Common name/s: Pictus catfish, pim pictus, angelicus pim
Scientific name: Pimelodus pictus
Family: Pimelodidae
Origin: Amazon and its tributaries in Columbia and Peru
Maximum size: 6", 12" in the wild
Care: This fish is reasonably easy to care for, it tolerates a wide range of water conditions and will thrive in all but the most alkeline and hard water, they are best kept at temperatures from 22 to 25 celcius. As with all Pimeloid catfish these fish can be sensative to nitrate so regular maintainance should be done, water changes of at least 25% weekly are recomended. Decorate the tank using pieces of bogwood and rocks to form structures towards the back of the tank for the fish to rest under leaving the front of the tank open for free swimming space. Pimelodus pictus is best kept in a group of 3 or more, if kept alone they become shy and will hide but if kept in just pairs they will fight. This fish is a predator and will consume any tankmates under 3".
Feeding: The fish is not fussy about food, most sinking aquarium foods will be taken, bloodworms and catfish pellets for carnivourous fish are recomended.
Breeding: Unknown
Comments: There are two subspecies of Pimelodus pictus in the hobby, the Peruvian pictus which has large black spots and is the more commonly seen fish and the Columbian which has many smaller spots and is generally smaller.
Columbian pictus
Scientific name: Pimelodus pictus
Family: Pimelodidae
Origin: Amazon and its tributaries in Columbia and Peru
Maximum size: 6", 12" in the wild
Care: This fish is reasonably easy to care for, it tolerates a wide range of water conditions and will thrive in all but the most alkeline and hard water, they are best kept at temperatures from 22 to 25 celcius. As with all Pimeloid catfish these fish can be sensative to nitrate so regular maintainance should be done, water changes of at least 25% weekly are recomended. Decorate the tank using pieces of bogwood and rocks to form structures towards the back of the tank for the fish to rest under leaving the front of the tank open for free swimming space. Pimelodus pictus is best kept in a group of 3 or more, if kept alone they become shy and will hide but if kept in just pairs they will fight. This fish is a predator and will consume any tankmates under 3".
Feeding: The fish is not fussy about food, most sinking aquarium foods will be taken, bloodworms and catfish pellets for carnivourous fish are recomended.
Breeding: Unknown
Comments: There are two subspecies of Pimelodus pictus in the hobby, the Peruvian pictus which has large black spots and is the more commonly seen fish and the Columbian which has many smaller spots and is generally smaller.
Columbian pictus
