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
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Pimelodidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon River basin in South America.
Overview
The sailfin pim is a big catfish from South America that is fairly peaceful for its size. It is a long-term commitment best left to experienced keepers.
Did you know
The polka-dot pattern that sells juvenile sailfin pims fades as they grow. The fish you end up with is a plainer marbled giant that can outlive a dog several times over.
Caring for the sailfin pim
A sailfin pim needs a tank of at least 396 gal (1,500 L) with strong filtration. Give it open floor for night-time cruising and one large cave or shaded retreat.
Keep the water 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, earthworms, silversides and sinking pellets.
It will not usually bully tank mates, but it is a predator and will eat anything it can fit in its mouth. House it only with large, robust fish. It is territorial toward other big pimelodids and its own kind, so it is generally kept as a single specimen.
Good to know
Leiarius pictus 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. Juveniles carry a tall dorsal fin, which gives the fish its name.
In the wild
The sailfin pim is a large Amazonian predator that patrols deeper river channels and flooded margins. It hunts mostly after dark.
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.
What does a sailfin pim eat?
A sailfin pim eats a meaty diet of prawns, earthworms, silversides and sinking pellets. As a predator, it will also eat anything it can fit in its mouth.
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
23.6 in (60 cm) · 185 gal (700 L)
19.7 in (50 cm)190 gal (720 L)73–86°F (23–30°C)Duckbill catfish
Sorubim lima
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15.7 in (40 cm)120 gal (455 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Zorro catfish
Platystomatichthys sturio
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23.6 in (60 cm)151 gal (570 L)72–90°F (22–32°C)Zebra shovelnose
Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
23.6 in (60 cm) · 151 gal (570 L)
23.6 in (60 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Zebra shovelnose catfish
Brachyplatystoma juruense
23.6 in (60 cm) · 396 gal (1,500 L)