By Hektor Jorgo
Berney's catfish (Neoarius berneyi) is a name that mostly comes up in Australian native-fish keeping circles — it's a relative of the more internationally familiar Colombian shark catfish, sharing the same family (Ariidae), a broadly similar body shape, and several of the same long-term care considerations, but with much more limited availability and documentation outside that specific community.
Appearance and Natural Range
Berney's catfish has the general "shark catfish" body plan shared across Ariidae — a sleek, often silvery-to-grey body, a forked tail, and prominent barbels used for sensing food along the substrate. It's native to freshwater and estuarine river systems across northern Australia and parts of New Guinea, habitats that, like those of its Colombian relative, span a range from fully freshwater to brackish depending on location within the river system and season.
Because this species is primarily kept and discussed within Australian native-fish aquarium communities, general international care information is less abundant than for more globally-traded species — much of what applies comes from the broader Ariidae family pattern rather than species-specific documentation.
Tank Requirements
Tank Size
75+ gallons for an adult group is a reasonable starting point, following the same logic as the Colombian shark catfish: Ariidae catfish tend to grow well past their juvenile size and do best in groups rather than alone, both factors that point toward larger tanks than a small juvenile might suggest is necessary.
Aquascaping
Open swimming space with smooth-edged decor, similar to the setup described for Colombian shark catfish — these are active swimmers rather than fish that spend most of their time wedged into tight spaces, and as scaleless (or lightly-scaled) catfish, smooth surfaces reduce injury risk.
Water Parameters
| Parameter | Target Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 75-80°F (24-27°C) |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Ammonia / Nitrite | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | <20 ppm |
| Water hardness | Moderately hard; freshwater-to-brackish tolerance depending on population |
Diet and Feeding
An omnivorous diet broadly mirrors what works for Colombian shark catfish: sinking pellets/wafers as a staple, supplemented with meaty foods (shrimp, prepared fish foods) and some plant-based content. As with other medium-to-large catfish, appetite and waste output increase substantially with size — the bioload principle discussed in our pleco waste guide applies here as well, and filtration should be planned for the fish's eventual adult size.
Tank Mates and Compatibility
Following the Ariidae pattern: juveniles tend to be manageable in community settings, while adults become more dominant simply through size and activity level, potentially outcompeting smaller or slower tank mates. Medium-to-large, robust tank mates that can hold their own are a better long-term fit than small, delicate community fish — the same consideration discussed for Colombian shark catfish and, in a more extreme form, for species like channel catfish that are sold small but grow dramatically.
Availability and Keeping This Species
This is worth addressing directly: Berney's catfish isn't a species you're likely to find at a general aquarium retailer, and most of what's documented about it comes from Australian native-fish keeping communities, where native species (often excluded from the general international ornamental trade due to regulations around native fish collection and export) are kept and discussed among specialists.
If you're interested in this species — or have acquired one and are looking for care information — connecting with Australian native fish clubs/forums is likely to provide more specific, population-relevant guidance than general aquarium care resources, which may not have detailed information on this particular species. The broader Ariidae family patterns discussed here (size, grouping, freshwater-to-brackish flexibility, omnivorous diet) provide a reasonable starting framework, similar to how general guidance applies across less-documented species like the Asian banjo catfish.
Common Health Issues
- Medication sensitivity — like many catfish, particularly those with reduced scaling, caution with copper-based and similar treatments is warranted, as discussed for Colombian shark catfish.
- Stress from inadequate space/grouping — Ariidae catfish kept alone or in too-small tanks may show reduced activity, skittishness, or faded coloration.
- General water quality sensitivity common to most freshwater fish — stable parameters and a properly cycled tank matter as much here as for any species.
Quick Setup Checklist
- Tank: 75+ gallons for an adult group
- Open swimming space, smooth decor
- Moderately hard water; research freshwater vs. brackish for your specific source population
- Diet: sinking pellets/wafers + meaty foods + some plant matter
- Plan for substantial adult size, similar to Colombian shark catfish
- Check medication catfish-safety before treating
- Connect with Australian native fish communities for population-specific guidance if available
