Characteristics , Origin , and Helpful Information for hobbyist
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The pictus wolf fish is a desirable addition to many freshwater community cooler . Their nocturnal nature just requires dim firing or places to hide during the daytime . These fish have the potential to grow up to a yard long , but most pictus catfish breed in captivity do not terminate up that large .
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This attractive catfish has a black and white spotted pattern . And the barbels , or “ whiskers , ” on this fish can be so farsighted that they function the length of the physical structure . They can create a beautiful demarcation to other colorful fish in your tank .
Learn more about the pictus catfish and everything they need to thrive .
Species Overview
vulgar Name : Pictus catfish , pictus cat
Scientific Name : Pimelodus pictus
Adult Size:5 to 6 in
aliveness Expectancy:4 to 8 years
Characteristics
Origin and Distribution
The pictus catfish is a nocturnal fish aboriginal to South America . Franz Steindachner , a animal scientist , described these fish in 1876 .
They are establish in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins , and they ’re native to countries that admit Colombia , Brazil , Venezuela , and Peru . But they have been kept in aquariums for many generation .
Colors and Markings
The pictus wolf fish has a characteristic silvery , placid body with ignominious spots . Like other catfish species , they do not have any external scales . They have the common barbels , used for tasting food deep in the substrate , and sharp spines on their pectoral and dorsal fivesome .
Take capital care when handle these Pisces the Fishes to keep off getting poked by these spines . These fish are often snag in nets , so using an open container to handle these fish is recommended .
If your paw is perforated by a catfish spine , make clean it cautiously and do not return your hand to the tank water supply . Pisces - manager ’s diseasecan be get if these lesion are not care for carefully .
If you have any family members with compromised resistant system , include young children and older , there is also the risk ofMycobacteriaspp . transmission , ordinarily screw as " fish tuberculosis , " with fish - related wound .
Tankmates
Being peaceful , nocturnal fish , the pictus catfish can be kept withmany different species , provided they are not too belligerent during the daytime while the pictus catfish is hiding .
Ideal tankmates include :
Although they could be keep alone , it ’s better to keep more than one pictus catfish in a storage tank , as they ’re roll in the hay for shoaling . Just keep in mind their large tank size requirement .
When selecting appropriate tankmates for peaceful community fish tank , check that theirwater timber parameters , specifically pH , kH , and temperature , all correspond .
Pictus Catfish Habitat and Care
The most important part of the pictus catfish home ground is a quiet , daytime resting place . Do not ask to see your pictus wolffish much during the day unless you usesubdued , muffled lightingon your tank car .
Be sure to have a cave or log for your pictus wolf fish to obliterate in during the 24-hour interval . If you have other pictus catfish , nocturnal species , or bottom feeders , such as Plecostomus spp . , be trusted you have enough concealing places for everyone .
In terms of cooler sizing for a single catfish , a respectable space to get down is a 55 - gallon tank — you’ll take another 50 Imperial gallon for each additional catfish . These fish can develop to be 6 in , and they like to drown around and vagabond , so they need a lot of space .
add plants throughout the tank can create an environment that more closely mime their natural habitat . Maintain the water temperature around 74 - 78 F , and the pH at 7.0 to 7.4 .
Pictus Catfish Diet and Feeding
The pictus catfish is an omnivore and will adapt easily to apelleted dieting . You are welcome to supplement your pictus catfish with bothmeaty and veggie goody , such as :
Since they are nocturnal fish , be sure to leave alone some food out for them when you turn off the storage tank lighting . In tank with slow lighting , you may see your fish number out to eat with the respite of your army tank inhabitants .
Are pictus catfish bottom feeders ? Yes , but do n’t expect this species to clean house up after your other fish . Although they are bottom feeders and will in all probability nosh upon some detritus , it is not their primary diet and they will often require separate eating due to their nocturnal nature .
Gender Differences
Unfortunately , the pictus catfish does not have any external sexual practice feature . With individuals of the same age and care , the females may be tumid than the male person .
Breeding the Pictus Catfish
Breeding the pictus catfish is not an easy endeavor . Many advanced hobbyist fight with ply a suitable habitat for these Pisces to lay their eggs . A very large armoured combat vehicle is recommended , and using a mathematical group of fish will sure enough increase your chances . Always make trusted to properly quarantine all your novel raising fish , especially if they are make out from various generator .
As with any indoor aquarium setup , it is commend to put up abreeding or spawning tankseparate from the plate tankful in rescript to manipulate the pee chemistry and provide a safe environment for any materialisation . Due to the static nature of most indoor marine museum setup , change to the water supply temperature or other H2O chemistry parameter are often want to induct spawning .
More Pet Fish Species
If you are concerned in the pictus catfish , we urge you contain out some of these other Pisces the Fishes species :
you may keep a single pictus wolffish . However , these Pisces school , especially when they ’re young , so keeping more than one is a good estimate .
Pictus catfish should be kept in piddle that is gentle to moderately intemperately .
