Pictus catfish
Pimelodus pictus
- Adult size
- 9 cm4 in
- Start with
- 1
- Tank length
- 120 cmabout 4 ft (47 in)
- Lifespan
- 5–10 yrs
- Temperature
- 21–26 °C70–79 °F
- pH
- 5.5–7.8
- Hardness
- 1–15 dGH
- Diet
- carnivore
Small fish can become food during nocturnal foraging.Small fish can become food during nocturnal foraging.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
Neon tetraPictus catfish may eat Neon tetra when small enough to swallowPictus catfish may eat Neon tetra when small enough to swallow
Assassin snailPictus catfish may eat Assassin snailPictus catfish may eat Assassin snail
Celestial pearl danioPictus catfish may eat Celestial pearl danioPictus catfish may eat Celestial pearl danio
Cherry shrimpPictus catfish may eat Cherry shrimpPictus catfish may eat Cherry shrimp
- Cherry spot rasbora
Pictus catfish may eat Cherry spot rasboraPictus catfish may eat Cherry spot rasbora
- Dusky millions fish
Pictus catfish may eat Dusky millions fishPictus catfish may eat Dusky millions fish
Ember tetraPictus catfish may eat Ember tetraPictus catfish may eat Ember tetra
- Emerald eye rasbora
Pictus catfish may eat Emerald eye rasboraPictus catfish may eat Emerald eye rasbora
- Endler livebearer
Pictus catfish may eat Endler livebearerPictus catfish may eat Endler livebearer
Ghost shrimpPictus catfish may eat Ghost shrimpPictus catfish may eat Ghost shrimp
- Glowlight danio
Pictus catfish may eat Glowlight danioPictus catfish may eat Glowlight danio
- Glowlight rasbora
Pictus catfish may eat Glowlight rasboraPictus catfish may eat Glowlight rasbora
Sources
| temperature | 21–26 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
|---|---|---|
| ph | 5.5–7.8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
| gh | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low |
| origin | Tropical freshwater; regional origin needs review | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| notes | Small fish can become food during nocturnal foraging. | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| beginner friendly | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| care level | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| color palette | #9EAA99, #465858 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| activity | active | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| swim zone | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| fin nipper | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| long finned | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| territorial | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling min | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| lifespan years | 5–10 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| growth to adult months | 24 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| length weight | {"a":0.006,"b":3} | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| planted safe | true | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| min tank length | 120 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| body shape | catfish | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |