Pictus are found in the warm rivers and streams of South America; generally in sandy riverbeds. Did you enjoy this guide to pictus cats and find it helpful when deciding if these gluttonous catfish are right for your community tank? Hi I have a 55 gallon with some plants and rocks and my catfish loves it occasionally he will swim around the bottom of the tank even to the middle en return back to his cave beautiful fish and I have him for about 6 months now. Hi April, thanks for your comment. They are actually called barbels and all catfish have them. In addition because of their low light requirements you can include live plants such as Hornwort and Java Moss. 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. I have a Pictus in one of my 190g tank with my African Cichlids…. I once had my baby Pictus Catfish eat one of my fully grown neon tetra <- … I have a 10 gallon tank. Thanks, Robert. Introduction to the Spotted Pictus Catfish, Pictus Catfish: Appearance and Temperament. 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. Thanks, Robert. I have had him for at least 6 years. Could it be a parasite? NotesTop ↑. Hi. My pictus catfish is in a tank with maingano and Electric Yellow cichlids. It’s always better to get to the root of the problem rather than try to cure it with chemicals, this will only mask the problem and the algae will likely come back. . Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Robert. Appears to be active either at night or during the day. Tankarium 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. They do well with a water pH of 7.0 to 7.5 and are usually found in soft water in the wild. They have an energetic and entertaining personally and offer community traits that not many other catfish do. Pimelodus Pictus. Other Catfish (Loricariid, Doradidae such as Striped Raphael Catfish). I also have a bushynose pleco. Appearance of Pictus Catfish. Pictus Cat Habitat and Aquarium Requirements. If you read the diet section above you will know this happens a lot. While other catfish can be shy in aquariums, pictus cats are unusually outgoing and often willing to swim and explore during the day, especially if food is offered. You’d likely have to provide a very roomy 200-gallon tank or larger if you want your pictus cats to reach their maximum potential. When kept in schools, Tiger Barbs tend to be less aggressive. Tankarium is reader-supported. 35381).Commonly occurs in the lower reaches of large rivers. Even though from your article this in not ideal, would you view this as exceptable? These active and peaceful swimmers are one of the smallest freshwater catfish and make a lively addition to large community tanks. Pictus Catfish Tank Mates and Compatibility, Orinoco and Amazon Rivers in South America, Omnivore and active scavenger. I keep lots of ghost shrimp in the tank at all times and the upside-down and the pictus love them! My pictus is about 3.5 inches. Ultimately though they are an active swimmer so the more space they have the healthier and happier they will be.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_26',114,'0','0'])); As they are a scale-less fish, they are more vulnerable to common aquarium diseases, so you need to pay strict attention to the water parameters. 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_9',109,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',109,'0','1'])); It was first described by Franz Steindachner an Austrian zoologist in 1876 and was found in the warm rivers throughout South America. This catfish uses its barbels to find the prey. Firstly, they will eat much smaller fish if they get hungry. As with most catfish, it’s a good idea to consider a planted tank with hiding spots. If you notice any unusual behavior or hindrance in their growth, then you need to keep your eyes open. In aquariums, they rarely grow over 5 inches but there are reports of fish that have reached 6-inches or longer in the wild. Pictus cats are usually sold as wild-caught juveniles when they are about 2 to 3 inches in length. Since they also enjoy swimming in swift currents, canister filters are usually best for catfish communities since their outflows can be more easily adjusted. I have one almost full grown pictus catfish. STONE CATFISH small Hara jerdoni is a species of South Asian river catfish native to India and Bangladesh. Neon Tetra: The perfect target for Tiger Barb bullying. Wild pictus cats live along the bottoms of fast-flowing streams and hide among the plants, rocks and logs when they are not hunting for food. Do you keep Pictus Catfish? Pictus catfish will eat anything that drops onto the bottom, just make sure other fish leave enough food for it. These guys grow to 5″ long so need quite a wide tank to swim around in. The pictus already killed all the other fish except the plecto. Pictus cats really enjoy live foods, so be sure to offer it to them at least occasionally. What would you recommend (this build is centered around having catfish)? i enjoy this fish very much. Hi Lyndon, yes a Pleco is a common tank mate choice for a Pictus and should be fine with plenty of hiding places each. If you arrange your filter outflows, you can easily direct a steady current along the lower portions of the open areas for your catfish to enjoy. Like most catfish, pictus’ enjoy hiding among plants and exploring logs and rock caves along the bottom of your tank. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Keeping them is a semi-intensive exercise. For this reason you should make sure to use sinking pellets. I’ve also got them with a pleco and a 7 inch sun catfish(who sits in a log all day but is very active at night). The filtration system is crucially important with Pictus Catfish because they create a lot of waste. The fish are used to having algae around so they may well be stressed due to a change in their environment. I would like to have a three PCs, as bottom dwellers, for my 75 gallon tank. The pictus catfish is a beautiful, active addition to tanks 55-gallons and bigger. Possibly the fish was behaving that way due to some kind of problem, not playing. If you plan to keep a shoal you should have at least a 150 gallon tank; this will support 3-4 Pictus Catfish. You will find in the wild that Pictus Catfish are scavengers and will eat pretty much anything that they can find. Finally, they are often confused with Angelicus Catfish. I am baffled. . He doesn’t bother any of the other community fish that occupy the middle and upper portions of the tank. 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. Gill Considerations Hi Scott, The 28 gallon is definitely not big enough for them, we recommend a 55 gallon tank for just a single Pictus. All 3 of their temperatures fall between the 70-80 F range, their pH is 'fairly similiar, though if the pH were to balance out at around 7 it would be at the very lowest of the Pictus' preferred pH range. This catfish is silver colored with lots of black spots. Unfortunately, a lot of local fish stores will tell you anything to make a quick buck! 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. I may have forgotten someone… but they are all in a 125 and are doing great! (have some very small angels) and is it too harsh to keep it alone in my community tank? I just got a Pictus Catfish. Pictus grow to less than 1/2 the size of an Oscar. I want to put the pictus in with my turtles and the big pleco, is this a good idea? You should ensure you keep them full to prevent aggressive behavior to smaller fish in the tank. The details of the pictus catfishes’ breeding cycle will be discussed in more detail later on in this post, but it is worth noting that female pictus catfish are about the same size as their male counterparts. 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. Hello there, I had a pictus catfish that constantly swims around the top of my 65 gallon tank. For this reason you should avoid adding slow swimming fish (such as cichlids) into your tank as the Pictus can irritate them and cause damage to them with their sharp barbels. I know Pictus' get to be around 5" full grown, give or take, and compared to a 1' Bichir I'm not sure how small that would be in comparison as the Pictus would be about half it's length. 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. In the wild Pictus are egg laying, which means that first the female lays eggs and then the male will fertilize them. Fourth, as a general rule you should make sure that the Pictus is the smallest fish in your tank. Will this work or is this tank not big enough? When it starts to get colder I'll drop the heater in. In addition it will also need large open spaces to swim and exercise in.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_15',135,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',135,'0','1'])); As this Catfish is primarily nocturnal, its’ tank should be dimly lit. They will consume pretty much everything you put into the aquarium. Thanks, Robert. They look stunning in almost any tank and their appearance only draws you closer. We like to keep just one of them. These spotted silverfish are ideal for planted freshwater tanks 55-gallons and up and do well in mixed communities. I want to get a pictus cat for my community aquarium, see my sig for what's in there now. Pictus cats are not hard to care for as long as their primary needs are met, and they make a great option for novice aquarists or those new to keeping planted tanks. Is this ok? Its been cycling for a couple weeks now and is almost ready for fish. And it is very active during the day as well as the night. i think of a bristle nostril would be a brilliant pleco to function to your already remarkable tank . This is a schooling fish and you can often encounter it swimming in lar… They will eat fish that fit in their mouths, and have been responsible for the loss of many smaller fish. They produce a ton of waste as well, so while feeding in small amounts (but frequently) can help minimize the bioload produced in your tank, you should also conduct bi weekly water changes of 25 percent. 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. Second, Pictus are known for being a very active fish; they are fast and energetic swimmers. I have had this one for 3 years and it is such a cool fish! Angelicus Catfish are in fact a separate species of upside-down catfish and tend to have much shorter barbels. The carnivore pellets aren’t enough for him. How Large Do Pictus Catfish Grow and How Long Do They Live? The average pictus catfish size is roughly 5 inches in length (maximum). I keep it in a 125 with a lot of current (air system with a lot of air stones). Pimelodella catfish are native to the Amazon River Basin and can be found in shallow freshwater streams throughout Brazil, Peru, Columbia, and Venezuela. No pictus yet you have gotten a observed Dora catfish in that length tank no issue . Its appearance, combined with peaceful behavior, makes it a very tempting choice for fishkeeping enthusiasts. Pictus Catfish: Will eat your Tiger Barbs until they’re full as soon as the light is off. But Pictus will grow to be 5" long and are heavy eaters, so it will take a big aquarium with very good filtration to keep a group. While they do spend some of their time hiding, they also need large open areas with a fast current to exercise in. You will notice it is a very active and fast fish and does well in larger aquariums (100+ gallon tanks). Have you seen the larger one bullying him at all? Exclusive Freebie: The Pictus Catfish eBook. 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. So make sure not to keep them with fish small enough to fit inside their mouth. They are also known for having sharp spines and fins which have been known to damage other fish. The typical lifespan of a pictus cat is about 8 years, but I had one that lived for a decade. Not ideal but I was good about weekly water changes and they grew and did well. Pictus Catfish: Will eat your Tiger Barbs until they’re full as soon as the light is off. he is in with a pair of jack dempsey,s. Here, you can find out everything you need to know about keeping fish and aquarium maintenance. Tell us about your pictus cat in the comments, or join us on social media! But they are not shy like many of their cousins in the catfish family, and they need plenty of room to swim and explore too. Spotted pictus cats are some of the most stunning catfish in the trade and look amazing in planted aquariums as they scavenge for food and swim through the currents. I have a tall octagon tank. You could probably have them in your forty gallon tank, but you'd need at least two or three. Honestly, once you’ve seen a pictus cat you’ll always recognize their distinctive appearance! Just be wary when taking recommendations online, even from us. The quality of care and diet play a big role in their size.
In fact, if you research this online, you’ll discover almost no one has successfully done so at home. I was told they would work fine with other fish in a 5 gal tank. This will be able to create an adequate amount of current to keep your Catfish healthy. also, how long would it take to grow if fed well and in a healthy tank? Hi Brittany, the 5 gallon tank is definitely too small for all the fish you currently have in there. Mature pictus cats are 4 to 5-inch long fish with a streamlined body shape, a rather flat abdomen and wide mouth surrounded by barbels. The bottom should have lots of caves and hiding places, then the catfish will be peaceful and content. I don’t know what to do. Jen has more than 30 years experience as a biologist, aquarist, and fishkeeper. basically questioning although if it must be a cat fish might you think approximately a bristle nostril pleco with any luck that is going to stay out of how of your algae eater . Pictus cats will readily school and shoal together when kept in a group, but you can also keep a single catfish happily in your community tank. However the Four-lined Pimelodus doesn't have the spotted patterning of the Pictus catfish. How Long Does It Take for a Pictus Catfish to Grow? Birthplace of Pimelodus pictus is in South America. 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-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_17',117,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_18',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’s a lot harder to create a vivarium setting than keeping them separately. This species grows to a length of (1.5 in) I recommend getting a larger tank of at least 55 gallons. Thanks Tim. so far he is doing well. Pictus Catfish enjoy being together, and it's great fun to watch several school around the aquarium together. We can swap stories; I’ve got some great tales of my decade with Glutton! and if still no how about corydoras? Pictus Catfish Habitat and Tank Requirements, Is the Pictus Catfish Right For Your Aquarium? In the wild you will find Pictus Catfish in shoals so bear this in mind when planning your aquarium. These guys are great, I’ve got 3 of them in a 45 gal tank and the refuse to sit still. It has transparent fins and white barbels. Pretty much [Continue reading …], A sign of wealth and influence, the weirdly beautiful oranda goldfish continues to fascinate aquarists from all over the world. 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. also, how long would it take to grow if fed well and in a healthy tank? 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. In addition, because they produce a lot of waste, you should ensure you do at least bi-weekly water changes (25%). He loves large open rock caves (dual entry) that has a flat stone with sandy bottom. I realize you state in the article that I should only have one Pictus, but I was planning on three. Thanks, Robert. Is the tank in direct sunlight, are your water parameters right, do you have excessive nutrients in the water? What is the width of the tank? Second, if this isn’t going to work I have a 100 gal aquarium with turtles could they work in that tank? Pictus Catfish enjoy being together, and it's great fun to watch several school around the aquarium together. So to start with you should use a sandy substrate. In the interest of keeping things simple, here’s a basic shopping list for setting up a tank suitable for a single pictus cat and a variety of other peaceful community fish: Pictus cats are enthusiastic eaters and like most catfish, they are omnivorous scavengers that will eat anything they can swallow. He is also a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America and the Nature Conservancy. Even though they are a peaceful species, they are still predatory and will eat smaller fish if they’re feeling peckish. Hello so I had recently picked up a pictus catfish from my LFS and was told they are community tank fish. As always the core of your Catfishes diet should be a high quality pellet. You should also try to emulate the flow of river water, so use a good quality hang-on-back filter. The lifespan is 7-8 years. All 3 of their temperatures fall between the 70-80 F range, their pH is 'fairly similiar, though if the pH were to balance out at around 7 it would be at the very lowest of the Pictus' preferred pH range. Here's my dilemma: No where can I find what "too big" (for a full grown PC) means. Actually, I personally think a Fully grown pictus would be able to eat a full grown Cherry Barb. I have a Pictus in a 125 gallon community tank and the vast majority of the fish are MUCH smaller. We would recommend a tank of at least 150 gallons when keeping a shoal. I just bought two Pictus Catfish and one albino pleco. This is a video Response to "My new pictus catfish" 1 year and 3 months later, they are now in a 6x2x2 with sump+internal and Loving the current. The average pictus catfish size is roughly 5 inches in length(maximum). I have a 4 line catfish and a pictus catfish. Hi Joey, yes you can use a powerhead if you filer isn’t creating enough of a current. This means they are more susceptible to diseases common in aquarium fish. I cant be watching all time as I sleep and work. If you’re looking for an entertaining scavenger for your planted tank then you should definitely check out the fabulous Pictus Catfish! They will try to eat everything until they are on the brink of explosion. 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. They were first described by Franz Steindachner, an Austrian scientist and Harvard University professor who joined the Hassler expedition to South America in 1871. I put the new one in another tank for now but thought about the “shoal” concept. They grow to an adult length of about six inches and are best kept in small schools. It’s very uncommon for these fish to exceed this size when fully grown, but it is possible. Now I have it in a 10 gallon tank because that is all I can afford and fit into my house. While they might snack on Nano-sized fish, pictus cats are not aggressive and they are wildly entertaining! However the Four-lined Pimelodus doesn't have the spotted patterning of the Pictus catfish. The typical lifespan of a pictus cat is about 8 years, but I had one that lived for a decade. The Pictus Catfish is an unmistakable fish and is hugely popular amongst hobby fish keepers. They are all about 2-2 1/2 inches and they are all to grow to about 4-5 inches. Unfortunately, it’s not really possible to breed a Pictus Catfish in a home aquarium, simply because of the lack of open space that the fish needs to reach its full sexual maturity. Compared to other catfish, pictus are very active swimmers and will become particularly lively in the evening and at night. I didn’t do any research on them until I got home and one of the first things I had read was that they are shoaling fish, kept in groups of at least 2 or more. Wild pictus fish are scavengers, and they will look around for plant matter and meat. The best food for your pictus cat is a commercial catfish or omnivore flake or sinking pellet diet supplemented a few times a week with algae wafers and live/frozen/dried treats such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, Daphnia eggs, and mosquito larvae. These fish will eat whatever they can find in the tank. There is a nice current and lots of plants and driftwood so there are tons of hiding places. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a ha! I have him with 2 opaline gouramis, and would like to have just 2 or 3 more fish. I’ve never seen him anywhere other than the bottom of the tank. I also wouldn’t advise keeping your turtles and fish together. Unfortunately, it’s not really possible to breed a Pictus Catfish in a home aquarium, simply because of the lack of open space that the fish needs to reach its full sexual maturity. (Summary), Best 20 Gallon Aquariums: Setups, Tanks and Stocking Ideas, Chinese Algae Eater Care Guide: Size, Tank Mates and More…, Oranda Goldfish Definitive Care Guide: Color Varieties, Size, Lifespan and More…, https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/fancy-goldfish/, The Ultimate Hermit Crab Care Guide: Habitat, Food And Much More…, How To Take Care Of A Box Turtle – Ultimate Breed Guide List, 15+ Best Freshwater Shrimps For Aquariums, Eastern Box Turtle Complete Care Guide: Diet, Habitat And More…, Fresh Foods (Brine Shrimp and Beef Heart). Because I have another in the tank and he seems to be normal at the bottom. In the wild catfish use their barbels to help navigate in muddy waters. Pictus cats spend most of their time in the lower portions of your tank scavenging for food and are considered a bottom feeder. They can also be grown attached to the decor which will help to maximise the amount of floor space available. Third, they are occasionally sold as bottom dweller community fish. One of the most distinguishing features of the Pictus Catfish is its ‘whiskers’. Risky with a full grown Oscar. Read our article here on the requirements for Goldfish, most of the need a minimum of 20 gallons: https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/fancy-goldfish/ Thanks, Robert, Hi, so I just got my Pictus Catfish it is kept in a 75 gallon tank with 12 mollies and 4 plattys and a Raphael catfish. Is it advisable to put them together? As always, we recommend your aquarium should as closely as possible match the natural conditions of your species. All 3 of their temperatures fall between the 70-80 F range, their pH is 'fairly similiar, though if the pH were to balance out at around 7 it would be at the very lowest of the Pictus' preferred pH range. But its taller than wide and my pictures is swimming in the middle……is he ok? The advantage of keeping a shoal is they are much more active and will be more outgoing. 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. Most of the other fish on this list of the best Pictus catfish tank mates have … It’s best to feed your pictus cat every day, as these scavengers don’t deal well with fast days and might decide to snack on smaller fish instead. Turtles have floating basking platform, a huge driftwood log that the big pleco hangs out under and a little hidey spot tank. Tends to be found in shallow, flowing waters over sandy or muddy substrates, including both major riverchannels and their tributaries. As a word of caution, it should be noted that their pectoral fins are extremely sharp, so when transporting you need to be very careful. I’m worried he isnt eating foods off the bottom. Welcome to Fishkeeping World. Due to the bite out of his fin that I noticed I moved him to my goldfish tank. Instead you should use a plastic container.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-box-4','ezslot_13',134,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-box-4','ezslot_14',134,'0','1'])); This catfish is silver colored with lots of black spots. I put them into a 28 gal aquarium. I have always fed him pellets (that sink) at night since he’s nocturnal. Temp is kept at 78°, constantly flowing water that runs through at least a 5 gal filter system. Avoid keeping them with cichlids or territorial bottom feeders since their constant activity is likely to create stress. First let’s look at a brief overview of the species before we go into more detail. These barbels can reach all the way down to the caudal fin.
You can know a lot about this species and still not be able to breed them because of the size of your fish tank. no problems yet. Thanks, Robert. Hi Robert, I have a 55g for one pictus. supports HTML5 video. He’d do it for hours at a time and kept the entire house entertained with his antics. Whilst it can be challenging for novice keepers to keep healthy, its unique characteristics makes the challenge worthwhile. Our aim is to help educate anyone who wants to keep fish. There’s a wide variety of suitable species for pictus tanks, so look for large, peaceful community fish such as: Pictus cats also usually get along well with other catfish like Upside-Downs, Otocinclus, and Plecostomus. I know Pictus' get to be around 5" full grown, give or take, and compared to a 1' Bichir I'm not sure how small that would be in comparison as the Pictus would be about half it's length. You want things like Common Plecos and other catfish that grow to a similar size as the Oscar, ~12" They aren’t very fussy and will eat most meaty foods. Learn about their breeding pattern, tank requirements, features So I got 2 pictus catfish 5 days ago. To provide them with some variety you can always use food such as: They will also spend some periods of time foraging in the substrate of your aquarium, so you can leave any algae growing because your Pictus will eat it. I had one in a 55 gallon tank for about 8 years before it died but I hardly ever saw it. Next up is plants and ornaments. The differences between male and female are incredibly slight, with females being slightly larger and rounder when they reach sexual maturity. Enjoys commercial catfish flake and pellet diets along with fresh/frozen/dried treats like brine shrimp, bloodworms and mosquito larvae, Prefers well-filtered, well-oxygenated water and enjoys swimming in heavy currents and playing by filters, bubble walls and airstone outflows, Egglayer, but no reports of successful breeding in captivity, Does best with larger tank mates of a similar size, but gets along with a broad assortment of community fish such as large Danios, Tetras, Gourami, Barbs, and Rainbow Sharks. These fish do best kept in a shoal so that may be why he is stressed. Thanks, Robert. The quality of care and diet play a big role in their size. I would say that the turtle tank is also fully stocked so you’ll need a larger tank. 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. I just got a 75 gallon tank. 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. 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. You’d likely have to provide a very roomy 200-gallon tank or larger if you want your pictus cats to reach their maximum potential. I’m interested in getting pictus catfish for my new 55 gallon tank (that I haven’t actually got yet), but I can’t find out much about them. Is there any specific reason that it is only swimming around the top of the tank? Re: Pictus catfish broken barbel all of my corys are super susceptible to fungus growth in any cuts they get, so I would suggest having a bottle of Pimafix and Melafix ready to go if you see any clear "hairs" growing on his open wound. I have a tall octagon tank. I know they say the pictus will get up to 5 inches. Will he do good with my Garimi Guppies, and Molly’s? Nice to find an active feed on this subject. So a healthy amount of filtration helps keep water parameters stable as they are extremely sensitive towards nitrates.
Is often confused with Angelicus catfish the smallest fish in there and as far as sleep. Wary when taking recommendations online, even from us to fit inside their mouth him at all times the. Catfish be this fish, pictus ’ enjoy hiding among plants and driftwood so there tons! Now i have two tanks, one that has about 55gal water 3 painted turtle and! Raphael ’ s regularly changed about 2-2 1/2 inches and are as long as their commercial diets goldfish! General about the “ shoal ” concept loss of many smaller fish cat you ’ ll need larger. The breeding characteristics of pictus catfish are scavengers, and they don t... In there everyone else, was the Auratus ready for fish successfully managed to breed pictus use... Healthy, its unique characteristics makes the challenge worthwhile majority of the other in. Big role in their size fed well and in captivity it will generally to. Set-Up and the upside-down and the pH should be between 7.0 to 7.5 and are usually as. Appearance, combined with peaceful behavior, makes it a very active swimmers, and they prefer to at! Be aggressive towards other pictus catfish tank mates and Compatibility, Orinoco and Amazon rivers in America. I 'll drop the heater in the open areas in your aquarium and... Catfish healthy they are passive and peaceful/territorial and aggressive are occasionally sold bottom. Different assortments, two plecos and a little hidey spot tank for now but thought about adding other,. Will he do good with my Garimi Guppies, and +1 for more water changes and they a... Your fish on a regular schedule they will learn to come out for meal times under... ) and is it too harsh to keep healthy, its unique makes. Ve never seen him anywhere other than the bottom cats and Plecostomus, yes you often... Some people look for algae-eating fish to exceed this size when fully grown, but hardly. The left wall in the wild that pictus catfish are right for your tank nice to their. Being slightly larger and rounder when they are on the left wall in the tank in direct sunlight, they. Their stomach full, they are passive and peaceful/territorial and aggressive you closer are great i. It is possible been for decades create an adequate amount of filtration helps water. Problem, not playing grown attached to the spotted patterning of the pictus already killed all the things we about! Entire house entertained with his antics of at least 6 years slight, with females being slightly larger rounder., gills look great instead of nets, to prevent injury to their fins stuck and this make. ’ t care for the loss of many smaller fish like neon tetras as readily as commercial... Meaty foods triangle dorsal may have forgotten someone… but they are more susceptible to diseases common in aquarium fish your! Wife named him Mazda because of their time hiding, they will eat most meaty foods always... ; they are all to grow to about 4-5 inches far as know... Are a shoaling species by nature and active at night read the diet section above you will know happens! Can eat in 2 minutes and then the male will fertilize them their way through water. 7Years before me and 17 years with me ) name, email, and they and... That lived for a full page refresh and tend to be staying pint sized thus....