Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

A spotted silver catfish with sweeping whiskers. It races around the tank at night and hunts down any shrimp it finds.

A semi-aggressive freshwater fish that grows to 12 cm, lives near the bottom in groups of 3 or more and needs 22–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and an aquarium of at least 200 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

22–27 °C (72–81 °F)

pH

6.0–7.5

Adult size

12 cm (4.7 in)

Aquarium

200 L or bigger (53 US gal)

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group size

3 or more

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Amazon & Orinoco basins

Good to know

• Eats invertebrates. Hunts shrimp, snails and crabs.
• Nocturnal. Hides and rests while the lights are on, and comes out to explore and feed at night.

Tank mates

Good company: Bala Shark, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Fancy Goldfish, Marbled Hatchetfish, Pearl Gourami, Rosy Barb, Rummy-Nose Tetra.

Will eat: Amano Shrimp, Celestial Pearl Danio, Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer, Ghost Shrimp, Mystery Snail, Neocaridina Shrimp, Nerite Snail, Pea Puffer.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Black Ghost Knifefish, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Angelfish, Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra, Corydoras and 29 more.

Colours

• Classic uncommon

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.