Can Banjo Catfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon Live Together?

Banjo Catfish is a peaceful species (1/10), while Shovelnose Sturgeon is generally mild-mannered (3/10). This modest difference means Shovelnose Sturgeon may occasionally assert dominance over Banjo Catfish.

Banjo Catfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

Worth noting: Banjo Catfish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Shovelnose Sturgeon is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

To improve the chances of a peaceful coexistence in this community tank: A larger aquarium with ample hiding spots can help diffuse aggression and give the less dominant fish space to retreat.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 20°C and 22°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 21.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.8 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 8–20 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Banjo Catfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon together, plan for an aquarium of at least 3000 litres with a minimum length of 300 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Banjo Catfish prefers Low (Still Water) flow while Shovelnose Sturgeon needs High (River/Stream) flow. Consider positioning filter outlets and using baffles to create zones of different current intensity within the same tank.

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. Banjo Catfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon need extra room, more cover, and closer observation during the first few weeks so small aggression, feeding, or territory issues do not snowball into a long-term problem.