Am I really a pictus cat?

[TerriM, posts: 3]

The chain pet store said this is a pictus cat. But all the information I find say pictus get about 4 to 4-1/2 inches. This one is 9" now. I've poured through the wonderful pictures and information on this site but I cannot identify him/her. Any help is appreciated! Thank you in advance.

Photo0063.jpg (34.68 KiB) Viewed 496 times

Photo0074.jpg (43.99 KiB) Viewed 496 times

[MatsP]

Pimelodus blochii

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Mats

[Richard B, posts: 6306]

From the first pic the tank looks too narrow for this fish - they can be spooked when their barbels are in contact with the glass and it hasn't much room to turn round.

[TerriM, posts: 3]

He's in a 55 gallon tank. As stated, when purchased was told it was a pictus, maximum size would be 4" maybe 4'1/2 inches.

Thank you for identification, very much appreciated.

[Viktor Jarikov, posts: 2276]

Welcome TerriM ! Beautiful blochii you got there. That is, likely blochii. If you'd like to learn more on its ID-ing details, see my post in this thread (3rd post: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=35563&hilit=+blochii) and the links from there on. Of course, make the best of the info for this fish in Cat-eLog too.

Pictus and blochii look a bit alike but are very easy to tell apart.

Good luck!

[TerriM, posts: 3]

Viktor, thank you very much! We think he/she is quite beautiful. I definitely will read the articles on this species. Thank you again!

[CatfishPownage63, posts: 151]

dose p.blochii really get a bigger mouth? mine is only 6.5 inches and dosn't have a very big mouth

[MatsP]

dose p.blochii really get a bigger mouth? mine is only 6.5 inches and dosn't have a very big mouth

The mouth is almost the full width of the head, and height may be almost half the height of the head - I'd call that pretty big. And yes the mouth stays in proportion to the size of the fish when it grows larger, so it may well end up being about an inch or more wide when it reaches 10".

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Mats

[CatfishPownage63, posts: 151]

cool thanks and TerriM's p.blochii looks more spotted then striped

[MatsP]

If your fish is significantly different, you may want to post a photo (preferably in a new thread), and we can probably tell you what it is.

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Mats

[CatfishPownage63, posts: 151]

i will post a new thread asoon as i figure out how to post pics of my p.blochii
aka Sir Felix Whiskerton

[Viktor Jarikov, posts: 2276]

3rd post: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=35563 and the links from there on