Pictus catfish care guide
Also called: Pictus cat, Pictus, Spotted pictus catfish
The pictus catfish is a fast, silver catfish with black spots and very long whiskers. It's a hungry predator that eats small fish, so keep a group of 3 or more in at least 75 gallons (284 L), 4 ft (120 cm) long, with larger tankmates.
Pictus catfish need a tank of at least 75 gallons (284 L), a group of 3 or more, and water at 22–25°C (72–77°F) with a pH of 6–7. They grow to about 13 cm (5.1 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with pictus catfishSee all tank mates
Pictus catfish quick facts
| Scientific name | Pimelodus pictus |
|---|---|
| Family | Pimelodidae |
| Origin | Amazon and Orinoco basins in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil (wild-caught) |
| Adult size | 13 cm (5.1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 75 gallons (284 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 22–25°C (72–77°F) |
| pH | 6–7 |
| Hardness (GH) | 4–15 dGH |
| Group size | 3 or more (shoaling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.
Tank setup
A group of three needs at least a 75-gallon (284 L) tank 4 ft (120 cm) long, because they swim almost nonstop, especially at night. Use fine sand, smooth stones and driftwood, and leave a wide open swimming lane. Strong filtration and some current suit them. Tough plants like java fern and anubias survive their activity.
How many pictus catfish in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits pictus catfish is a 75 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Pictus catfish (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | 3–14 |
| 125 gallon | 3–24 |
What you need for pictus catfish
Sized for a 75 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 3 pictus catfish. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 75 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 75 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 626 lb (284 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 100 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 74 °F (23.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 300–450 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 75 lb of aquarium sand (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 1.5 in (4 cm) deep. Soft sand protects the barbels of corydoras, loaches and other diggers. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 48 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for pictus catfish
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Freeze-dried bloodworms or brine shrimp (opens Amazon in a new tab)A treat that carnivores and insect eaters love. Feed it a few times a week.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 22–25°C (72–77°F), pH 6.0–7.0 and soft to moderately hard water (about 4–15 dGH). It has no scales and is sensitive to dirty water, which can wear down its long barbels. Change water every week and keep nitrate low.
Best tank mates for pictus catfish
These popular species share pictus catfish' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 24 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Tiger barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Siamese algae eater
15 cm (5.9 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Denison barb
13 cm (5.1 in) · 20–25°C (68–77°F)
Avoid keeping pictus catfish with
- Cherry shrimp: Pictus catfish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Guppy: Pictus catfish can eat guppies: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Neon tetra: Pictus catfish can eat neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Panda corydoras: Pictus catfish can eat panda corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Zebra danio: Pictus catfish can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- African dwarf frog: Pictus catfish can eat African dwarf frogs.
Feeding
It is a carnivore that eats insects and other small animals in the wild. Feed sinking pellets plus frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis and chopped earthworms. Adults will gorge themselves if allowed, so feed modest portions and remove leftovers. Feed after lights out while new fish settle in.
Behavior
Pictus are not aggressive and ignore fish they can't swallow, but they will eat neons, guppies and other small fish. Their constant motion and long barbels can stress slow fish like angelfish. Good tankmates are active, mid-sized fish such as rainbowfish, giant danios, larger tetras and barbs, and sturdy catfish. Keep 3 or more; a single fish hides all day.
Breeding
Pictus catfish have not been bred in home aquariums, so all are wild-caught. Females are thought to be thicker-bodied than males, but sexing them is unreliable.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Never net a pictus. Its fin spines tangle in netting, so scoop it out with a container.
- Its spines can give a painful sting. Take care when your hands are in the tank.
- Neons, guppies and other fish under about 2 inches (5 cm) get eaten, mostly at night. Pick tankmates over 2.5 inches (6.5 cm).
- It has no scales and reacts badly to some medications. Check labels for scaleless-fish warnings.
- Use sand or smooth substrate. Rough gravel and dirty water wear down its long barbels.
Frequently asked questions
Will pictus catfish eat neon tetras?
Yes. Adult pictus eat neons, guppies and other fish small enough to swallow, mostly at night. Keep them only with fish about 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) or larger.
What size tank does a pictus catfish need?
Plan on at least 75 gallons (284 L) and 4 ft (120 cm) long for a group of three. They are fast, nonstop swimmers and quickly outgrow small tanks.
Is a pictus catfish sting dangerous?
Its fin spines can puncture skin and cause sharp pain and swelling for a couple of hours. Move it with a container, never with bare hands or a net.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.