Pictus Catfish Care Guide: Feeding, Breeding, Size and Tank Mates
| Quick Facts: | |
| Common Names | : Pictus Catfish, Pictus Cat, Angel Cat |
| Scientific Name | : Pimelodus Pictus |
| Family | : Pimelodidae |
| Origin | : Amazon and Orinoco River basins of Sou ... |
What do Pictus catfish eat?
The absolute best foods you can give to your Pictus Catfish are catfish pellets, frozen food, bloodworms and flake food. These are the ones you can buy in a typical pet shop. Of course, there are home alternatives as well. It is a great idea to prepare some chopped chicken meat or beef for your fish too.
Do Pictus catfish need tank mates?
In fact, it can be tough to find tank mates that aren’t a good fit. The most important thing to keep in mind when picking pictus catfish tank mates is size. As we mentioned briefly in the food section of this guide, your pictus might eat fish that are significantly smaller than it.
What do you feed your catfish?
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
What is the best filter for a Pictus catfish?
One of the best choices for this is a hang on back filter, since it provides excellent filtration and a decent amount of flow to a tank. It’s very important that you keep to a regular cleaning schedule in their tank, since pictus catfish are very sensitive to nitrates.
What does Pictus Catfish eat?
In captivity, these fish prefer soft water and are omnivorous; pictus cats eat bloodworms, beef heart, insects, vegetables, and prepared fish foods. They will also eat very small fish such as neon tetras, depending on the size of the catfish.
Will Pictus Catfish eat fish flakes?
Best Food for Pictus Catfish The absolute best foods you can give to your Pictus Catfish are catfish pellets, frozen food, bloodworms and flake food.
How often should I feed Pictus Catfish?
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. I usually offer them as much as they can eat in 2 minutes and then remove most of the leftovers.
Can you keep a single Pictus Catfish?
It isn't uncommon for people to keep Pictus Catfish as a single specimen; they will survive on their own with no problem. However, most people who keep them, do so in a shoal, as they are a shoaling species by nature.
Can Pictus Catfish eat Pleco Wafers?
Pictus Catfish will happily eat small algae wafers.
How big will a Pictus Catfish get?
roughly 5 inchesThe average pictus catfish size is roughly 5 inches in length (maximum). It's very uncommon for these fish to exceed this size when fully grown, but it is possible. The quality of care and diet play a big role in their size.
Do you have to feed Pictus Catfish?
As we previously mentioned, the Pictus Catfish is an incredibly greedy fish, who will not hesitate eating other smaller fish in your aquarium if they are not fed enough, so make sure you are feeding them some good quality food, and you are feeding them often.
Do Pictus Catfish like to hide?
They are also very natural hiders. Often, they will move around the tank, looking for some natural hiding spots that you have created for them. It's not unusual to see your catfish hide in those hiding spots without a particular reason.
Are Pictus Catfish Hardy?
Despite their preference for caves and hiding spots, their appearance in the tank makes for a beautiful treat that many aquarists adore. Though these fish are not recommended for a beginner due to their large gallon requirements and community stocking restrictions, they are otherwise hardy and peaceful fish.
How long does it take for a Pictus Catfish to be full grown?
8 to 12 monthsHow Long Does It Take for a Pictus Catfish to Grow? It takes 8 to 12 months for the Pictus Catfish fry to become a full-grown adult. All the things we talked about above can hinder their growth. If you notice any unusual behavior or hindrance in their growth, then you need to keep your eyes open.
Why is my Pictus Catfish swimming up and down?
Why Is My Pictus Catfish Swimming Up and Down? Pictus Catfish prefer to swim up & down the side of glass over & over again at times when they are highly stressed. They also appear to talk or communicate with their mouth.
Will Pictus Catfish eat shrimp?
What Do Pictus Catfish Eat? Pictus Catfish are carnivorous predators that feed on smaller fish and invertebrates like worms, shrimp, and insect larvae. This means that they should not be kept with fish small enough to be eaten.
Will catfish eat fish flake food?
A well-balanced catfish diet consists of: Sinking pellets or flake foods.; freeze-dried tubifex worms. Brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and bloodworms (live, freeze-dried or frozen)
Will catfish eat flakes?
The typical aquarium feed consists of pellets or other store-bought food that's specifically made for catfish. Pellets and flakes can get soggy and eventually float down, but they can be pretty messy. Pellets and feed alike also disintegrate into the water and can compromise water quality.
Why is my Pictus Catfish swimming up and down?
Why Is My Pictus Catfish Swimming Up and Down? Pictus Catfish prefer to swim up & down the side of glass over & over again at times when they are highly stressed. They also appear to talk or communicate with their mouth.
Do Pictus Catfish like to hide?
They are also very natural hiders. Often, they will move around the tank, looking for some natural hiding spots that you have created for them. It's not unusual to see your catfish hide in those hiding spots without a particular reason.
Introduction to the Spotted Pictus Catfish
Pictus cats (Pimelodus pictus) are one of the most popular catfish in the aquarium trade and have been for decades. 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. Are these spotted silver catfish right for your tank?
Pictus Catfish: Appearance and Temperament
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. Honestly, once you’ve seen a pictus cat you’ll always recognize their distinctive appearance!
Care and Feeding for Your Pictus Catfish
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. Let’s take a look at their ideal set-up and the conditions they need to thrive in your home aquarium!
Conclusion
Pictus cats are fun, engaging, and active community fish that generally get along well with others. These spotted silverfish are ideal for planted freshwater tanks 55-gallons and up and do well in mixed communities. While they might snack on Nano-sized fish, pictus cats are not aggressive and they are wildly entertaining!
What Do Pictus Catfish Eat?
Pictus catfish are omnivorous. They’ll happily eat a wide range of foods including bloodworms, shrimp, and krill.
Will Pictus Catfish Eat Fish Flake Food?
Yes, pictus catfish can eat flake food. However, depending on the makeup of your aquarium, flake food is probably not the best source of nutrition for the catfish.
How Often Should I Feed My Pictus Catfish?
Because pictus fish are active and have a large appetite, you need to keep them full. A daily feeding routine is recommended.
What Should You Not Feed Fish?
Pictus catfish will eat almost anything edible in the aquarium. This includes pellets, vegetables, meat, algae and limited detritus.
How Big Do Pictus Catfish Get?
My name is Jack Bennett. I'm husband, father and aquarist enthusiast. I hope you will learn more about fish keeping with me.
Overview of Pictus Catfish Species
Pictus Catfish are also known as Pictus Cat and Angel Cat. The scientific name for this species is Pimelodus Pictus.
Origin, Distribution, and Availability
The hotspot for the Pictus Catfish is the Amazon and Orinoco River basins of South America. The Pimelodus Pictus was first described in 1879 by an Austrian zoologist who found it in the warm waters of South America.
Pictus Catfish Typical Behavior
The Pictus Catfish is a peaceful non-aggressive, and non-territorial bottom swimming fish species. Note that if the fish is stressed, hungry, or distracted it can turn to be predatory behaviors, this is why it should only be kept with equal-sized tank mates.
Characteristics of Pictus Catfish
The Pictus Catfish deserves a lot of credit for the appearance aspect. The fish has a long, slender body covered with scaleless skin. Their mouth is wide and the abdomen relatively flat. These fish have black silver and white color combinations that create special markings all over their entire body.
Habitat, Tank Conditions, and Care
Good habitat is paramount when you want to keep your Pictus Catfish healthy and happy. A good habitat for these fish should first be dimly lit since they are generally nocturnal. Secondly, since the Pictus Cat is adapted to warm water, its indoor habitat should provide exactly the same condition.
Gender Differences
In terms of appearance, there is barely any difference between males and females. You might not see any difference between a male and female Pictus Catfish until they reach sexual maturity where the females may look larger and rounder.
Breeding the Pictus Catfish
The Pictus Catfish is not one of the easiest fish to breed and there are reasons for that. First, it is hard to distinguish a male from a female, and hence selecting a breeding pair is extremely hard.
Species Overview
The Pictus Catfish (scientific name: Pimelodus Pictus) has been a trendy freshwater fish with aquarists for some time. This is mainly due to the ease of maintenance and the distinctive “catfish” look that your tank receives.
Life expectancy
The average life expectancy of the Pictus catfish is between 8 and 10 years. This is quite long compared to other popular aquarium catfish species like Otocinclus.
Appearance
If this is your first time looking at a Pictus catfish, the barbel will jump first. Some people also call them whiskers, but we will refer to them by their real names in this guide.
Pictus catfish size
The average size of the Pictus catfish is around 5 inches (maximum). It is very unusual for these fish to exceed this size in adulthood, but it is possible.
Pictus catfish care
Caring for Pictus catfish is not that difficult once you know the basic guidelines to follow. These fish are simple and low maintenance, which is ideal for aquarists who do not want trouble.
Tank size
The ideal size for Pictus Catfish aquariums is 50 to 55 gallons. However, we prefer at least 55 as these fish will definitely appreciate the extra space! Plan to add an additional 40-50 gallons for each additional Pictus cat you wish to have.
Water parameters
The ideal size for Pictus Catfish aquariums is 50 to 55 gallons. However, we prefer at least 55 as these fish will definitely appreciate the extra space! Plan to add an additional 40-50 gallons for each additional Pictus cat you wish to have.
Pictus Catfish Housing & Tank Set Up
As the Pictus Catfish is a shoaling species, in the wild, you will find them in large groups, so it’s important that you keep this in mind when setting up your home aquarium to house this species of fish.
Pictus Catfish Diet
In the wild, Pictus Catfish are omnivorous by nature, so they will eat pretty much anything that comes their way. This makes our job as fish keepers a whole lot easier!
Breeding Pictus Catfish
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.
Suitable Tank Mates
The Pictus Catfish is generally a non-territorial and non-aggressive fish, so you should have no problems keeping them with most other species of fish.
Common Pictus Catfish Diseases
The Pictus Catfish, like most other species of catfish, is a scaleless fish, which you probably already know means they are more susceptible to common aquarium diseases such as Ich and White Spot.
Species Summary
The pictus catfish (scientific name: pimelodus pictus) is an extremely popular freshwater fish among aquarists and has been so for quite a while. This is primarily due to the ease of care and the distinct “catfish” look it brings to your tank.
Appearance
When you first look at a pictus catfish the first thing that jumps out at you is their barbels. Some people will also call them whiskers, but we’ll refer to them by their proper name throughout this guide.
Pictus Catfish Size
The average pictus catfish size is roughly 5 inches in length (maximum). It’s very uncommon for these fish to exceed this size when fully grown, but it is possible.
Pictus Catfish Care
Pictus catfish care is not that difficult if you know the basic guidelines to follow. These fish are easygoing and low maintenance, which is great for the kind of aquarist who doesn’t want any hassle.
Food & Diet
Pictus catfish are pretty easy to feed, but it’s important to understand their natural and ideal diet so you can make sure they’re getting the nutrition they need.
Behavior & Temperament
Pictus catfish are extremely mellow fish that don’t want to cause any trouble. This is one of the reasons why they’re so popular with freshwater aquarists. You can really put them anywhere!
Pictus Catfish Tank Mates
The list of potential pictus catfish tank mates is rather long due to their peaceful nature. In fact, it can be tough to find tank mates that aren’t a good fit.
Pictus Catfish Facts & Overview
The Pictus Catfish ( Pimelodus Pictus) also known as Pictus Cat and Angel Cat, is a member of the Pimelodidae family. It is one of the most popular catfish within the aquarium trade and can be a standout in any tank.
Appearance
This catfish is silver colored with lots of black spots. It has transparent fins and white barbels. Its body is long and slender and in captivity it will generally grow to 5 inches in length.
Habitat and Tank Requirements
As always, we recommend your aquarium should as closely as possible match the natural conditions of your species.
Diet
You will find in the wild that Pictus Catfish are scavengers and will eat pretty much anything that they can find. By nature they are omnivorous, so they will eat both meat and plant matter.
Compatibility with other Fish
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:
Breeding
Similarly to other freshwater fish we’ve discussed, the Pictus Catfish is also exceptionally difficult to breed in a home aquarium.
Is the Pictus Catfish Right For Your Aquarium?
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.
