Pictus Catfish
Pimelodus pictus
Family: Pimelodidae • Origin: Various
Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus) is a peaceful catfish reaching 5 inches. Keep in groups of 3+. Minimum tank size: 20 gallons.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
5"
Temperature
72-79°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
8 years
School Size
3+
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefulintermediatecarnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Max size: 5 inches
- • Temperature: 72-79°F
- • pH: 6.5-7.5
- • Schooling — keep 3+ together
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard carnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Pimelodidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Pimelodidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 3+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Pimelodidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 8 years
Ideal For
20 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Talking Catfish
Acanthodoras cataphractus
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peaceful5"
Banjo Catfish
Bunocephalus coracoideus
72-82°FpH 6-840+ gal
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Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
75-82°FpH 6-7.540+ gal
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Featherfin Catfish
Synodontis eupterus
72-82°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
peaceful8"