Can New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon Live Together?
New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon are not recommended as tank mates due to no temperature overlap. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.
At a Glance
Can your tank handle New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon?
Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.
Behaviour & Temperament
New Guinea Tigerfish is a semi-aggressive species (7/10), while Shovelnose Sturgeon is generally mild-mannered (3/10). This notable difference means New Guinea Tigerfish may occasionally assert dominance over Shovelnose Sturgeon.
New Guinea Tigerfish 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: Shovelnose Sturgeon is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.
Water Parameters
There is no temperature overlap between New Guinea Tigerfish (24–28°C) and Shovelnose Sturgeon (10–22°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.
Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7 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 10–20 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.
Tank Setup
To house New Guinea Tigerfish 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.
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: Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). 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.
Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice
New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon live together?
No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as non-overlapping temperature ranges — make cohabitation unsafe.
What size tank do New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon need?
A minimum of 3000 litres (tank length at least 300 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.
What water temperature is best for New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon together?
Unfortunately, there is no temperature range that satisfies both species. New Guinea Tigerfish requires 24–28°C, while Shovelnose Sturgeon needs 10–22°C.
Are New Guinea Tigerfish or Shovelnose Sturgeon aggressive?
New Guinea Tigerfish is semi-aggressive (7/10) and Shovelnose Sturgeon is generally mild-mannered (3/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.
What pH do New Guinea Tigerfish and Shovelnose Sturgeon need?
Both species overlap in the 7–8 pH range. Consistency is key — avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.
How do I manage New Guinea Tigerfish's territorial behaviour?
Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives New Guinea Tigerfish space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.
Shared setup supplies
We may earn from qualifying purchases
Guidarium Editorial Desk
Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.
- Last reviewed
- May 11, 2026
- Last updated
- May 11, 2026
- Issues or corrections?
- Contact the editorial team
Related Comparisons
New Guinea Tigerfish & Silver Datnoid (Silver Tigerfish)
·
New Guinea Tigerfish & Silver Tiger Perch (American Tigerfish)
·
New Guinea Tigerfish & Thinbar Datnoid
·
New Guinea Tigerfish & Alligator Gar
·
New Guinea Tigerfish & Black Ghost Knifefish
·
New Guinea Tigerfish & Clown Knifefish
·
Shovelnose Sturgeon & Motoro Stingray
·
Shovelnose Sturgeon & Pacific Sturgeon
·
Shovelnose Sturgeon & Reedfish (Ropefish)
·
Shovelnose Sturgeon & Scat (Brackish)
·
Shovelnose Sturgeon & Zebra Spiny Eel
·
Shovelnose Sturgeon & African Arowana
·