Pictus Catfish

[Deano]

Is there any way of telling whether my pictus is a male or a female???

 

[Deano]

Any ideas at all???

 

[EddieW]

Found this info on planetcatfish.com

Scientific Name: Pimelodus pictusSteindachner, 1876
Common Name: Pictus, Pimpictus
Type Locality: Peruvian Amazon
Pronunciation: pim ee LOW duss - PICK tuss
Species Information
Size: 120mm (4.8") SL
Notes on ID: Two colour forms appear for sale. The first, Peruvian, variety has large ''dalmatian'' style spots all over its body with smaller spots around the head. The other, Colombian, variety (which reportedly grows larger) has many more spots that are smaller, less clearly defined and almost pin-prick size on the fish's head. This differentiation should only be used when comparing fish of a similar size as both patterns change with age.
Sexing: Unknown.

Habitat Information
Distribution: Peruvian & Colombian Amazon.
Temperature: 22 - 25°C
pH: 5.8 - 6.8
Other Water Parameters: Good filtration with a slight current.
Furniture: Swimming space is needed as this fish likes to swim especially around feeding time. You will see much more of this fish during the day if you have relatively dim lighting.

Husbandry
Feeding: An unfussy omnivore. Most prepared are taken and the fish will gorge itself on live or frozen foods to a point where the aquarist must be careful not to feed too much in one sitting. Bloodworm induces a feeding frenzy and is good for acclimatizing new acquisitions. The fish will eat huge amounts in one day, its belly swelling to resemble a marble and can happily live off this for up to a week.
Compatibility Peaceful, will eat fry (and small fishes when it is fully grown), but otherwise harmless.
Breeding: Unreported.

Looks like no one has come up with a way to sex them yet. CFC might know differently.....

HTH, Eddie

 

[CFC]

Nope im afraid i dont but there is a theory that adult females are thicker in the body than males. This species like most (if not all) pimeloid catfish has not and probably cannot be spawned in a home aquarium so there is no need to know the sexes anyway.