ Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Hardness: 2–15 dGH

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

• Nitrate: <20–30 ppm

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Omnivore

• Foods:

  • Sinking pellets (catfish or omnivore)

  • Vegetables (peas, spinach, zucchini)

  • Frozen foods (krill, shrimp, bloodworms)

• Frequency: 1× daily or small meals 2× daily

👥 Tank Mates

Suitable (with enough space):

• Large peaceful fish (silver dollars, pacu, larger barbs)

• Other large catfish

• Large plecos

Avoid:

• Anything small enough to be swallowed

• Aggressive cichlids (can stress or injure them)

💧 Maintenance

• Huge filtration—they produce heavy waste

• Weekly 30–40% water changes

• Monitor stability; they stress easily and can injure themselves

⚠️ Common Issues

• Outgrowing tanks (most common issue)

• Stress injuries from crashing into glass

• High ammonia due to large waste output

• Blindness or cloudy eyes in poor water conditions

• Stunting if kept in small tanks (leads to organ issues)

🐣 Breeding

• Virtually impossible in home aquariums

• Commercial breeding uses hormones and large ponds