Pictus Catfish

The Pictus catfish is a small freshwater catfish that is native to the shallow Orinoco and Amazon river basins. These fish are also commonly kept in freshwater aquariums and are popular with the aquarium trade industry.

The Pictus catfish is a member of the Pimelodidae family. Franz Steindachner, an Austrian zoologist, formally described the species in 1876 based on specimens from tropical South American rivers. They are active fish that have a sharp dorsal fin, and their most distinctive feature is long barbels that are located near their mouth.

3 Facts About Pictus Catfish

• Pictus catfish have sharp dorsal fin spines that can deliver a mildly toxic sting, deterring some predators.
• They are social fish that enjoy being in groups of four or more.
• They have long barbels that can reach 2-3 inches in fully grown adults.

Classification and Scientific Name

The Pictus catfish, scientifically known as the Pimelodus pictus, belongs to the Pimelodidae family that contains the Pimelodus genus. They are one of the smallest species of freshwater catfish and are commonly kept for the aquarium trade industry.

Appearance

The Pictus catfish has an attractive appearance, with silver bodies speckled with black dots. Their dorsal fin stands straight up and is more angular than other catfish’s dorsal fins. It is sharp to the touch and helps ward off predators. They are bottom-dwelling fish that spend most of their time foraging through the substrate with long barbels or whiskers that can grow as long as their body. The typical size ranges from 3 to 5 inches (7-12 cm), which is quite small for catfish. In aquariums, Pictus catfish typically reach 4 to 5 inches (10-13 cm) when provided with adequate space and proper nutrition.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Distribution and Population

Pictus catfish live in the shallow, tropical waters of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, their native habitat. Most of the wild population is found throughout Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Brazil. They are also found around the world in fish farms and tropical freshwater aquariums where they are bred and raised as pets.

Habitat

The native habitat of the Pictus catfish is tropical, shallow freshwater rivers and streams that have a sandy substrate with lots of vegetation. They prefer flowing waters, both in major river channels and their tributaries.

In Aquariums

Pictus catfish need a large aquarium of at least 55 gallons to support their activity levels. Because they enjoy being in shoals, or groups, of 4 or more, it is important to provide them with a large tank to support their grouping behaviors. They require a filter and heater to keep the water clean and heated, like in their natural habitat.

The water temperature should range from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (23 to 26 degrees Celsius) with a pH level of 7.0 to 7.5. These bottom-dwelling catfish will benefit from a sandy substrate and plenty of live plants and natural items, like driftwood, to replicate their natural habitat. Due to their delicate barbels and the amount of time spent on the bottom scavenging for food, horizontal tanks are favored over tall ones.

Predators and Prey

In the wild, Pictus catfish fall prey to aggressive species of fish. Their defense is a spiny dorsal fin that has a venomous sting. It feels similar to a wasp sting that can injure or stun predators; however, they rarely use this defense mechanism on other fish unless they feel very threatened. They are scavengers that eat an omnivorous diet that consists of insects such as dragonfly larvae and small fish, snails, and algae.

Reproduction and Lifespan

In the wild, Pictus catfish males encourage the females to lay eggs. The male then fertilizes and protects the eggs until they hatch into fry. They are sexually mature at around 4 inches (10 cm) and typically have a lifespan of 4 to 8 years in captivity, though some may live longer with optimal care.

It is tricky to breed them in aquariums because they need a very large tank with perfect water conditions for successful breeding. Since they rarely reach more than 3 inches in captivity, it is uncommon for them to be mature enough to breed. Many breeders recommend an aquarium for a breeding shoal of 200 gallons or more so that the fish can reach their maximum adult size to encourage breeding.