Pimelodus pictus
Silver body with sharp black dots, plus long barbels and pectoral spines that can catch in nets — net carefully with a coarse mesh or use a cup. Highly active and will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, plan tank mates above 5 cm.
Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus) reaches 13–15 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 200 L. Native to Orinoco and Amazon basins, it lives in the bottom to mid water column with a peaceful (active) temperament. Aim for 23–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, and 5–15 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 8–10 years with good care. Keep pictus catfish in groups of 3+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore (carnivore-leaning), Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, small live food. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: No (will eat shrimp).
Care at a glance
Silver body with sharp black dots, plus long barbels and pectoral spines that can catch in nets — net carefully with a coarse mesh or use a cup. Highly active and will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, plan tank mates above 5 cm.
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The parameters that decide whether pictus catfish fits in your tank.
Bottom to mid
Yes
Group of 3+
Pimelodidae
Omnivore (carnivore-leaning)
Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, small live food.
8–10 yrs
Very hard
Orinoco and Amazon basins
Orinoco and Amazon basins
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Weighing it against something similar? Compare Pictus Catfish head to head:
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus) needs a minimum tank of 200 L. They live in the bottom to mid water column and should be kept in groups of 3+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 23–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, and 5–15 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: No (will eat shrimp). Plant safety: Yes.
Pictus Catfish are omnivore (carnivore-leaning). Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, small live food.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled. Breeding difficulty: very hard.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 8–10 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
