Platelet and fishbone carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been used as supports for cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. The activity and selectivity of the CNF supported catalysts have been studied at 483 K, 20 bar, and H-2/CO = 2.1, and compared with corresponding activity and selectivity for alpha-Al2O3 and gamma-Al2O3 supported cobalt catalysts. The platelet CNF supported catalyst has demonstrated high activity and high selectivity to C5+ hydrocarbons, with activity comparable with Co/gamma-Al2O3 and selectivity comparable with Co/alpha-Al2O3.