Pictus Catfish

Adult pictus catfish reach about 12 cm in length. Their body has a silvery tone decorated with contrasting black spots that continue onto the fins and tail. One characteristic feature is their very long barbels, which can be up to three-quarters of the fish's total length. Sexual dimorphism is poorly expressed, making it difficult to distinguish males from females visually.

This species' natural range is in the equatorial part of South America, with the highest distribution in present-day Colombia. It prefers numerous small rivers with sandy or silty substrates, and is also found in the main channels of large rivers such as the Vaupés, Kerary, Isana and others.

This is quite a peaceful and calm species, but it should not be forgotten that the pictus catfish is a carnivorous predator. Given the opportunity, it will readily eat small fish such as neons, guppies and others, so it can be kept together only with fish of similar size. The pictus catfish feels comfortable both alone and in a group; intraspecific conflicts are not observed among them.

For comfortable keeping of one fish, the minimum aquarium volume should be 240 litres. Sandy substrate is recommended, supplemented with a few smooth boulders and various pieces of driftwood to serve as shelters for the catfish. Live plants are not mandatory, but clusters of floating vegetation are welcome because they provide additional shading in the tank. Pictus catfish prefer dimmed lighting and will spend more time in shelters under bright light. To recreate water conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat, moderate water flow should be provided in addition to maintaining stable water chemistry. The filtration system usually handles this well, but in very large tanks additional equipment may be needed to create artificial flow. Tank maintenance is standard: regular cleaning of the substrate of organic deposits and weekly 20–25% water changes. Remember that a dirty substrate with stagnant water can cause problems with the fish's barbels, increasing the risk of infection.

In the wild, the pictus catfish's diet includes aquatic insects and their larvae, small worms, crustaceans, and small fish. Despite their predatory feeding habits, these fish are quite undemanding in aquarium conditions and readily accept various types of food: dry, frozen and live, as long as it sinks. It is important to note that the pictus catfish does not regulate its satiety and will continue to eat as long as food is available. To avoid overeating and associated digestive problems, it is recommended to feed the fish no more than once a day, offering an amount of food they can consume in 5 minutes.

Breeding this catfish species in home conditions is associated with significant difficulties and is practically impossible in an artificial aquarium environment.

The main cause of most diseases is unsuitable keeping conditions and poor-quality food. If you notice the first symptoms, immediately check the water parameters and ensure there are no high concentrations of harmful substances (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc.). The parameters must be brought back to normal before any treatment can begin.

When buying, pay attention to the fish's activity and the condition of its skin. A healthy pictus catfish should be active, without visible damage, ulcers or coating on the body and fins. Pay particular attention to the condition of the long barbels: they should be intact, without signs of splitting or necrosis, as damage to these organs often indicates poor water quality in the shop. — Avoid individuals with clamped fins or signs of emaciation — Check for the absence of spots or white coating typical of fungal diseases — Keep in mind that this species has sharp spines in its fins, so when transporting use sturdy bags to avoid punctures. When inspecting in the shop, remember that this is a predatory species. If the fish look lethargic or are kept in conditions of severe crowding, the risk of infectious disease significantly increases. Sharp spines on the pectoral and dorsal fins pose a danger during catching, so it is better to use a special container or sturdy net to move the fish to avoid injuring the catfish and damaging the net.