Reticulated catfish
Perrunichthys perruno
Also known as Leopard catfish, Reticulated pim, Perruno catfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.2
- Adult size
- 23.6 in
- 60 cm
- Minimum tank
- 185 gal
- 700 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 Lake Maracaibo and Orinoco basins of Venezuela and Colombia.
Overview
The reticulated catfish is a large, striking nocturnal predator from Venezuela and Colombia. It is a demanding fish for experienced keepers only.
Did you know
A reticulated catfish can outgrow 30 cm in its first year. Its beauty comes with a fast countdown to needing a huge tank.
Caring for the reticulated catfish
Give the reticulated catfish a tank of at least 185 gal (700 L) with big, strong filtration. Furnish it with a soft floor, large driftwood and one solid retreat.
Keep the water clean, soft and slightly acidic, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. It is intolerant of poor water quality, so make generous weekly water changes. Feed meaty foods like fish, prawns, mussel and earthworms, weaning it onto sinking pellets over time.
It is fairly peaceful for its size, but it is a nocturnal hunter that will eat any tank mate it can swallow. Keep it only with large, robust fish. It is usually kept as a single specimen.
Good to know
Perrunichthys perruno is the only species in its genus, and some individuals pass 62 cm. Its bold, leopard-like reticulated pattern of dark blotches on a pale body makes it one of the most beautiful large pimelodids.
In the wild
The reticulated catfish comes from the Lake Maracaibo and Orinoco basins. It lives in slower stretches of river and flooded margins, hunting at night and hiding in wood and shade by day.
Common questions
What size tank does a reticulated catfish need?
A reticulated catfish needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a reticulated catfish need?
A reticulated catfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
What does a reticulated catfish eat?
A reticulated catfish eats meaty foods like fish, prawns, mussel and earthworms, and it can be weaned onto sinking pellets over time. As a nocturnal hunter, it will also eat any tank mate it can swallow.
How big does a reticulated catfish get?
An adult reticulated catfish reaches about 23.6 in (60 cm).
Related species
23.6 in (60 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Sailfin pim
Leiarius pictus
23.6 in (60 cm) · 396 gal (1,500 L)
19.7 in (50 cm)190 gal (720 L)73–86°F (23–30°C)Duckbill catfish
Sorubim lima
19.7 in (50 cm) · 190 gal (720 L)
15.7 in (40 cm)120 gal (455 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Zorro catfish
Platystomatichthys sturio
15.7 in (40 cm) · 120 gal (455 L)
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)
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)