Species

Wels catfish

Silurus glanis

advancedpredatorybottom swimmerSiluridae
Add to my tank
Wels catfish
Tank length
1000 cmabout 33 ft (394 in)
Start with
1
Temperature
4–20 °C39–68 °F
pH
6–8
Adult size
150 cmabout 5 ft (59 in)
Lifespan
30–60 yrs

One of the largest freshwater fish; it is not a home-aquarium species and needs a huge pond.One of the largest freshwater fish; it is not a home-aquarium species and needs a huge pond.

Tank sizes

Good tankmates

Avoid with

Data used by the planner
Temperature4–20AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
pH6–8AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
Hardness (dGH)1–20AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
OriginCentral and eastern Europe to western Asiacurated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Beginner friendlyNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Care leveladvancedcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Activitymoderatecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Swimming levelbottomcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Temperamentpredatorycurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Nips finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Long finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
TerritorialNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lives in groupsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum group1curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Dietcarnivorecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lifespan (years)30–60curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Months to adult size60curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Safe with plantsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum tank length1000curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence