Pictus Catfish
Pimelodus pictus
Min Tank Size
200L
Adult Size
13 cm
Lifespan
8 years
School Size
3+
About
Native to the fast-moving rivers of Colombia and Peru, Pimelodus pictus is one of the more striking catfish you can keep in a medium-to-large community tank. That polished silver body covered in irregular black spots, paired with absurdly long barbels that fan out in every direction, gives it a look unlike most other catfish in the hobby. They're genuinely eye-catching fish, and watching a group of them zoom around the lower half of the tank at night is genuinely entertaining.
Water conditions should lean toward the softer, slightly acidic side of neutral. They come from rivers with decent current, so stagnant water doesn't suit them well. A canister filter that produces some flow, along with good oxygenation, keeps them healthy long-term. Temperature between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius works well, and pH anywhere from 6.0 to 7.5 is acceptable as long as it stays stable.
Diet is simple since they're carnivores that aren't picky. Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, and pieces of shrimp or white fish all get eaten enthusiastically. Feed after lights out if you want to see them really go for it.
The big caveat with pictus cats is their mouth size relative to their tankmates. They look relatively small and harmless in a fish store at a few centimeters, but they grow close to 13 cm and have a wide gape. Any fish small enough to be swallowed will eventually become a meal, often overnight.
Choose tankmates accordingly and you'll have a durable, personable fish that holds its own in a busy community tank.
Water Parameters
Temperature
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Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Pictus Catfish together
Pictus Catfish are shoaling fish and need company of their own kind. Keep a group of at least 3. Smaller groups leave them stressed, washed-out in color, and prone to hiding.
Compatibility
Suitable tankmates are medium to large fish that can't be swallowed. Giant danios, larger tetras like buenos aires or black skirts, rainbowfish, severums, angelfish (with caution due to their depth in the water column), and other robust mid-to-large community fish work well. Avoid neon tetras, small rasboras, guppies, or any fish under about 5 cm. Shrimp are guaranteed to disappear. Bottom dwellers like plecos and larger loaches coexist fine. In a 200-liter or larger tank, a group of three pictus cats alongside a mix of larger active fish makes for a dynamic setup.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is buying them small and housing them with tetras or guppies, only to find those fish gone within a week. Size matters here. The second issue is keeping a single fish, which tends to hide constantly and never settles in. Three is the practical minimum. Sharp pectoral spines mean never use a standard net without care, and those spines can get seriously tangled. A container or bag for transfers is safer. They need a secure lid without question since jumping at night is a real risk.
Behavior & Aggression
Pictus catfish aren't aggressive in the traditional sense, they don't chase or harass tankmates. The danger is purely predatory. Anything small enough to fit in their mouth is considered food, and they're efficient hunters at night when other fish are less alert. There's no real triggering behavior or posturing involved. Fin nipping isn't a concern. Conspecific aggression is minimal, and they actually do better in small groups than alone. The aggression label here is about prey size, not attitude.
Things to Know
- Will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, including tetras
- Sharp pectoral spines can snag nets and puncture skin, handle carefully
- Needs a tight-fitting lid, jumps readily especially at night
- Often sold at 2-3 cm but grows to nearly 13 cm, plan accordingly
- Keep in groups of 3 or more, lone individuals become stressed and hide constantly
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