Porthole Shovelnose

Hemisorubim platyrhynchos is distributed across the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná drainages and is one of the most frequently encountered shovelnose catfish in the hobby. Its most distinctive feature is a row of large, circular dark spots running along the lateral line against a pale silver-cream background — a pattern that gives rise to its porthole nickname.

At around 50 cm adult size, the Porthole Shovelnose is more manageable than giants like Phractocephalus or Pseudoplatystoma, though it still requires a very large aquarium with excellent filtration. It is an active, nocturnal predator and should never be housed with fish it can overpower.

This species adapts readily to captive feeding on meaty prepared foods and becomes an impressively active and interactive display fish once settled. It is periodically available through South American importers.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard; clean, well-oxygenated water. Tank: Minimum 600L; long tank, strong filtration, smooth large driftwood. Feeding: Carnivore; whole prawns, fish fillets, large sinking sticks; feed 3 times per week. Breeding: No captive breeding documented. Compatibility: Keep with large robust South American fish; predatory toward smaller species.