Pimelodus pictus
Encyclopedia
Pimelodus pictus, also known as the pictus cat, is a small (11–12 cm) member of the Pimelodidae
family of catfishes, native to the Amazon
and Orinoco
river basins and commonly kept as a pet in freshwater aquarium
s. It was described by Franz Steindachner
in 1876. Pictus cats are sometimes mislabeled as Angelicus cats in the aquarium trade, but the latter name actually refers to an unrelated African catfish, the mochokid
Synodontis angelica
.
Pimelodus pictus should not be confused with Leiarius
pictus, a much larger (60 cm) pimelodid.
, with females being slightly larger than males. Like many catfish, P. pictus has a downturned mouth and a forked tail.
These fish are active swimmers and, like many catfishes, nocturnal bottom feeders
. Two forms are known; a large-spotted form and a small-spotted form. Of the two, only the large-spotted form is commonly seen in the aquarium trade; it does not grow as large as the small-spotted form.
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 fishes and Neon Tetra
s. Despite this, they are generally non-aggressive and will not harm fishes too large for them to eat. They are also non-territorial and can be kept with other P. pictus. Besides the mildly venomous sting imparted by the dorsal spine, they are generally harmless to humans.
In the wild, Pimelodus pictus has an estimated average trophic level
of 3.19 and is not believed to be vulnerable
.
Pimelodidae
Pimelodidae, commonly known as the long-whiskered catfishes, is a family of catfishes .-Taxonomy:Pimelodidae has undergone much revision. Currently, the family contains about 30 genera and about 90 recognized and known but unnamed species...
family of catfishes, native to the Amazon
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
and Orinoco
Orinoco
The Orinoco is one of the longest rivers in South America at . Its drainage basin, sometimes called the Orinoquia, covers , with 76.3% of it in Venezuela and the remainder in Colombia...
river basins and commonly kept as a pet in freshwater aquarium
Freshwater aquarium
A freshwater aquarium is a receptacle that holds one or more freshwater aquatic organisms for decorative, pet-keeping, or research purposes. Modern aquariums are most often made from transparent glass or acrylic glass. Typical inhabitants include fish, plants, amphibians, and invertebrates, such as...
s. It was described by Franz Steindachner
Franz Steindachner
Franz Steindachner was an Austrian zoologist.- Work and career :Being interested in natural history, Steindachner took up the study of fossil fishes on the recommendation of his friend Eduard Suess...
in 1876. Pictus cats are sometimes mislabeled as Angelicus cats in the aquarium trade, but the latter name actually refers to an unrelated African catfish, the mochokid
Mochokidae
The Mochokidae are a family of catfishes that are known as the squeakers and upside-down catfish. There are 10 genera and about 188 species of mochokids. All the mochokids are freshwater species originating from Africa....
Synodontis angelica
Synodontis angelica
Synodontis angelica is a species of catfish of the family Mochokidae, commonly named Polka-dot African catfish or Angel squeaker.It comes from Zaire and Cameroon.- In the aquarium :...
.
Pimelodus pictus should not be confused with Leiarius
Leiarius
Leiarius is a genus of catfishes of the family Pimelodidae. It includes four species. Most of the genus' species are ornamental species kept as pets in the aquarium hobby.-Taxonomy:...
pictus, a much larger (60 cm) pimelodid.
Details
Pimelodus pictus, like other members of the Pimelodidae, are known for having extremely long barbels. These can extend all the way to the caudal fin. The fish are silver-colored with black spots and stripes. They have sharp spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins, which makes shipping a difficult task, since the spines can pierce plastic bags and get caught in nets. There is relatively little sexual dimorphismSexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
, with females being slightly larger than males. Like many catfish, P. pictus has a downturned mouth and a forked tail.
These fish are active swimmers and, like many catfishes, nocturnal bottom feeders
Bottom feeder
Demersal fish live on or near the bottom of the sea or lakes. They occupy the sea floors and lake beds, which usually consist of mud, sand, gravel or rocks. In coastal waters they are found on or near the continental shelf, and in deep waters they are found on or near the continental slope or along...
. Two forms are known; a large-spotted form and a small-spotted form. Of the two, only the large-spotted form is commonly seen in the aquarium trade; it does not grow as large as the small-spotted form.
In captivity, these fish prefer soft water and are omnivorous; pictus cats eat bloodworms, beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
heart, insects, vegetables, and prepared fish foods. They will also eat very small fishes and Neon Tetra
Neon tetra
The neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater or clearwater streams in southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru, and western Brazil, including the tributaries of the Solimões where the water is between...
s. Despite this, they are generally non-aggressive and will not harm fishes too large for them to eat. They are also non-territorial and can be kept with other P. pictus. Besides the mildly venomous sting imparted by the dorsal spine, they are generally harmless to humans.
In the wild, Pimelodus pictus has an estimated average trophic level
Trophic level
The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a food chain. The word trophic derives from the Greek τροφή referring to food or feeding. A food chain represents a succession of organisms that eat another organism and are, in turn, eaten themselves. The number of steps an organism...
of 3.19 and is not believed to be vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
.