Dispatch Method:

When handling Tiger shovelnosed catfish beware of the sharp spines on the pectoral and dorsal fins. This species has a strong skull and can be tolerant of air exposure. To maximise their eating qualities they can be humanely killed by a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding. Iki jime can be attempted if the angler has access to a suitably robust iki jime spike.

Fish Description:

• A distinctive species, olive brown dorsally fading to white ventrally with a long, flat head and vertical to slightly oblique black stripes and spots which are thicker on the ventral side.
  
• There may be great variation in the stripe and spot patterns.

Fish Distribution:

• The Tiger shovelnosed catfish is endemic to the Amazon and Orinoco River Basins in South America.

Fish Size Common Length:

Common between 60 and 90 cm, maximum size around 130 cm and 17 kg.