Can Celebes Halfbeak and Lima Shovelnose Catfish Live Together?

Both Celebes Halfbeak and Lima Shovelnose Catfish are generally mild-mannered species with an aggression score of 4/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

In terms of spatial distribution, Celebes Halfbeak prefers the Top (Surface) zone, whereas Lima Shovelnose Catfish occupies the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) zones. Because they use different levels of the water column, territorial disputes are less likely and the tank will appear more balanced.

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

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 23°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Celebes Halfbeak and Lima Shovelnose Catfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 500 litres with a minimum length of 150 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Plants - Floating, Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.