Sailfin pim
Leiarius pictus
Also known as Painted catfish, Sailfin pimelodid, Sailfin marbled catfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 23.6 in
- 60 cm
- Minimum tank
- 396 gal
- 1,500 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Pimelodidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon River basin in South America.
Overview
This is a big, long-term commitment fish that reaches 60 cm and lives for decades, so it needs a tank of at least 1500 liters with strong filtration. It is fairly peaceful for its size and will not usually bully tankmates, but it is a predator and will eat anything it can fit in its mouth, so only house it with large, robust fish. It is territorial toward other big pimelodids and its own kind, so it is generally kept as a single specimen. Feed a meaty diet of prawns, earthworms, silversides, and sinking pellets.
In the wild
The sailfin pim is a large Amazonian predator that patrols deeper river channels and flooded margins, hunting mostly after dark. Juveniles are boldly spotted with a tall dorsal fin that gives the fish its name. It needs a big tank with open floor for night-time cruising and one large cave or shaded retreat, at 22 to 26 degrees C with soft to neutral water.
Good to know
Leiarius pictus grows to about 60 cm and is often confused with its larger relative Leiarius marmoratus, which passes a meter. It is a long-lived pimelodid that can survive well over 20 years in captivity. Its striking spotted juvenile pattern fades and marbles as it matures.
Did you know
The gorgeous polka-dot pattern that sells juvenile sailfin pims fades as they grow, and the fish you end up with is a plainer marbled giant that can outlive a dog several times over.
Common questions
What size tank does a Sailfin pim need?
A Sailfin pim needs at least 396 gal (1,500 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Sailfin pim need?
A Sailfin pim is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Sailfin pim get?
An adult Sailfin pim reaches about 23.6 in (60 cm).
Related species
39.4 in (100 cm)528 gal (2,000 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Marbled sailfin pim
Leiarius marmoratus
39.4 in (100 cm) · 528 gal (2,000 L)
23.6 in (60 cm)185 gal (700 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Reticulated catfish
Perrunichthys perruno
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Platystomatichthys sturio
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Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
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Brachyplatystoma juruense
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