PlanetCatfish.com - Pimelodus ornatus (Pimelodidae) Cat-eLog

Head-on view
Close-up of head
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Rio Xingu
Adult from Suriname
From Guyana
Handfeeding
Handfeeding

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Pimelodus ornatus** Kner, 1858
Common Names	Ornate Pimelodus Schmuckantennenwels (Germany), Smykkemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Suriname; Rio Negro and Cuiabá, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Megalonema rhabdostigma
Pronunciation	pim ee LOW duss - or NAT uss
Etymology	pimele, fat; –odes, having the form of, i.e., fatty, referring to their adipose fins (at the time, this was a catch-all genus for many catfish species, most of which possess a “fatty” or adipose fin) [note: many online references report that –odes is derived from odous, meaning teeth, but this is incorrect]. The specific epithet means ornate or decorated in reference to the handsome patterning of the species.
Articles	- CotM 2002 May - Shane's World Species Pimelodus ornatus: A piece of jewellery in the aquarium
Species Information
Size	385mm or 15.2" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	A real show fish and a distinctive member of the genus making it difficult to confuse with others. Has a larger head than most other Pimelodus.
Sexing	Not known.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Amazon, Corintijns, Essequibo, Orinoco, and Paraná River basins. Also in major rivers of the Guianas. Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Suriname Coastal Rivers, Corintijns (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) La Plata, Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there) Guyana Waters, Coastal Rivers of Guyanas, Essequibo, Rupununi (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH	6.0 - 7.2
Temperature	24.0-25.0°C or 75.2-77°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	An unfussy omnivore. Most prepared foods are taken and the fish will happily gorge itself on live or frozen foods. Bloodworm induces a feeding frenzy and is good for acclimatizing new, smaller acquisitions. The fish will eat huge amounts in one day, its belly swelling to resemble a marble and can comfortably live off this for up to a week. User data.
Furniture	These fish will be considerably more active if given lots of cover at the sides of the aquarium that they can dart into when spooked. Floating plants are also a good idea as water current is unimportant.
Compatibility	Peaceful but will eat smaller fishes.
Suggested Tankmates	Larger active fish such as tetras, most barbs and gouramis. They can also be kept in groups but do not suffer from being kept singly. Angelfish and other ''graceful'' fish are sometimes bothered by this species' barbels particularly during ''lights-out''.
Breeding	Unreported in the aquarium.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe v. 26 (s. 373), pp 411 [41], Pl. 6 (fig. 18).
Registered Keepers	There are 30 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 12 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.15.101.428
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2001 Apr 22 00:00)