Marbled sailfin pim
Leiarius marmoratus
Also known as Marbled pim, Sailfin marbled pim, Achara catfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 39.4 in
- 100 cm
- Minimum tank
- 528 gal
- 2,000 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Pimelodidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America.
Overview
The marbled sailfin pim is a giant catfish from South America that is fairly peaceful for its size. It is a fish for experienced keepers only.
Did you know
The marbled sailfin pim is sold interchangeably with the smaller sailfin pim. It keeps growing well past a meter, so a mislabeled purchase can leave a keeper with a far bigger fish than planned.
Caring for the marbled sailfin pim
A marbled sailfin pim needs a tank of at least 528 gal (2,000 L), effectively a pond or a very large custom build. Give it long, open swimming lanes and a big cave or shaded retreat. Taking one on is a commitment measured in decades.
Keep the water clean and soft to neutral, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed a meaty diet of prawns, fish, earthworms and large sinking pellets.
It will not usually harass tank mates, but it is a predator that swallows anything bite-sized. Only very large companions are safe with it. It is territorial with other big catfish, so it is normally kept alone.
Good to know
Leiarius marmoratus is a long-lived pimelodid that can survive several decades. Juveniles carry a bold marbled pattern and a tall dorsal fin, and those striking markings mute into a marbled brown as the fish matures.
In the wild
The marbled sailfin pim is a big predator of deep river channels and flooded forest in the Amazon and Orinoco. It hunts mainly at night.
Common questions
What size tank does a marbled sailfin pim need?
A marbled sailfin pim needs at least 528 gal (2,000 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a marbled sailfin pim need?
A marbled sailfin pim is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a marbled sailfin pim eat?
A marbled sailfin pim eats a meaty diet of prawns, fish, earthworms and large sinking pellets. As a predator, it will also swallow anything bite-sized.
How big does a marbled sailfin pim get?
An adult marbled sailfin pim reaches about 39.4 in (100 cm).
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