Spotted pimelodus

Care at a glance

Overview

The spotted pimelodus, better known as the pictus catfish, is a restless, fast swimmer that patrols the lower and middle levels in a group, so keep at least five together for calmer, more natural behaviour. Despite its peaceful reputation it will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, so avoid neons, guppies, fry, and shrimp, and instead pair it with active, similarly sized fish. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, and chopped meaty foods, and use a soft sand bed so it does not wear down its very long, sensitive barbels. Its stiff spines snag easily in a net, so move it in a container. Aim for a tank of around 210 liters or larger with open swimming space.

In the wild

The pictus catfish comes from the Amazon and Orinoco drainages of Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru, living in open stretches of warm, flowing rivers and streams over sand and fine gravel. Keep it from around 22 to 25 C with a pH between 6 and 7.5, brisk flow, and clean, well-oxygenated water. A spacious tank with a soft sand bed, smooth driftwood, and long open lanes for swimming suits its active habits, while a few shaded spots give it somewhere to rest by day.

Good to know

The pictus catfish is a long-whiskered catfish of the family Pimelodidae and reaches about 14 cm. It is easily known by its silver body scattered with black spots and its extraordinarily long barbels, which can trail back past the tail. Like other pims it has sharp, mildly venomous fin spines that catch in nets and can prick a careless hand. It is a shoaling, active fish that is not known to breed in home aquariums.

Did you know

The pictus catfish carries barbels longer than its own body, sweeping them ahead and to the sides as it swims to taste and feel its way through the water in search of food, even in complete darkness.

Related species

• 

  Bloch's catfish

  Pimelodus blochii

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

• 

  Ornate Pimelodus

  Pimelodus ornatus

  12.2 in (31 cm)65 gal (245 L)75–82°F (24–28°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)

• 

  Reticulated catfish

  Perrunichthys perruno

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

• 

  Sailfin pim

  Leiarius pictus

  23.6 in (60 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)