Pictus Catfish

The pictus catfish is a laid-back, easy-to-care-for, freshwater species. They look distinctly how most people imagine catfish to look. They are one of the most popular bottom feeders in freshwater aquariums. 

What Is The Pictus Catfish?

A catfish’s native habitat tends to consist of dirty, murky water. Visibility is low. So, they have barbels that act as sensory organs to help them navigate their surroundings. 

The barbels look like long white whiskers that start at their nose and trail the length of their body. Because their barbels are so long, they often move with the current as the fish darts around its tank.

The barbels aren’t the only sensory organs helping the fish to get around, though.

The Rigid Pectoral Fin Helps Them Feel 

Researchers studied the pictus catfish’s rigid pectoral fin. The front edge of the fin showcases a serrated spine used for defense. But, the rigidness of the fin means they can’t use it for swimming.

The researchers determined that “the rest of the fin is made up of soft rays and membranes, which it drags along the riverbed…Hardy and his colleagues found that catfish pectoral fins are packed with a dense network of sensory fibers…the team suggests that catfish pectoral fins function like fingers: by dragging their fins along the riverbed, the fish gain important sensory information about their habitat through touch.”

Colorful Bodies

The pictus catfish has distinctive silvery coloration broken by black spots. The spots scatter evenly over their entire body, but are fewer on the stomach. The spots cover the fish’s translucent dorsal and caudal fins as well.

• Common Names: Pictus catfish
• Scientific Name: pimelodus pictus
• Origin: South America — the Orinoco & Amazon River Basins 
• Pictus Catfish Size (Length): 5 inches (12.7 cm)
• Aquarium Size: 50-55 gallons 
• Temperament: Peaceful 
• Ease of Care: Moderate

Lifespan

According to Fishbase, the pictus cat’s “lifespan in captivity is said to be 4-8 years. In One case, this catfish lasted 18 years (1999-2017) in an aquarium.”

Habitat

The pictus cat is native to South America where it lives in the basins of the Orinoco and Amazon rivers. Occasionally, people find small populations across Peru as well.

Behavior & Temperament

Compared to other aquarium catfish species, the pictus catfish is an active swimmer.

Pictus cats are shy and spend most of their day hiding; sometimes, you may not even see them throughout the day. Other times — such as at feeding time — they will zip around the tank like they’re in a race.

They are peaceful and relaxed fish. Still, we consider them ‘semi-aggressive’ because they actively go after smaller fish. Pictus cats are lightning-fast swimmers, and they are opportunistic hunters. If they come across a fish small enough to fit in their mouth, they will eat it.

But, as long as its tank mates are a similar size, pictus cats are peaceful and make great tank mates.

Pictus Catfish Care

Where water quality is concerned, pictus catfish are hardy fish. They are less picky about their water quality than other species. But, they still have an optimal range that you should strive for.

They are warm water fish who can live happily in temperatures between 70°F to 80°F (21.1-26.7°C). Still, they seem to do better at temperatures between 75°F-80°F (23.9-26.7°C). The warmer temperatures boost their immune system and metabolism.

Aim for a pH level between 7-7.5. Water hardness should be between 5-15dH. 

Pictus cats are not particularly prone to disease. Still, they are more likely to develop ich than any other illness.

Ich is a type of fungus that most often appears when the water quality is off. Poor water quality lowers the immune system, leaving fish more susceptible to illness.

The best thing you can do to prevent ich and other illnesses is to keep the tank clean and healthy.

Pictus Catfish Tank Size & Decorations

Pictus cats are moderately sized fish, but they are fast and active swimmers. So, they need a lot more space to move around than similarly sized catfish species. For a single pictus catfish, you should have at least 50-55 gallons of water. For each extra pictus cat, you should have another 40-50 gallons.

In the wild, they have a lot of rocks and vegetation to sift through. You should mimic this environment in their aquarium. Provide them with smooth rocks and live or silk plants.

Avoid rough substrates like sharp rocks and gravel. They will damage their fragile bellies, fins, and barbels. Instead, opt for a gentler substrate like sand. You can layer smooth rocks on top of the substrate for your fish to pick through.

Driftwood gives your pictus cat more places to hide and explore.

Remember that pictus cats are active and need lots of room to explore freely. So, don’t go overboard with the decorations. They need open space to swim as much as they need places to hide.

Diet

Pictus cats are omnivores who scavenge for their food among the substrate. In the wild, they eat plant matter, algae, worms, and crustaceans.

In captivity, you should provide them with high-quality flake or pellet food. Bottom feeder pellets are best because they are made with a catfish’s nutritional needs in mind. They also sink to the bottom of the tank, making feeding easier.

Pellets or flakes should make up their staple diet, and you should offer them one to two times a day.

You should supplement their diet with occasional feedings of protein. You can provide snacks like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms once or twice a week.

Live foods are a good source of enrichment. They stimulate your catfish’s hunting instincts. Avoid providing live foods every day or they will begin rejecting regular food.

Besides providing a place to hide, live plants also make a good source of food for your pictus catfish.

Pictus Catfish Tank Mates

Peaceful fish, pictus cats make a great addition to most freshwater community tanks. Just be careful not to house them with smaller fish. They are opportunistic hunters and will eat anything that can fit in their mouths.

You should also avoid aggressive fish that will bully your catfish.

Larger fish that make good tank mates include:

• Catfish of similar size — like glass catfish or upside down catfish
• Giant Danios
• Opaline Gouramis
• Mollies
• Larger Platies
• Rainbow Sharks
• Swordtails
• Larger Tetras

Avoid Nets

Pictus catfish are a hardy species. Still, they are more difficult for beginners due to their barbels and sharp fins. The pectoral fins and tail of the pictus cat are sharp enough to slice through the skin. So, you should never try to touch your pictus cat with your bare hands.

The sharpness of their fins also means their fins easily get stuck and broken in netting. So, don’t try to catch your catfish in a fishing net. The long barbels are also fragile and can become damaged in netting.

There are special nets that you should use to catch your pictus catfish. These nets tend to be more rigid so they won’t catch your fish’s fins or barbels. Another option is to catch your fish in a clear, plastic container.

How Does the Pictus Catfish Compare To Other Catfish?

Are you not sure if a pictus catfish is right for your aquarium? See how they compare to other common freshwater species.

Conclusion

A pictus catfish is a colorful and active bottom-feeder.  They are larger than other catfish species. So, avoid placing them with small fish, but they do well with fish of similar size. Just take care not to harm yourself on their sharp fins. 

FAQs

About Kaylee Keech

Kaylee has a large goldfish tank filled with feeders she 'rescued' from her old job at the pet store. She also has two small, freshwater community tanks. Her favorite fish became the seahorse after she cared for one during her marine biology course. It's one of her dreams to set up a seahorse tank in her home.