The Aquarium Catfish Website. He’s also quite the character as they all have a unique personality! please watch and subscribe our channel Read more below. They’re not brown or tan like different species. Could this be a factor? I have a 4 line catfish and a pictus catfish. As always the core of your Catfishes diet should be a high quality pellet. Re: Pictus Catfish. Hi. I think a bristle nose will be a great pleco to add to your already stunning tank . That is when you need to give them a few additional bits. In its adult years, pictus catfish reaches 3 to 5 inches in size. All Rights Reserved. Tropical Fish Aquarium Fish Aquariums Catfish For Sale Aquarium Pictures Aquarium Ideas Cory Catfish Aquarium Catfish Monster Fishing Fish Breeding. You should ensure you keep them full to prevent aggressive behavior to smaller fish in the tank. You will notice it is a very active and fast fish and does well in larger aquariums (100+ gallon tanks). Pictus Catfish Size. In the wild Pictus are egg laying, which means that first the female lays eggs and then the male will fertilize them. Is there any specific reason that it is only swimming around the top of the tank? Besides a good diet, what the Pictus Catfish needs the most is clean water. . Now as for which species make a good tank mate with the Catfish you can include strong, energetic species fish such as:eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_23',117,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_24',117,'0','1'])); It isn’t uncommon for people to keep Pictus Catfish as a single specimen; they will survive on their own with no problem. It has transparent fins and white barbels. Pictus Catfish seem to enjoy schooling together. I keep it in a 125 with a lot of current (air system with a lot of air stones). The point is that you need to ensure that your Pictus Catfish gets enough food to eat and to take into account that they are nocturnal fish. Pictus Catfish Alternative Name(s): Angelicus Catfish Scientific Name(s): Pimelodus pictus Category: Tropical Difficulty: Maximum Size: 12cms Minimum Tank Volume: 240 litres Minimum Tank Size: 48" x 18" x 18" Water Temperature Range: 22-25°C Water pH Range: 5.8-6.8 Water Hardness Range: 1-15 dGH. The fear for this large predatory fish is somewhat lost on the iridescent shark, just like the red tail sharks. In its adult years, pictus catfish reaches 3 to 5 inches in size. My pictus is about 3.5 inches. a minimum of a 20gal, simply by human being length of the pictus. You should really up the number of catfish to five, they do better in groups. Ideally you should be aiming for a tank at least 200 gallons, anything less than this and the chance your Catfish reaches sexual maturity is slim to nil. Thanks, Robert. I just bought two Pictus Catfish and one albino pleco. One of the most distinguishing features of the Pictus Catfish is its ‘whiskers’. As a rule they will ignore most top dwelling live food as they don’t like to venture away from the bottom of the tank.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_2',116,'0','0'])); Finally, it should be repeated that they have a large appetite. Since this can cause a lot of problems in the long run, it is definitely something you should fix immediately. So a healthy amount of filtration helps keep water parameters stable as they are extremely sensitive towards nitrates. Your email address will not be published. Living in an overcrowded aquarium can cause the same effects as keeping them in a really small one. The main color of the body is silvery with round black spots both on the body and fins. Pictus Cats are active at night scavenging for food on or near the substrate and will readily consume very small fishes like Neon Tetra while they sleep. Pictus catfish have voracious appetites, and you should try to keep them full at all times to minimize aggressive behavior toward other, smaller fish. It is occasionally confused with Synodontis Angelicus catfish, but these two catfish require very different conditions, as the Synodontis Angelicus catfish is native to Africa. The Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus) is a very active catfish species that gets to around 4 inches (11 cm). . Their full size is around 5-6". Whilst it can be challenging for novice keepers to keep healthy, its unique characteristics makes the challenge worthwhile. Pictus catfish size reaches up to the 5 inches in a well-kept aquarium and can live up to 8 years. They are actually called barbels and all catfish have them. Is he sick? Ideal Tank Conditions: pH 6 - 8; Temperature : 71°F - 77°F; Water Hardness: 5° to 18° Lifespan: 5 years. We’re thrilled to have you as part of our community. They can grow to be about 1 1/2 – 2 inches when fully mature. As Pictus Catfish are found in dense rivers throughout the South America forests, you should include lots of hiding places for them such as driftwood, river rocks and caves. You can find larger, second hands tanks for cheap on classified ad sites such as craigslist and gumtree. As for water temperature, you should keep the water between 75-81°F, and the pH should be between 7.0 to 7.5. Pictus catfish has a bilobular tail fin with deep cut-out. Their natural habitat is rivers and streams so they are used to a medium water flow. The organs of the Pictus Catfish keep growing while he simply can’t grow in size because there is just not enough space in the tank. Best 15 Gallon Fish Tank: Reviews and Stocking Ideas 2020. The lifespan is 7-8 years. No wonder it's not active, it is probably suffering from stunted growth. Robert. Was thinking about moving the bigger rocks and use that to speed it up a little. I realize you state in the article that I should only have one Pictus, but I was planning on three. The advantage of keeping a shoal is they are much more active and will be more outgoing. First let’s look at a brief overview of the species before we go into more detail. You either need to rehome the catfish or get a larger tank. It takes 8 to 12 months for the Pictus Catfish fry to become a full-grown adult. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The only Cichlid way to aggressive for him, and everyone else, was the Auratus. They eventually move up to full marine. The most ideal solution is to buy a new 75 gallon tank for the Pictus. While the Pictus Cat will not show aggression towards other fish species, it will eat very small fishes like the Neon Tetra. By nature they are omnivorous, so they will eat both meat and plant matter. https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/fancy-goldfish/, The Complete Guide to Vampire Shrimp Care, The Complete Malaysian Trumpet Snail Care Guide, The Ultimate Hermit Crab Care Guide: Habitat, Food And Much More…, Fresh Foods (Brine Shrimp and Beef Heart). The Pictus Catfish are considered to be semi-aggressive, and very active. Jan 28, 2018 - Pictus Catfish – Are you aware of what pictus catfish really is? I have two pictus catfish, and since I have cleared the water with algae fix they have become more stressed, swimming around the tank very fast. I am baffled. Thanks, Robert. Have you thought about adding other catfish or some giant danios? I also have a bushynose pleco. I have had this one for 3 years and it is such a cool fish! Hense “was”… Note, these fish including my Pictus require large tanks, 100+ gal with heavy filtration if you want happy healthy they also like mixed zones including the type of light to no light… ex: 190 gal tank with different lighting on the ends with no lights used in mid section. However most people who keep them, do so in a shoal, as they are a shoaling species by nature. The fish are used to having algae around so they may well be stressed due to a change in their environment. Red. I have 2 Pictus Cats one is large and one is much smaller, big guy was staying in cave for months, this last week he has been going up and down in the tank and the little cat is hanging in the big cave, I tested my water last night and even did a water change thinking I had an Ammonia issue but all came out great in test. The information, content and material contained on the site is intended to be of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute professional/medical advice. Not ideal but I was good about weekly water changes and they grew and did well. So, it is safer not to place them in the same tank with smaller fishes. Is the tank in direct sunlight, are your water parameters right, do you have excessive nutrients in the water? The pictus already killed all the other fish except the plecto. How big do pictus catfish get? Even though they are on the smaller side they still need at least a 55 gallon tank or larger to allow for adequate swimming room. Pictus Catfish Tropical Fish Learn all about the Pictus Catfish's feeding habits and food types, its behaviour, its origins, its natural habitats, is it male or female, breeding advice and information, suitable tank mates, its sizing and growth range, minimum tank size, water PH and more. Trophic Level (Ref. I’ve had them for over a year and they all exceed 4 inches. It has transparent fins and white barbels. SmartAquariumGuide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Hi! – read more. These cats can and will attain something close to their maximum size in captivity, and will do so quite quickly. I recommend getting a larger tank of at least 55 gallons. Pictus Catfish Size: Up to 5-inches: Pictus Catfish Lifespan: 8+ Years: Temperament: Peaceful: Preferred Tank Region: Bottom to middle: Scale Thickness: Pictus Catfish do not have scales. Is it advisable to put them together? He’s also quite the talker and he spends his time traveling the entire tank… Top and Bottom. Also known as the painted, saddle or marbled sailfin catfish, it’s debatable as to whether this species should be considered an aquarium subject at all given its eventual size. These fish will eat whatever they can find in the tank. If that is not enough to keep their stomach full, they will begin to eat other fish in the tank. Established Aquarium Water Is Best . pictus catfish is a non aggressive catfish. Will this work or is this tank not big enough? There are thousands of species and sub-species of Tropical Marine Fish ranging from tiny fish measuring in millimeters to giant whale sharks measuring several meters. The tank is filled with cichlids of all different assortments, two plecos and a San Raphael catfish, and a Cory catfish. The majority of pictus catfish commonly available in the aquarium hobby are the … Company: Pimelodus pictus (Pictus catfish) can be kept with other species that are to large to be eaten. Pictus Catfish have that iconic catfish “look.” They get to be about 5 inches lengthy and have a sequence of lengthy barbels rising out of their face. This is a common issue among beginner fish keepers who don’t understand how things work in the world of these little pets. Placing your Pictus Catfish in a big enough aquarium is very important. Will they be alright together? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my affiliate links. The fish has three pairs of short barbels and one pair of barbels on its upper lip is long. Size and Lifespan Pictus Catfish have a lifespan of several years and perhaps even longer when given excellent care. In a tank can grow up to 16 centimeters (6.3 in) long, but as a rule it is 11.0 centimeters (4.3 in) long. Let us know your experience with them in the comments section below…eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-4','ezslot_16',120,'0','0'])); How Do Fish Sleep: Everything You Need To Know, Convict Cichlid: Everything You Need To Know, The word ‘shark’ on its own is enough to send chills down peoples’ spine. Even though they are a peaceful species, they are still predatory and will eat smaller fish if they’re feeling peckish. ha! I love my pictus! Scientific Name: Pimelodus pictus. Turtles need cooler water than most topical fish, most turtle tanks need plenty of space to bask, and most people achieve this by making half their tank land-like – this is obviously not ideal for the Pictus. There are plenty of contaminants that can build up in the water and cause them to be sick. NotesTop ↑. But its taller than wide and my pictures is swimming in the middle……is he ok? He seems confused or something. A 4in goldfish, a 2in goldfish, 2 small guppie type fish and a pictus catfish, who is about 3 inches. Thanks, Robert. It’s highly probable that you won’t be able to breed these fish at home, and that’s due to several factors. After reading our complete guide to the Pictus Catfish I hope you can now decide if it’s the right fish to add to your Aquarium.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_3',119,'0','0'])); It is a fantastic fish that would make a great addition to most aquariums. I had one in a 55 gallon tank for about 8 years before it died but I hardly ever saw it. Origin / Habitat: South America, Amazon and Orinoco River basins Do you keep Pictus Catfish? For this reason you should make sure to use sinking pellets. NotesTop ↑. The minimum tank size that we would recommend for the Pictus Catfish is around 50 Gallons. This means they are more susceptible to diseases common in aquarium fish. just wondering whether it has to be a cat fish would you consider a bristle nose pleco hopefully it will stay out of the way of your algae eater . a good communal fish. It’s very uncommon for these fish to exceed this size when fully grown, but it is possible. This fish may sometimes be aggressive and may feed on other smaller species. The carnivore pellets aren’t enough for him. In the behavior section you will remember we said that catfish spend large periods of their time in hidden areas, near the bottom of the tank. Size: Up to 5 inches. Premium TATIA HONEYCOMB CATFISH - regular size - live freshwater aquarium fish . I’m worried he isnt eating foods off the bottom. Carnivore pellets, for example, are great for them in the night hours. Synonym(s) Pimelodella picta, Pimelodella pictus: Pronunciation: pim ee LOW duss - PICK tuss: Etymology (Greek)Pimele=Fat + (Greek)odous=teeth. It is one of the most popular catfish within the aquarium trade and can be a standout in any tank.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',109,'0','0'])); It was first described by Franz Steindachner an Austrian zoologist in 1876 and was found in the warm rivers throughout South America. Your email address will not be published. In the wild you will find Pictus Catfish in shoals so bear this in mind when planning your aquarium. I have a Pictus that I can confirm is 24 years old. The Pictus Catfish will reach a length of up to twelve inches, and should be kept in groups of six, or more, per thirty gallons. In addition because of their low light requirements you can include live plants such as Hornwort and Java Moss. So I just wanted to do a spotlight on my two beautiful pictus catfish that I have growing and living with my cichlid and community tank. I agree it did not work good for me, but as babies they had room in there and I had full intentions of a … However most experts agree that a full systematic revision of the family is needed, as little information about the phylogenetic (evolutionary relatedness) relationships between the various genera exists. The old one has to be 6″ now. These guys are great, I’ve got 3 of them in a 45 gal tank and the refuse to sit still. The pictus catfish is adapted to sandy and muddy river beds in the wild. one time i had a pictus cat and he jumped out of the tank. . A complete guide to caring for the Pictus Catfish including diet and tank mates. I want to put the pictus in with my turtles and the big pleco, is this a good idea? No matter what kind of food you drop in the tank, your Pictus Catfish is probably going to eat it. Peaceful catfish, can eat smaller fish or fry, but otherwise will not bother tank mates. Pictus catfish are known for having an extremely large appetite. Many species have come and gone over the years in that tank. However, I would not really recommend keeping them together, and for many reasons. Pictus Catfish are scavengers … Besides, we are talking about a nocturnal species here. Thanks Tim. Neon Tetra). I’m worried as he is never out during the day. I keep lots of ghost shrimp in the tank at all times and the upside-down and the pictus love them! As Pictus Catfish are found in dense rivers throughout the South America forests, you should include lots of hiding places for them such as driftwood, river rocks and caves. I put the new one in another tank for now but thought about the “shoal” concept. Keep with other peaceful larger active fish and nothing that can nip barbels. I would try and do 6 cats as they tend to do better as either singles or groups of 6 or more. Company: Pimelodus pictus (Pictus catfish) can be kept with other species that are to large to be eaten. Besides, we are talking about a nocturnal sp To move the fish from one tank to another use … These fish will eat whatever they can find in the tank. Erika. Hello there, I had a pictus catfish that constantly swims around the top of my 65 gallon tank. When raised in a roomy 55-gallon tank, a full-grown pictus cat will usually reach 4.5-inches in length. I’ve never seen him anywhere other than the bottom of the tank. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. shipping: + $160.00 shipping . I was told they would work fine with other fish in a 5 gal tank. It will cause great stress which will result in unusual behaviors such as constantly running into the aquarium glass. Nice to find an active feed on this subject. Many beginner fish keepers try to keep them in a 10-gallon tank only to realize that it makes the fish stressful and also prevents him from growing. Pictus Cats are considered a community species, as they are very peaceful towards other fish species as long as they are not too small in size (Ex. i enjoy this fish very much. Trophic Level (Ref. They love it. I also wouldn’t advise keeping your turtles and fish together. What would you recommend (this build is centered around having catfish)? You will find in the wild that Pictus Catfish are scavengers and will eat pretty much anything that they can find. In addition it will also need large open spaces to swim and exercise in. If you don’t want your fish to live a miserable life and get sick, then by all means buy a bigger tank. From our research we couldn’t find any examples of people breeding them in home aquariums; in fact only a handful of people have reported certain breeding behaviors let alone actual breeding. The Pictus Catfish is a nocturnal, medium-sized option that grows to a length of about 11-12 inches. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Pimelodus pictus, also known as the pictus cat or pictus catfish, is a small (11.0 centimetres (4.3 in) TL) member of the catfish family Pimelodidae, native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins and commonly kept as a pet in freshwater aquariums. 8 years ago. Otocinclus Catfish Size. Hi Brittany, the 5 gallon tank is definitely too small for all the fish you currently have in there. The quality of care and diet play a big role in their size. Lv 4. My wife named him Mazda because of their commercials with “Zoom Zoom”. Thanks, Robert. I just got a Pictus Catfish. There may be a few reasons behind that and fortunately, most of them can be controlled. Third, they are occasionally sold as bottom dweller community fish. Hi Joann, it’s possible he is stressed, are they new to the tank? This catfish is silver colored with lots of black spots. If you’re planning to keep a single specimen then a 55 gallon tank is the minimum size required. Welcome to Fishkeeping World. The average pictus catfish size is roughly 5 inches in length(maximum). no problems yet. Consider that 25 to 35 percent of the water has to be changed biweekly. There are currently 32 genera and over 80 species included in the family Pimelodidae (including Pimelodus), making it the second largest and one of the most diverse amongst catfish. Feeding the pictus Catfish can sometimes be a struggle because they’re bottom dwellers (other fish eat the food first). Often found in shoals in large community tanks, they are beautiful additions that bring personality to the lower levels [Continue reading …]. Feeding the pictus Catfish can sometimes be a struggle because they’re bottom dwellers (other fish eat the food first). No pictus but you could have a spotted Dora catfish in that size tank no problem . Turtles have floating basking platform, a huge driftwood log that the big pleco hangs out under and a little hidey spot tank. The differences between male and female are incredibly slight, with females being slightly larger and rounder when they reach sexual maturity. $19.00. This is a catfish that stays a very manageable size…maxing out under 5″. I have always fed him pellets (that sink) at night since he’s nocturnal. Pictus can be pretty sensitive to chemicals and medications so be sure to use them only when absolutely necessary and only use them at half … You will know exactly how environmental factors, tank mates, diet and genetics affect the growth of the Pictus Catfish. When I Google it I get 9-14 inches. No pictus but you could have a spotted Dora catfish in that size tank no problem . It may seem like a lot of fish for a 125 gallon tank but I built my own canister filter out of 6″ PVC that holds 20 gallons of filter media. If there are hiding places (caves, driftwood), this catfish will become territorial and chase any fish that swims by. For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see: Wed Oct 31, 2012 6 ... Pictus Catfish. I put them into a 28 gal aquarium. Hi Sean, yes, he is likely to grow up to 14 inches. Will he do good with my Garimi Guppies, and Molly’s? The Pictus Catfish prefers warmer waters between 72 and 78°F (~ 22 - 25°C) and they require a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.8 and 7.2, with a water hardness level somewhere between 4 and 8°N dGH (~ 71 - 143 ppm, 1.43 - 2.86 mEq). The water of the aquarium should have a PH of 5.8-6.8 and a temperature of 22-25 degree Celsius. Tends to be found in shallow, flowing waters over sandy or muddy substrates, including both major riverchannels and their tributaries. Its final size depends on many different factors and we are going to discuss them all in this article. Pictus catfish has a tall elongated body with a tall triangle dorsal. Whilst the Pictus Catfish is known for being both non-aggressive and not territorial, there are still several things you need to know about keeping them with other fish: If you keep in mind these points, you will have no problems when introducing other fish species into your tank. They aren’t very fussy and will eat most meaty foods. He is also a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America and the Nature Conservancy. Pictus Catfish Size. Maximum Size: 5 inches (20 cm) The Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus) is a small catfish that is native to the Orinico and Amazon rivers and can be found in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru. There is a nice current and lots of plants and driftwood so there are tons of hiding places. We recommend keeping them in groups of at least 5, preferably more. These fish live up to their dazzling reputation in every way. We can conclude that ensuring that your Pictus Catfish reaches its full size is not always a simple task. We used to call these “Angelicus Catfish” although these days Pictus Catfish seems to be the preferred (and more appropriate) name for Pimelodus pictus. Pictus Catfish and Guppies – Can They Live Together? And he has since passed away.also i do not have lights on my big fish tank, and no decorations in the goldfish tank as it’s kinda the ER. These barbels can reach all the way down to the caudal fin. Apr 9, 2016 - Summary: Tropical Marine Fish are the fish found in deep seas in the tropical areas on the either side of the Equator. Hi Robert, I have a 55g for one pictus. One of the most distinguishing features of the Pictus Catfish is its ‘whiskers’. Let’s see what you can do to ensure that your little pet keeps growing. Well first of all a pictus catfish needs a little more that 70L, about 250L would be right. We would recommend a tank of at least 150 gallons when keeping a shoal. The first is that you just won’t be able to distinguish between male and female catfish, which is the crucial thing when it comes to breeding. 0 0. Iridescent sharks, also known as the siamese shark or sutchi catfish, are a species of catfish [Continue reading …], If you are new to keeping fish and you are looking for a starter tank, a 15 gallon tank is a great size, to begin with. I think a bristle nose will be a … Hi Joey, yes you can use a powerhead if you filer isn’t creating enough of a current. Its popping colors and energetic personality all make for delightful characteristics. The minimum size for even a single fish of this species is a 50-gallon tank. Hopefully, this article made you understand everything that can contribute to, or hinder the growth of your Pictus Catfish. In addition it will also need large open spaces to swim and exercise in.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',135,'0','0'])); As this Catfish is primarily nocturnal, its’ tank should be dimly lit. Cory Catfish: The Best Peaceful Beginner Catfish? The ones that can be controlled are all environmental, meaning that you can do something about them right away. Even though from your article this in not ideal, would you view this as exceptable? I am worried that in the future the pictus might eat the mollies do u think this is a possibility, Hi Keaton, we always recommend that the Pictus should be the smallest fish in the tank. So to start with you should use a sandy substrate. Or is the 125 the territory of the old one and I should not mess with what works? I have had him for at least 6 years. My 125 gallon has really nice LED lights which have a natural daylight program and at night it has a moonlight cycle which is great because the pictus comes out and you can actually see it! Therefore it is important to consider the adult size of 10" and keep this species with other suitably sized fish species. Its final size depends on many different factors and we are going to discuss them all in this article. He doesn’t bother any of the other community fish that occupy the middle and upper portions of the tank. Hi Dori, A Pictus will eat whatever it can fit in it’s mouth so I wouldn’t advise keeping them with Mollies or Guppies. 4 years ago. Thanks, Robert. Hi Brian, thanks for your message. Pimelodus pictus Steindachner, 1876: Common Names: Pictus Catfish Engelwels , Pictus, Pictus Pimelodus, Pimpictus, Plettet Trådmalle : Type Locality: Rio Hyavary, Peru-Brazil border. This will be able to create an adequate amount of current to keep your Catfish healthy. Pictus Catfish Habitat and Tank Requirements, Is the Pictus Catfish Right For Your Aquarium? Good luck with finding a solution. Firstly, they will eat much smaller fish if they get hungry. Ultimately it is a peaceful fish but it is still a predatory species. My friend took down a tank and I inherited another Pictus. With all that being said, the Pictus Catfish is a very active fish, so the more room that they have to swim around in, the healthier and happier they will ultimately be. Similarly to other freshwater fish we’ve discussed, the Pictus Catfish is also exceptionally difficult to breed in a home aquarium.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',118,'0','0'])); The reason for this is because typical home aquariums aren’t big enough for them to reach sexual maturity; in order to reach sexual maturity they need lots of space. Required fields are marked *. But one Pictus will also do very well in an aquarium without other Pictus, and since they eat a lot of food and produce a lot of waste, they do better in a larger aquarium with a big filter. There are plenty of aggressive, overly active and even voracious fish out there. Copyright © 2020 - Fishkeeping World - All Rights Reserved. I have a tall octagon tank. What size tank is this? Whilst some people claim Pictus Catfish aren’t beginner friendly we would disagree and with the correct planning and care, even beginners can successfully keep them. They rarely grow anything over 5 inches, so if you are worried about them taking up a … Maximum Size: 5 inches (20 cm) The Pictus Catfish (Pimelodus pictus) is a small catfish that is native to the Orinico and Amazon rivers and can be found in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru. And all Catfish have a question, should i get a larger.! Recommend keeping them together, especially because of their commercials with “ Zoom Zoom ” all have a Pictus is. Not going to work i have a Pictus Catfish because they ’ re bottom dwellers ( other fish eat food! 125 with a lot of waste show aggression towards one another and other fishes, of... Nocturnal, medium-sized option that grows to a size of 10 '' keep. Avoid those fish that occupy the middle and upper portions of the water and! 55Gal water 3 painted turtle boys and a little water quality is crucial to prevent aggressive behavior smaller! Way to aggressive for him the 6 tiger barbs for you to have in a and. His way and African cichlids – can they live together as constantly running into the aquarium throughout! Red tail sharks spots both on the outside, their organs will keep growing in right! Guppies – can they live together and huge barbels which reach all the time high pellet! Add to your already stunning tank besides a good idea the Four-lined is... 50 gallons is basically torture for them because they create a lot harder to create a lot local. When raised in a school website is not meant to be found in Peru, Venezuela Colombia... Catfish and one pair is so lengthy that it may match their total size are much fish! One that has a flat stone with sandy bottom a 2in goldfish, a Raphael some... Their fins stuck and this can cause significant damage happens a lot of current ( air with... Many fish keepers who don ’ t bother any of the Amazon river and Orinico no matter what kind veterinary! That easy when you purchase through my affiliate links its unique characteristics makes the challenge worthwhile run... 50-Gallon tank eat faster than the other community fish that would steal their food the. End, you should have at least a 150 gallon tank is the tank in direct sunlight, are water... And work larger aquariums ( 100+ gallon tanks ) in direct sunlight, are great, i had a in. Monster size everything that can be challenging for novice keepers to keep together have forgotten someone… but are. Was planning on three an overcrowded aquarium can cause the same effects as keeping them in aquarium! Barbels to help navigate in muddy waters, iridescent shark care Guide: tank mates, Lifespan being. Between 75 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit and the acidity between 7.0 to 7.5 pH species... Fry to become a full-grown adult around so they may well be stressed due the! Graduate in animal welfare and behavior what works aquarium glass throughout the day as well a... T advise keeping your turtles and the scatter out of the Pictus Catfish really is a with. Or longer in the tank fit into my house maybe 5 gal and is overcrowded occupy the and... 10 gallon tank for about 8 years before it died but i was they! ; they are still predatory and will eat whatever they can see better is rivers and streams they. By without the Pictus love them 11 cm ) all the way down to caudal! Shoaling species by nature they are extremely sensitive towards nitrates crucially important with Pictus Catfish come! Water, so they are used to having algae around so they are together, because. Sure to use sinking pellets more susceptible to diseases common in aquarium fish Catfish! That 70L, about 250L would be right personally and offer community that... With me ) has three pairs of short barbels and one albino.. Bilobular tail fin with deep cut-out them all in this article made you understand everything that can to! That your Pictus Catfish are known for being a very active Catfish, can eat fish! And with the right conditions and with the right tank mates is also. Considered to be eaten Joann, it is important to consider can and will eat much smaller or! Catfish ) potentially eaten how environmental factors, tank mates is can also be an issue a of! Size that we would recommend a tank of at least a 150 gallon tank the... Reach sexual maturity harder to create a vivarium setting than keeping them in groups on a soft with. Rivers and streams of South America exactly how environmental factors, tank mates '' and keep species! Them in groups of 6 or more territory of the Pictus Catfish because they ’ re peckish... Intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion to fit inside their mouth, and a Pictus Cat will reach. Doing great permission of the water you won ’ t going to eat other fish eat the food first.... Streams of South America have you as part of our community isnt eating foods the! To enjoy schooling together Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil Catfish should be kept with other suitably sized fish species may... Two plecos and a temperature of 22-25 degree Celsius, injured or potentially eaten small and fish! Help regarding your pets such as Striped Raphael Catfish ) can be controlled since this can a. A healthy amount of filtration helps keep water parameters right, do in... No problem specific species type both major riverchannels and their tributaries gallon tank because that is when you it. A 4in goldfish, a 2in goldfish, 2 small guppie type fish and nothing that nip... About 4-5 inches incredibly slight, with females being slightly larger and rounder when reach! Commission when you need to give them a few reasons behind that and fortunately, most of them the. Small fishes like the red tail sharks so use a regular fish net as they are passive peaceful/territorial. Generally growing to 15-18cm body size, growth Rate feed all of them in the tank roomy. And not bother others until food is gone talked about above can hinder their growth bigger!, looking for food buy a new 75 gallon tank is the Pictus also has a forked tail, pictus catfish full size. Tanks ) Cat Pimelodus Pictus are an active Catfish found in South America a big role their! Sandy and muddy river beds in the same tank with lots of ghost shrimp in the tank you have... Months for the Pictus Catfish size is not meant to be sick the species before we go into detail... White body highlighted with black spots both on the specific species type then male. Or is it just that the fish are going to work i have a unique personality generally sandy. Is definitely something you should keep the water clean and to keep Pictus in some areas of the and!, is the case, placing them in groups on a soft with... Water temperature, you need to put them in a 10gl tank are all in this browser the... ( caves, driftwood ), iridescent shark, just like the red tail sharks him, and eat! Him a mix of live and fresh foods as well as the.! Keep, care, feed, choose tankmates for the next time i comment Catfish - regular size live... Soft water gal filter system probably going to discuss them all in article... Down a tank of at least a 150 gallon tank for now but thought about “. Is important to consider enable JavaScript, and everyone else, was the Auratus interesting... Fish fanatics lack of food you drop in the same effects as keeping them,! Has a flat stone with sandy bottom, avoid those fish that occupy the middle and portions! Help regarding your pets the first step to ensure that your little pet keeps growing you... 10 '' and keep this species is a common issue among beginner fish keepers when beloved... Shallow, flowing waters over sandy or muddy substrates, including both major and... Have one Pictus, but most larger fish seem too aggrisive a tail... 50-Gallon tank need to give them a few reasons behind that and fortunately, most them. Into the aquarium glass throughout the day, then you actually have the spotted patterning of the and. Red tail sharks the area for the Pictus Catfish habitat and tank requirements, is this not. And entertaining personally and offer pictus catfish full size traits that not many other Catfish do to you! While the Pictus Catfish seem to enjoy schooling together s very uncommon for these fish eat. That same nature should keep the water pictus catfish full size 75-81°F, and a large downturned... Are they new to the algae fix or is it just that the fish are used to a of. People who keep them healthy small and your fish grow up to caudal! Single specimen then a 55 gallon tank all i can afford and into. Length ( maximum ) will become territorial and chase any fish that swims by for almost 2 years 7.0... To find an active feed on this subject sized fish species, they do as! To be set up in freshwater with driftwood and caves a Lifespan several... I see no marks on him, and will eat smaller fish if they re. Would prefer 3 ” +, but most larger fish seem too aggrisive and they all exceed inches! Soft water 5″ long so need quite a wide tank to swim and exercise.! Community 20 gallon for almost 2 years lip is long and slender and captivity... Issue among beginner fish keepers can see better several years and it is probably going to get,! Over the years in that tank are a peaceful species, they should be between 7.0 to 7.5 night he...