Ornate Pimelodus

Care at a glance

Overview

The ornate pimelodus is an active, restless catfish that swims through the day and night rather than hiding away. It is peaceful toward fish it cannot eat, but it is a predator that will swallow smaller tankmates, so keep it only with sturdy, medium to large companions. It can be kept singly or in a group, and often settles better with a few of its own kind. Feed meaty sinking foods such as bloodworms, prawn, chopped fish, and sinking pellets, but do not overfeed, as it will gorge itself. Give it a long tank with open swimming space and a few caves, around 245 liters or larger, with more room suiting its constant motion.

In the wild

The ornate pimelodus is widespread in the large rivers of tropical South America, including the Amazon and Orinoco basins, where it roams open water and channels between sunken wood. It prefers warm, soft water, so aim for around 24 to 28 C with a pH between 6 and 7.5 and steady flow. A spacious tank with a sand or fine gravel bed, sturdy driftwood, and open lanes for swimming suits its habits, and dim lighting helps this often bright fish feel at ease and stay out in the open.

Good to know

The ornate pimelodus is a long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae, reaching around 31 cm in aquariums and a little larger in the wild. It is one of the more attractive pims, marked with bold black blotches and bands on a pale silver body and trailing long barbels and fin filaments. It is an opportunistic predator of small fish and invertebrates. As with most river pimelodids, it is not known to breed in home aquariums.

Did you know

The ornate pimelodus is one of the most handsomely marked of its genus, with crisp black blotches on silver and long, flowing barbels. It is also a determined eater, and will keep swallowing food until its belly is visibly swollen, so portions need watching.

Related species

• 

  Bloch's catfish

  Pimelodus blochii

  9.8 in (25 cm)53 gal (200 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)

• 

  Spotted pimelodus

  Pimelodus pictus

  5.5 in (14 cm)55 gal (210 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)
• Zorro Catfish

  Platystomatichthys sturio

  15.7 in (40 cm)120 gal (455 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Duckbill Catfish

  Sorubim lima

  19.7 in (50 cm)190 gal (720 L)73–86°F (23–30°C)

• 

  Bolt catfish

  Aguarunichthys torosus

  13.4 in (34 cm)120 gal (455 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Reticulated catfish

  Perrunichthys perruno

  23.6 in (60 cm)185 gal (700 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)