Pimelodus pictus “Pictus Catfish”

This is a fish from my childhood; I drooled over these in the pet shop at the mall (I’m dating myself now) and I remember it being one of the more “expensive” fish my mother actually bought for our first aquarium. We used to call these “Angelicus Catfish” although these days Pictus Catfish seems to be the preferred (and more appropriate) name for Pimelodus pictus. This is a catfish that stays a very manageable size…maxing out under 5″.

However, they can be very active, particularly when feeding time rolls around; they have no problem making use of every square inch of a 75 gallon aquarium here, so while you probably could put one in a 10 gallon tank, I wouldn’t recommend it. Give ’em some room.

Note, they are predatory in nature – any fish that can fit in their mouth is fair game. They like to be in groups, which is best if you want to see them out and about during the day.

Note, this is not the Colombian variety of Pimelodus pictus.  That variety is also available from time to time, and commands a slightly higher price; based on available information these P. pictus were likely exported from Peru.

Despite all the interest in catfishes these days, and the many breakthroughs in breeding them, no one seems to have bred this species yet.  Could you be the first?