Page 135 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CATFISH/PIMELODIDS 133

Pimelodus pictus Brachyrhamdia meesi
Pictus Catfish The Pictus Catfish is attractively patterned, Pin Catfish
with prominent black spots set against a silvery
ORIGINS Northern South America, especially in the background. Its docile nature makes it suitable ORIGINS South America, in the Amazon region; its
vicinity of Mitu, Colombia. to be kept in a shoal, or mixed with other precise distribution is presently unclear.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). nonaggressive fish requiring similar water SIZE 3 ⁄4 in (8 cm).
1
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. conditions. Feeding, too, presents no difficulties. DIET Live foods favored.
WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft to hard Although these catfish are nocturnal, they may eat WATER Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); soft to hard
(50–100 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). during the day under subdued lighting. Beware: (50–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Placid. their sharp pectoral fins may get stuck in netting. TEMPERAMENT Placid with unrelated fish of similar size.

A pale body, a dark vertical mark at the base of
the dorsal fin, and a midline stripe along the flanks
are the distinguishing features of this catfish. Its
origins are mysterious, because it first appeared
in a consignment of catfish exported from Belem,
Brazil, during the mid-1980s, and the area where
it naturally occurs has still not been clearly
identified. These pimelodid catfish are likely to
be territorial toward their own kind unless kept
in groups of five or six individuals.

Leiarius pictus Pimelodus ornatus Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
Sailfin Marbled Catfish Ornate Pimelodus Red-Tailed Catfish

ORIGINS South America, found principally in the ORIGINS South America, from Guyana and Surinam ORIGINS Northern parts of South America, including
Amazon and its tributaries. through the Amazon region, as far south as Paraguay. Guyana and Venezuela.
SIZE 24 in (60 cm). SIZE 11 in (28 cm). SIZE Up to 42 in (106 cm).
DIET Live foods, especially worms. DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Live foods preferred.
WATER Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); soft to hard WATER Temperature 75–81°F (24–27°C ); soft to hard WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft
(50–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–200 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Predatory and intolerant. TEMPERAMENT Can be disruptive. TEMPERAMENT Predatory.
The key features of this species are its two silvery Characteristic
stripes—one across the top of the body behind the red caudal fin
gills, the other at the front of the dorsal fin (which
also bears a grayish-black area). As with other Mottled patterning
pimelodids, the Ornate Pimelodus has three on the head
sets of barbels around its mouth. This very
active catfish spends the day swimming, using
its barbels to seek out food on the bottom of
The attractive patterning of young Sailfin Marbled the aquarium. This fish cannot be trusted with
Catfish fades as they grow older. This is a species significantly smaller companions, and breeding in
for dedicated catfish enthusiasts, not just because aquarium surroundings is very unlikely. It is easy to forget when seeing juveniles of this
of the size that these fish can attain, but also species that they grow rapidly into very large fish.
because of the length of their barbels. A very large Distinct lobes to Despite this caution, Red-Tailed Catfish
aquarium or even an indoor pond is needed to the caudal fin enjoy a dedicated following, partly
provide them with enough swimming space because these intelligent fish soon come to
and to ensure that their barbels can move recognize their owners sufficiently to feed
freely in all directions. Sailfin Marbled from the hand. Having fed, they will rest on
Catfish are active during the day, retreating the bottom to digest their meal. Efficient filtration
into underwater caves at night. and regular partial water changes are essential.

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