Article © Julian Dignall, uploaded March 01, 1997.

Copyright information for the images used in this article can be found on the species' full Cat-eLog page.

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	Pimelodus pictus  Steindachner, 1876
Common Names	Pictus Catfish Engelwels (Germany), Pictus, Pictus Pimelodus, Pimpictus, Plettet Trådmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Rio Hyavary, Peru-Brazil border.
Synonym(s)	Pimelodella picta, Pimelodella pictus
Pronunciation	pim ee LOW duss - PICK tuss
Etymology	(Greek)Pimele=Fat + (Greek)odous=teeth. This specific epithet literally means painted(pictus=painted) and refers to the spots on its body.
Articles
Species Information
Size	110mm or 4.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	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.
General Remarks	Pimelodus pictus have small hooks on the dorsal and pectoral fins that are notorious for getting stuck in nets. It's best to use a plastic container to catch the fish, rather than a net.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins. Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there) Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category	Not Evaluated
pH	5.8 - 6.8
Temperature	22.0-25.0°C or 71.6-77°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	An unfussy general carnivore. 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. In nature the diet consists largely of invertebrates (such as insect larvae and crustaceans), but also found to eat fish.
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.
Compatibility	Peaceful, but will soon eat smaller fish, such as neon tetras, but otherwise harmless. It is considered good to keep these fish in a group of at least five fish. When kept alone, they do not appear quite as happy and active as when kept in a group.
Suggested Tankmates	Larger active fish such as tetras and gouramis. Most barbs are no good company as they tend to nip fins and barbels. They should be kept in (small) groups. Most singly kept specimens will pine away eventually. Angelfish and other ''graceful'' fishes may be bothered by this species' barbels particularly during lights-out.
Breeding	Unreported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe v. 74 (1. Abth.), pp 144 [96].
Registered Keepers	Keeping this species? Why not . There are 241 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 23 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update	2020 Sep 19 01:53 (species record created: 1997 Mar 01 11:22)

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