The Tropical Tank Homepage
Article Library Fish Index Tank Setups Forum Links
 
Fish Index:
Anabantids
Catfish
Characins
Cichlids
Cypriniformes
Livebearers
Rainbowfish
Misc FW
Brackish
Shrimp
A-Z list by
Common name
A-Z list by
Scientific name
 

What's New:

What's New in the Fish Index

Three new Puffer profiles.

All Updates

 
Site Map
Email
About this site
 
Find The Tropical Tank on Facebook Follow The Tropical Tank on Twitter
 
 


Pictus catfish



Picture of Pimelodus pictus
Photo © Sean Evans

Common name:Pictus catfish, Angel pim, Spotted pim
Scientific name:Pimelodus pictus
Synonyms:Pimellodella pictus, Pimelodella angelicus (not valid)
Size:5" (12.5cm)
Origin:South America: Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.
Tank setup:Plenty of open swimming space and caves or plants for refuges. Soft sand or smooth gravel substrate.
Compatibility:Predatory and will eat small fish such as Neon tetras, not aggressive towards larger fish.
Temperature:22-25oC (72-77oF)
Water chemistry:Fairly soft, slightly acidic (pH 6-6.9) ideally.
Feeding:Carnivore/Insectivore, but will take various flake, pellet and frozen/live foods.
Sexing:Unknown, but females may be larger and thicker in shape.
Breeding:Unknown - no accounts of aquarium breeding.
Comments: One of the most popular aquarium catfish, it has a striking spotted pattern and long flowing barbels. They are not generally aggressive, but avoid keeping with fish small enough to fit in in their mouths (such as tetras) - as these may disappear overnight! Often feed in a somewhat frenzied manner, which may alarm calmer fish. They are more active by day when kept as a small group. Do not use nets to catch these fish, as they have sharp spines which will become entangled - coax them into a solid plastic container or similar.

 

 

Google
 

[Home] [Article Library] [Fish Index] [Tank Setups] [Forum] [Site Map]

 
 

The Tropical Tank Copyright © 2000-2022 Sean Evans This website was last updated on 20th November 2022