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Freshwater Bullrout
The freshwater bullrout generally seen in tropical fish shops is Notesthes robusta and is imported from Australia. It has little to recommend it as an aquarium fish. Besides being inactive during the day and highly predatory, it has venomous spines in the dorsal fin which can deliver a painful sting. Bullrouts are variable in colour and pattern, but most are usually mottled in shades of tan and brown. They grow to about 30 cm (12 inches) in length. Bullrouts are found in fresh, brackish and marine waters around Australia and so will adapt to most water conditions. A specific gravity of about 1.010 is adequate for long term health, and will allow it to be combined with big fishes like shark catfish well able to look after themselves.
Although it prefers live foods (worms, fish and shrimp) it can be weaned onto chunks of meat and frozen foods. One way to coax a bullrout to feed is to dangle chunks of food in the tank close to its face. Tie the food using lengths of cotton -- keep your hands well away from this fish! Wriggle the food about, and with any luck, it will assume the food is alive and make its attack. After a while it should get the idea and be much easier to feed.
A soft substrate of fine gravel or sand will allow the fish to settle down comfortably, and show its ability to hide to best effect. Swimming space is not so important and the tank does not need to be particularly deep. A good filter is essential, as with any big predatory fish, as is subdued lighting.